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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Another historical novel about Dorothea Lange—the second one I've read in less than a year. This one focuses on the years immediately after Lange's arrival in San Fransisco in 1918. Surprisingly, there were a number of parallels to our current day issues—a pandemic (the Spanish flu), extreme nationalism, and racism and violence toward immigrants, especially those from China. Dorothea Lange's story plays out against this backdrop, and the book was absorbing and, at times, riveting. Definitely recommended.
This is a fascinating story of Dorothea Lange, of a time period and with a great sense of place. The writing is beautiful, but despite all of that there wasn't anything compelling me to pick it up for so much of it. The second half was more fast paced, but the first part dragged. I learned so much from this book: about Dorothea Lange, about the history of San Francisco, and the Anti-Asian laws of the 1920s through the character of Caroline Lee. I would recommend it still though. I look forward to reading what Jasmin Darznik writes next, as I loved her first one as well.
Thank you to Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of the book.
Thank you to Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of the book.
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Xenophobia
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
i don’t know. i feel so torn. Jasmin Darznik’s novel “Song of a Captive Bird” is one of my favorite books of all time so i expected this book to be nothing short of amazing. but it just didn’t meet my expectations at all. i feel so bad for not loving it
maybe it would have helped if i knew who Dorothea Lange was before reading this novel? or was interested in the Bohemian era?
ultimately i think there was just too much covered, and i understand why, but because of that, nothing went deep enough. the Spanish Flu was covered in like 2 pages. the writing is good. the story is interesting. but i wasn’t captivated.
i don’t even want Jasmin to see this review because i really love her work but this just wasn’t it for me
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with a digital copy of The Bohemians in exchange for my honest review.
The Bohemians, a work of historical fiction set primarily in early 1920s San Francisco, CA, focused on the early life and work of Dorothea Lange and her assistant, Ah-yee (named Caroline Lee in the book). Going into the book I did not know about Dorothea Lange (aside from a few of her depression era photos) or anything about this time period in San Francisco. In many ways this book felt like present day - the issues with race, immigration, a woman's role in society and in the home, and the politics surrounding all of these issues are brought up in the book (organically), and led to very thought-provoking read. The Bohemians was an “atmosphere” of its own. While obviously a work of fiction, Jasmin Darznik kept the reader engaged with a fictional story about the artistic culture that blossomed in San Francisco during this time. I was shocked to discover that several of the major and minor characters’ real life mirrored the timeline of the book, which just further lended to this book’s allure.
The Bohemians is medium paced, not a dual time line (thank you!), in the first person (from Dorothea's perspective), and was easy to sink yourself into. While there are a few emotionally wrenching scenes, Ms. Darznik's characters are resilient and principled to the end.
The Bohemians, a work of historical fiction set primarily in early 1920s San Francisco, CA, focused on the early life and work of Dorothea Lange and her assistant, Ah-yee (named Caroline Lee in the book). Going into the book I did not know about Dorothea Lange (aside from a few of her depression era photos) or anything about this time period in San Francisco. In many ways this book felt like present day - the issues with race, immigration, a woman's role in society and in the home, and the politics surrounding all of these issues are brought up in the book (organically), and led to very thought-provoking read. The Bohemians was an “atmosphere” of its own. While obviously a work of fiction, Jasmin Darznik kept the reader engaged with a fictional story about the artistic culture that blossomed in San Francisco during this time. I was shocked to discover that several of the major and minor characters’ real life mirrored the timeline of the book, which just further lended to this book’s allure.
The Bohemians is medium paced, not a dual time line (thank you!), in the first person (from Dorothea's perspective), and was easy to sink yourself into. While there are a few emotionally wrenching scenes, Ms. Darznik's characters are resilient and principled to the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia
Minor: Alcoholism
I received this from Netgalley.com.
A well written and thought provoking fictionalized account of the life of Dorothea Lange.
3.75☆
A well written and thought provoking fictionalized account of the life of Dorothea Lange.
3.75☆
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No