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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The writing style was easy to get invested in and I liked getting to know the complex characters.
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
A heartwarming and uplifting drama about a close knit Jewish family set as the Second World War is approaching. It's not an easy story and I'm conflicted about so many of the decisions being taken away from Fannie, the overlooked, underappreciated sister. However, there is an absolute ton of material here for a book club selection, from the emigration process, to Jewish traditions, to the early days of incubators. While I would've liked some more resolution for Fannie and Gussie, I liked that it was, at least, inspired by an actual family.
I think my biggest gripe with this book is that it does not match the marketing blurb. The cover-up to keep Fannie from knowing of her sister’s death is not particularly elaborate or difficult. The other family secrets are not particularly “weighty”--their revelation causes no significant harm or pain. And the “mysterious young woman” is no mystery at all. My second-biggest gripe is the way the father steps in at the end to “help out” with his older daughter’s relationship unhappiness. I mean, it was 1934, but I still feel like Fannie, being a grown woman, should have had some involvement in the resolution of the problem, instead of her father making an executive decision without consulting her AT ALL.
The book is well-written, and beautifully depicts summertime in 1934 Atlantic City. But all in all, I was left unsatisfied with the story.
The book is well-written, and beautifully depicts summertime in 1934 Atlantic City. But all in all, I was left unsatisfied with the story.
The book ends without Florence's death being revealed to her sister??? Literally the whole book I was waiting for that moment, wondering how her sister would react and how her relationship with her family would be affected, and the book ends without her reaction???
If this book were a couple chapters longer and included the reveal and consequences of the secret, then I'd definitely rate this book higher because it otherwise wasn't bad. I enjoying the experience more than other books I've rated 2 stars, but at the same time, imo this book did not deliver on its implicit promises.
2.75 stars
(Listened to the audiobook)
If this book were a couple chapters longer and included the reveal and consequences of the secret, then I'd definitely rate this book higher because it otherwise wasn't bad. I enjoying the experience more than other books I've rated 2 stars, but at the same time, imo this book did not deliver on its implicit promises.
2.75 stars
(Listened to the audiobook)
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No