Jack Rosenblum flees Nazi Germany in 1937 for England with his wife and small daughter and sets out to become the quintessential Englishman. His wife, Sadie, desperately misses her family and the Jewish traditions which she holds dear. Also, to say that she is a 'glass half-empty' sort of woman would be an understatement, she goes about being sad with ambition. I have to say that she reminded me of my dearly departed mother-in-law in a warped sort of affectionate way.
My daydreams usually finds me riding a bike through a Midsomer Murder-type village so I was really looking forward to finding a kindred spirit in Jack. What I didn't expect was that this story is rather quite a lot about his building a golf course! The reason he builds his own links is because of racial prejudices at the time, Jews were not welcome at the esteemed clubs. I did feel sorry for his disappointments, proud of his resolution and a little ticked that he didn't appreciate his wife until a near tragedy but Jack didn't quite become the character that I was expecting.
There are some villagers, like Curtis and Basset who love having a new member of the community to tempt with local folklore about a woolly-pig and their homemade cider. The wealthy Sir William turns out to be less than kind and the women spend many happy hours cooking and baking which had me craving cake a time or two.
But...yes, there's a but, the story was a bit too whimsical and convenient for me. I wasn't as engaged as I had hoped to be and was annoyingly aware of the print the whole time I was reading. When the print disappears and I'm visualizing the story until the phone rings to snap me out of it...now that is a fabulous reading experience.
The cover states that a movie is on its way and I can envision a Chocolat sort of whimsy working quite well with this plot. I did like the story but it was a tad too charming for me, perhaps it wasn't the right read for this sultry summer we're having. My next read is a library book so I have to read fast. It's Wish Her Safe at Home by Stephen Benatar and I've read the protagonist goes slightly mad...should make a nice change of pace.
Sorry to hear this wasn't quite what you were expecting. I have a copy on my TBR pile that I've been looking forward to--maybe I should save it for cooler days? At least the Benatar sounds like it will take you in another direction entirely!
ReplyDeleteI had a mixed reaction to this book...I started out absolutely loving it (it really got me thinking about some of the challenges my grandparents faced when they made new lives first in Canada and then the US). But as the story moved along, I found myself wishing the main character was Sadie...I wanted to know so much more about her and her story and I kept wishing she would open a bakery in the village. But it was the ending I was most disappointed with...I have to agree with you because that part felt that it wrapped up too nicely and conveniently. About the baum torte...my mother was just in the Netherlands and her German relatives came to visit bringing a birthday cake for my grandfaher...I asked her to descibe it to me and she said it was made of these little layers of cake...it must have been a baum torte:)
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I am currently reading Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and it is reminding me of Solomons' book because it is starting out so strong and I am absolutely in love with it but I have this growing fear it may turn out to disappoint me in the same way. I have to keep reminding myself 'each book on its own merit'.
Danielle, That's the way it goes sometimes. I do think that the likes of Whipple and Laski have spoiled me. This was a debut novel so who knows what this author has in store down the road.
ReplyDeleteBook Psmith, So nice to hear from you! I loved your baum torte story...how interesting! A colleague of mine had the same experience with Major Pettigrew and I'm afraid it didn't end well. Each book on its own merit indeed...I think I'm comparing others with the skill of Persephone authors. It's really not fair.
Sorry this wasn't quite what you were expecting. I just brought Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English home from the library. Hope I can finish in 2 weeks - no renewal because of holds, and I still have half of Mariana to go!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that this didn't turn out as you were expecting. The delicious cover alone is enough to tempt me :o)
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, Do you know why the titles are sometimes changed when they cross the Atlantic? I always wonder that and have never found out why...hmpf. Here's to some quiet time around your house for some reading...can't wait to hear what you think of Mr Rosenblum!
ReplyDeleteA Bookish Space, It's quite lovely isn't it...I'm a sucker for gorgeous cover art.
I'm always a bit suspicious when everyone waxes lyrical about a book...everyone was saying how brilliant this one was when it first came out - as a consequence my cynical eyebrow shot up and I decided I'd wait for the furore to die down before attempting it. I didn't want another Howard's End is on the Landing experience! I'm sorry this didn't deliver all you hoped - I think I'd be in the same camp as you. One day I may give it a go, when the TBR pile permits!
ReplyDeletebooksnob, There is just no way that everyone can love every book is there so yes, sometimes you just have to say 'it was all right' if that's how you felt. Perhaps it's my age but I shy away from light novels unless they're wickedly funny. The cover said this one was but I didn't find that to be true. C'est la vie! It wasn't a bad book by any means though so do give it a try at some point, Rachel!
ReplyDeleteI too was a bit disappointed in this book. The characters didn't quite grab me and there was way too much about the golf course. As you said, not a bad book, but not my cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteYou are the very person I would have thought would have loved this most, so I guess you just never know! I'd be so intrigued to see what the film would be like - Solomons is writing the screenplay, so I imagine it would be pretty faithful.
ReplyDeleteWish Her Safe At Home is a very different kettle of fish...! Looking forward to your response.
Simon, It was all that talk of golf I think! The mention of things like Fortnum & Mason made me smile though.
ReplyDeleteI'm really, really liking Wish Her Safe at Home so far!