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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
It was a slow start and took a while for me to care about any characters, but then it picked up and became a "can't put it down" type of book.
Beautiful, brilliant, expertly researched... Bravo! The novel opens as Helen, a professor close to retirement, has been asked to come to one of her former student's home to examine some documents he finds under the steps of a house he and his wife wish to turn into a gallery. They want the documents removed as soon as possible so construction can begin and the timeline maintained. What Helen finds, takes her to her knees. The documents were treasures. The university allowed others in addition to Helen and her assistant to study them. Helen's health begins to suffer. I can reveal very little in this review as there are spoilers. Yet the back and forth between the current time period and the seventeenth century was smooth and utterly fascinating. This reader learned so much about Jewish history, which for me in my limited world view seemed to be at its absolute worst persecution during the Nazi regime. This novel brought crystal clear the persecution over centuries, as well as the limited role women were allowed to play...basically sit still and look pretty. I listened to this book on Audible. It was expertly narrated. I appreciate Rachel Kadish so much for her tender love and care of this extensive story. An absolute masterpiece.
I can't stop thinking about this book. It finds its way into my thoughts quite regularly. It was moving and powerful in a way I can't quite put into words. That's a simple review, but all I think I can say. This was a wonderful book.
Other people raved about this. Initially I really disliked it due to the writing style. It felt pretentious without being good; kind of an /r/iamverysmart feel to it. Then gradually I got engaged and couldn't put it down. I liked the historical storyline, but I never really picked up the thread of the present day one.
Spoiler
For instance, the reveal near the end that the girl in the kibbutz in Israel was pregnant; seemed like really bad writing. And then he doesn't do anything about it! It was so random, and right at the end, and there's no resolution.
Did not finish. Not a relaxing read. Might try it again when I have a long stretch of time alone.
Unfortunately, I could not finish this book. I really wanted to like it but it just couldn't keep me interested. There are so many good books out there waiting to be discovered.
I only read the first few chapters of this book. I wanted to love it but found the writing style difficult- I love detail, but there was actually too much of it and choppy sentences. It was hard to follow what was happening. I was intrigued by the plot, but it just wasn’t for me right now.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A slow start but by the end I didn't want the story to finish! A beautiful book about human nature within a fascinating historical setting.