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jmelauren's review against another edition
Duel narration spoiled me. When a male POV entered the story, but kept the same female narrator I knew I was going to quit this one. Maybe I'll get the ebook.
scorcheded's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
smmorris8211's review
4.0
Overall this was a solid historical fiction book for me. I've always been super interested in the Triangle factory fire, and I was excited to read it. I loved reading about Ruth's family, and the background of their time in Russia. This is time in History that I'm not super familiar with, and I enjoy opportunities to learn new things. The characters were engaging, and I was invested in the outcomes of their stories. The only real negative for me was that the copy I recieved had some type of error, and I was missing almost the entire chapter of the actual fire from Ruth's perspective. I could still finish the book without those details, but it left a hole for me. I definitely think I'll read other books by this author in the future, because I see a lot of promise here!
angiew23's review
5.0
This YA Historical Fiction is perfect for teen or adult readers who are interested in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and the other societal issues that were pressing at that time, including the suffrage movement, unions/strikes, immigration and life in the tenements! The story follows two families who are working together to immigrate from Russia during the Pogroms to New York. Ruth is betrothed to Abraham and once she arrives in NYC she joins him in working at a factory to help save money for the rest of his family to immigrate. Both Ruth and her younger sister Ester have a passion for being involved and helping create change, they just have different ideas of worthy causes and their approaches could not be more different! Crammed together in a tenement apartment, struggling to make ends meet and still save for Abraham's family, all while facing long hours and unfair working conditions in a ticking time bomb of a factory, certainly adds lots of interesting dynamics to the story!
While it is listed as a YA it could easily be enjoyed by adult audiences, but features young adults as the main characters and thus would likely be appealing for a younger audience as well. I love how well researched and realistic the writing was! While things are a bit slower in the first half of the book, I could not put it down once I reached the midway point, and don't count on predictable endings - I was definitely surprised! I absolutely recommend this book!
While it is listed as a YA it could easily be enjoyed by adult audiences, but features young adults as the main characters and thus would likely be appealing for a younger audience as well. I love how well researched and realistic the writing was! While things are a bit slower in the first half of the book, I could not put it down once I reached the midway point, and don't count on predictable endings - I was definitely surprised! I absolutely recommend this book!
booksandcats419's review
5.0
I finished this book in three sittings. Normally, I don't reach for historical fiction, but something about The Girl In The Triangle was so gripping! It blended history with romance and the thrill of the countdown to the day of the fire. The time and research that Joyana Peters put into her writing made the story so real, it didn't even feel like fiction. The Girl In The Triangle is a quick, easy, enjoyable read that I believe anyone could enjoy!
hi_felicia's review
5.0
What a great debut novel!
Such a great story of a tragic event that tells of love, growth, family and fighting for what is right.
Such a great story of a tragic event that tells of love, growth, family and fighting for what is right.
mama_b88's review
4.0
I was very interested in this book because both the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and the Russian Revolution were events I did not know a whole lot about. It is clear that a lot of extensive research went into the writing of this book and I was so glad to have learned a bit along the way.
At first, I thought it was a little strange that each chapter started with “__ days until the fire”. I thought this might make the events in the story more anticlimactic. This definitely was not true. I was still drawn into the story and was absolutely horrified by the fire when it happened.
I really enjoyed the character development I’m the story and was captivated by Ruth’s family and all that they had been through. This was an enjoyable read for me.
At first, I thought it was a little strange that each chapter started with “__ days until the fire”. I thought this might make the events in the story more anticlimactic. This definitely was not true. I was still drawn into the story and was absolutely horrified by the fire when it happened.
I really enjoyed the character development I’m the story and was captivated by Ruth’s family and all that they had been through. This was an enjoyable read for me.
maggiechristo's review
4.0
This book was a local author slay for me, and even though it took me a really long time to get to it, I really enjoyed it!
I feel like everyone went through a Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire phase, and we need to talk about it more. Because it's crazy how significant it is!
Something I loved about this book is the way that the author incorporated the main character's Russian Jewish background; it played a significant role throughout the novel. I think there is definitely something to be said about how (American) historical fiction authors disregard culture in immigrant stories like this, but that never was a problem in this book.
Also, the characters were all so interesting! The examination of arranged marriages was very interesting coming from characters living in a time where there was almost no other choice. Another awesome aspect of this book was how both of the female main characters were very feminist, but both in completely different ways. Neither felt hollow or girlbossified either, which was really cool to see in historical fiction.
I hope the author sticks with historical fiction and tells more stories, because this was a really enjoyable book and I'd love to read more!
I feel like everyone went through a Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire phase, and we need to talk about it more. Because it's crazy how significant it is!
Something I loved about this book is the way that the author incorporated the main character's Russian Jewish background; it played a significant role throughout the novel. I think there is definitely something to be said about how (American) historical fiction authors disregard culture in immigrant stories like this, but that never was a problem in this book.
Also, the characters were all so interesting! The examination of arranged marriages was very interesting coming from characters living in a time where there was almost no other choice. Another awesome aspect of this book was how both of the female main characters were very feminist, but both in completely different ways. Neither felt hollow or girlbossified either, which was really cool to see in historical fiction.
I hope the author sticks with historical fiction and tells more stories, because this was a really enjoyable book and I'd love to read more!
crafalsk264's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Fleeing the harsh treatment of Russian Jews, Ruth, her sister Ester and their mother joined the Feldman men in New York City in 1909. Along with her father, Ruth’s fiancé, Abraham, both got jobs at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Ruth is soon hired as well, while her sister Ester remains housekeeper to the family. Ruth is appalled by the conditions of the tenement and the Factory and she is mesmerized by politics and the role of women seeking the right to vote, work, and have property. Ruth takes a job as seamstress at the Triangle and attended meetings advocating suffrage. During the next two years, Ruth becomes more and more committed to organization as a strategy in the face of injustice. She was involved in the strikes and protests against the conditions at the Triangle. Her sister, Ester, also takes a position at the Triangle but she is more of a traditional woman and is amazed at Ruth’s fascination with her activism.
At first glance, this is a standard historical fiction but as you read further it becomes a primer on the treatment of the Jewish population by the Russians, politics, and American history. It keeps its promise of being a romantic story set in a different time. Each character stands as an individual. It is an examination of community and the role of women’s rights. It had enough depth of personality of each character to make them unique. The book begins 740 days prior to the tragic fire taking the lives of 146 workers due to the fact that the doors and stairwells were locked and chained. The book provides a timeline of events leading up to the fire. It provides a view of Jewish life under Russian rule and the immigrant experience around the turn of the century. The author has carefully researched this book and it shows along with the talent to provide an informative yet enjoyable glimpse into a unique time and place. Recommend to readers of historical fiction, Jewish life, politics,mysteries and suitable for young adult readers.