The Antidote, by Karen Russell

 

The Antidote, by Karen Russell, is a memorable historical novel with elements of mystery and magical realism. It takes place in the fictional farming town of Uz, Nebraska, during The Great Depression. 

The characters in this story are richly drawn, with backstories that are well developed and intriguing. We meet a woman known as The Antidote, a prairie witch with the power to act as a repository for unwanted and burdensome memories for her clients, a local farmer who is mystified by something going on at his farm, his niece, who is an orphan and basketball star, a government photographer who might have found a haunted camera, and a bewildered scarecrow. There are more, but these are the main characters. The sheriff is also important, and there’s also a poor young man wrongly accused of murder, and a certain cat, but I shouldn’t let this review get out of hand. 

Along with its riveting plot, this story is also a bit of a history lesson and makes statements that are always timely. For instance, farmer Harp Oletsky learns that his parents fled Poland because of persecution, only to play a dark part in another country’s history of  oppression. In the Midwest, Native Americans were robbed of their culture and lands, while African Americans were also oppressed and denied basic rights. New immigrants saw what was happening, but were easily intimidated, and did not speak up against any of it. They became complicit. So, Uz is collapsing not just because of the dust, but because of the lessons its caretakers have failed to grasp. What we humans do really  matters and determines what type of future awaits us. It’s a hopeful message, that a future with a compassionate culture and a better environment is possible, if only we can all stick together.

There is so much going on in this novel, it’s a fascinating read, and I really got into each character’s story.  These narratives  come together in a pleasing way and I love the way this is written. I would recommend this book to anyone, and would like to thank Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the chance to read and review this title.