Adam Kasper is a historian delving into the archives of an old museum; traveling with him is Joan Templeton, a journalist. Although they have come to Poland together in hopes that their new romance might flourish, Adam's work is all-consuming, and Joan finds better company with Rudy Vander Lage, a lecturer at the university who is coping with widowhood. By chance, they cross paths with Pawel Radincki, a man of unstable mind who hopes to transform his life by means both criminal and occult.
Adam's obsession with his research leads him to commit a serious breach of academic protocol. Although their relationship is disintegrating, Joan decides to help him with a bold and risky plan, and she enlists the aid of Rudy. Neither realizes that the risks they take will stymie Pawel's plans and put Joan's life in danger. Theft, murder, and magic propel the plot, which reaches a climax at the turn of the millennium, when relationships are realigned, and follies laid bare.
Carolyn Korsmeyer is the author of five books in philosophy and the editor of several more. She also writes fiction, and her novel, Charlotte's Story (TouchPoint Press), will be available in the Fall of 2021. Her particular fields of philosophy include aesthetics, the senses, and emotion theory.
My Thoughts
Little Follies by Carolyn Korsmeyer is the story of Adam Kasper and his new girlfriend, Joan Templeton, both Americans. They both go to Krakow Poland so Adam can do his research in the museum. The story is set in the late 90's, 1999 to be exact.
Adam realizes on the plane ride to Krakow that Joan purchased return tickets on December 31st. The end of the millennium and we all know about Y2K and what was perceived as to what happened. To me this was the ending of their relationship. Adam becomes so involved in his research that he neglects Joan, and she finds ways to entertain herself ie her relationship with Rudy, who is Dutch and in Poland for a limited time.
Pawel Radincki is an unstable man who wants to change his life by unlawful means and with the occult. Joan and Adam come up with a plan, with the assistance of Rudy to thwart Pawel's plans. This plan comes with magic, danger, theft and murder is committed. Joan's life is in danger and at the turn of the millennium, relationships are "realigned and follies are laid bare".
Adam breaks academic protocol in that he takes a diary that he finds that has a lot to do with his research. He gets so invested in his research that he puts Joan in danger, thus the plan.
This is a book that really has the reader immersed in the story, very academic. It took me a bit to get into it, but I did enjoy the story. I give it 5 stars, the research needed was impeccable!
I received a copy of the book for review purposes only.
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