If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name by Heather Lende

If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name by Heather Lende


Book Review by Barnali Saha



"There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!"
-- Emily Dickinson



Hether Lende's "If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name" is a mesmerizing memoir where she talks about her life in Haines, a small town in Alaska with a population of 1,811.

Lende paints about life in a canvas of Alaska and writes thoughtfully about her life, family, faith, neighbors and small town conflicts. Lende's work is calm and composed as well as enticing. She begins her story telling in an enthralling manner. I have always wanted to know about life in Alaska, and this book not only served my purpose, it took me in my dreams to that chilly town as well.

In her book Lende talks about her family, her husband and her children and how they cope with the harsh Alaskan climate.

The world of Haines in a strange world by itself, it seemed that Haines is not part of the world we live in, partly because of the fabulous and beatific nature that Lende describes with passion, and partly because of it being located so far away from the core of the United States of America.

Lende works in the local newspaper and also at the NPR station in Alaska. Apart from that, she is a great homemaker and I learned how to make the "perfect egg-salad sandwich" from the book, together with the art of smoking salmon.

Lende's other profession, which gave her tremendous insight into human lives is being an obituary writer. In the book Lende talks explicitly about death. Death is a part of life and how Lende experienced the passing away of her neighbors, her friends is a part of the book. Lende passionately talks about the death of a young fisherman boy and how his mother weaved the loss of her son in a quilt with colorful threads.

The book may not fulfill the hunger of mystery or thrill, but once you pick it up and start reading you cannot but finish it. Lende's soft voice resonates throughout the book and her portrayal of her life is vivacious. The book is factual and I loved the "duly noted" section of the book where Lende puts scrapes and bits of daily news about Haines and her dwellers.

Family and friends are the yardsticks of Lende’s life and she talks about them. The local fishing spree, the skiing in winter, the picking of berries in the first day of fall — all these descriptions make the book an interesting read.

The dark nights of Alaska give way to vivacious morning, and Lende talks about morning, about hope. Life in a small town can be difficult; the place has no malls, no good restaurants, no public transportation and hospitals, yet, it is a paradise for Lende. The pristine and serene beauty of Alaska is beyond comparison — Lende calls it a blessing of god, and a blessing truly it is. Her insurmountable beauty and her snow capped mounts makes the Last Frontier state a reflection of the Virgin Mary.

Faith like death is also an indispensable part of the book. The local Christian church and the Sunday service, the woman priest all add to the colorful picture that Lende paints. But most importantly it is about the myriad people, living strange lives that become the lub-dub of the book. Surely, if somebody had lived in Haines or even had died there, Lende would know his/her name.

Heather Lende’s first book is a masterpiece. No doubt the book already won a number of awards and is still a chart topper. Her style is clear and honest, much like the lives of the people she talks about. I give this book a five star and recommend it with all my heart. A final caveat for you, be aware of the occasional welling of your eyes as you read the later chapters of the book.

By
Barnali Saha Banerjee
Nashville TN
© Barnali Banerjee, all rights reserved.