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beththeawkward's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
gingerterror's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It's a hard book to read 100 years out, both emotionally and spiritually. Immigration and integration are both still long uphill roads and sometimes your own community and family hurt you just as deeply as society at large.
loyloy_bluesky's review
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mia_c293's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
biblioseph's review against another edition
4.0
Quick read, enjoyable story, despite their hardships, giving insights to the changes not only immigrants but all people were facing in the inter-war period. Good perspective of the city, especially life on the lower-east side.
mliazano's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
d_in_japan's review
5.0
I downloaded this book yesterday after reading one of its chapters in the book I'm using for my advanced composition class and sped right through it. I can't believe I've never heard of Anzia Yezierska before. The book brought back memories of when I used to be crazy about American immigrant fiction. It's a wonderful read, and it's hard to imagine that with its feminist themes it was written almost a hundred years ago.
maijasierra's review
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
bourbm9's review
5.0
An unsentimental look at what it means to feel inextricably tied to a life and a family that cannot appreciate individuality. Sometimes it felt like the story was wavering towards treacly visions of home life and reunification. But it never failed to keep a firm foot in reality. There is no miraculous change of heart or a turning over of a new leaf. It’s merely a resignation to burden oneself with the shortcomings of a terrible father in order to alleviate familial guilt at the end of life. The end of Sara’s story is tragic, yet beautifully strong, in its ability to not extend blanket forgiveness to her father, but rather accept that perhaps he is due human kindness in spite of his flaws. Because he is just as much a product of his upbringing and surroundings as she was of hers. But the dynamics of gender politics created much different outcomes and allowed for growth in her life while his was quite stagnant.
ojaswisharma's review against another edition
5.0
Yezierska’s writing is sparse and packed. It moves fast and is only really the most important sentences. She distills her scene to its bones and relays the bare minimum to the reader. Sara is a wonderful narrator to follow, and the father is the most rage-inducing character I have ever read. I will be picking up more by the author!