Jewish Book Club discussion

Hi Everyone.

December's Book is 'The Invisible Bridge,' by Julie Orringer.
Enjoy!

שלומ

Thanks for the contacts. I forgot I had joined the group! Why is the December book appearing now- It's almost January!
It was a wonderful book, by the way!.

It's a long story.

I was super busy all year in University, and I run a single household with two 13-year-old children.

What I have done is post folders for all of the 2018 books so that people who wander in, down the road, will have a place to discuss whichever book they choose to read. Normally, I post the folder each month with the book that is up for discussion.

I'm just tidying up.

I will keep on track with this group for 2019. My University load has dropped to two classes a semester so I will be ready for reading.

שלומ

Just outstanding, one of the best books I have read in a long time. There was an amazing amount of research that was done to make this book come to life. The author keeps all her characters fresh and prominent. The Los Angeles Times said a novel you can lose yourself in. I couldn't agree more. Julie Orringer does such a wonderful job creating vivid scenes in Paris, Budapest as well as the labor camps of Hungary and the Ukraine. five stars does not do it justice.

I read this book several years ago and really enjoyed it. I, too, rated it 5 Stars.

My thoughts entirely. Orringer wove a tale that captured my imagination and heart. It's a masterful depiction of the way war brings out the basest and most admirable traits of the human species. A beautiful, important read.

Our local Jewish book club read this last year and it was one of our favorites--long, but well worth the read. Rated it 5 stars as well (and i'm stingy with my 5 stars....)

What an absolutely beautiful and engaging book! I must admit I was a little intimidated to start. At 750 pages, I had a hard time getting to it, until a challenge made it possible and a must. (#16). Plus I had two (at least) companions to read it with. But it was engaging and beautifully done. I was engrossed and enraptured into the story. I couldn't put it down.

The story itself traces a young Hungarian man who gets an opportunity to go to Paris for architecture school, and agrees to deliver a (top secret) letter. This eventually leads to an unforgettable love affair and yet another brilliantly written WWII story, where I must admit the losses are guttural, but the resilience and the fortune equals in the roller coaster of the heart. I greatly enjoyed each twist and turn.

I am posting this review on the general feed, in the August Other category, in the Trim Folder (#16), in the Buddy Read for Invisible Bridge thread, and possibly in the Jewish Book Club, if I can find the thread there as well. But for those who have read the book, I just wanted to say that the author had a way of capturing things that absolutely tugged on the heart strings and made you understand its power. Perhaps one of the many favorite stories told, which will forever stay with me, is when Andras described his mother, and how she would care for his wife in his temporary absence, he recalls a memory of himself as a kid, who had received a spectacular present, and whose mother saved the day from a huge devastation with ease and acuity, that was heroic. The story in itself was descriptive and and moving, but what it meant to him in the present, was the link that made me pause in the book, reflect, and sigh with the "aah" of understanding. I felt that. And much of the book was just like that. I laughed in places, cried in others. I hoped, I dared, I dreamed, I grieved, and I lived it - all 750 pages. What a pleasure!

What a great review. Couldn't agree more, I think this will be a Holocaust Historical Fiction Classic. I thought Orriginger's writing was so rich and detailed and she gave such great visualization to a story that took place all over Europe.

Amy wrote: "What an absolutely beautiful and engaging book! I must admit I was a little intimidated to start. At 750 pages, I had a hard time getting to it, until a challenge made it possible and a must. (#16)..."
Love your review.

Jonathan you are quite right! What's amazing about this book is how vividly its written! That's what stays days later!

That is great point. I had a similar reaction to when I read it and wanted to find out more about Orringer. I went on Youtube and found a book reading and discussion she did about the novel, I think it was at the Radcliffe Society. It was very informative on how she formulated characters and what was fact and what was fiction.
Apologies if you already read but I wanted to suggest the Weight of Ink. I felt there was a similar writing style and months after I have read it, I still think about the main character and play with the idea of re-reading. Type of story you want to read slowly as it is so thought provoking.

I absolutely LOVE this book. Beautiful, inspiring, enchanting and the way She writes! Captivating. I HIGHLY recommend this book. Every copy I have lent out, has never returned.

A J Curtis.
Author of: "Abraham" and "Memoirs of a Monster"