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suekinaz's review
3.0
Generally, I love this kind of book - historic, female viewpoint, up and out from poverty - something that gives me a bit of perspective not only of how things used to be, but what my own parents faced, and what formed their attitudes and outlook. Considering the age of this book, I know it's a silly thing to gripe about, but there were typos. I'm not talking about the grammar that indicates English as a second language, but just plain typos - the word "in" two times in a row, unnecessarily. The last "e" on a word, missing. That kind of thing. I notice these things; they jolt me and ruin the flow of the book.
Having said all that, for an understanding of a culture, an attitude, a historic perspective, a strong woman, this satisfied THAT craving in me.
Having said all that, for an understanding of a culture, an attitude, a historic perspective, a strong woman, this satisfied THAT craving in me.
clairepittner's review
4.0
great perspective from a daughter in an orthodox jewish family living in america
rosiech's review
dark
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kimmiekm's review against another edition
4.0
An incredibly poor family in Manhattan in the 1920s has an oaf of a father who does nothing but read the Torah and expects his wife and four daughters to work to make money. He's not only lazy and selfish, he's also mean and abusive. One of the daughters, Sarah, decides that this mess isn't for her, so she leaves, works hards—bootstraps and all that—and makes something of herself. An interesting, eventful, historic read.
dkragick's review against another edition
4.0
Ergh. I spend the whole book super frustrated. This is probably the hardest time I've had trying understand the culture of the time. I don't have the history to fathom the entire neighborhood's attitude. Ergh.
fiandaca's review
4.0
What a powerful story! Sara Smolinsky is a Polish immigrant in the 1920s, living with her selfish, sexist, controlling father, and her downtrodden sisters and mother in dire poverty in New York City. Somehow, she finds the strength to create a life for herself of her own choosing.
nicoleoftheisland's review
4.0
Fascinating in its extremity, a fairy tale set in the grime of the Lower East Side. Sara Smolinsky’s parents are so dreadful but the way she continues to give them chances feels heartbreakingly realistic. Sara’s capacity for empathy is unceasing even when the book’s is not. Definitely worth the read for historical value and for an odd duck of a proto-feminist.
oliveforreal's review against another edition
5.0
Perfect for fans of little women and a tree grows in Brooklyn
leahkrason's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0