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byashleylamar's review
3.0
The Melody of Secrets by Jeffrey Stepakoff is a historical fiction story set in Huntsville, Alabama during the late 1950’s. After the conclusion of World War II in 1945, Maria and Hans Reinhardt had relocated to Huntsville, AL (a/k/a Rocket City). Now it is 1957 and the Cold War is reaching its peak. Hans, a German rocket scientist, has been assigned to help the United States catch up to Russia in the space program.
The Civil Rights movement is just beginning in the United States and Maria finds herself caught up in that as well. She sees the American people turning a blind eye to the persecution of the African-American’s in much the same way the German people turned blindly away from the plight of the Jewish people during World War II. When she befriends young Josephine and remembers all of the young children she couldn’t help in Germany her heart nearly finishes breaking. How much grief and struggle and heartache can one woman truly stand?
While there are flaws in the book they are minor and the book as a whole is a great read. I finished it within a day and a half and enjoyed the story on every page. The ending is tragic, heartbreaking, and perfect. Pick it up and give it a chance. It’s worth it.
The Civil Rights movement is just beginning in the United States and Maria finds herself caught up in that as well. She sees the American people turning a blind eye to the persecution of the African-American’s in much the same way the German people turned blindly away from the plight of the Jewish people during World War II. When she befriends young Josephine and remembers all of the young children she couldn’t help in Germany her heart nearly finishes breaking. How much grief and struggle and heartache can one woman truly stand?
While there are flaws in the book they are minor and the book as a whole is a great read. I finished it within a day and a half and enjoyed the story on every page. The ending is tragic, heartbreaking, and perfect. Pick it up and give it a chance. It’s worth it.
gatzby's review
2.0
:/ this kind of sucked. can’t really pinpoint why but i found myself just not caring about any of the characters and Especially not the romance plot. hmm
jennp28's review
4.0
I was pleased to receive an ARC of this book through a GoodReads FirstReads giveaway.
Actual rating 4.5 stars.
I really liked this book. It is written in a fairly "literary" style which is quite beautiful but is still very readable. I made my way through this book fairly quickly.
I enjoyed reading about the post war/Cold war era, which is a time period about which I haven't read much historical fiction. The details of the space program and of the end of the war are very well woven into the story.
I thought the author did a very good job of switching back and forth between 1957 and 1945, revealing just enough of the back story at a time.
And although the ending was bittersweet, I did like the way it ended as well.
Actual rating 4.5 stars.
I really liked this book. It is written in a fairly "literary" style which is quite beautiful but is still very readable. I made my way through this book fairly quickly.
I enjoyed reading about the post war/Cold war era, which is a time period about which I haven't read much historical fiction. The details of the space program and of the end of the war are very well woven into the story.
I thought the author did a very good job of switching back and forth between 1957 and 1945, revealing just enough of the back story at a time.
And although the ending was bittersweet, I did like the way it ended as well.
bookwormliz's review
4.0
An exquisitely rendered tale of love, desperation, morality, and the dark and the light in all of us. The characters are expertly drawn and one can't help but immediately fall under the spell of this book. I would recommend this book for readers who love characterization, impossible situations, and dilemmas that don't quite have a clear-cut "answer" in life. I really wish that I'd read this book with my book club because I'm quite sure it would have prompted many discussions and suppositions. So, why did I give it only 3 stars instead of 4? The relationship between Maria and Josephine, while only a sub-plot, wasn't quite developed or flushed out enough. Also, I loved and hated the ending (which is why it would make such a great book club read). You need to be an astute and careful reader to get the significance of the "ending" of the book---it isn't all wrapped up in a neat little bow for you---it's like life---frayed pieces, unknowns, and revelations yet to come. I won't go into all that as I don't believe in re-hashing the book or spoiling anything for anyone. As a former English professor and Advanced Placement English Literature teacher, this book would be of great interest for a thorough analysis either in an academic setting or in a serious book club, but as just a "breezy" read for the typical book-reader, I think some of the nuances would be lost and thus frustration (and questioning at the end) would set in. Actually, for that reason alone, I'm moving it up to a 4 because WHY should we be handed everything in a nice, neat package---life doesn't work that way, so why should all books? I won this as a GoodReads first-read and was not paid, cajoled, or required to write this review.
janet's review
4.0
I admit it: I wasn't expecting to be so swept up in this story. You'll find adventure, romance, war, racial tension, and--as the title suggests--many layers of secrets that threaten to unravel the central characters' lives. Great, quick read that will be my go-to gift recommendation for your mama.
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