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lizaroo71's review against another edition
4.0
this book takes us from 1940 to the late 1960's. it follows the lives of three girlfriends: grace, millie and babe (bernadette). these three women find themselves in love or married to men going off to fight in WWII.
the chapters are told in time increments, i.e. 1941 - 1945. the reader hears the account of events from all of the three women. this book deals with the losses the women face and the way war can change not only the men that fight overseas, but the family and friends they leave behind.
an interesting perspective of the second world war.
the chapters are told in time increments, i.e. 1941 - 1945. the reader hears the account of events from all of the three women. this book deals with the losses the women face and the way war can change not only the men that fight overseas, but the family and friends they leave behind.
an interesting perspective of the second world war.
wisbeth's review against another edition
5.0
Next To Love is the story of three women and the role World War II plays on their lives. In the beginning of the story Babe, Grace and Millie all end up sending their men off to fight World War II. The three women have to deal with the separation of war and the constant fear of receiving bad news. Babe works in the Western Union office and gets to see the news that will change peoples lives on a daily basis. We see the women dealing with their lives back home while the men are off fighting the war. Grace is a young mother and wife, while Millie is expecting her first child as their husbands leave to fight the war. All three women have been friends since childhood and stand by each other during this difficult time.
The next part of the story deals with the women and how their lives change after men come home, and the war is over. I really don't want to say too much as I want this review to be spoiler free. Let's just say the war has long lasting effects on all involved. There are losses and demons to be dealt with.
As the storyline continues, we see changes in American history that also brings changes to the three friends and their families. Reading this book made me realize how much our country changed in the time period that the book takes place, 1941-1964. I knew the Women's Movement and the Civil Rights Movement changed life as it was but never gave much thought to the technology changes during this time period. I never thought much of the correlation between all these changes and the war but after reading this book, I see now how World War II played a role in our country's changes.
The author has written this book in a way I found most unusual. Some of the time periods and chapters overlapped. It sounds confusing but as long as I read the heading on the chapter with the date, the story flowed smoothly. The story was told through the viewpoint of each of the women. I found it interesting to read about a certain event through the eyes of two different women. The way the story was told was very effective.
I enjoyed the nostalgia of this book. It took me a very different time in our history and made me understand my mother a bit more, seeing she lived through this time period herself. I enjoyed taking this journey with Babe, Grace and Millie. I highly recommend this book.
The next part of the story deals with the women and how their lives change after men come home, and the war is over. I really don't want to say too much as I want this review to be spoiler free. Let's just say the war has long lasting effects on all involved. There are losses and demons to be dealt with.
As the storyline continues, we see changes in American history that also brings changes to the three friends and their families. Reading this book made me realize how much our country changed in the time period that the book takes place, 1941-1964. I knew the Women's Movement and the Civil Rights Movement changed life as it was but never gave much thought to the technology changes during this time period. I never thought much of the correlation between all these changes and the war but after reading this book, I see now how World War II played a role in our country's changes.
The author has written this book in a way I found most unusual. Some of the time periods and chapters overlapped. It sounds confusing but as long as I read the heading on the chapter with the date, the story flowed smoothly. The story was told through the viewpoint of each of the women. I found it interesting to read about a certain event through the eyes of two different women. The way the story was told was very effective.
I enjoyed the nostalgia of this book. It took me a very different time in our history and made me understand my mother a bit more, seeing she lived through this time period herself. I enjoyed taking this journey with Babe, Grace and Millie. I highly recommend this book.
brendaclay's review against another edition
4.0
In a small Massachusetts town in 1943, three best friends marry three men who are about to go off to war. By the end of the war, all of their lives are in pieces. This novel is about how they rebuild (or not) over the next two decades. I felt like Feldman tried to cover too much at times, which came off a little rushed (especially at the end), but this story is moving and engaging, and her writing is great.
beccaboop_books's review against another edition
4.0
A story of three girls and their lives during the war and years to come after and the impact of war on their lives, and relationships. This was a great read that kept me wanting more. There were many characters to keep straight but the chapters kind of seperate each girls story so that helps. The ending came and I was sad it was over.
TW for a rape scene.
TW for a rape scene.
ctiner7's review against another edition
5.0
Heartbreaking. Real. Terrifying. Full of real, true love, and war hopes and fears. Incredible.
I won this book on Goodreads First Reads.
I won this book on Goodreads First Reads.
sarelizb's review against another edition
1.0
I'm just not a fan of the way Feldman writes. The weird 3rd person narrative just wasn't working for me. I would have rather known more about the day to day lives of each woman than just getting to know what happened on a single day in one month. It was a decent story line, though.
creyna21's review
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nursenell's review
3.0
This book follows three women: Babe, Millie, and Grace from just before WWII until 1964. They are supposedly childhood friends although that really didn't seem to be true but in any case as young womjen just out of high school they end up marrying men who soon after leave for war. Only one man will return from the war, two of the women are left widows. Their friendship nevertheless continues. I think the book captures the social changes of the post war period pretty well. I am not sure the friendships would have however stood the test of time. It was an OK book but not great.
lizardgoats's review against another edition
3.0
Advanced Reader's Edition c/o Random House. Blog post to follow reading.