October, 2023
"The Painter's Daughters" by Emily Howes
Daughters of a famous portrait painter, Peggy and Molly are inseparable. Molly, the eldest, occasionally suffers from mental fog and spells. Peggy, does everything she can to cover the slips and maintain normality. When they move to Bath and begin circulating in high society, Molly's slips become more frequent and harder to cover up.
This was a very interesting read. The characters were fully developed and dynamic. I felt for both sisters as they grew, fell in love, and continually fought against the asylum. The book was well paced, dynamic, and painted a complex story. Overall, highly recommended.
"Finding Margaret Fuller" by Allison Pataki
Free spirited Margaret Fuller fights against the stereotypes and expectations of women. After spending a summer with Ralph Waldo Emerson, she quickly becomes one of his confidants. Through her connection with Emerson she meets many of the famous writers and Transcendentalists of the era. However, she longs for romance, and a story of her own.
The book started pretty slow. It took a while for me to get into the story and characters. I enjoyed reading about Fuller's time in Europe, however that was only a short part of the novel. I also enjoyed learning about famous novelists and how their lives were entwined. Overall,, 3 out of 5 stars.
"Charlie Chaplin vs. America" by Scott Eyman
Born in the UK, Charlie Chaplin, his brother, and mother, were in and out of the workhouse. Determined to rise out of poverty, Charlie began working as an actor and comedian. He quickly gained popularity, moved to America, and developed the character of the Little Tramp. He never lost the fear of poverty, and quickly gained the reputation of a miser. Additionally, Charlie loved younger women, causing a scandal with his affairs and marriages. In the beginning of the Red Scare, Charlie was labeled a communist, a charge he greatly denied. When he and his wife left the country on vacation, his reentry permit was revoked and he was denied entry back into the US.
The book was a bit slow. The author focused the story around Charlie's projects and movies, spending little time on his personal relationships. Charlie himself was a bit of a chameleon, constantly redefining himself depending on who he was speaking too. This made for a pretty evasive character. I never really got to know Charlie. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.
"Round Eyes: An American Nurse in Vietnam" by Diane Klutz
From a long line of service members, Diana did not hesitate to join the army Nurse Corps. After her first post in Washington D.C. she was sent to Vietnam. Immediately upon stepping off her plane, she wondered why the locals were unhappy to see the American's. Immediately it hit her that the government had lied to her. Along with her friend Ginny, she was assigned to the 67th Evacuation hospital in Qui Nhon. Overwhelmed by the casualties, she did her best to help each wounded that past by her.
I admire Diane service and her desire to help everyone that she met. The book told stories that gave glimpses into life in Vietnam. However, I wish the book had gone more into the day-to-day experience of life at the evacuation hospital. Overall, well worth reading.
"Blood on China Beach: My Story as a Brain Surgeon in Vietnam" by Paul J. Pitlyk
Newly minted neurosurgeon Paul Pitlyk left his new practice in the Midwest to join the troops in Vietnam. During his yearlong service, he became a quick and efficient brain surgeon. This book was well written and well paced. It provided stories of everyday courage during indescribable horror. Due to his actions, more soldiers left the war alive. Overall, highly recommended.
"Fort Chastity, Vietnam, 1969: A Nurse's Story of the Vietnam War" by Bernadette J. Harrod, RN
Operating room nurse Bernadette Harrod joined the Army Nurse Corps and was stationed on the front lines at Phu Bai. Less of a narrative story, this was a book of essays, poems, and letters outlining her experience. It was unique and touching. The poems themselves were particularly moving. Overall, well worth reading.
M*A*S*H Vietnam: What it's like to be a war nurse" by Lorna Griess
Nurse Lorna Griess shares her Vietnam experience with us in this well written and engaging book. Driven by her desire to help, she volunteers to spend a year working in a combat zone. The book explores her job and reaction to the horrific wounds and battle conditions. Overall, highly recommended.
"The Paris Housekeeper" by Renee Ryan
When Nazi's occupy France, Camille, Rachel, and Vivian must decide where their loyalties lie and how far they are willing to go to survive. Each woman is connected to the Ritz Hotel in Paris. Rachel is a Jewish house maid, who suffers ridicule and exclusion from her co-workers. Camille, a pretty French girl, is caught up in the resistance by passing notes. Vivian, an American ex-pat, decides to fraternize with the enemy in order to continue forging documents and helping Jews escape.
I'm not entirely sure how to rate this book. The three points of view worked well for the storyline. However, the book itself was extremely repetitive. Each time the pov switched, the author rehashed the characters motivations, doubts, and struggles. This grew extremely tedious. Additionally, the book itself lacked storytelling. The author told us what happened rather than describing what happened. Because off these criticism, 3 out of 5 stars.
"The Romanov Brides" by Clare McHugh
Ella and Alix, granddaughters of Queen Victoria are thrust into the royal marriage market. Their beauty quickly grants them numerous opportunities. Caught between their desires and their grandmother's wishes, they must decide if Russia is worth the sacrifices.
The book shifted between Ella, Alix and a variety of other characters. The author used the other characters very well. It didn't seem like Ella and Alix were given equal weight throughout the book and the story often seemed lopsided. I also thought the book ended at an awkward place. I was expecting the story to continue up to the Russian revolution. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.