Jane Mendelsohn

Winding through several generations, and told in a unique and enchanting style, American Music is a mesmerizing and mysterious love story. In 2005, a war veteran and his physical therapist realize that together they have the ability to see into her past. As the stories unfold, the two share a tender but peculiar relationship, until their own tale comes to a surprising end. American Music is beautiful, exquisitely crafted puzzle, the pieces of which come together to remind us that we are more connected to our past and our future than we realize. Highly recommend.… (more)

A wounded veteran's body becomes a Ouija board at the hands of his massage therapist: Her touch calls spirits across generations. The dreamy landscape of their interwoven stories has the feel of jazz, and it's fun to follow simply for its show of creativity. Ultimately the ghosts reveal themselves as her own. However, the unfolding magical-realist mystery obscure another connecting thread. The therapist and her Scheherazade cast of characters are all damaged, as tightly wound as the traumatized soldier. We know the therapy is working when all of them learn to swing. Mendelsohn maintains an easy pace throughout. She calls the tune for an intricate dance that suspends time like a daydream.… (more)