The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt
Initially, Judith Kratt is not the most likable character, and from the first page, the readers know that she is hiding something. This mystery progresses quickly. It is not too far into chapter two before the reader realizes something happened that profoundly changed Judith and her life trajectory.
The story takes place in time frames 60 years apart, alternating between 1989 and 1929. Through the inventory of possessions that Judith obsesses over, she tries to find out how she fits into a town, a legacy, and a family that, due to the ignorance of certain facts, can’t understand her. Judith defines herself by her things, but for her metaphorical survival, she must learn how to let things go.
The story also touches on race relations, but rather subtly. In that way, it is also the story of how a secondary character, Olva, fits into Judith’s family in particular, but also into the general intangible condition of family. The story is wrought with mystery, but even though there is a murder, it is not a classic whodunit. The murderer’s identity becomes apparent quickly; the questions that remain are how and why.
Ms. Bobotis’ writing is beautiful, somewhat lyrical and metaphorical. There are moments of great tension, heartwarming interactions, and humor. The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt is a story about sibling rivalry, or maybe just sibling relationships, twisted up and gone all wrong to extremes.
