"When Leni Zumas' Red Clocks came out in 2018, the speculative novel was widely lauded, not just for Zumas' quicksilver prose, but for the story's dystopic setting: a United States of America where the practice of abortion has been criminalized. Now, in the space of seven years, that speculation has become reality for the residents of 12 states. Red Clocks struck a relevant chord for those who saw the tide shifting."
"Zumas' new novel Wolf Bells is an obvious step forward in terms of clarity and employs her ultra readable, highly-effective form-the merry-go-round of characters whirs to life. However, I wonder if it's possible for the book to receive even a shadow of the same acclaim as her previous novel. Not only is it not about a hot button issue, but it's centered on people society would like to forget: older women, disabled people, the elderly, and students, among others."
"Run by Caz-a successful musician past her heyday-and her bandmate/best friend Vara, the house has a lot of problems (they need to hire a nurse) and delights (someone always seems to be cooking). Caz has tried to create a mutually beneficial set-up to keep elderly tenants out of impersonal facilities by offering free rent to students in exchange for weekly chores and keeping company with their older housemates."
Wolf Bells centers on an intentional three-story historic house where young students and elderly residents live together. Caz, a musician past her heyday, and her bandmate Vara run the household, balancing delights like shared cooking with practical problems such as hiring a nurse. The arrangement offers students free rent for chores and companionship while keeping elderly tenants out of impersonal facilities. The narrative circulates among residents' histories and the home's past, beginning with the tragic 1919 origin and returning irregularly to unravel mysteries. The circulating point of view highlights physical and emotional stages of life and foregrounds older, disabled, and marginalized characters.
Read at Portland Mercury
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