Scan barcode
jeehernandez87's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
My heart broke so many times, and I was on the verge of tears throughout so much of this book. Rarely do I feel this emotional when reading, but this one literally gave me all the feels. I don’t want to share spoilers, but near the end there was a moment that gave me goosebumps, and then immediately my heart sank just a bit as I empathized with the character and what this meant for their future. This happened many times throughout the book, and those that read this, will understand. I rarely give five stars but this certainly deserves it.
On a final note, I think everyone should take the time to learn a bit about this time period, and what was happening in the USA. This was very eye opening for me, especially after reading through the author’s notes at the end. There are books that change you, your perception of history and what you think possible. This book will stay with me long after I finished reading it’s pages.
Graphic: Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Genocide
Moderate: Car accident, Murder, Rape, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Minor: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Miscarriage
mombond's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Rape
lgmelcher's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Bullying, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, and Genocide
Minor: War
kerrygetsliterary's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Ableism, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Sexism, Abandonment, Infidelity, Grief, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Racism, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Car accident, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Torture, War, and Physical abuse
okiecozyreader's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This story is mainly divided into 2 sections - which are almost 50% of the book each. The first section is the story of Rosie. Her parents died from a tragic accident and she was left in the care of the owner of the vineyard in which they worked. This couple used her as their servant - cooking and cleaning, while paying her half of what they paid other people who didn’t meet their demands - because she was young. She ends up pregnant and in the care of the state. Because she has synesthesia, she is sent to a state facility, which specializes in the care of those with serious psychological and other problems.
The second half is the story of Helen, the sister of the husband who Rosie lived with. She adored Helen, who sent Rosie special letters and even an amaryllis plant, which she treasures. This part of the book focuses on Helen’s life during WWII, where she is a nanny for a family in Austria, who has a daughter with special needs.
Although this book covers many tough topics, I enjoyed reading it, and I couldn’t stop thinking about these characters throughout my time not reading. I am glad #bookfriendsbookclub chose this for a May selection.
Both stories focus on eugenics “good genes” - of course we know this happened with Nazi ideals of WWII, but much of this book describes eugenics in USA until the 1970s.
—
“A life that will allow me to buy amaryllis bulbs to my heart’s content—the only “children” I will ever have. And I will have them. Windowsills full of them.” Ch 19
“How shortsighted I was, looking at newspaper stories of demolished buildings being cleared away, the debris being swept up and buried, and thinking the same was surely happening inside me. I should’ve known better. The human heart isn’t made of stone and wood and brick like the ruins of Europe are.” C 21
“love is a powerful force. Far more powerful than the strength I saw on display in Nazi-occupied Austria. Love, to overcome that kind of power, just needs to be unleashed from fear.” c34
“the only way, to keep close to you someone who is gone from your life. It is better than the alternative—isn’t it?—which is never having had them at all.” Ch34
“This is what makes us sublimely human, isn’t it? Not unsullied genetic perfection, but when we stubbornly love and honor one another.” Ch 36
“With giving, there is cost, isn’t there? There is always cost. Sometimes it is an easy sum to hand over. And sometimes it exacts from you the whole measure of your heart.” Epilogue
“I can very nearly see what Rosie is surely seeing at the sound, finally, of her daughter’s voice—the bursts of color, the whorls of perhaps magenta, cerulean, and goldenrod, tumbling about like jewels from heaven. I can almost see them. And they are beautiful” epilogue
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Grief
Moderate: Rape and Child death
Minor: Death of parent
shawnna_reads2's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, War, Adult/minor relationship, Antisemitism, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Grief, Infertility, and Infidelity
liahay's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Ableism, and Rape
bnelson13's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Susan Meissner did a wonderful job telling the stories of Rosanne and Helen, and I found that this was a hard book to put down. My heart broke over and over for Rosanne and Helen, and the others of this story, but I'm so wonderfully happy that I was able to read it. It's a really powerful story.
Moderate: Ableism, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Hate crime, Infertility, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, and War
maddiet425's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Grief
Moderate: War, Rape, Pedophilia, Medical trauma, Antisemitism, and Death of parent
oceanwriter's review
- 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
4.5
Mainly following the timelines of 1938 America and 1947 Austria, the book follows Rosie and Helen and their interwoven stories. In 1938, Rosie is sent away because of her misunderstood condition and a surprise pregnancy to what she assumes to be a home for unwed mothers. Years later, Helen comes to learn the truth about what happened to Rosie and the baby.
There are a lot of heavy and perhaps controversial topics in this book that I won't mention due to spoilers. However, I urge people to look into them if they feel it's necessary. I enjoyed reading about these dark times in history even though it was difficult at parts. There was a lot of build-up in the beginning and because of this I felt more attached to Rosie's timeline. The second half picks up considerably, but overall, there's not a dull moment. Despite the dark themes, the book carries a hopeful message.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a free digital ARC of the book to read and review!
Graphic: Infertility, Murder, Pregnancy, Death, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
More specific CWs: