Book Review on Held by Anne Michaels

I’m not ashamed to admit I was drawn to Held by Anne Michaels—a Christmas gift—because it was short. It seemed perfect for my reading challenge. However, I should have known better. Having been lulled into thinking “short” meant “easy” with Orbital by Samantha Harvey, I was quickly reminded that brevity can hide complexity. You can read my review of Orbital here.

Held was difficult. Brilliant, but difficult. Not a page in, I was already pausing to look up words, phrases, and references and trying to untangle who was who and what was happening. The story begins with John, semi-conscious and injured on a World War I battlefield, and glimpses into the oneness of his love with Helena. From there, the novel moves through a series of episodic, ephemeral explorations of love, relationships, connections, and perhaps missed opportunities.

Spanning over a century, Held moves between locations as diverse as a French battlefield, early 1900s Paris, mid-20th century Suffolk, 2025 Finland, and London. An interesting section, if almost tagged on, involves Madame Curie, not just as the renowned scientist we know but as a woman attending séances in Paris to disprove mysticism. This moment is emblematic of a larger theme in the book—the tension between what we can observe and test and what lies beyond our senses. Michaels suggests that while science has limitations, it also points toward something infinite, hinting at realms of existence we cannot yet perceive. This is explored not just through the Curies but through other characters’ encounters with memory, ghosts, and the fragility of life.

The novel invites us to consider how much of reality is inaccessible to us, limited by our own evolution and the tools of science. It’s a bit like how a photograph while capturing something real, cannot reveal the entire truth. In this context, Helen’s walks in the woods, where she senses her mother’s presence or the peripheral presence of ghosts lost during wartime, seem particularly significant. These moments emphasize the ephemeral yet enduring connections between the living and the dead, the seen and the unseen.

As I read, Held reminded me of Sarah Winman’s Still Life in how it shows the ripple effects of human interactions—paths crossed or missed—but it goes further, asking questions about whether we ever truly die and what the soul is. You can check out my review of Still Life here. Michaels blends poetic devices with novelistic form, much like in her previous works (Fugitive Pieces, The Winter Vault), crafting a narrative that feels elusive and transcendent. For me, its most down-to-earth parts were in the final third of the book, as we explore Mara’s decision to stay in Suffolk with her father rather than returning to a war zone. This highlights the personal conflicts faced by individuals torn between professional duties and family responsibilities. Her father’s concern for her safety, especially after previous family losses, adds depth to their relationship and emphasizes the emotional toll of war on families.

The book feels like it could go anywhere and everywhere, but it can’t be pinned down. It’s the kind of novel that makes you want to underline every other sentence, writing down quotes to keep forever.

It’s no surprise that Held was shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize and won the 2024 Giller Prize. It’s a deeply important, thought-provoking book. Did I enjoy it? Absolutely. But now I need something lighter, with a logical, linear structure—something less consumed by existential questions!

Would I recommend Held? Yes, for sure. But be prepared to work for it.