By Rachel Beanland
This book is about a Jewish family in Atlantic City in the years before WWII explodes. The Adler family has gained affluence through years of diligence and hard work, but that does not protect them from tragedy as the reader discovers early in the book’s pages. From that heartbreak, the reader looks at the different facets of grief played out from different generations of characters’ perspective.
There is also the discrimination of Jewish people, and how that attitude colors decision-making throughout the novel. I am constantly, appallingly, surprised at each new vignette I encounter of our nation’s history of injustice and discrimination. How are we still fighting for basic human rights and dignity? Why has our shame not caused enlightenment and better actions? What it must feel like to be part of one of these exhausted, persecuted groups!
While I was very angry at the injustice throughout the book, I found difficulty truly connecting with the story beyond that. It is a nice historical fiction piece. The characters are real and have depth. I learned about early Florida land speculation in addition to Jewish life.
Perhaps because I did not read the inside jacket to know what I was getting into beforehand, this book was not what I expected. It is an “ok” book. It may be more of a reflection of where I am in my life currently than the quality of the book as to why we did not connect. Try it for yourself.
Soundtrack
- Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland
- Night and Day by Cole Porter and Ginger Rogers
- Begin the Beguine by Artie Shaw and Orchestra
- Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller
- When You Wish Upon a Star
- God Bless the Child by Billie Holiday
Pros & Cons & Potential Spoilers
Pros
- Historical fiction, and therefore educational
- Some characters breaking out of the mold that created them – giving us hope
- The author’s note at the end helps make some extra connections
Cons
- Biggest “event” happens at the beginning of the book
- Doubtful Anna is able to save her family
- Isaac is just a miserable human