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bookworm_630's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this book up because the cover blurb indicated it was about the Triangle fire in 1911. As I began reading, I was disappointed to find out that the story began in Russia in 1905, quite far from New York in 1911! But I was quickly drawn into Miriam's story of life as a Jew in Russia and then Germany, dreaming of the golden shores of America, where everyone was free to speak as they wanted, live as they wished, and earn a living as they could without fear of pogroms, beatings, forced relocations, and having their homes burned around them. This is truly an immigrants tale, the good and the bad.
elizabethlk's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Touched by Fire was an incredible read, and I genuinely loved reading it. The story was intensely moving and made use of a broad variety of historical information without ever feeling dry.
Miriam is a lovely character, her friends and family felt intensely real, and her journey from childhood in Russia to adulthood in America is one that I found fascinating and believable. I picked up this book due to fascination with the Triangle factory fire, but it was about so much more than that. Loss and prejudice were intense themes that were used incredibly well and made me feel emotional throughout the book. The epilogue helped a lot.
I definitely recommend this one. I would reread it. I look forward to reading more from the author.
Touched by Fire was an incredible read, and I genuinely loved reading it. The story was intensely moving and made use of a broad variety of historical information without ever feeling dry.
Miriam is a lovely character, her friends and family felt intensely real, and her journey from childhood in Russia to adulthood in America is one that I found fascinating and believable. I picked up this book due to fascination with the Triangle factory fire, but it was about so much more than that. Loss and prejudice were intense themes that were used incredibly well and made me feel emotional throughout the book. The epilogue helped a lot.
I definitely recommend this one. I would reread it. I look forward to reading more from the author.
amdame1's review against another edition
3.0
Miriam is 14 years old when she boards a ship to leave the pogroms in Russia and Germany behind. Her father has already gone ahead to America and has now sent a ticket for her, her mom, and her brother to join him. Miriam makes a friend on the voyage over and together they begin work at the Triangle Waist Company - just before the now renowned fire.
I liked the overview of why Miriam and her family moved here; it made her story more complete.
However, while this probably means that the story was accurate and well-researched, the part about the actual work in the factory and the fire seemed too much like every other book about the topic.
I liked the overview of why Miriam and her family moved here; it made her story more complete.
However, while this probably means that the story was accurate and well-researched, the part about the actual work in the factory and the fire seemed too much like every other book about the topic.
elizabethlk's review
4.0
4.5 stars.
Touched by Fire was an incredible read, and I genuinely loved reading it. The story was intensely moving and made use of a broad variety of historical information without ever feeling dry.
Miriam is a lovely character, her friends and family felt intensely real, and her journey from childhood in Russia to adulthood in America is one that I found fascinating and believable. I picked up this book due to fascination with the Triangle factory fire, but it was about so much more than that. Loss and prejudice were intense themes that were used incredibly well and made me feel emotional throughout the book. The epilogue helped a lot.
I definitely recommend this one. I would reread it. I look forward to reading more from the author.
Touched by Fire was an incredible read, and I genuinely loved reading it. The story was intensely moving and made use of a broad variety of historical information without ever feeling dry.
Miriam is a lovely character, her friends and family felt intensely real, and her journey from childhood in Russia to adulthood in America is one that I found fascinating and believable. I picked up this book due to fascination with the Triangle factory fire, but it was about so much more than that. Loss and prejudice were intense themes that were used incredibly well and made me feel emotional throughout the book. The epilogue helped a lot.
I definitely recommend this one. I would reread it. I look forward to reading more from the author.
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