Review Shelter in place – David Leavitt

Nobody expected him to actually win, but he did. Devastated Eva decides she doesn’t even want to hear his name. Let alone, speak to her neighbor ever again. That sob did actually vote for the guy! She will ignore him from now on. Her husband Bruce finds everything Eva does to his liking. He won’t go against her wishes. But he can’t help himself not to be too angry about his new president. He forgets he’s not supposed to say the name Tru…oops..at times. Shelter in Place is funny and sad at the same time.

Eva Lindquist

She and her best friend Min take a trip to good old Italy. Eva needs to leave her home and country. She doesn’t feel safe anymore, now that this Tr… has taken over. When in Italy she finds a darling apartment for sale. This is the answer to her prayers. She will buy the apartment and move to Italy. Far away from the country she once felt safe in and far away from the destruction of democracy.

Bruce Lindquist

In the meantime Bruce is left with their artsy friends. He doesn’t quite know how to handle them and himself with Eva gone. When he finds out that his secretary and right hand has cancer and is in debt he finally finds a project he wants to work. First he will take care of her immediate needs. He drives her back and forth to the hospital for her chemo treatments. Then he will take care of her financial needs.

Hilarious

The book is hilarious and at the same time a little sad as well. Eva’s shock and lack of feeling safe in her own country anymore is as real as anything. She will buy the apartment no matter the cost. And the cost adds up. First it’s the garden that’s not included in the initial sale, then it’s the hallway to get to the apartment that needs extra money in even enter the building where the apartment is located. But nothing, absolutely nothing terrifies Eva as much as living in a country with Tr..ooops, at the helm.

Meantime

Bruce, however, thinks it won’t make such a big difference who’s in charge. He likes his neighbors and walks the dogs in his company. As long as Eva won’t find out, he’ll be safe. His secretary takes up lots of his time. He doesn’t want to think about any small issues as buying a million dollar apartment. Still, he loves his wife. With all of her wild ideas and crazy notions.

David Leavitt

David Leavitt is an American author. He was born in 1961 in Pittsburgh and studied English at Yale University. David has written many books, but feels most comfortable writing short stories.