Whether one is artistically literate or not, it is entirely possibly to appreciate the marvelous etchings of M.(Maurits) C. Escher. I feel privileged to own two large prints, several calendars and a book or two of Escher prints or drawings. Of course, you can easily drive yourself batty by staring at them too much, or maybe it's that one should be a bit loopy in the first place in order to really be enchanted by the illusive possibilities created by this extremely gifted artist.
Having discovered the books of another extremely gifted artist, Jane Langton-at the time of her first Homer Kelly book-I feel doubly privileged. Therefore I can and do happily admit to a certain amount of prejudice in favor of this book, combining two of my favorite things. Ms. Langton writes not only with great skill, but great erudition, wit, and just plain wonderful word-play. One small note of caution, however: the reader should approach this book with the sense of whimsicality fully engaged, as it very like a trip to Wonderland, replete with White Queens and peacocks and other such frivoloties.
There is indeed a mystery to be solved, including that of 'love at first sight'. It does happen, to be sure, although the resolution is not always as happy as that first 'rush' insinuates. In this book, the reader will need every smidgen of loopiness possible to cope with not only the wonderful word-play and the marvelous reproductions of Escher's etchings (as described in his own words) but also the slightly bizarre events which entangle and draw the various characters into the plot.
Leonard Sheldrake, a professor at Harvard, briefly meets the elusive Frieda at an Escher exhibit. Before he can further the acquaintance, which suddenly assumes a major importance in his life, Frieda disappears, and he is left with only the mental picture of her that he carries in his mind, and the tiny tid-bit of information that is her first name. No last name, no address, no clues at all. Into this maelstrom wander Homer and Mary Kelly, also professors at Harvard, who engage themselves to assist Leonard in his search.
There is an unexpectedly happy ending, but not without some very skillful weaving together of the various threads that had been so laboriously tangled in the previous pages. Just as in an Escher drawing, nothing is extraneous, here, too, this law prevails. No clue is too small to be relevant. I believe that anyone could enjoy this book, but persons who enjoy puzzles or word-games or the multi-dimensional world of M. C. Escher will find an extra level of enjoyment within its pages.