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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Engineer's Wife was a fascinating tale of a woman who wants to have her own independence in an age where women were looked down upon for wanting more than just a husband, kids, and housekeeping. Emily Warren Roebling was part of a group of women who were ahead of their time. She always felt like an outcast because it wasn't always her dream to have a family, she wanted a career, she wanted to have fun, she marched to a different drum. What she didn't realize until later on in her life is that there were so many in her own family and friend circle that wanted the same thing. When Emily marries Wash she has to tamp down her independence a bit to fit into the world he expected although he didn't demand she be the "little woman who cooked" she still needed to blend in more than she wanted to. When Wash and his father finally start on their dream of building a bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn, also known as the Brooklyn bridge little did Emily know that she would be the one to accomplish what none of her men folks could accomplish- She takes over as the "acting" chief engineer after her father-in-law dies and Wash ends up with the "bends".
Emily is helped in this story to paver her own way by her mother, her best friend, and her mother's circle of influence and an unusual friend, Phineas Taylor Barnum of Curiosity Showman, Businessman, and Circus fame.
Tracey Enerson Wood does a fantastic job of writing Emily's story with humor, heartache, strength, and skill. Although, this is a historical fiction story and yes, Emily Roebling did take charge of the engineering of the Brooklyn Bridge my favorite parts of this story weren't exactly part of her real story and that is what makes this book fun! The combination of real people blended into real history and not knowing what is true and what is fiction is part of the appeal. I had to Google so many things to see (without going to the back of the book) if I could find anything on some connections that I really wish was true.
Ms. Wood does tell you what is what after you read the book, but I am fond of history and mystery and so I went searching without realizing it was all within my two hands already. And, yet, this lead me to so many interesting reads that expanded my knowledge of the Roebling and NY history. As a NY'er by birth, I find the map of the ever-changing Manhattan skyline intriguing, I loved reading about where certain buildings where and where they were rebuilt. For Instance Madison Square Garden so many sites, with so many different reasons for the venue.
I give The Engineer's Wife 4.5 stars for the romance, the growth of the characters, and just a purely great story. I was inspired, saddened, and all-around entertained by the largeness of some of the characters. Emily Warren Roebling is one woman who should be talked about more and I am glad that this book was released during the 100-year celebration of the 19th Amendment and A Women's Right to Vote.
Emily is helped in this story to paver her own way by her mother, her best friend, and her mother's circle of influence and an unusual friend, Phineas Taylor Barnum of Curiosity Showman, Businessman, and Circus fame.
Tracey Enerson Wood does a fantastic job of writing Emily's story with humor, heartache, strength, and skill. Although, this is a historical fiction story and yes, Emily Roebling did take charge of the engineering of the Brooklyn Bridge my favorite parts of this story weren't exactly part of her real story and that is what makes this book fun! The combination of real people blended into real history and not knowing what is true and what is fiction is part of the appeal. I had to Google so many things to see (without going to the back of the book) if I could find anything on some connections that I really wish was true.
Ms. Wood does tell you what is what after you read the book, but I am fond of history and mystery and so I went searching without realizing it was all within my two hands already. And, yet, this lead me to so many interesting reads that expanded my knowledge of the Roebling and NY history. As a NY'er by birth, I find the map of the ever-changing Manhattan skyline intriguing, I loved reading about where certain buildings where and where they were rebuilt. For Instance Madison Square Garden so many sites, with so many different reasons for the venue.
I give The Engineer's Wife 4.5 stars for the romance, the growth of the characters, and just a purely great story. I was inspired, saddened, and all-around entertained by the largeness of some of the characters. Emily Warren Roebling is one woman who should be talked about more and I am glad that this book was released during the 100-year celebration of the 19th Amendment and A Women's Right to Vote.
3.5/5. This is the story of Emily Roebling, an independent woman who takes over the building process of the Brooklyn Bridge when her husband, the chief engineer, becomes incapable of doing so. While also connecting with the likes of P.T. Barnum and the women’s suffrage movement, Emily tries to balance her family’s legacy with her own desires.
I thoroughly enjoyed learning the background behind the Brooklyn Bridge, from the design to the build and its eventual opening, including all the ups and downs along the way. I found the characters to be well-developed, despite the writing’s tendency to tell rather than to show. The author was able to incorporate other relevant issues of the time, including the Civil War and PTSD, gender roles, and the fight for women’s suffrage.
I was most disappointed by the fact that the most interesting plot points were fictitious. One of the primary plot lines follows the relationship between Emily Roebling and P.T. Barnum. With P.T. being such a central part of the novel, it was disappointing to hear that there is no evidence of such involvement.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read of NYC in the late 1800s, the complicated process of bridge-making, and the story and sacrifices of the family that made it possible.
I thoroughly enjoyed learning the background behind the Brooklyn Bridge, from the design to the build and its eventual opening, including all the ups and downs along the way. I found the characters to be well-developed, despite the writing’s tendency to tell rather than to show. The author was able to incorporate other relevant issues of the time, including the Civil War and PTSD, gender roles, and the fight for women’s suffrage.
I was most disappointed by the fact that the most interesting plot points were fictitious. One of the primary plot lines follows the relationship between Emily Roebling and P.T. Barnum. With P.T. being such a central part of the novel, it was disappointing to hear that there is no evidence of such involvement.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read of NYC in the late 1800s, the complicated process of bridge-making, and the story and sacrifices of the family that made it possible.
The Engineer's Wife is the fictionalized telling of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. After Emily Roebling's husband Washington developed caissons disease (or decompression sickness) during the building of the footing for the tower on the Brooklyn side of the bridge, Emily started to take an active role in the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. Since women were not allowed to go to school for engineering she learned everything she could from her husband and his engineering books. Over the next decade Emily spent everyday at the job site helping make decisions and communicating for her incapacitated husband, even going down into the caisson herself to assist with the work that needed to be done. She persevered over the obstacles of faulty cables and men standing in her way and got the bridge built.
This novel goes in the vain of many of the recent historical fiction novels revolving around female leads. This is another one that showcases a real woman who managed to accomplish an amazing feat and should be remembered. It is a story of how smart and courageous women can be while showing parallels to modern life of work versus family. Tracey Enerson Wood wrote a lovely novel that not only entertained but taught me more about one of America's marvels.
This novel goes in the vain of many of the recent historical fiction novels revolving around female leads. This is another one that showcases a real woman who managed to accomplish an amazing feat and should be remembered. It is a story of how smart and courageous women can be while showing parallels to modern life of work versus family. Tracey Enerson Wood wrote a lovely novel that not only entertained but taught me more about one of America's marvels.
I love historical fiction that shines a light on a piece of history that is fading away and this book is one of those stories. The engineering of the Brooklyn Bridge was a marvel at the time. The wife who persisted when her husband could not, she made it a reality. This was a story that needed to be told in more detail.
While I found the subject interesting, it was a long 14 hours to listen to. I normally enjoy historical fiction, but this one had a lot of extra fluff, and more words, than I thought needed to be included.
This historical fiction book is based on the true story of the building of the Brooklyn bridge. It was fascinating to read to see how far engineering technology has come since the late 1800s and also combined with the role of women in the same time frame. Overall a decent book though I found it a bit draggy in parts. 4/5
I had high hopes for this one, but unfortunately the focus of the book is not what's advertised, and too many details were fabricated. The suffrage aspect felt forced, which makes sense since there is little evidence that Emily did significant work in this area. The romance with PT was unnecessary and unbelievable, since Emily's marriage was relatively stable. Emily is portrayed as flighty and immature, which I doubt is true since she held such an important job and overcame many obstacles.
The story of the woman behind the Brooklyn Bridge. Emily Roebling viewed herself as a partner to her husband in all ways and tried to learn about his job. But when he is injured and unable to work she surprises everyone by taking over, first as his eyes and ears and eventually she becomes completely in charge of the project. She faces opposition and challenges at every turn in her quest to make her husband's dream a reality. A story of a strong woman finding a way to live her best life.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for my honest review.
This was a different era of historical fiction than what I usually read, and I enjoyed the change. I found it to be a little slow at times, but I was especially interested as the bridge neared completion and the suffragists played a larger role. I cared enough to actually read all of the author’s note and love her sentiments about historical fiction being important and that it should teach a reader something new in an entertaining way. That is exactly why I keep reading these!