Jewish Book Club discussion

Here's the spot for your thoughts and reviews of The Nesting Dolls; just watch out for spoilers early on. Thanks -- enjoy!

I hope a lot of you decide to read this

So I gather you liked it a lot?

Well I read a lot of nonfiction, I actually prefer nf to fiction. But I was on a car ride and this was the book I chose for my trip and I couldn’t put it down. Quite a compelling story.

Brina wrote: "Well I read a lot of nonfiction, I actually prefer nf to fiction. But I was on a car ride and this was the book I chose for my trip and I couldn’t put it down. Quite a compelling story."

"Couldn't put it down:" quite a recommendation, Brina. Thank you.

When we were going through nominations back in October, I seem to remember there were several members who wanted to read The Nesting Dolls. Looking forward to hearing what they have to say as well as more of Brina's thoughts.

Have you ever had the experience of reading the first page, and knowing you were in the beginning of a five star read? The Nesting Dolls weaves an incredible tale of five generation of women passing down their strength and resilience, beginning in the throes of Soviet dictatorship. I did think the most current day story was the weakest, but still in the feeling of the first 70% of the book, I was carried to the end. I have heard a rumor that Alina Adams loves to talk to book groups. I would like to hear her thoughts on this one. I thought it was beautifully done.

I rarely give 5 stars but this one was in the 4.5 range as opposed to 4. I actually read this on a car trip and it was so compelling that I had to remind myself to pace myself or I’d have nothing to read the second day. Yes Alina Adams loves talking to groups. She gives a great talk and I was thrilled to discuss with her. FYI she also wrote a mystery series featuring an ice skater.

Brina wrote: "I rarely give 5 stars but this one was in the 4.5 range as opposed to 4. I actually read this on a car trip and it was so compelling that I had to remind myself to pace myself or I’d have nothing t..."

Amy and Brina,
So happy you enjoyed this.
Alina does indeed love to speak. She has a wonderful reputation
for this and being inclusive.

This sounds fantastic. Will read. Thanks!!

This felt like it might be autobiographical, a roman a clef, or auto-fiction. I appreciated the historical accuracy, and reading books set during this time and place always increase my gratitude that my grandfather's parents had the wisdom the flee (albeit after enduring a world war, famine, typhus, and revolution). I couldn't really relate to any of the characters, however, and found some of them pretty unlikeable (although I probably would have had the same reaction if I had ever actually met my grandfather's mother). I gained some interesting insights into quirks I had thought particularly to my grandparents, but discovered are actually Russian-Jewish in origin, which was enlightening.
The end of the book felt a bit lecturey and obvious.
P.S. looked up the author afterwards, and this seems pretty clearly to be based on her life, down to her spouse.