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Reviews by Gail K. (Saratoga Springs, NY)

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The Stolen Child: A Novel
by Ann Hood

Poignant and heart warming (4/6/2024)

From the first page, where I met Enzo, the man who runs The Museum of Tears in Naples in 1935, to the next chapter that introduced Nick, a young American soldier in a trench dug on the property of a farmhouse in France in 1917, to the following chapter set in 1973 that tells of Jenny, a young woman stuck in a dreary life, but who has big dreams, I was hooked. Ann Hood paints a marvelous picture of a lonely, guilt-ridden man and his companion, eager for a change in her life, on their quest to find the resolution to a long-held mystery. I couldn't put it down but deliberately slowed my reading as I approached the end, reluctant to finish this poignant, heart warming novel. I will recommend it to all my reading friends.

The Divorcees
by Rowan Beaird

A Splendid Debut (10/24/2023)

Rowan Beaird's The Divorcées has it all: strong, authentic, though not always likable, female characters, a great setting, a compelling plot and a satisfying conclusion. The characters are varied and believable. Reno, Nevada, with its divorce ranches and rather seedy nightlife, is intriguing. The plot moves along smoothly. And the conclusion was what I'd hoped for, albeit a bit unexpected. I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy women's fiction and to those who liked Julia Claiborne Johnson's Better Luck Next Time.

The Continental Affair: A Novel
by Christine Mangan

A Great Chase (6/22/2023)

Join Henri as he chases Louise across Europe in search of the money she's stolen and he is charged with recovering. In alternating double chapters from each character's point of view, the reader is told their stories in "the present" and "before." From Granada to Paris to Belgrade to Istanbul, this novel is, at once, suspenseful and poignant. Though set in the 1960s, there is a feel of the '30s, which is very appealing. Whether rooting for Louise to escape with the cash or Henri to bring her to justice, the reader is in for an enjoyable read with a satisfactory conclusion. I will heartily recommend The Continental Affair to those who are looking for story with suspense, as well as well-drawn, sympathetic characters. I enjoyed it immensely.

The Little Italian Hotel: A Novel
by Phaedra Patrick

Delightful (3/27/2023)

Phaedra Patrick's The Little Italian Hotel is a delightful novel about love, unlikely friendships and the slow process of mending broken hearts. I especially enjoyed the characters, who were quirky but likable. If the plot seemed a bit predictable at times, that, for me, was a good thing. I found the ending, which could have gone one of two ways, satisfying. But, perhaps the best thing about this novel was the setting. Who can resist the lure of the Italian countryside? (This novel made me consider putting Italy on my Bucket List!) I will recommend The Little Italian Hotel to all of my reading friends.

The Lost English Girl
by Julia Kelly

A Most Satisfying Read (2/1/2023)

The Lost English Girl is not just another book in the long string of World War II historical fiction works. Its focus on children who were evacuated to the countryside from major cities in England in anticipation of the Blitz and the parents who agonized over their decisions to send them away makes compelling reading. The novel explores the experience of one such family with a bit of an unexpected twist.

I found the characters and dialog to be authentic and credible. I enjoyed the alternating chapters among mother, father and child and was interested to note the societal and religious tensions that served as a backdrop. The short chapters kept me turning pages quickly, and I devoured this novel in record time. I will recommend this book to my book group, who are all lovers of WW II historical fiction, and to others who are fans of taut family drama in the time of war.

Once We Were Home
by Jennifer Rosner

A very satisfying read (10/29/2022)

Novels that are set during and immediately after WWII are always among my favorites. I was eager to read this story that focuses on children who were removed from their families during the war, ostensibly for their safety. However, Once We Were Home is so much more. At the heart of this novel is the concept of home, what makes a true home and the longing for home. I found the characters to be well-drawn and sympathetic. Although the chapters alternate among the four characters, their stories are individually absorbing and easy to follow. As the novel progressed, I found myself reading more and more intensely to discover the fate of each child. This was a great read for me and a book I will recommend to my book group and my other historical fiction-loving friends. (P. S. I loved the way Jennifer Rosner was able to revisit one of the main characters from her book, The Yellow Bird Sings in this work!)

Jackie & Me
by Louis Bayard

A Successful Foray into Alternative History (6/2/2022)

Because I am of an age that I remember Jackie Kennedy Onassis, from her White House days to her death, I wasn't sure how I would like this "alternative history" written by Louis Bayard. Much to my surprise and delight, I enjoyed it enormously. I'd like to think that Jackie might have had a stalwart friend in Lem, the first person narrator, and that she was as strong and independent as she was portrayed. As for Jack, he is shown for the scoundrel that I suspect he was. At times funny and at other times quite poignant, this is a book I'll recommend, especially to my friends who might like to ponder what the pre-Camelot days might have been like. Kudos to Mr. Bayard for blending just the right amount of fact and supposition to produce a most enjoyable read.

Sisters of the Great War: A Novel
by Suzanne Feldman

A winner! (8/31/2021)

Many novels using WWI as a backdrop have flooded the book world recently, but this one stands out. The authentic characters and the portrayal of the stark reality of war had me turning page after page. Though it is always difficult to read about the devastation of war, Feldman's powerful descriptions are never gratuitous, and she includes just enough romance to maintain our faith in humankind. This one is a winner!

Morningside Heights: A Novel
by Joshua Henkin

Morningside Heights, a Love Story (3/24/2021)

Although it sounds like a cliché, Morningside Heights is a love story. It is the love story of a husband and a wife, parents and children, even caregivers and the person needing care. These relationships are at times difficult, tender, poignant and sometimes humorous. In spite of the fact that there is tragedy at the core of this novel, Henkin's handling of it is authentic without being maudlin. I finished this book with a sigh, knowing these characters will remain with me well beyond the last page. Now I look forward to reading Henkin's earlier work.

Stories from Suffragette City
by M.J. Rose, Fiona Davis

Nice tribute to the Suffrage Movement (10/20/2020)

Although I rarely choose to read short stories, I'm so glad I made an exception in requesting Stories from Suffragette City. While each story is set in New York City on October 15, 1915, the day when thousands of women marched up Fifth Avenue demanding the right to vote, each story in this collection is unique. And each one will resonate with women and men today who can appreciate the long, hard struggle to earn women's suffrage. While I liked all the stories, I think my favorites were the first, "Apple Season," and the last, "The Last Mile". The first featured a main character who was impoverished; the last featured characters who were privileged. I enjoyed seeing that the right to vote was important to all women, not just those of a certain social class. This would make a great "car book." You know, the book you leave in your car for the times you are stuck in traffic or find yourself at an appointment, having forgotten the book you are currently reading. I recommend it to those readers who care about justice - and to those who don't care but should.

Daughter of the Reich: A Novel
by Louise Fein

Daughter of the Reich (3/4/2020)

Hetty Heinrich, the title character of this novel, has a father who is rapidly rising in the Nazi Party in the late 1930s, a mother who fully supports her husband and a brother who is dedicated to the Hitler Youth movement. Hetty herself is on a path to becoming the quintessential Nazi young woman. Then she crosses paths with a childhood friend of her brother's, a blond, blue-eyed Jewish boy. Slowly her eyes are opened to the truth of Naziism, and the story rapidly unfolds. This very readable novel is a change from the usual perspective on the Nazis, told by an at-first sympathetic German insider, rather than an anti-Nazi outsider. I would recommend this book to historical fiction buffs who might like a slightly different perspective on the rise of Adolf Hitler. This is a timely read.

The Girl in White Gloves: A Novel of Grace Kelly
by Kerri Maher

The Girl in White Gloves (11/8/2019)

If you are a fan of classic Hollywood films of the 1950s, or if you have always wondered if "fairytale marriages" end happily ever after, this is the book for you. Kerri Maher breathes fictionalized life into one of the most glamorous and talented women of her time. Although I was somewhat familiar with Grace Kelly, the author's work, obviously the result of meticulous research, cast Miss Kelly in a whole new light for me. The novel is well paced and intriguing right to the end. Enjoy!

Red Letter Days
by Sarah-Jane Stratford

Red Letter Days (10/5/2019)

In these turbulent political days, Stratford's novel is a timely - and perhaps frightening - work of historical fiction. Set in New York City and London during the Red Scare, this book successfully captures the atmosphere of that bizarre period in history, and I found it easy to become invested in the characters, right up to the suspenseful conclusion. Those who enjoy historical fiction and especially those interested in the horrors of the McCarthy Era are sure to relish this work. A tip: Be sure to read the Author's Notes for a greater appreciation of the authenticity of the book and the depth of the author's meticulous research.

The Secrets We Kept: A novel
by Lara Prescott

The Secrets We Kept (6/30/2019)

At a time when many wonderful historical fiction novels set before, during and just after the two World Wars abound, I found this novel set during the Cold War very satisfying. Add to the setting Boris Pasternak; his novel Doctor Zhivago; his mistress, the woman who inspired the character of Lara; the machinations of the CIA to get the novel out to the public, especially in the Soviet Union; and two intriguing love stories. These are makings of a compelling read. I thoroughly enjoyed Lara Prescott's novel and will recommend it to my many friends who love historical fiction.

The Guest Book
by Sarah Blake

Kudos to Sarah Blake (3/22/2019)

Three generations of intriguing women. An exclusive family-owned island off the coast of Maine. Lives of privilege versus lives without. A strict sense of matriarchal duty. Secrets. Regrets. All elements that draw me in for a good read. All elements in Sarah Blake's The Guest Book. I was hooked from page one. Indulge yourself, and take this one to the beach, along with your sand chair, your umbrella, your sunscreen and a nice, cool beverage. Plan to settle in for a long afternoon of reading. You won't be sorry.

At the Wolf's Table
by Rosella Postorino

WWII novel from a new perspective. (10/14/2018)

This work of historical fiction, inspired by true events, addresses a topic that is, at once, obscure and fascinating. I am intrigued by the idea that women were employed to taste Hitler's food before it was served to him, and Postorino's novel gives a very satisfactory picture of what this might have been like. However, beyond that, it is a story of love, survival and, perhaps, regret, populated with very relatable characters. I recommend it to fans of historical fiction, especially those who might like something different from the usual WWII fare.

Vox
by Christina Dalcher

Speechless (4/29/2018)

After finishing Vox by Christina Dalcher I was left speechless, which is pretty ironic, considering it is a story entirely about language. This is a cautionary tale about a U. S. society in the near future in which women and girls are limited to one hundred words a day. It is horrifying, suspenseful and all too realistic. I loved it. This would be a great book club selection with plenty of fodder for discussion. I also recommend this timely novel to those who enjoyed The Handmaid's Tale, When She Woke and Red Clocks, but especially to those who think it couldn't happen here. Think again.

Meet Me at the Museum
by Anne Youngson

Meet Me at the Museum? Definitely! (4/13/2018)

Epistolary novels have always appealed to me, so I was predisposed to like this one from the start. I wasn't disappointed. The more I read the exchanges shared by Kristian, a Danish museum curator, and Tina, a farm housewife in East Anglia, the more I appreciated the special bond forming between them.

The story progresses fluidly, is, at times, intense and is even philosophical in parts. I read each letter eagerly and found myself fully invested in the characters.

I recommend Meet Me at the Museum to those who are willing to read at a leisurely and thoughtful pace in order to enjoy each letter. As I turned the last page, I found myself smiling gently, and I am still smiling. Read and enjoy.

Anatomy of a Miracle
by Jonathan Miles

A nice surprise (1/2/2018)

When I first approached Anatomy of a Miracle, knowing that the story centered around a Mississippi veteran of the Afghanistan war who returned home paralyzed and later regained the use of his legs, I feared something pseudo-"inspirational," perhaps even maudlin. What a nice surprise to find a multi-layered story with a philosophical bend to it. The characters aren't perfect, and the miracle is up for interpretation, depending on one's point of view. I enjoyed watching Cameron's story unfold and was pleased at an unexpected (at least to me) twist toward the end. I recommend this book to thoughtful, open-minded readers and encourage them to find someone with whom to discuss it. There's plenty to discuss.

The Days When Birds Come Back
by Deborah Reed

A Satisfying Read (10/28/2017)

The paths of two souls, damaged by life, cross, and neither person will ever be the same again. Once I began the story of Jameson and June, I found it difficult to put down. I loved the setting in the Pacific Northwest, a part of our country as unfamiliar to me as Timbuktu; I appreciated the painstaking development of the main characters, whose stories unfolded at just the right pace; and the revelation of their back stories, one bit at a time, kept me reading to discover what had led them to the point where their lives intersected. There were a couple of places where I thought the plot twists were a bit too convenient, but I am a forgiving reader and gladly overlooked those spots in the cause of furthering the story. I will recommend this novel to my book group and assorted other friends as a quick, satisfying read.