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hcothran's review against another edition
2.0
Probably more like a 2.5. The first section is very engrossing, the second section a little less so, but still interesting (although filled with somewhat inconsistent characterization of Jack), the third section damn near interminable, and the fourth section back to somewhat interesting. It's a disappointment too how little the second section actually ends up meaning, and how little it ties in to what happens afterwards. I think that's why the third section felt like such a waste. It's like we're suddenly supposed to NOT care about the characters from before and care about this whole new group of people (except for Natalie, but she comes across a LOT different in this section than she did in the first). I don't know. It wasn't terrible, but I can't really recommend it.
iwishicouldwink's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the first portion of this book. The second and third portions were long, confusing and boring with questionable characters.
shelf_reflect10n's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
beckylej's review against another edition
4.0
In his final days, Natalie's grandfather knows that his death will leave his granddaughter reeling. Newly divorced and jobless, he fears she will need some purpose in her life to keep her going. It comes in the form of a peacock pendant - one she wore on her wedding day. Natalie had always assumed that it had belonged to her grandmother. As it turns out, the pendant has a history that is both long and shrouded in mystery.
In the end days of WWII a group of American soldiers comes across a train traveling through Austria. Officials on the train say that it is carrying the property of Hungary, but instead turns out to carry the life's possessions of Hungary's Jewish families. Possessions these families were forced to turn over to the government during the war. Jack Wiseman is tasked with emptying the train and inventorying the items inside, a job that leads him to a DP (displaced person) named Ilona and eventually the pendant. It's taken him seventy years to tell his part of the story, but it will take Natalie and her efforts to bring the tale to its end (and true beginning).
Ayelet Waldman's latest is based on the very real Hungarian Gold Train of WWII. I know you're probably sick of hearing how fascinated I am with WWII but it continues to draw me in as a setting and a focus in books. And each author's approach is different, sometimes extraordinarily so. In just a week's time, for example, I've tackled two WWII based titles - The Sea Garden and this one. Both are based on real but different aspects of the war (The Sea Garden on resistance efforts in France and England and Love & Treasure on the Gold Train).
Anyway, back to Love & Treasure. Here the WWII focus and setting are a vehicle for another kind of tale - one of love and friendship. It's a bit of a mystery, a bit of an adventure, and an overall great story that fits perfectly within the setting. Today's news is still full of stories of discoveries of stolen art and possessions from WWII and attempts to repatriate them, that alone makes for a fascinating plot. Here, however, Waldman has built a dual storyline that takes place present day and during WWII (plus a bit in the early 1900s as well). Jack's work in Austria, his meeting Ilona, and the eventual pocketing of the necklace are just half of the story. Natalie is then thrust into a world of questionable art dealing and sent on an international hunt to try and return the pendant to its rightful owner. And in doing so of course discovers some things about herself as well.
The historical aspects of the book are wonderfully wrought and seemingly expertly researched. The train itself was - if Wikipedia is to be believed (per the link above) - kept secret from the public through the late 90s. Of course the story is also very centered on religious identity and culture. It's an admirable work, one that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
In the end days of WWII a group of American soldiers comes across a train traveling through Austria. Officials on the train say that it is carrying the property of Hungary, but instead turns out to carry the life's possessions of Hungary's Jewish families. Possessions these families were forced to turn over to the government during the war. Jack Wiseman is tasked with emptying the train and inventorying the items inside, a job that leads him to a DP (displaced person) named Ilona and eventually the pendant. It's taken him seventy years to tell his part of the story, but it will take Natalie and her efforts to bring the tale to its end (and true beginning).
Ayelet Waldman's latest is based on the very real Hungarian Gold Train of WWII. I know you're probably sick of hearing how fascinated I am with WWII but it continues to draw me in as a setting and a focus in books. And each author's approach is different, sometimes extraordinarily so. In just a week's time, for example, I've tackled two WWII based titles - The Sea Garden and this one. Both are based on real but different aspects of the war (The Sea Garden on resistance efforts in France and England and Love & Treasure on the Gold Train).
Anyway, back to Love & Treasure. Here the WWII focus and setting are a vehicle for another kind of tale - one of love and friendship. It's a bit of a mystery, a bit of an adventure, and an overall great story that fits perfectly within the setting. Today's news is still full of stories of discoveries of stolen art and possessions from WWII and attempts to repatriate them, that alone makes for a fascinating plot. Here, however, Waldman has built a dual storyline that takes place present day and during WWII (plus a bit in the early 1900s as well). Jack's work in Austria, his meeting Ilona, and the eventual pocketing of the necklace are just half of the story. Natalie is then thrust into a world of questionable art dealing and sent on an international hunt to try and return the pendant to its rightful owner. And in doing so of course discovers some things about herself as well.
The historical aspects of the book are wonderfully wrought and seemingly expertly researched. The train itself was - if Wikipedia is to be believed (per the link above) - kept secret from the public through the late 90s. Of course the story is also very centered on religious identity and culture. It's an admirable work, one that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
dennisjacobrosenfeld's review against another edition
3.0
A great book spoiled by the banality of the love story set in present time and several superfluous storylines. Waldman should have stuck to the gold train part of the story and the consequences that Wiseman's lapse in judgement has for him.
bibliocat4's review against another edition
4.0
ARC from edelweiss
I really enjoyed this story over all, especially Jack's story and the hunt for the original locket owner. The third section about Budapest 1913 kind of felt out of place and never really answered the question of who sat for the painting directly. I also wondered what happened to the original photo from the locket, was it underneath? At least it did give the identity of the origins of the locket.
Well worth a read for fans of Ayelet Waldman or historical fiction.
I really enjoyed this story over all, especially Jack's story and the hunt for the original locket owner. The third section about Budapest 1913 kind of felt out of place and never really answered the question of who sat for the painting directly. I also wondered what happened to the original photo from the locket, was it underneath? At least it did give the identity of the origins of the locket.
Well worth a read for fans of Ayelet Waldman or historical fiction.
felicityr's review against another edition
4.0
I got my hands on a review copy of this book, and I am so glad I did. While I am sure it will be shelved in the "Holocaust book" section, it is really about how we create meaning and identity for ourselves out of physical objects, using the unprecedented rupture of people and their belongings in World War II as a fulcrum for examining this question from many different angles and in many different times and places (and it is not unaware of its own "use" of a terrible tragedy -- on the contrary, it it very aware and thoughtful about how we all do that, for good or bad).
All that said, it's not a novel of ideas as much as it is a series of love stories between characters who were familiar but surprising, and thoroughly engaged my interest and affection from the beginning. I enjoyed reading every page and wanted to read through to the end as much as I wanted it not to end. Highly recommended!
All that said, it's not a novel of ideas as much as it is a series of love stories between characters who were familiar but surprising, and thoroughly engaged my interest and affection from the beginning. I enjoyed reading every page and wanted to read through to the end as much as I wanted it not to end. Highly recommended!
abookishtype's review against another edition
4.0
Ayelet Waldman gives us three powerful stories in Love and Treasure, linked by an art nouveau peacock pendant. The pendant changes hands all too easily, but to each owner, it comes to represent to much: long held regrets, a death bed mission, a mismatched friendship.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from Edelweiss for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from Edelweiss for review consideration.
kimmerp's review against another edition
4.0
Great story revolving around property stolen from Hungarian Jews during WW2.