Title: Next to Love
Author: Ellen Feldman
Genre: Fiction
Published: January 2012 – Spiegel & Grau (trade paperback)
About: (from the Goodreads synopsis) It’s 1941. Babe throws like a boy, thinks for herself, and never expects to escape the poor section of her quiet Massachusetts town. Then World War II breaks out, and everything changes. Her friend Grace, married to a reporter on the local paper, fears being left alone with her infant daughter when her husband is shipped out; Millie, the third member of their childhood trio, now weds the boy who always refused to settle down; and Babe wonders if she should marry Claude, who even as a child could never harm a living thing. As the war rages abroad, life on the home front undergoes its own battles and victories; and when the men return, and civilian life resumes, nothing can go back to quite the way it was.
My take: Next to Love is one of those novels that reinforce my love of reading fiction. It’s not a heartwarming Norman Rockwell-ish tale of the folks at home while their loved ones fought in Europe. Instead, Feldman wrote a believable portrayal of how hard it was for both. At least I believed it. It was unglamorous and gritty at times but also courageous and uplifting.
Babe, Grace and Millie strive to do what is expected of them. Each handles it in her own way which is either embraced or frowned upon. Each chapter spotlights one of the women which gives great depth to each character. We learn their background, perspective and motivation.
The scene that affected me the most was the day many families received word that a loved one died in the invasion of Normandy. As each telegram was delivered I could feel the terror and heartbreak of the person receiving the news.
The time span of the early 1940s to early 1960s was one of great social and political change. It was interesting to see how Feldman’s characters experienced those years. I recommend Next to Love to anyone who loves to read about this time in history and I think it would be a good choice for book clubs.
Source: The publisher via Goodreads First Reads
Disclosure: See sidebar. I was not compensated for my review.
I love books set in the 40′s to 60′s and am always happy to hear of another covering the span that someone’s enjoyed. Thanks Mary
This sounds like my kind of story! Adding it to my list right now. Have a terrific week, Mary!
This sounds lovely. I just don’t think I’d be brave enough to send a husband or son off to war like that. People forget how strong those left behind have to be.
A goof friend of mine gave me this book, and I haven’t had the chance to read it yet. It sounds like one that I would love, and I love that you described it as a Norman Rockwell-ish tale. Fantastic review today. I can’t wait to get started with it!
I enjoyed this one but I favored some characters over the others and always wanted to go back to the characters I loved most. I’m glad that your enjoying this one.
This was a fascinating time in history (WWII, civil rights, the women’s movement etc) and one that I would have liked to have lived through (or at least not been a toddler during it). This sounds like an excellent read — especially based on your high praise.
Your review has me wanting to read this one immediately. I couldn’t imagine having to give those notices nor receiving one. I’m sure this one would resonate with me too!
I say yes, I think this could be fiction from me. It’s hard to tell with fiction though. i never really know
I loved this one, too, especially how the author shows how the war affected not just the soldiers but the people at home. Glad to see you enjoyed it, too.
One of the books on my readers groups list, we are hoping to get to read this soon.
I read this one too, but it had a different book cover. I also felt my heart pounding when the families had to open that dreaded telegram.
Sounds like another one for the list. I just can’t seem to get enough of these WWII books.
I met the author last summer and it was very interesting to hear about all the research she did for this book. She read letters from and to soldiers in WWII. I am sure all this research is reflected in the authenticity of the novel. Glad you liked it!