Taylor Jenkins Reid – Malibu Rising

Taylor Jenkins Reid – Malibu Rising

It started out as a love story, but Mick Riva wasn’t made for loving only one woman, he was first of all made for a career in the music business and that’s what he did. His wife June though was made for loving but since her husband was absent, she only had to love her kids. The first born Nina, and the second, Jay, and the third who wasn’t her kid at all but she couldn’t just turn her back on Mick’s son Hud who was abandoned by his mother. And last but not least Kit, born long after her parents’ relationship had already fractured several times. While Mick was away, June took care of the kids until she couldn’t anymore, then quite naturally, Nina took over. Now, as a successful model, she is preparing for the legendary annual Riva party in her home in Malibu. Even though they have been having this party for many years, this year will be different and at the end of the night, nothing will be the same anymore for any of the Riva family.

I totally adored Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel “Daisy Jones & The Six“ which was totally lively and got be hooked from the first page. He latest book “Malibu Rising” had exactly the same effect. Her protagonist Nina, whose day of the big party is told alternatingly with the family’s story, is a strong character in a very special way. Her most striking feature surely is to take over responsibility and to do what needs to be done while totally forgetting that she, too, has the right to live. But instead of thinking about herself, she simply cares for the people around her, especially her younger siblings.

While everybody is preparing for the party, the biggest event every summer which is not to be missed by anybody important, Nina strikes a balance of her life so far. She made the maximum of the rather poor baseline. She has become one of the most demanded sports models, idolised by masses of people, her younger brothers are just starting their careers and also the baby of the family is going to fledge the family nest and to make herself noticed and a name. Their father has only ever existed at the edge of their life, it was their mother June who put herself last to make her children feel loved and have a good life despite all the adversities. Now, however, seems to be the moment for a big change.

Another set of unforgettable characters who know what is important in life and underline that there is nothing that will bring you down as long as you’ve got the ones who love you around. Even though nothing could be further from my life than surfing, I liked the passages where the author describes how the kids feel in the water and how surfing provides them with an unknown feeling of freedom.

The perfect summer read which is not at all the light feel-good novel but much rather a great story simply to indulge in.

Leon de Winter – Malibu

Leon de Winter – Malibu

Am Morgen gratuliert Joop Koopman seiner Tochter Mirjam noch zum 17. Geburtstag und die Welt ist in Ordnung. Nur wenige Stunden später sieht er sich einem Angebot des Mossad ausgesetzt und seine Tochter ist nicht mehr am Leben. Während Koopman noch versucht, den tödlichen Unfall zu verstehen – wobei God, der sich mitschuldig daran fühlt ihm zunächst auf die Pelle rückt, dann aber unterstützt – muss er gleichzeitig eine wichtige Mission erfüllen und einen vermeintlichen Terroristen aushorchen. Ganz nebenbei taucht auch eine alte Bekannte wieder auf, die sich der Spiritualität verschrieben und angeblich wichtige Hinweise zu Koopmans Vergangenheit aufgetan hat. Das einst geordnete Leben des niederländischen Drehbuchaustors gerät vollends aus den Fugen.

De Winter ist für mich ohne Frage einer der besten Gegenwartsautoren, der Spannung und anspruchsvolle, komplexe Handlung geschickt zu verknüpfen weiß. Auch „Malibu“ ist so angelegt, aber dennoch beschlich mich bisweilen der Verdacht, dass er hier etwas zu viel gewollt hat: die jüdische Weltverschwörung, der Lone Wolf Terrorist, der von den Saudis finanziert wird, der mysteriöse Tod der Tochter zu genau diesem Zeitpunkt, die vermeintliche Seelenwanderung eines Schweizer Bankiers und dann auch noch ein Fitness Trainer namens „God“ – ja, irgendwie findet alles seinen Platz und wird miteinander verknüpft, aber etwas weniger hätte auch gereicht. Die subtilen Anspielungen – Koopman, der Kaufmann, der sich in Venice Beach den Künstlernamen „Merchant“ gegeben hat und als Jude Gegenspieler zu God und dem muslimischen Terroristen wird, man kann drüber schmunzeln und dass das berühmt Pfund Fleisch dann auch noch auftaucht… nun ja: unterhaltsam, durchaus durchdacht, aber doch a bit too much.