Freudenberger’s skill lies in the smooth, knowing way she presents the exotic locales her American heroines find themselves in. Her stories have appeared in the New Yorker and Granta; she has taught English in Bangkok and New Delhi. It seems likely that her heroines and she share some history in common, but her delivery has the assurance of an older, more mature person than the subjects of her stories. It’s as if she has placed herself in the middle of her life, looking back on her youthful peccadilloes with amused tolerance.
Outside the Eastern Gate, for example, is a beautifully evocative story, set partly in Delhi, of a young woman, her father in old age and the memories of a mother always achingly out of reach. Even as I write this, I can see the rich textures of the story escaping simple definition, like expensive scent from an unstoppered bottle.
Letter from the Last Bastion did not work for me, as it attempted to stitch too many disparate elements together. Even so, like the other stories, it showcases a precocious talent. From the steaming jungles of Vietnam to well-manicured Paris apartments, Freudenberger blends colours and spices like a clever chef, creating a banquet of five rich, tasty dishes.
