You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Boring, overall. All of action—and premise—unfold in the first few pages, with consequences that aren’t actually felt until the very end.
3.5
I wasn’t sure where this book was going and I struggled with some of the characters. But! It I finished it so that says something!
I wasn’t sure where this book was going and I struggled with some of the characters. But! It I finished it so that says something!
I just finished Florence Adler Swims Forever and throughout the novel, I struggled with is this one of the best books I've read of 2020 or one of the best books I've ever read! It is hard to believe that this is a debut novel for Rachel Beanland and I can't wait to see what she writes next.
Over the course of one summer, three generations of the Adler family from Atlantic City will struggle with loss, heartbreak, friendship, romance, and the weight of family secrets. This historical fiction novel will keep readers on their toes not knowing what comes next. The first shock coming in the first few pages.
Florence has returned from college to Atlantic City. She plans to finish her training to swim the English Channel. This summer is unlike any other summer though. Her older sister Fannie is in the hospital on bed rest after having lost a baby the previous summer. Sharing her bedroom with her this summer is the mysterious Anna who her father has taken into their home to help her and her family emigrate from Nazi Germany. Her brother in law has secrets of his own he's keeping from her parents and her sister. When tragedy hits the family Florences mom must make the difficult decision to hide the tragedy from her sister while ensuring the whole family keeps these secrets. This book had it all.
Make sure to read the author's note at the end of the story!
Over the course of one summer, three generations of the Adler family from Atlantic City will struggle with loss, heartbreak, friendship, romance, and the weight of family secrets. This historical fiction novel will keep readers on their toes not knowing what comes next. The first shock coming in the first few pages.
Florence has returned from college to Atlantic City. She plans to finish her training to swim the English Channel. This summer is unlike any other summer though. Her older sister Fannie is in the hospital on bed rest after having lost a baby the previous summer. Sharing her bedroom with her this summer is the mysterious Anna who her father has taken into their home to help her and her family emigrate from Nazi Germany. Her brother in law has secrets of his own he's keeping from her parents and her sister. When tragedy hits the family Florences mom must make the difficult decision to hide the tragedy from her sister while ensuring the whole family keeps these secrets. This book had it all.
Make sure to read the author's note at the end of the story!
This review contains some story line topics but not actual spoilers.
There was so much I loved about this book. I so loved the characters, I did this as an audio book and I loved the narrators. I loved the story itself. For me it is going to be one I am going to think about for quite sometime. I also will be recommending it to family and friends. My friend Michelle reviewed this and after her review and recommendation it didn't take much convincing and I was sold. I didn't know a ton about this book and I think that was to my benefit. Often some of my favorite parts of a book are when you figure out why a book has the title it does, there is that light bulb moment. This has that, I was so happy. Over the past couple years I have grown a huge appreciation and like for family saga books and some historical fiction. This included both. I really loved the dynamics of all the characters in this book, I enjoyed all the different characters but all for different reasons. I enjoyed all the family dynamics and how they interacted and bonded and didn't bond with each other. Included in this book are so many secrets for anyone, let alone one young child to hang onto. It includes expectations that are put on us by others and then those we put on ourselves.
I was surprised at how much I felt as if I related to in this book, I was not expecting to relate with anything based on the synopsis. I related to the strained sibling relationship with their 7 years separating them, my own adult girls are 5 years apart and for the first 20 years of their lives they were always at very different stages of life and not super close. It wasn't until college age/adult life that they became close like they are now. I felt as if this was represented in the book and very relatable. I was able to relate to a pregnancy that included a very long hospital stay, I too did that and had a premie. I had multiple long hospital stays and it is very emotionally exhausting and trying. There is discussion of loss of a child, one of my best friends has had a child pass. My boss for almost 20 years was very orthodox and I learned so much about the Jewish religion and history from him. As I said, I was surprised with how much I related to.
This book also included learning elements. I was not far in before I was looking up facts of long distance swimming, such as tongue swelling. I was pulling up maps of New York and New Jersey to orient myself better with the story. It is always nice to walk away from a book with some new knowledge.
My favorite part of the audio book was the authors note at the end and her quote. "What we are willing to do to protect the people that we love.” - Authors note. I wasn't aware this was based on a true story and it made my appreciation even larger.
I keep a list of my top 10 books that I have read each year here on Goodreads, I haven't been doing it for many years but I already need to adjust my 2020 list and make room for this one. I adored it.
There was so much I loved about this book. I so loved the characters, I did this as an audio book and I loved the narrators. I loved the story itself. For me it is going to be one I am going to think about for quite sometime. I also will be recommending it to family and friends. My friend Michelle reviewed this and after her review and recommendation it didn't take much convincing and I was sold. I didn't know a ton about this book and I think that was to my benefit. Often some of my favorite parts of a book are when you figure out why a book has the title it does, there is that light bulb moment. This has that, I was so happy. Over the past couple years I have grown a huge appreciation and like for family saga books and some historical fiction. This included both. I really loved the dynamics of all the characters in this book, I enjoyed all the different characters but all for different reasons. I enjoyed all the family dynamics and how they interacted and bonded and didn't bond with each other. Included in this book are so many secrets for anyone, let alone one young child to hang onto. It includes expectations that are put on us by others and then those we put on ourselves.
I was surprised at how much I felt as if I related to in this book, I was not expecting to relate with anything based on the synopsis. I related to the strained sibling relationship with their 7 years separating them, my own adult girls are 5 years apart and for the first 20 years of their lives they were always at very different stages of life and not super close. It wasn't until college age/adult life that they became close like they are now. I felt as if this was represented in the book and very relatable. I was able to relate to a pregnancy that included a very long hospital stay, I too did that and had a premie. I had multiple long hospital stays and it is very emotionally exhausting and trying. There is discussion of loss of a child, one of my best friends has had a child pass. My boss for almost 20 years was very orthodox and I learned so much about the Jewish religion and history from him. As I said, I was surprised with how much I related to.
This book also included learning elements. I was not far in before I was looking up facts of long distance swimming, such as tongue swelling. I was pulling up maps of New York and New Jersey to orient myself better with the story. It is always nice to walk away from a book with some new knowledge.
My favorite part of the audio book was the authors note at the end and her quote. "What we are willing to do to protect the people that we love.” - Authors note. I wasn't aware this was based on a true story and it made my appreciation even larger.
I keep a list of my top 10 books that I have read each year here on Goodreads, I haven't been doing it for many years but I already need to adjust my 2020 list and make room for this one. I adored it.
[b:Florence Adler Swims Forever|52762595|Florence Adler Swims Forever|Rachel Beanland|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1590100946l/52762595._SY75_.jpg|70225093] by [a:Rachel Beanland|19126806|Rachel Beanland|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1576835323p2/19126806.jpg] is a complex family drama that you can't even tell is a debut. I loved Beanland's writing style, and the fact that this book is based on a true story made it even more memorable. I highly recommend making sure you read the author's note at the back since it was very helpful and moving.
This book is told from many different viewpoints and I really liked every single one of them. The pacing is slower, but thanks to the multiple POVs I felt like it moved pretty quickly. Florence Adler Swims Forever is easily the type of novel that could provide you with a book hangover, and I just love how Beanland's imagery and storytelling made me feel like I was right THERE. It also really opened my eyes to what it was like to be a Jew in this time period.
I am a huge fan of historical fiction and if you are a fan of the genre I would definitely recommend reading this. Not only is it based on a true story, but it also felt very informative. I loved the setting, the writing, and most of the characters, plus I even loved the ending. It is clear to me that Beanland is incredibly talented and I can't wait to read whatever she writes next!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
This book is told from many different viewpoints and I really liked every single one of them. The pacing is slower, but thanks to the multiple POVs I felt like it moved pretty quickly. Florence Adler Swims Forever is easily the type of novel that could provide you with a book hangover, and I just love how Beanland's imagery and storytelling made me feel like I was right THERE. It also really opened my eyes to what it was like to be a Jew in this time period.
I am a huge fan of historical fiction and if you are a fan of the genre I would definitely recommend reading this. Not only is it based on a true story, but it also felt very informative. I loved the setting, the writing, and most of the characters, plus I even loved the ending. It is clear to me that Beanland is incredibly talented and I can't wait to read whatever she writes next!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.