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ellenjr24's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
bookph1le's review against another edition
2.0
Not a bad book, but not one that excited me all that much, either. I didn't really care for Frankie all that much and kind of found the whole idea of her working with Murrow to be kind of silly. Maybe the book would have been better without her but, then, I wasn't all that enamored of Iris or Emma either.
novelette's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this novel. I wished that it would have proceeded on further into that time period.
deanna_rigney's review against another edition
3.0
Although the author has promise as a writer, I found this work lacking in charcter development, therefore weakening what otherwise might have been an endearing story. I can see where the writer was trying to take me, but somehow she never quite got me there.
lastpaige111's review against another edition
3.0
Slightly predictable but I couldn't put it down. Loved the main character, even though she was a bit of a stereotypical wealthy Manhattanite Smithy of the early 20th Century. It would make a great film.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD read by Orlagh Cassidy.
Frankie Bard, a young and unseasoned broadcast journalist working in London under the tutelage of Edward R Murrow, connects characters on both sides of the Atlantic in this novel set in early to mid 1941, before the USA had entered the war. Dr Will and Mrs Emma Fitch are newlyweds living in Franklin MA, a small town on the end of Cape Cod, which is where the doctor grew up. Iris James is the postmaster of the town, never wed and age 40, she has come to know and love the inhabitants of the town, and she takes seriously her civic responsibilities.
It’s an important time in the history of the United States and Europe. The characters have a unique place in that history and should have a compelling story to tell, but Blake isn’t quite up to the task, and much of the book falls flat. The last 40 pages or so are wonderfully done, however, and show the author’s promise.
Orlagh Cassidy does a fine job narrating the audio version. She has good pacing and I could easily keep the characters and time frame straight.
Frankie Bard, a young and unseasoned broadcast journalist working in London under the tutelage of Edward R Murrow, connects characters on both sides of the Atlantic in this novel set in early to mid 1941, before the USA had entered the war. Dr Will and Mrs Emma Fitch are newlyweds living in Franklin MA, a small town on the end of Cape Cod, which is where the doctor grew up. Iris James is the postmaster of the town, never wed and age 40, she has come to know and love the inhabitants of the town, and she takes seriously her civic responsibilities.
It’s an important time in the history of the United States and Europe. The characters have a unique place in that history and should have a compelling story to tell, but Blake isn’t quite up to the task, and much of the book falls flat. The last 40 pages or so are wonderfully done, however, and show the author’s promise.
Orlagh Cassidy does a fine job narrating the audio version. She has good pacing and I could easily keep the characters and time frame straight.
lila4th's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Slow read and had to restart 3 times. Really picks up for the middle 100 pages or so but overall wouldn’t recommend it to a friend. Loved the historical fiction aspect but the entire plot is steeped in death and loss.
jlynn69's review against another edition
3.0
The book was easy reading and interesting- but the story just didn't totally come together like I thought it might. It was okay.
rainbowsparkle7x's review against another edition
4.0
This book carried an onward motion with it that made it hard to put down. I got swept away on the tide of these woman's lives, especially Frankie as she made her way across Europe during the war. What stood out to me beyond the emotional impact of the story is the thread of "Ostrich Syndrome" that runs through America. Famous last words, "oh that would never happen today" as they said in 1940 while Jewish families were being massacred and so many looked the other way, unwilling to see what was happening. No one wants to believe that the world, that people, could be so cruel and heartless. Beautiful story, with a sad and solemn message. Pay attention, as Frankie says.