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yara_adorablebooks's review against another edition
4.0
Een bijzonder verhaal, soms wat langdradig, maar zeker een aanrader om te lezen als je van historische romans houdt. Zeker omdat het gebaseerd is op waargebeurde verhalen van de Rothschildt familie. Zie hier mijn recensie: https://adorablebooks.nl/de-goldbaum-dynastie-natasha-solomons/
gioferrazzi's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
bioarla's review against another edition
3.0
I Goldbaum (House of Gold) è un romanzo ambientato nell'Europa tra il 1911 e il 1917, tra la fine della Belle Epoque e la Grande Guerra, e concentrato sulla dinastia dei banchieri di origine ebraica Goldbaum (la cui storia ricalca la famiglia Rothschild), che controlla la finanza nell'Europa all'inizio del XX secolo. Sulle vicende storiche (Prima Guerra Mondiale) e finanziarie (crollo della fortuna dei Goldbaum), è incastrata la storia di Greta, Goldbaum viennese data in sposa al rampollo Goldbaum inglese per cementare l'unione fra i due rami della famiglia.
Le premesse sono interessanti agli occhi degli appassionati di storia europea di inizio '900, ma il romanzo non raggiunge mai il suo potenziale e rimane di modesta qualità. Alcune scelte ed elementi sono sviluppati a metà, lasciando un senso di incompletezza: ci si inoltra nella Grande Guerra, ma il romanzo termina prima della sua conclusione (perché?); si decide di tratteggiare una protagonista moderna ed anti-convenzionale, ma che di fatto si rivela su posizioni ed atteggiamenti conservativi fin a risultare irritante. Può essere una buona lettura per chi cerca un romanzo storico non molto impegnativo, ma non lo consiglierei a chi cerca uno scenario storico più rigoroso e ricco. Peccato!
Le premesse sono interessanti agli occhi degli appassionati di storia europea di inizio '900, ma il romanzo non raggiunge mai il suo potenziale e rimane di modesta qualità. Alcune scelte ed elementi sono sviluppati a metà, lasciando un senso di incompletezza: ci si inoltra nella Grande Guerra, ma il romanzo termina prima della sua conclusione (perché?); si decide di tratteggiare una protagonista moderna ed anti-convenzionale, ma che di fatto si rivela su posizioni ed atteggiamenti conservativi fin a risultare irritante. Può essere una buona lettura per chi cerca un romanzo storico non molto impegnativo, ma non lo consiglierei a chi cerca uno scenario storico più rigoroso e ricco. Peccato!
jo_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Over the years I have picked up Natasha Solomons novels and always enjoyed the stories that she has had to tell.
This one was no different, although I have had it languishing on my kindle and on netgalley for far too long.
The Goldbaums have a place in society, tolerated because of their wealth.
They are respected by governments across Europe, because of their wealth.
If you are a male Goldbaum then banking is your business whether you choose it or not.
If you are a female Goldbaum then your business is to be a Goldbaum wife and mother.
The Goldbaum's are the dynasty that spreads across Europe with power and influence.
That is until war comes. The Great War.
This powerful position is played throughout the novel and I learnt a lot about how such power and wealth comes to play in war. An angle I had never considered in such depth before, but one I could see very clearly now. Though I put that down to my age and knowledge of events that have gone past since The Great War.
The story though is ultimately about Greta and how despite being a Goldbaum from one branch and having to marry into another branch is fiercely independent and determined to make her mark and not be overlooked in any way. Her actions and challenges to the norm and what is 'expected' were both heartwarming and heartbreaking. She can be found naked under the cherry tree in the early days of marriage, she will breastfeed her son herself. She will understand the power and knowledge that women can have in a man's world. She will love and she will grieve, for everything she knows about her Goldbaum history will be torn apart by war and the greed of money.
A really interesting novel, and whilst I found it rather slow in parts, the business of gold and war bonds did sometimes detract from the story too much. I knew it was based in part on some sort of truth, the family really portrayed is similar to the Rothschild's. The strong sense of anti-Semitism was clear, although I think history was manipulated a bit to bring the point across. The impact though can be felt by the reader.
A historical novel worthy of reading, to bring another aspect to many of the novels which feature The Great War.
This one was no different, although I have had it languishing on my kindle and on netgalley for far too long.
The Goldbaums have a place in society, tolerated because of their wealth.
They are respected by governments across Europe, because of their wealth.
If you are a male Goldbaum then banking is your business whether you choose it or not.
If you are a female Goldbaum then your business is to be a Goldbaum wife and mother.
The Goldbaum's are the dynasty that spreads across Europe with power and influence.
That is until war comes. The Great War.
This powerful position is played throughout the novel and I learnt a lot about how such power and wealth comes to play in war. An angle I had never considered in such depth before, but one I could see very clearly now. Though I put that down to my age and knowledge of events that have gone past since The Great War.
The story though is ultimately about Greta and how despite being a Goldbaum from one branch and having to marry into another branch is fiercely independent and determined to make her mark and not be overlooked in any way. Her actions and challenges to the norm and what is 'expected' were both heartwarming and heartbreaking. She can be found naked under the cherry tree in the early days of marriage, she will breastfeed her son herself. She will understand the power and knowledge that women can have in a man's world. She will love and she will grieve, for everything she knows about her Goldbaum history will be torn apart by war and the greed of money.
A really interesting novel, and whilst I found it rather slow in parts, the business of gold and war bonds did sometimes detract from the story too much. I knew it was based in part on some sort of truth, the family really portrayed is similar to the Rothschild's. The strong sense of anti-Semitism was clear, although I think history was manipulated a bit to bring the point across. The impact though can be felt by the reader.
A historical novel worthy of reading, to bring another aspect to many of the novels which feature The Great War.
samsmith_swc's review against another edition
3.0
The story was a good one, it was well told, but there were times when it just dragged on and on.
jennie_cole's review against another edition
4.0
House of Gold (i.e. House of Rothschild) is a story of a European Jewish banking family during the 1910s. While the family has houses in England, France, Germany, and Austria this story revolves around the England and Austrian houses. The first half of the book is about the marriage of the Austrian daughter to the English son. Imagine marrying your distant cousin. The second half of the book is about the Great War.
I found two parts of the story the most interesting. The first is the garden that Greta builds and her lady gardeners. The other part was the financial aspect of the houses and how the war can effect that. The idea that while the houses were separate they still relied on each other to financially survive. But when war splits the countries of Europe in half the house split as well.
This was a very enjoyable book and was nice to have a war novel be set during the Great War and not World War II.
I found two parts of the story the most interesting. The first is the garden that Greta builds and her lady gardeners. The other part was the financial aspect of the houses and how the war can effect that. The idea that while the houses were separate they still relied on each other to financially survive. But when war splits the countries of Europe in half the house split as well.
This was a very enjoyable book and was nice to have a war novel be set during the Great War and not World War II.
sarah_chapman's review against another edition
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
calandra_hudson's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kittietta's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to NetGallery, Penguin Group Putnam and Natasha Solomons for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The characters are well-developed and I especially loved Greta, who was so strong and a no nonsense spunky type, especially for the era. The plot was very interesting and the writing kept me engaged throughout the story, was descriptive and well researched. My only complaint is, as with so many books, the ending seemed a little abrupt and left a few loose ends, but still a solid Historical fiction and very worth the read. Strong 4 star.
The characters are well-developed and I especially loved Greta, who was so strong and a no nonsense spunky type, especially for the era. The plot was very interesting and the writing kept me engaged throughout the story, was descriptive and well researched. My only complaint is, as with so many books, the ending seemed a little abrupt and left a few loose ends, but still a solid Historical fiction and very worth the read. Strong 4 star.
bookapotamus's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this one! I really did. But unfortunately this was a bit of a struggle for me and took a loooong time to get through. I love historical fiction. I love war stories. But this one just fell really flat for me.
Greta Goldbaum is a bright spot in the story and I devoured every chapter about her. She's smart and feisty and goes by the beat of her own drum. despite being part of the Goldbaum empire - one of the wealthiest families in the world. All the men are bankers and the Goldbaum women, marry the Goldbaum men just to produce heirs, and more Goldbaum bankers. I already dislike them. Yes, I know - it's how it was in the early 1900's. Everyone married their cousins to keep the bloodline going and everyone who had money was full of themselves and thought they were better than everyone else. This is especially evident in this LONG family saga. Which made it particularly hard for me to like anyone but Greta.
Greta is sent from Vienna to England, to marry her distant cousin Albert. She is NOT happy about the arrangement and struggles in her new life. But them her mother-in-law introduces her to gardening and a new love blooms, and may just help her get to know Albert a little better. But war is looming and there is a whole cast of characters to keep track of - including multiple cousins and family members. We follow them all though loves, and loss and war.
There's a lot of political and government conversations that go on as far as, who the family will align with, who they will loan money to and the reasons behind these decisions - which BORED THE HELL OUT OF ME. Half of the story - the strategies and wealth and political/government decisions - just to much. Too confusing. Too many character and countries and opinions and numbers and who gets along with who, and I think my head just exploded.
I loved Greta. I loved her story, and the gardens and the talk about plants. I hated just about everyone else, and there were SO MANY story lines and plots to follow. A bit too much for me. This book felt like work.
Greta Goldbaum is a bright spot in the story and I devoured every chapter about her. She's smart and feisty and goes by the beat of her own drum. despite being part of the Goldbaum empire - one of the wealthiest families in the world. All the men are bankers and the Goldbaum women, marry the Goldbaum men just to produce heirs, and more Goldbaum bankers. I already dislike them. Yes, I know - it's how it was in the early 1900's. Everyone married their cousins to keep the bloodline going and everyone who had money was full of themselves and thought they were better than everyone else. This is especially evident in this LONG family saga. Which made it particularly hard for me to like anyone but Greta.
Greta is sent from Vienna to England, to marry her distant cousin Albert. She is NOT happy about the arrangement and struggles in her new life. But them her mother-in-law introduces her to gardening and a new love blooms, and may just help her get to know Albert a little better. But war is looming and there is a whole cast of characters to keep track of - including multiple cousins and family members. We follow them all though loves, and loss and war.
There's a lot of political and government conversations that go on as far as, who the family will align with, who they will loan money to and the reasons behind these decisions - which BORED THE HELL OUT OF ME. Half of the story - the strategies and wealth and political/government decisions - just to much. Too confusing. Too many character and countries and opinions and numbers and who gets along with who, and I think my head just exploded.
I loved Greta. I loved her story, and the gardens and the talk about plants. I hated just about everyone else, and there were SO MANY story lines and plots to follow. A bit too much for me. This book felt like work.