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A review by rachelmariereads
All Other Nights by Dara Horn
4.0
This was book was absolutely stunning. A heartbreaking tale of a Jewish man coming of age during the Civil War, and being asked to make impossible choices.
The story begins on Passover in 1861, as Jacob Rappaport’s parents attempt to set him up for marriage with one of their business associate’s daughters. Horrified by the prospect, Jacob runs away to join the Union Army right as the Civil War begins. A year into his service his generals ask him to do the unthinkable: murder his own uncle. His uncle is on the opposite side, and apparently a threat to the Union. Seeing no other option, Jacob goes undercover as a Confederate soldier and does what he is told. When he returns, the generals give him another task. This time, instead of murdering someone on the other side, he’s asked to win their trust and marry them.
Eugenia Levy and her three sisters are unlike anyone that Jacob has ever met. Jacob has been told that they are running a spy ring, funneling Union information back to the Confederate Army… but things are not always what they seem. And despite being on opposite sides of the war, Jacob can’t help but be captivated by Eugenia. What ensues is a devastating tale of love and loss in unthinkable circumstances.
I really loved the way this story was woven together. Horn really takes her time painting the picture of the war, the difficult conditions in the trenches, the missing loved ones back home. She also makes a point of showing that there are good and bad people on both sides of the war. I think growing up we’re taught that the North was “good” and the South was “bad”... but that’s just geography. There were good and bad people stuck on either side of the lines when the fighting began, and Jacob sees them all.
I learned so much from this novel. It’s clear Dara Horn has done her research and is passionate about the subject. I’m not usually one to gravitate towards historical fiction, but I’m so glad I did. This is a story that is going to stick with me for a long time. I was so impressed by Dara Horn’s writing, and I am already planning to pick up more of her books!
The story begins on Passover in 1861, as Jacob Rappaport’s parents attempt to set him up for marriage with one of their business associate’s daughters. Horrified by the prospect, Jacob runs away to join the Union Army right as the Civil War begins. A year into his service his generals ask him to do the unthinkable: murder his own uncle. His uncle is on the opposite side, and apparently a threat to the Union. Seeing no other option, Jacob goes undercover as a Confederate soldier and does what he is told. When he returns, the generals give him another task. This time, instead of murdering someone on the other side, he’s asked to win their trust and marry them.
Eugenia Levy and her three sisters are unlike anyone that Jacob has ever met. Jacob has been told that they are running a spy ring, funneling Union information back to the Confederate Army… but things are not always what they seem. And despite being on opposite sides of the war, Jacob can’t help but be captivated by Eugenia. What ensues is a devastating tale of love and loss in unthinkable circumstances.
I really loved the way this story was woven together. Horn really takes her time painting the picture of the war, the difficult conditions in the trenches, the missing loved ones back home. She also makes a point of showing that there are good and bad people on both sides of the war. I think growing up we’re taught that the North was “good” and the South was “bad”... but that’s just geography. There were good and bad people stuck on either side of the lines when the fighting began, and Jacob sees them all.
I learned so much from this novel. It’s clear Dara Horn has done her research and is passionate about the subject. I’m not usually one to gravitate towards historical fiction, but I’m so glad I did. This is a story that is going to stick with me for a long time. I was so impressed by Dara Horn’s writing, and I am already planning to pick up more of her books!