A Change of Time by Ida Jessen (reviewed by Lisa Frusztajer)

This novel, translated from the original Danish, is the fictional journal of a middle-aged woman as she becomes widowed and responds to her husband’s death.  The protagonist lives in a small Danish village and the book is set in the early 1900s.

As we read, the journal writer’s story reveals itself quietly and subtly.  Through musings about the past, present and future, we get to know the protagonist, her husband and people in their community, and we learn about thejournal author's marriage and each spouse’s role in it.  Recounting experiences, feelings and decisions that have led her to the present moment, the protagonist reclaims interests and connections from the past, weaving them into building a new life.

The novel mirrors the reality of how we become aware of and articulate our thoughts.  Sometimes we focus on significant insights, sometimes on the mundane; sometimes we describe the concrete, at other times the abstract.  Jessen lets us accompany the protagonist on this inner journey. 

Knowing that the novel is structured as a fictional first-person journal helps reduce some potential initial confusion.  This is the second book by Jessen about these characters.  Alas, their first appearance is unavailable, as far as I have been able to find, in English.  At least for now.  

A Change of Time contains a lot of rich ideas in the guise of the rambling musings of a fictional journal writer.  The book is best attentively read, but at only 245 short-format pages, it’s worth the effort.

Lisa Frusztajer