Monday, July 18, 2011

NEXT TO LOVE: A GUEST REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

  GIVEAWAY ENDED
NEXT TO LOVE
BY ELLEN FELDMAN

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A story of love, war, loss, and the scars they leave, Next to Love follows the lives of three young women and their men during the years of World War II and its aftermath, beginning with the men going off to war and ending a generation later, when their children are on the cusp of their own adulthood.

Set in a small town in Massachusetts, the novel follows three childhood friends, Babe, Millie, and Grace, whose lives are unmoored when their men are called to duty. And yet the changes that are thrust upon them move them in directions they never dreamed possible—while their husbands and boyfriends are enduring their own transformations. In the decades that follow, the three friends lose their innocence, struggle to raise their children, and find meaning and love in unexpected places. And as they change, so does America—from a country in which people know their place in the social hierarchy to a world in which feminism, the Civil Rights movement, and technological innovations present new possibilities—and uncertainties. And yet Babe, Millie, and Grace remain bonded by their past, even as their children grow up and away and a new society rises from the ashes of the war.

Beautifully crafted and unforgettable, Next to Love depicts the enduring power of love and friendship, and illuminates a transformational moment in American history.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ellen Feldman, a 2009 Guggenheim fellow, is the author of ScottsboroThe Boy Who Loved Anne Frank, and Lucy. She writes both fiction and social history, and has published articles on the history of divorce, plastic surgery, Halloween, the Normandie, and many other topics, as well as numerous book reviews. She has also lectured extensively around the country and in Germany and England, and is a sought-after speaker to reading groups both in person and by telephone.

She grew up in northern New Jersey and attended Bryn Mawr College, from which she holds a B.A. and an M.A. in modern history. After further graduate studies in history at Columbia University, she worked for a New York publishing house.

She lives in New York City and East Hampton, New York, with her husband and Cairn terrier named Lucy.

GUEST REVIEW:
A favorite Guest Reviewer, Steve Capell, is back with a book he told me he liked a lot so I hope you will enjoy his review today. Steve Capell lives with his wife in the Kansas City metro area.Thank you once again, Steve, for a lovely review and I enjoyed your view of NEXT TO LOVE.

My Thoughts:

There were so many things that I loved about Next to Love. I found this novel to really give me a different perspective on the post World War II era in America. While growing up I viewed film clips of service men and women coming home, reuniting with their families, and participating in parades and everything seemed to be absolutely perfect; however, Next to Love paints a far different perspective on this homecoming. I have read a number of WWII novels and majority of them usually cover the war front … I found this novel to be refreshing in that it covered the impact of  the war at home and more importantly the years following the war. I found myself plunged into a sea of emotions while reading this novel. I could identify with these emotions of despair, hopelessness, rage, and anger -- and the antithesis of these emotions love, caring, hope, and yearning.  The writing was heartfelt and emotional -- I truly wanted to reach out, help, and hug these families as they struggled. I could tell from the detail of the writing that Ellen Feldman had done first-class research as the novel is rich in historical facts. Character development was very good and detailed. The novel flowed well for the most part; however, I found some of the transitions between the life stories of Babe, Millie, and Grace came rather abruptly and some of periods of time seem to change rather drastically. I feel this novel could have been a bit longer in length to allow for better sequencing of the time and better transitions.  Ellen Feldman tells an important story that is well worth reading.

Who should read this novel?

There is no doubt that if you enjoy historical fiction, especially historical fiction around the post World War II era, then this novel will be ‘your cup of tea’.  This novel would also appeal to readers who enjoy romance; however, beware as this novel depicts some lovely romantic beginnings with some not so lovely tragic endings. I would suggest a box of Kleenex might be the perfect accompaniment as you read this amazing novel.

I have given this novel a 4 rating out of 5.  
 
GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO ERIKA AND THE GOOD
FOLKS AT RANDOM HOUSE, I HAVE
ONE COPY OF NEXT TO LOVE, TO
GIVE AWAY TO ONE LUCKY READER
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!


HOW TO ENTER:


+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU READ ABOVE ABOUT NEXT TO LOVE AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING WHEN YOU VISIT AUTHOR ELLEN FELDMAN'S WEBSITE HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE CURRENT GIVEAWAY OF MINE THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED. IF YOU HAVE ENTERED MORE THAN ONE, COMMENT ON EACH YOU HAVE ENTERED SEPARATELY.

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, AUGUST 5

185 comments:

heavenisabookstore said...

Have you read Land Girls? It is a book that reminds me of this one a bit. I just love Fiction that has history in it bc sometimes history is a bit too thick to read. This one is great involving women and how they adapt. Love those stories.
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debbie said...

I am glad this book covers the aftermath of the world war. That was often glossed over in history books. I would like to read it, it sounds like a very good book.
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lag123 said...

Great review Steve. The books I have read of WWII did not cover the aftermath and I would like to read more about that.

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lag123 said...

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lag123 said...

I would like to read Ellen's book "Lucy". I never knew of the story behind this book.

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Unknown said...

I would love to read this book. I love history and romance. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

holdenj said...

What a wonderful guest review. I usually enjoy historical fiction from that era and think the characters seem well thought out as well. Thanks for the info and chance to win!
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holdenj said...

I enjoyed Ellen's interview at her website and her comments about the human side of big historical events.
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traveler said...

I am always fascinated with books that are set in this era and deal with this subject. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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traveler said...

I would be interested in reading the author's book Lucy. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Margie said...

Enjoyed the review, Steve. This story from the viewpoint of the women who stayed home sounds intriguing to me.
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Margie said...

The author won the Guggenheim Fellow in 2009. She writes fiction and history (divorce, plastic surgery), and has lectured extensively around the country. Very versatile!
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Margie said...

entered for Talk Funny Girl
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James Williams said...

Novel is very interesting I have read it.

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petite said...

This wonderful book appeals to me greatly since the writer covers such a special period of time. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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ann said...

I like stories about love and the war times


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ann said...

I subscribe by email


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ann said...

That is she doesnt write she get really difficult to live with LOL


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Play Bingo Online said...

Cool. Very informative, thanks! Stephen

~Enamored Soul~ said...

There is something touching about stories that speak of the emotional state of war-affected individuals. That relate the important point that war is not limited to those who are at the battle-fronts, but that there's a war, an emotional and psychological war, being fought on the home-front as well. Also, I believe this book showcases the strengths of individuals, especially women, who adapt and assimilate according to their needs and circumstances - something truly commendable. I love stories/books like this, and would be extremely obliged to win this.

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
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Carol N Wong said...

Great review Steve!


Carol Wong

~Enamored Soul~ said...

Upon visiting Ellen Feldman's website, I came across more of her books, and was really pleasantly surprised that she wrote a book called "The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank" - since I am in love with :The Diary of Anne Franke", I would love to read a book that showcases Peter's life/perspective on it all! :) Thank you, Karen, for bringing this author to our attention! :D

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
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~Enamored Soul~ said...

I tweeted the giveaway:

http://twitter.com/#!/inluvwithbookz/status/93054898043752448

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
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Sue Farrell said...

It sounds like this book realistically covers the "home front" during and after the war. I think I would enjoy it because we usually tend to get a romanticized version.
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Sue Farrell said...

I entered the Talk-Funny Girl giveaway.
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Sue Farrell said...

I learned on the author's website that she has a cairn terrier named Lucy.
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Connie said...

I would love to read this book because it centers around World War II. I know it will tug at my heart and probably make me cry which would be a good thing. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Connie said...

I entered the "Folly Beach" giveaway as well. :)

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Linda Kish said...

I didn't grow up in the immediate post-war period but I did grow up in the 50s and it was such a different time. I know how it was for my mom and aunts in the 40s so I can understand how these women dealt with life. I'd love to read this book.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

She has certainly written a lot of varied topics...the history of divorce, plastic surgery, Halloween, the Normandie, book reviews, fiction and social history.

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Reading said...

I think this is a different take on a war story being that it is focusing on those left home.

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I love stories about World War II

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mamabunny13 said...

I love historical fiction so I'm looking forward to reading this.
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mamabunny13 said...

I learned that Ellen has a Cairn Terrier by the name Lucy! :)
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Lala77 said...

It is set in World War II and I read a lot that takes place in this time period. It was just such an earth shattering time. However, most of what I read has taken place in Europe. I think I would enjoy reading a perspective from the USA.
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