Eve Ottenberg – författare

The Widows Opera is the story of people whose lives have been uprooted by the cataclysms of the twentieth century World War II, Stalins purges and, earlier, the Armenian Genocide.

The novel chronicles the life of Ursa Smirny, a Polish refugee in New York City. It also recounts her friendship with the ruthless Nina Morphy, and Ninas mysterious husband, nicknamed Morpheus by the murderers, thieves and other felons of the prisons where he spends his time. Among the many minor characters, some are comic, like the benighted Mr. Darkwood and some otherworldly, like Mr. Tannini; a self-styled nineteenth-century humanist and bibliophile. But it is also a story of betrayal, murder and revenge that moves quickly from the first page to the last.

This comic novel set in the worldof New York City real estate in thelate 1970s and early 1980s chronicles the coming of age of Clara Chimes, whowant to be a scientist. But her overbearing aunt wants her in the familybusiness. Brilliant though not particularly good at standing up for herself,Clara flounders through her familys upper class Republican milieu only toloose her way. Clara becomes lost in the world of the housing court, crazed andsomewhat corrupt judges, and tenant organizing, and she also struggles with heraunts cancer. Minor characters abound, and some are hilarious, especiallyClaras Republican voting, health-food-eating eccentric friends from the MainLine. After a tour of Claras somewhat wacky acquaintance, thereader sees her settle for something not her first choice, but still very good.