Location: Massachusetts Type: Physical book
Timeline: Non-linear Genre: Historical fiction - WWII
Narration: Dual narrators (Hope and Rose)
Review:
Stars: 5
This is the first novel I read by this author and it happened to be the first WWII book she wrote. This novel provides everything I desire in a book: romance, mystery, history and unexpected twists.
I feel the subject was well researched. You can easily feel the passion Harmel has for writing as well as the subject matter. The way she writes is intriguing and she presented parts of the war I had little to no knowledge of.
I will always recommend this book and this author. She has magical talent.
Sex:
N/A
Language:
Bitch: 3
Triggers:
divorce
Holocaust
memory loss/Alzheimers
stroke
Questions:
In chapter 1, Hope and her daughter, Annie, seem to have a rocky relationship at best.
Do you think the divorce plays inot the disconnect or is it just a teenage girl vs mom sort of thing?
Have you experienced something similar either as the daughter or the mother?
The story is primarily told by Hope although we hear from Rose as well.
Do you find both narrators to be reliable?
Do you find one more reliable than the other?
Why or why not?
The first time Rose is the narrator Hope asks her who Leona is. Rose denies knowing a Leona but reveals to the reader that there is in fact a Leona.
At this point, who did you think Leona was?
Hope mentions that smells of flours, yeast, butter, chocolate, and vanilla is relaxing. It was familiar and reminds her of her grandmother, Rose. It is known that smells are connected to feelings and memories.
What is a smell/scent that has a meaning to you?
Why?
Hope and Rob have different views on what is "inappropriate" and what is "honesty" when discussing their relationship with Annie.
Who do you think is right?
How far is too far?
Does the child's age play a role in your answer?
In chapter 8 Hope opens up to Gavin about the task Rose gave her of finding her family. Gavin reveals that he is Jewish and that Hope's grandmother may be as well just under a new identity. He says "it was hard to hang on to who they'd been when everything was taken away."
What are your thoughts?
Do you think this was a widely true situation?
Do you think the horrible things that Jews endured would make the hold tighter or weaker to their beliefs?
When Hope starts looking through the databases Gavin gave her to help find her family she makes this statement:
"I remember reading Anne Frank's diary in school and studying the Holocaust in history classes, but there's something about reading it as an adult that has a completely different impact."
Have you ever experienced this?
If so, what was the historical event?
How do you think your emotions might differ if you found out your family was on the Nazi side instead of the victums?
In the beginning of the book it is mentioned that they give stars names. When a loved one dies they get a star.
When it was first mentioned, what did you think the significance was?
After finding our Rose is Jewish, does that symbolism take a different meaning?
One of the bid mysteries of the novel was what happened to Alain.
What were some of your theories as to what happened to Alain? (before it was revealed)
How does this novel compare to other WWII historical fiction you have read?
Do you like this format (looking into the past) better than reading as it happens?
After Hope meets Mr. Berr we find out that Alain survived.
What can you say about official documents vs word-of-mouth?
Which is most reliable?
Does it depend on the situation and type of info?
When Hope and Alain meet Monsieur Haddam they find out why Rose makes the star pies into star shapes.
Jacob promised to love her as long as there were stars in the sky.
Did the reason surprise you?
Did you assume it was for another reason?
Why do you think Rose never contacted the Haddams after the war?
Rose chose to follow Jacob and his hunches about the round up instead of staying with her family and follow her father's instructions. Rose lived but her family dies except Alain.
How do you think this effected the survivors guilt Rose suffered with?
Do you think she should have done anything differently?
When Hope finds out that Sunshine is mistreating Annie, Hope confronts Rob. While doing so she realizes that the hurt of the divorce is not in vain. She now feels free to find true, lasting love.
Have you experienced a hurt that turned out to be a blessing once you saw the whole perspective?
While Rose is in a coma she is looking back through her life and remembering the hurt she never shared with anyone. Throughout the story the relationships between daughters and mothers is conflicted at best. As mothers they seem cold. As daughters they seem uninterested.
Do you think this is just the nature of mothers and daughters?
Or is it a learned/tuaght behavior as Rose suggests while in her coma?
Do you think they story Elida and her grandmother told was a necessary part to the story?
If so, what did it contribute?
On their way to New York, Gavin and Hope have a conversation about "following the rules" and what is okay in life. Hope realizes she missed out on living her life because she was following these "rules."
Do you ever feel like Hope?
Have you missed out on something because you followed societies rules?
When Hope sees where Jacob's address is, she makes the comment about him being there for 9/11.
Compare the two tragedies and how each might effect someone's life long term.
Which do you think was worse for Jacob?
When Jacob is telling the story about what happened to him and his family he says this:
"There is a sign at Auschwitz that says 'work makes you free.' But the truth was that only death made you free."
What comes to mind when you hear this?
Do you think it is true?
Do you think Hope's grandfather (not Jacob) found out about Jacob in Paris and hid it from Rose so he could keep his family he made with her?
Or do you think he never found Jacob and thought him truly dead?
What is a frivolous thing you would purchase if you inherited $3.5 million?
In Rose's last letter she claims she is a coward.
Do you think she was?
Why or why not?
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