What a joy! This book was a delight from start to finish!
The story takes its time, moving slowly but with great atmosphere and nuance. The depictions What a joy! This book was a delight from start to finish!
The story takes its time, moving slowly but with great atmosphere and nuance. The depictions of the relocated British children during WWII were very well-rendered, and this book struck all the right notes of sorrow and hope and fear and loss. The novel's plot is absolutely beautiful—sad but not bleak—with memorable characters on a quest for life and redemption. The author did a phenomenal job of imbuing the whole book with a fairy-tale-like quality, without ever once drawing on any supernatural element. The novel reads almost like a journey, taking its readers on a long adventure through dark and perilous places, and as the tale goes on, the tension grows and the drama unfolds, until finally the readers reach the journey's end and its thoroughly satisfying conclusion....more
Well, it's a little bit predictable, but that doesn't detract from this tale's enjoyment one bit. Gripping, sinister, and tragic, this memorable storyWell, it's a little bit predictable, but that doesn't detract from this tale's enjoyment one bit. Gripping, sinister, and tragic, this memorable story will stick with you long after the last page....more
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel! A dramatic tale inspired by the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa, this novel kept me on the edge of my seat. I don't tend I thoroughly enjoyed this novel! A dramatic tale inspired by the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa, this novel kept me on the edge of my seat. I don't tend to like historical fiction OR thrillers; neither have I ever been much of an art connoisseur, yet I found myself getting more and more drawn into this tale. The characters are sympathetic and always interesting, and the compelling tale unfolds beautifully and naturally. Many stories nowadays take place in two time frames, and this book is no exception, but I think it works better in this story than it does in many others because the two timelines support each other so well. I am also impressed by the level of detail put into this book; the author has clearly done his research, and it shows. There is a despicable villain, but the more brutal elements happen away from the story's action. There is a romance, but it has more of a secondary role in the story and doesn't draw focus. There is drama and sacrifice and hope. Wonderful!...more
Stephanie’s back, and it’s great! This has to be a bit of a return to form for this series. I was a little worried after Gabriela featured so prominenStephanie’s back, and it’s great! This has to be a bit of a return to form for this series. I was a little worried after Gabriela featured so prominently in a recent book, but here, Stephanie shines in all her glory! She has leveled up a little, and is much more competent as a bounty hunter than she has been in some earlier books, but she is every bit as wacky and lovable. Add in some memorable moments with Lula, Grandma Mazur, and even Grandma Bella, and hilarity will ensue. I was glad to see the love triangle going strong, and Ranger—too often shoved to the background—is prominent here. If you like silly action-adventure, it’s hard to find something better than this. So Stephanie’s no Jane Eyre. So what? Enjoy the ride; this one’s a doozy....more
Full marks for this one: it hit all the right notes. Well-crafted characters with memorable personalities, a murder mystery with a bunch of twists in Full marks for this one: it hit all the right notes. Well-crafted characters with memorable personalities, a murder mystery with a bunch of twists in store, enough tension to keep me reading, and enough humor to soften the horror. Parts of this were gritty, and there was much that was bittersweet. Parts are poignant, but there is warmth, too. Loose ends tied up. The ending wasn't too unrealistic to be believed, nor was quite like other books I've read. I don't want to say too much about this one, but know that it doesn't disappoint....more
Well, I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I didn't love it. The characters were interesting, and the plot was compelling enough to keep me rWell, I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I didn't love it. The characters were interesting, and the plot was compelling enough to keep me reading, but I didn't think the whole was very well-crafted. I thought it was kind of insulting to women, though I doubt that was intentional.
At first, I liked it well enough. A book dedicated to librarians and set in a famous library? Great! At the beginning, I thought Laura's 1914 plot was more interesting than Sadie's 1992 plot, so I was delighted to see that the more I read, the more I warmed to Sadie's story. I thought the characters there felt genuine, and I enjoyed the journey. I liked that the author took her time with it. I liked that it kept my interest.
Then, the 1914 plot sort of derailed. That storyline's protagonist, Laura, is a married mother of two who is studying to be a journalist so she can help support her family. On the way, she stumbles into a plethora of feminist clichés. I don't say that lightly. I remember being in college and studying history, and we looked (among other things) at the feminist movement and the criticism it drew. There wasn't anyone in my class, as far as I know, who felt women shouldn't vote or shouldn't have jobs, so it was easy for us to kind of roll our eyes at some of the fears of the times. For example, (1) from the mid-1800s, the idea that women shouldn't pursue higher education because they can't handle being told they're wrong. (2) From 1860s-ish, a source suggesting women shouldn't have careers outside the home because they'll be corrupted by sin. (3) From circa 1920, the fear that women shouldn't vote because there will be no one to look after the children. And then, of course, there were the fears the other direction, that (4) powerful men are awful, and that (5) any problem is eclipsed by the larger problem of sexism. As cheap as these criticisms may sound, I hate to say this book reinforced every single one of them.
I get it; things were hard for Laura. Women of my generation have the benefit of seeing how older generations of women balanced work and family. Laura was forging her own path. Fine. But could she have been just a little less TSTL? Take her studies. She and her family sacrificed so much so that she could study journalism. This was, she thought, her career choice. Journalism is what she felt called to do. She took an ethics course. She was told, repeatedly, that journalism was a means of reporting facts, and the she needed to be as objective as possible in her writing. I could tell Laura didn't like factual journalism; she would have been much happier editorializing or working as an activist, but she didn't complain or try to change fields. She just went on through her classes, nodding her head at everything she was told, and then she didn't follow directions on her final project—she gave opinions instead of the objective, factual write-up she had been assigned—and wound up failing. Well, good? I mean, she deserved it. She chose not meet the course's requirements. Then she failed the course. Any sort of learning requires humility, and Laura, for all her gifts, lacks the ability to accept that just because she wants something, that makes it correct. I'm not saying her feelings were wrong, nor that she was wrong to voice them. But she was clearly wrong to turn a specific assignment into her own forum after being expressly told that that particular project was to be an objective description. She was wrong to be so narcissistic as to think that just because she felt it strongly, that made it okay for the project. She was wrong to disregard what the teacher told her just because she didn't like it. She was also wrong to fight the professor after the fact, instead of taking the just criticism. She was wrong to blame her failure on the people around her. Incidentally, I also blame the author here. The problem was Laura's refusal to follow the school's rules, so naturally there had to be a scene showing her teacher as obviously sexist and prejudiced. Why? So his flaws would eclipse Laura's, so that misogyny could steal the scene as the biggest of all problems, and so readers would be distracted from Laura's shortcomings by focusing on someone else's. See numbers (4) and (5) above. That's kind of a cop-out.
It gets worse: Laura herself reinforces a whole bunch of anti-feminism clichés. She couldn't handle school because she didn't want to follow someone else's directions. She started meeting with people to learn about feminism, which led (not kidding!) to moral decline: taking advantage of her mother's time as a free babysitter, lying to her husband about her whereabouts, lying to her friends about her intentions, and invading their privacy for her own gain. As she got better at her journalism, she got more and more impatient with her husband in his work. She became rude, teasing him on purpose about things that bothered him, and she started breaking promises that she had made to him. And the whole time, he seemed to think that all their troubles were somehow his fault; the crueler she was to him, the more he trusted her. She spent time away from her children, oblivious to the troubles that were plaguing them. If the goal here was to show that educating women makes them rude or self-seeking, or turns them into liars, or destroys the home, well good job, Fiona Davis, you nailed it. At the end of the novel, Laura's family (including Laura) is plunged into tragedy because of her. But if she'd stayed a stereotypical, obedient, stay-at-home housewife, everyone would have been happy (including Laura). So the upshot is that anti-feminism is bad. Sexism is bad. (Powerful men are bad.) But also, feminism is bad, and women studying and working is bad. Call me crazy, but I believe it's possible for men to care for their families and for family members to love one another. I believe that men with families can be upright and caring. I also believe that women are capable of studying and working (and yes, being feminist) without sacrificing their honor, character, or morality. I don't believe the patriarchy is incompatible with happiness, nor do I believe that feminism is incompatible with kindness.
Still, if this were as far as it went, Davis might have been able to pull it off. It might have been an illuminating portrait of a more corrupt side of feminism. In a world where little girls are told that they can do or be anything, this would be a novel to show the responsibility and the cost that comes with that power. And in that case, readers—whether feminist or not, whether they agree or not—might appreciate the story that explores those views. Such a story would show one woman's journey as she discovers herself and loses everything in the process. Laura would be seduced by the Dark Side of the Force and become Darth Laura, and I would have been impressed by her strength and sorry for the loss of her innocence and disturbed by the ease with which she let go of the things that are good. But she is not Darth Laura. She is, bizarrely, one of the story's heroes (still!) and all her selfishness seems less a character flaw and more a badge of honor. What a weird little book!
The good: • The setting • The emphasis on books • The insight into rare books (I'm sure that was a lot to research) • The writing, specifically the way the rare books fit the story. The research and the details felt natural and not at all forced. • The way the author took her time telling the story. • The character interactions, especially in the 1992 plotline. I liked the genuine warmth between Sadie and her brother, and I especially liked the sister-in-law. I'm glad this novel avoided clichés like the evil in-law trope; the SIL here was a real class act, and it was refreshing.
As for the rest, just enjoy the story, but don't take it too seriously....more
This was good. Well-crafted characters with nuanced interactions, social issues that are still relevant today, troubles with marriage and parenting anThis was good. Well-crafted characters with nuanced interactions, social issues that are still relevant today, troubles with marriage and parenting and sickness and old age—everything about this book feels real. This book wasn't preachy at all, and even the ministers aren't all that religious, and while I would have preferred a novel with people of stronger faith, I appreciated this one's point of view. This book focuses a lot on doubt, and while it doesn't give any clear answers, it is quite powerful in its questions. Two of the main characters are a minister and an atheist who are married to each other, and that made for an interesting dynamic. I think this book could be thoroughly enjoyed by non-Christians. Christians, too, may find that certain parts of the story resonate with them. I was less moved by the spiritual themes than I was by the more nuts-and-bolts aspects of running a church. Concern over hymns, complaints about sermons, committee meetings, the secretary's job of keeping things going smoothly, Sunday school, junior choir: some parts of this book certainly seem very true to life. Well worth reading....more
This one starts out poorly, but it ends with beauty and grace.
I almost put this one down about a third of the way through because I didn't want to reaThis one starts out poorly, but it ends with beauty and grace.
I almost put this one down about a third of the way through because I didn't want to read a book with flat boring characters who interact little with each other, where what scant dialogue can be found is stilted, and where whole characters are propped up around a single trait. (He's an activist. That's his whole character. She's the annoying the younger sister. That's all you need to know.) Characters are defined pretty much by how they feel politically. And while the politics are important to the plot, I wanted to know more. I found it hard to connect with characters when I didn't really have a sense of those characters.
And then, it got better.
And then better still.
So maybe the author was starting slow, developing characters and their arcs just a little bit at a time. But eventually, things fell into place. Suddenly, the protagonists are more than just a political party; they have nuance and quirks and interesting personalities. The dialogue is fuller; suddenly, the book has whole conversations instead of just summaries of what people talked about. So the middle section was intriguing. I especially liked that the author wasn't afraid to tackle some pretty tough subjects.
Oh, and then there was the ending.
The whole last third of the book is stunning. It's everything the dust jacket blurb would say it is. It's beautiful, poignant, compelling. I won't spoil a thing about the plot, but wow. Just wow.
After finishing this, I can see that most of the first part of the book is exposition. It reads as though it were meant for a prologue and then got expanded from there. But if you can get through that initial clunkiness, the rest of the book does not disappoint....more
Ooh, I was torn between 3 and 4 stars for this one. It's a solid 3.5, but I'm a little concerned about rounding this one up.
Okay, what's good about itOoh, I was torn between 3 and 4 stars for this one. It's a solid 3.5, but I'm a little concerned about rounding this one up.
Okay, what's good about it: A sweet story, straightforward, likeable characters, some very cute moments, insight into Amish culture.
What's not as good: Well, it doesn't quite feel believable to me. I guess I would kind of expect an Amish woman to be a bit more conservative than I am, and I am stunned at some of the things the heroine here does. I would never talk to my father the way she talks to hers! If she gets upset, she yells at him. Then she's surprised when he gets defensive. She's not mean, per se—and neither is he—but she felt just a little unbelievable to me.
It's a nice story, and it certainly has a lot going for it. I tend to think that as the series continues, the quality will improve, too. This is a promising start for a series, and I plan to read more....more
How charming! Jennifer Beckstrand sure has a light touch, and this series is a lot of fun. I enjoyed this prequel, set during the Korean War, and whilHow charming! Jennifer Beckstrand sure has a light touch, and this series is a lot of fun. I enjoyed this prequel, set during the Korean War, and while there are some somber moments in the story, I am delighted that Beckstrand's sense of humor still shines through. Recommended for fans of the series....more
It must have been difficult to write an uplifting story that centers on something as awful as an accident and physical handicaps, but author KatherineIt must have been difficult to write an uplifting story that centers on something as awful as an accident and physical handicaps, but author Katherine Center does just that. This story's dramatic power stems from the realistic way she portrayed the injuries. Nothing is sugar-coated, and the book never makes light of anything terrible that happens. Bad things happen, people have to cope with it, and there is no easy way out. The main conflict comes not from trying to solve the problems, but from trying to live with them. The narrative itself is a delight, with well-crafted characters who approach life's problems in ways that are wholly believable. I am including this book on my "romance" shelf because there is a romance in the plot, but that's almost secondary to the family drama that comes to the fore. My favorite parts of the book involved the connection between the two sisters, and I enjoyed watching them come together during the course of the novel. This was excellent....more
Unusual ghost story, with some interesting characters and a nice mystery tying it all together. I also appreciated the way that the house itself is p Unusual ghost story, with some interesting characters and a nice mystery tying it all together. I also appreciated the way that the house itself is practically a character in the story. The romance was a bit predictable, but it was still appealing. All in all, nicely done....more
What did I think? I loved it! Beautiful, melancholic, poignant, vast in scope—it was everything it needed to be.
Stuff it does well: • The first book wWhat did I think? I loved it! Beautiful, melancholic, poignant, vast in scope—it was everything it needed to be.
Stuff it does well: • The first book was an immigrant tale, too, but this, in many ways, does a stellar job of showing some of the long-term difficulties of making a home in a new land. The first book’s conflicts were more immediate, whereas this book shows more long-term issues, as well as the strain on families and children. • The timeline. The first book described some events that all happened in pretty short order. This book, however, takes many years to unfold. This gives Wecker a bit more latitude as she explores the characters' relationships over time. (It also gives her a chance to work in a few significant events from history . . . ) • Character development. Any sequel ought to expand the characters. It ought to let them grow a bit, and it should give the readers a chance to see these characters in a whole new light. This does that, not just with Chava and Ahmad, but with the supporting characters, too. • Historical detail. Some big events from the early 20th century are woven into this story, such as the sinking of Titanic and the tensions of WWI. Smaller details are worked in as well, little touches that add a great deal to the tale.
Stuff that disappoints: • Some of the conflict felt a little forced. Chava and Ahmad are a couple for much of this tale, but we never get to see them in a supportive relationship. They never feel like a team, they way there were in the first story. They argue all the time, and it’s about things that would be resolved easily if the characters would just talk to each other. These magical beings who never sleep spend hour after hour together every day but don’t ever talk about their feelings. I suppose it’s possible, but it just feels, well, contrived. I won’t give any spoilers here, but it does fall into that sequel trap of having minor problems become major for really no reason. There are genuine threats at different parts of the story, and the plot is sprinkled with some legit sorrowful and poignant moments, but there are also so many instances when the bad stuff gets dragged on too long, when if only Character A had told Character B about xyz, the whole thing could have been cleared up a lot sooner. • The epilogue. Again, no specific spoilers, but it’s very open-ended, and it raises a bunch of questions. Not sure it was necessary. I had the distinct impression she was trying to set things up for a third installment, although as far as I know, this is a duology.
Final thoughts: • The tone is great. It’s been a while since I read the first one, but I think this book’s style is a great match. It seems to blend seamlessly with its predecessor, and it picks up right where the first left off. • Different enough focus to justify itself. This isn’t just a re-hash. The first book told of the Golem and the Jinni coming to New York and making a life in a new country. It led up to an intense climax in which they had to face the main villain. This book, however, isn’t about a single life-changing event, such as arriving somewhere new. It’s about living with the consequences of such an event. In the first book, Chava and Ahmad needed to survive. Here, they need to find a way to live a meaningful life in a rapidly changing foreign land. There is no villain, no final showdown—just a handful of characters over the course of 15 years looking for meaning and purpose. It all leads to connection. Instead of building to a big life-and-death battle, the real climax of this story happen as the characters come together and watch out for each other. It’s a beautiful culmination of much of the novel’s conflict.
Once again, Jennifer Beckstrand has crafted a tale with humor and charm. Quite a lot happens in this second installment of the series: An environmentaOnce again, Jennifer Beckstrand has crafted a tale with humor and charm. Quite a lot happens in this second installment of the series: An environmental activist struggles to promote change in his community while still being true to his Amish faith. A shy and obedient young woman learns to stand up for herself and be strong. And a young man slowly realizes that his best friend may be in love with his fiancée . . .
Well-crafted characters, serious hardship, and just a touch of warmth combine to make a memorable story....more
Delightful, for a bunch of reasons. Here are some: • Lovable characters. I found myself rooting for them, laughing with them, and hoping for a happy eDelightful, for a bunch of reasons. Here are some: • Lovable characters. I found myself rooting for them, laughing with them, and hoping for a happy ending. And it wasn't just the leads. I found the supporting characters, especially the two grandparents, to be a lot of fun, too. Lots of warmth. • Humor. It's not overblown, but it is definitely a strong undercurrent in this novel. Very well done. • Christianity. It's respectfully portrayed without being overly preachy. Jennifer Beckstrand has a way of incorporating aspects of faith into her plot with just the right light touch. I greatly enjoyed reading this. What a sweet, refreshing novel!...more
First of all, if you haven’t read the blurb yet, don’t! Part of the charm here is trying to figure out who is time traveling and why. I am surprised aFirst of all, if you haven’t read the blurb yet, don’t! Part of the charm here is trying to figure out who is time traveling and why. I am surprised at the information, which unfolded so naturally in the story, being summarized so carelessly in the description. Okay, with that out of the way, on to my review.
This novel in stories tells of a special coffee shop that can send people through time. Each chapter focuses on a different time journey, but since the same characters put in appearances throughout, this book has remarkable versatility. It combines the rich characterization of a traditional novel with the intense focus of a collection of short stories. I was impressed with the nuances given to the characters, as well as with the realistic nature of their problems. This novel is sweet and sad and hopeful, just like real life. Don’t expect the magic to make all the problems go away. Just sit back, enjoy the journey, and don’t forget to read this with a nice hot cup of coffee....more
I enjoyed the first one well enough, but I wasn't thrilled with it. It could have been better. This sequel IS better. I don't quite know why, exactly.I enjoyed the first one well enough, but I wasn't thrilled with it. It could have been better. This sequel IS better. I don't quite know why, exactly. Perhaps the characters feel a bit more real. Or maybe they're just doing more interesting things. Whatever the case, I found myself just a bit more invested, and the plot seems more engaging. New characters are introduced, and old characters are explored in new ways and under new circumstances. I would probably rate this 3.5, but since we can't do half stars, and since this book's authors have made a tremendous improvement on the first book, I'm rounding up to four. This was a fun story....more
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