Scan barcode
dmendels's review against another edition
4.0
(I read this almost a decade ago when it came out, but coming to Goodreads today to review Dara Horn's new book, I see I had not noted this earlier book when I read it.)
Not as magical as A World to Come, but both a great story, and an eye-opening education on a perspective of the Civil War I had no awareness of. If getting started with Dara Horn, A World to Come and Eternal Life are (IMHO) much more ambitious and exciting books, but this is a great read as well.
Not as magical as A World to Come, but both a great story, and an eye-opening education on a perspective of the Civil War I had no awareness of. If getting started with Dara Horn, A World to Come and Eternal Life are (IMHO) much more ambitious and exciting books, but this is a great read as well.
ndobson71's review against another edition
4.0
This would have been five stars right up to the very end. It was just too abrupt and left too many questions. But what a great ride most of the way. This story was well-paced with interesting characters and many surprises. It kept me reading, and I was invested in Jacob's missions. I've seen several reviews criticizing Jacob and his lack of action at times, but I think that's unfair. As a young man with little real world experience before joining the army, I found him to be smart, capable, and believable. He made mistakes, certainly, but don't we all at nineteen? The interlude with Abigail took away from the rest of the story, I thought, and I'm not sure how that ultimately fits in, other than her being Jeannie's cousin, and a distraction for Jacob. This was a different type of Civil War story than many I've read, and provided a fascinating glimpse into some of the Confederate mindset. Jeannie and her sisters were great characters, especially Jeannie. Overall I really enjoyed this novel.
beasley's review against another edition
3.0
This is a well-written novel that deals with some interesting, neglected pieces of American history, that of American Jews during the Civil War. Recommended, especially for those who enjoy historical fiction.
melerihaf's review against another edition
3.0
It was very solidly ok. The thing that bothers me most about historical fiction is that sometimes, the author stretches so that the characters can be in as many historical situations as possible, and then it just gets silly. Also, any book that has the line, "He didn't regret that he had more than one kiss to give for his country." cannot be take seriously. On the other hand, it was a very different perspective, and one that I enjoyed reading about. I just wish that my local library had a biography of Judah Benjamin, because he sounds fascinating.
lisagray68's review against another edition
4.0
I had no idea this was a Civil War book, or I might have thought twice -- that's not my favorite genre. This is a story of being Jewish in the Civil War, and the Jews' role in the war. Much of it is based on real historical events. It's also a love story, but not a sappy one. Espionage, battles, love -- it's got it all, and is beautifully written. I would like to read more from this author!
beccak's review against another edition
4.0
Very, very good, even though I'd heard otherwise from several other friends who are (like me) big Dara Horn fans.
If you've read other Dara Horn novels, you are used to plots with lots going on - multiple viewpoint characters, post-modern reflections on the ways our lives both converge with and diverge from people of the past, and so on. All Other Nights is a much more straightforward historical romance/suspense that will leave you hanging until the end.
Our main character is Jacob, who runs away to join the Union because his father wants to force him into a good "business" marriage to a colleague with a daughter who has some kind of developmental disability. He thinks he is getting himself out of trouble, but he instead finds himself into deeper and deeper trouble. All Other Nights, could actually be used as a case study for the adage "tighten the screws on your protagonist and then tighten them some more." So much stress on the character, and so much suspense, get created through Horn's deft use of this strategy.
I had problems with the end, of the "you didn't resolve things enough" kind. The theme of the end is redemption and "teshuvah" (a Hebrew term which conflates apology, making amends, and return to a healthier relationship), but I felt that Horn needed to clarify the emotional progress/moral improvement of Jacob better. Perhaps one more chapter was needed? I actually turned the page looking for one more!
Otherwise, super excellent.
If you've read other Dara Horn novels, you are used to plots with lots going on - multiple viewpoint characters, post-modern reflections on the ways our lives both converge with and diverge from people of the past, and so on. All Other Nights is a much more straightforward historical romance/suspense that will leave you hanging until the end.
Our main character is Jacob, who runs away to join the Union because his father wants to force him into a good "business" marriage to a colleague with a daughter who has some kind of developmental disability. He thinks he is getting himself out of trouble, but he instead finds himself into deeper and deeper trouble. All Other Nights, could actually be used as a case study for the adage "tighten the screws on your protagonist and then tighten them some more." So much stress on the character, and so much suspense, get created through Horn's deft use of this strategy.
I had problems with the end, of the "you didn't resolve things enough" kind. The theme of the end is redemption and "teshuvah" (a Hebrew term which conflates apology, making amends, and return to a healthier relationship), but I felt that Horn needed to clarify the emotional progress/moral improvement of Jacob better. Perhaps one more chapter was needed? I actually turned the page looking for one more!
Otherwise, super excellent.
panxa's review against another edition
2.0
I've really liked Horn's other books. They have magical realism feel, like modern fairy tales. But All Other Nights didn't have any of that sense of wonder, and it was permeated with sadness.