A Day of Small Beginnings Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum Little, Brown Co. ISBN: 0316014516 Fiction, Historical Fiction Reviewed by Mona Lisa Safai

A Day of Small Beginnings by Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum is an intensely rich story about a multigenerational family teeming with tragedies, struggles, secrets, joys, and eventual evolution of self-discovery.

Set in early1900s Poland, Rosenbaum takes her audience to the depths of a small town, Zokof, where the family story begins. As a young boy, Itzik Leiber accidentally kills a Polish peasant when he sees three children in harm’s way. To save himself and his family, he must flee Zokof. Years later, his son, Nathan, a professor travels to Poland only to find links to his father. Nathan’s daughter, Ellen, a ballet dancer, by trade, less religious later travels to Poland. What she discovers unravels more of their family mystery. Ellen’s search for understanding enables the Leiber’s to finally come full circle.

Rosenbaum writes a gorgeous piece, filled with twists and turns. There is conflict between historical and cultural peoples that she brings to surface beautifully. Her storyteller’s voice is apparent through her choice of characters and dialogue is unforced. This debut novel will definitely keep the reader intrigued and laughing as well.

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