ANTHONY MARRA is the author of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena (2013), which won the National Book Critics Circle’s inaugural John Leonard Prize, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in fiction, the Barnes and Noble Discover Award, and appeared on over twenty year-end lists. Sex … Two doctors risk everything to save the life … ... and characters have a propensity to spout expository history and aphoristic wisdom. A National Book Awards Longlist Selection" "A "New York Times" and "Washington Post" bestseller A story of the transcendent power of love in wartime, "A Constellation of Vital Phenomena" is a work of sweeping breadth, profound compassion, and lasting significance. Set in the all-too-real Chechen conflict, Marra conjures fragile and heartfelt characters whose fates interrogate the very underpinnings of love and sacrifice. ANTHONY MARRA is the author of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena (2013), which won the National Book Critics Circle’s inaugural John Leonard Prize, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in fiction, the Barnes and Noble Discover Award, and appeared on over twenty year-end lists. When their lifelong neighbor Akhmed finds Havaa hiding in the forest with a strange blue suitcase, he makes a … A Constellation of Vital Phenomena. The title is taken from one character’s medical journal, under the entry for “life”. Marra’s novel was a National Book Award … ANTHONY MARRA is the author of "A Constellation of Vital Phenomena" (2013), which won the National Book Critics Circle s inaugural John Leonard Prize, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in fiction, the Barnes and Noble Discover Award, and appeared on over twenty year-end lists. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena Characters Anthony Marra This Study Guide consists of approximately 53 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is a sweeping novel that uncovers the characters' pasts and propels them into the future. Akhmed is a Chechen man born and raised in the small village of Eldár. ANTHONY MARRA is the author of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena (2013), which won the National Book Critics Circle’s inaugural John Leonard Prize, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in fiction, the Barnes and Noble Discover Award, and appeared on over twenty year-end lists. Study Guide for A Constellation of Vital Phenomena. A story of the transcendent power of love in wartime, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is a work of sweeping breadth, profound compassion, and lasting significance. --Vincent Lam, author of "The Headmaster's Wager " "Powerful, convincing, beautifully realized--it's hard to believe that "A Constellation of Vital Phenomena… However, Akhmed skips his labs and lectures to attend art classes and graduates at the … Praise for A Constellation of Vital Phenomena Praise for A Constellation of Vital Phenomena Tension is rarely allowed to build. And eventually, Akhmed barters his life in the same way. Set in the all-too-real Chechen conflict, Marra conjures fragile and heartfelt characters whose fates interrogate the very underpinnings of love and … There's nothing easy about torture. Marra’s novel was a National Book Award … A National Book Awards Longlist Selection" "A "New York Times" and "Washington Post" bestseller A story of the transcendent power of love in wartime, "A Constellation of Vital Phenomena" is a work of sweeping breadth, profound compassion, and lasting significance. ANTHONY MARRA is the author of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena (2013), which won the National Book Critics Circle’s inaugural John Leonard Prize, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in fiction, the Barnes and Noble Discover Award, and appeared on over twenty year-end lists. Hagen, (Oklahoma Baptist University) World Literature Today 87.5 (2013): 60-61. Akhmed. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is a novel about preserving humanity amidst horror. Now with Extra Libris material, including a reader’s guide and bonus content from the author. ANTHONY MARRA is the author of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena (2013), which won the National Book Critics Circle’s inaugural John Leonard Prize, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in fiction, the Barnes and Noble Discover Award, and appeared on over twenty year-end lists. Now with Extra Libris material, including a reader’s guide and bonus content from the author. Some novels defy gravity, spanning years and crossing ruined landscapes and entire solar systems of characters while still maintaining an ethereal, almost impossible lightness. Remarkable and breathtaking, Anthony Marra's A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is a spellbinding elegy for an overlooked land engulfed by an oft forgotten war. Two doctors risk everything to save the life of a hunted child in this majestic debut about love, loss, and the … The characters evolve with growth. The duality leads to a real sense of the humanity of the characters, and the devotion shown by some of them demonstrates the redeeming power of love even in the bleakest of settings. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena study guide contains a biography of Anthony Marra, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. “A Constellation of Vital Phenomena,” by Anthony Marra. Reviewed By Catherine Carberry. May 6th, 2013. New York Times Notable Book of the YearIn a small rural village in Chechnya, eight-year-old Havaa watches from the woods as Russian soldiers abduct her father in the middle of the night and then set fire to her home. Marra’s novel was a National Book Award … It is a powerful story. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena By Sarah Jessica Parker Updated May 09, 2013 at 04:00 AM EDT The A Constellation of Vital Phenomena Community Note includes chapter-by-chapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. “Remarkable and breathtaking, Anthony Marra’s A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is a spellbinding elegy for an overlooked land engulfed by an oft forgotten war. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra is a beautifully written novel. The novel also observes how relationship roles can become fluid in extreme circumstances, and how the plasticity of interpersonal relationships … Marra’s novel was a National Book Award … Life is defined as, “a constellation of vital phenomena "organization, irritability, movement, growth, reproduction, adaptation.” This is shown throughout Marra’s book. After reading A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, I can only echo the amazement of other reviewers: that such an accomplished novel is Anthony Marra's first and that he A story of the transcendent power of love in wartime, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is a work of sweeping breadth, profound compassion, and lasting significance. ISBN-13: 9780770436421 Summary A resilient doctor risks everything to save the life of a hunted child, in this majestic debut about love, loss, and the unexpected ties that bind us together. From the New York Times bestselling author of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena—dazzling, poignant, and lyrical interwoven stories about family, sacrifice, the legacy of war, and the redemptive power of art. The characters Havaa, Dokka, Akemed, Sonja, Ula, Natasha, Khassan, and Ramzan are well crafted in a story that weaves their threads through those of the other characters. Each chapter is set in one of the ten years the book covers and the alternating stories require the reader's attention. Marra’s novel was a National Book Award … This stunning, exquisitely written collection introduces a cast of remarkable characters whose … by Anthony Marra (Hogarth) June 24, 2013 Save this story for later. It's also a difficult book to read. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena A Novel (Book) : Marra, Anthony : 2004, a snow-covered village in Chechnya: Eight-year-old Havaa watches from the woods as Russian soldiers abduct her father in the middle of the night, accusing him of aiding Chechen rebels. A story of the transcendent power of love in wartime, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is a work of sweeping breadth, profound compassion, and lasting significance. a constellation of vital phenomena by Anthony Marra ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 7, 2013 A decade of war in Chechnya informs this multivalent, heartfelt debut, filled with broken families, lost limbs and valiant efforts to … A Constellation of Vital Phenomena Character Analysis. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is filled with small handmade memorials that form another kind of constellation around its characters. Across the road their lifelong neighbor and family friend Akhmed … Whimsies of circumstance, fate, and the ties of family and faith serve to guide the reader and the characters through a richly layered and deeply beautiful journey." “A Constellation of Vital Phenomena.” By W.M. After 41 villagers are disappeared one night – the event that triggers his wife’s dementia – Akhmed paints their portraits (adding a wart to the nose of a woman who never paid for his … LONGLIST, 2013 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD. But when Akhmed slid the finished portrait across the desk and the family saw the shape of that beloved nose, the air would flee the room, replaced by the miracle of recognition as mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, and cousin found in that nose the son, … A Constellation of Vital Phenomena Anthony Marra, 2013 Crown Publishing 400 pp. “The missing remained missing and the portraits couldn't change that. Marra’s novel was a National Book Award … Anthony Marra’s debut novel is one of them, … And everyone must find their own redemption. The surgeon barters Akhmed’s work at the hospital for protecting the child. 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