Tigers in Red Weather is the debut novel by Liza Klaussmann, a New Yorker living in London and the great great great granddaughter of novelist Herman Melville.
The book is the epitome of East Coast glamour and a sizzling tale of change during a turbulent time, the end of the Second World War. It’s written seamlessly from the perspective of five characters. Nick’s cousin Helena has left Tiger House in search of marital bliss in Hollywood, and Nick’s husband is coming home from the war. Everything is changing for them.
Tigers in Red Weather is the perfect read to round off summer with. It suits the beach, or the bedside table. It certainly made me want to run away to Hollywood and equally made me despair with the troubles faced during its period
For me, this novel ranged from excellent, to average across the book. At some points I couldn't put it down and at others I was happy to only read a few pages. It details the secrets of a family spanning generations and these secrets kept me enthralled, although not every question was answered, which was a minus for an inquisitive mind like mine.
Klaussman’s writing has many traits that I love; her easy change from point of view’s made it an enjoyable read. The perspectives all have a distinctly different personality to them, and literary pace.
I’m not at all surprised by the awards that Liza Klausmann has received for her debut novel – she told a brilliant tale, and she did so with skill. It was a good read, but for me, lacked some kind of humanity. She is a talented writer, and I can’t wait to read what she does next.