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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Part of the story covers children sent to US from Europe during war time.
Really enjoyed the new take on life during WWII. I
Was aware many children were sent away during that time but didn’t realize some came to the US. Reading about the experience and the difficulties both when leaving and returning to their birth home was interesting even when fictionalized.
Was aware many children were sent away during that time but didn’t realize some came to the US. Reading about the experience and the difficulties both when leaving and returning to their birth home was interesting even when fictionalized.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I enjoyed the characters and progression of their lives. This isn't a book that follows a single story or thought. It ambles through the collective experience of these two families and the convergence of their lives. I was very thankful for the timeline in the footer, otherwise it could have been easy to get lost in the timeline of the book.
What a lovely, poignant novel! I found this book engrossing from the very first chapter… beautifully written and a great twist on a much used topic.
I gave this book somewhere between PG-13 and R since I took so long to finish it (life got in the way; not the books fault!) so I can’t perfectly recall exactly what went on but there was some sex scenes and adult themes.
I gave this book somewhere between PG-13 and R since I took so long to finish it (life got in the way; not the books fault!) so I can’t perfectly recall exactly what went on but there was some sex scenes and adult themes.
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Very very slow
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
An intensely emotional series of vignettes about how we love and understand (or don’t) the people around us. This book pummeled my emotions again and again, but I couldn’t put it down.
I dragged my feet on picking this one up (despite multiple recommendations) because I had already read a couple of WWII era books this year, but this was so moving it made me cry at the library.
The characters, their dynamics, and motivations were beautifully rendered. I particularly adored Nancy. Please write more, Laura Spence-Ash!
The characters, their dynamics, and motivations were beautifully rendered. I particularly adored Nancy. Please write more, Laura Spence-Ash!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is 100% a love letter to growing up in New England and having a literal found family (and maybe a bit to baseball? You can't say this author isn't a fan of the Red Sox LMAO). I'm very happy I listened to this audiobook, because I think I would have put the physical book down at some point and not picked it back up. There's just something about literary fiction audiobooks that makes them so satisfying to listen to. This story was quite sad at some points, but it was also secretly and achingly happy. Beatrix, Gerald, and William's growth throughout the years was breathtaking, and the additional POVs of Rose, Mrs. G, and Millie really helped to flesh out the story and their characters. The heartbreak and pain of the war years had no quick release, instead it echoed for decades. Honestly, I read this book because I was really drawn to the title. It turned out to be literal in the beginning, and then a bit more metaphorical at the end, but yeah this was a good and thoughtful time! Every once in a while there's a detail that's like huh??? (Ex. the bathing conversation or Rose's obsession with the Kennedys), but I think that was added to show that these characters have weird or complex thoughts, just like the rest of us. Also William kinda pissed me off at times, but I got over it after a while.