This is not an easy read. Nor it is a quick one. Even though this book is classified as a novel, in reality it is more like a diary, where a particular person reminisce about her past. The story is about an era that is not widely discussed by the people who grew up in it. Life in the Eastern Blokk was uncomprehendable for anyone not associated with it. After reading this one will understand why. This book concentrates on the life of two sisters, where one's jelousy towards the other is disturbing in itself, but add to that an era where corruption blooms, where atrocities are experienced every day, where one can never trust anyone, where the constant fear of repercussions determines the day to day lives of many. The decisions made are horrific, the repercussions equally terrible. It is a wonder that I could like the main character, Aliide less and less as the story unfolded. At one point I even wondered that somewhere along her life she must has lost her sanity, as her actions and thoughts were incredibly painful to read. The title of the book, Purge, is spot on. It is this feeling that carries the reader through the book. I do feel I need to purge myself of the feelings the story has conjured in me. The story jumps around a lot, in time as well as in narrative, which is at first a bit hard to follow but eventually it all comes toether. And it never falters from the main feelings. Even the end of the book is what one would expect from such a book. It's more the the diary just ended , but everything still continued on in the background. Not a happy ending in sight. But that was life. That was what happened during that time in history. And the repercussions of those times are still felt today. A worthy read. Monilla on kaapissa luurankoja, mutta Aliide Truun komerossa on mies.Puhdistus on niin pilallehypetetty kirja, että siihen on vaikea suhtautua. Juoni on punottu nerokkaasti ja lause soljuu kauniisti, pikkutarkat detaljit liittyvät aukottomasti olennaisimpaan juonenkulkuun, ja ees taas ajassa ja paikassa ja näkökulmissa heittelehtivä kerronta pysyy kasassa yllättävän hyvin ja sitä on yllättävän helppo seurata. Kaikin puolin onnistunut teos. Vain viimeisestä osasta en pitänyt – en sen paljastuksista mutta vielä enemmän en sen kerrontatavasta, muka autenttisten raporttien kautta, lukeminen kävi raskaaksi.Tapahtumien sysäävänä voimana on Aliiden pakkomielteinen "rakkaus" Hansiin. Ajat ovat niin kummallisia, että ehkä juuri tuo järjetön pakkomielle on se koossa pitävä ajatus, joka pitää Aliiden järjissään. Kärpäset ovat romaanin läpi kulkeva motiivi, niistä teos alkaa ja niihin se päättyy, ja ne pörräävät mukana koko ajan, joka paikassa ja joka ajassa. Raatoja syövä hyönteinen on osuva symboli ajalle, jolloin vain kuvainnollisesti raatoja syömällä saattoi selvitä hengissä.
What do You think about Puhdistus (2008)?
Me ha gustado, aunque al final me ha dejado con sensación de que me ha faltado algo.
—brandi721
