The Wondrous and Tragic Life of Ivan and Ivana

April 15, 2020
Award-winning author Cond� (Victoire, 2010) is a gifted storyteller, and nowhere is this more evident than in her latest novel. Set in the author's native Guadeloupe, it follows the lives of twin siblings Ivana and Ivan, who are thrust into poverty from the moment they exit the womb. As they grow older they become inexplicably intertwined, with an almost incestuous love for each other. Employing her trademark technique of writing a family's history in the context of historical events, Cond� takes the twins first to Mali, where they search for their father, and then to Paris, where their initially close bond falls apart. They each follow their own path?Ivana into law enforcement, and Ivan into extreme terrorism. Set during the Charlie Hedbo attacks, this is a fast-paced saga that reveals a seldom-addressed period of African history. Cond�'s writing is both lyrical and textured, and showcases her tremendous talents.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)