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kelly_e's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Title: Letters Across the Sea
Author: Genevieve Graham
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: April 27, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Touching • Authentic • Illuminating
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Set in 1930s Toronto, Letters Across the Sea follows Molly, a protestant girl who dreams of being a journalist, and Max, a Jewish boy studying to be a doctor, whose friendships comes to an abrupt end following the rise of anti-Semitism and the Christie Pits riots.
In 1939, with the depression easing, and a new war on the horizon, Molly is working as a report for her local paper. But some of the people she cares most have enlisted, including Max who she'd lost touch with. What ensues are glimpses into the Battle of Hong Kong and the POW experience, as Molly tries to confront what happened all those years ago.
A tender story of courage, betrayal and reconciliation.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Genevieve Graham has delivered another historical fiction novel which offers a truth about a part of Canadian history that is often tucked away. Not only does she dive into antisemitism in Canada, something I knew nothing about, but she also tackles a battle that is rarely discussed. In her note to readers at the end she writes, "There's a reason this battle is not often discussed. I've read military accounts and articles as well as journal and interviews of veterans who survived, and they all tell the same shameful story: the Battle of Hong Kong should never have happened. In fact, it was the only battle in WWII that was 100 per cent a failure." Learning from the pages, is one of the reason I gravitate to historical fiction, and I learned so much here.
The writing is immersive, and her research is so thorough that it brings the story to life. The romance and historical aspects of the book are tied together nicely. I also enjoyed the focus on what was going on in Canada during the war, as this is something that is often overlooked. However, there were a couple of things that I felt let down by with this one. Firstly, I had hoped that the title would play into the plot more. Secondly, the ending felt too predictable to me. With that said, I enjoyed it but I didn't love it.
I greatly appreciate and commend Genevieve for the work and gifts she has given me in the form of books. She remains an auto-buy for me, and I cannot wait to read her 2022 release Bluebird as well as more of her backlist.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• historical fiction readers
• WWII enthusiasts
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Instead, I wrote, the goodness within us was only as good as how we treated our fellow humans."
"You can never know until you know."
Author: Genevieve Graham
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: April 27, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Touching • Authentic • Illuminating
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Set in 1930s Toronto, Letters Across the Sea follows Molly, a protestant girl who dreams of being a journalist, and Max, a Jewish boy studying to be a doctor, whose friendships comes to an abrupt end following the rise of anti-Semitism and the Christie Pits riots.
In 1939, with the depression easing, and a new war on the horizon, Molly is working as a report for her local paper. But some of the people she cares most have enlisted, including Max who she'd lost touch with. What ensues are glimpses into the Battle of Hong Kong and the POW experience, as Molly tries to confront what happened all those years ago.
A tender story of courage, betrayal and reconciliation.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Genevieve Graham has delivered another historical fiction novel which offers a truth about a part of Canadian history that is often tucked away. Not only does she dive into antisemitism in Canada, something I knew nothing about, but she also tackles a battle that is rarely discussed. In her note to readers at the end she writes, "There's a reason this battle is not often discussed. I've read military accounts and articles as well as journal and interviews of veterans who survived, and they all tell the same shameful story: the Battle of Hong Kong should never have happened. In fact, it was the only battle in WWII that was 100 per cent a failure." Learning from the pages, is one of the reason I gravitate to historical fiction, and I learned so much here.
The writing is immersive, and her research is so thorough that it brings the story to life. The romance and historical aspects of the book are tied together nicely. I also enjoyed the focus on what was going on in Canada during the war, as this is something that is often overlooked. However, there were a couple of things that I felt let down by with this one. Firstly, I had hoped that the title would play into the plot more. Secondly, the ending felt too predictable to me. With that said, I enjoyed it but I didn't love it.
I greatly appreciate and commend Genevieve for the work and gifts she has given me in the form of books. She remains an auto-buy for me, and I cannot wait to read her 2022 release Bluebird as well as more of her backlist.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• historical fiction readers
• WWII enthusiasts
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Instead, I wrote, the goodness within us was only as good as how we treated our fellow humans."
"You can never know until you know."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Antisemitism
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, and Violence
thrillofthepage's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Happy #HistoricalFictionFriday buddy read edition! @andrea.c.lowry.reads and I just finished the most incredible book, Letters Across the Sea by Genevieve Graham.
One of my favorite things about historical fiction novels is the ability to learn about unknown or long forgotten events. Graham has written a story containing both and I found myself pausing to google many of the events. The sheer amount of meticulous and in depth research that had to be done is impressive. Her author’s note goes into detail and she even included maps and pictures!
Another thing I loved about this book is that even though it is set during WWII, it’s set in new locations, Toronto and China. After so many books about WWII, it’s refreshing to be transported to a new place. I knew that anti-Semitism stretched beyond the borders of Nazi Germany, but I didn’t know how far and how high the tensions were in Toronto. Graham’s telling of the events leading up to the Christie Pits Riot, the largest ethnic riot in Canadian history, was impeccable and descriptive. I felt like a bystander watching the horrendous event unfold.
The characters were beautifully written and powerful to read. Molly was so different from other women of her time. She was always on a quest to share an unbiased and truthful account of the events in her community. Watching her life unfold across the pages is something I won’t soon forget. I loved how Graham didn’t spend much time with her characters during the war. Most of the book takes place before and after, which was such an original approach. We rarely get to see our characters immediately after returning from war or the lasting effects on the individual and their loved ones.
I could seriously go on and on and on about Letters Across the Sea, but all I can do is urge all my HF lovers to read this incredible book.
One of my favorite things about historical fiction novels is the ability to learn about unknown or long forgotten events. Graham has written a story containing both and I found myself pausing to google many of the events. The sheer amount of meticulous and in depth research that had to be done is impressive. Her author’s note goes into detail and she even included maps and pictures!
Another thing I loved about this book is that even though it is set during WWII, it’s set in new locations, Toronto and China. After so many books about WWII, it’s refreshing to be transported to a new place. I knew that anti-Semitism stretched beyond the borders of Nazi Germany, but I didn’t know how far and how high the tensions were in Toronto. Graham’s telling of the events leading up to the Christie Pits Riot, the largest ethnic riot in Canadian history, was impeccable and descriptive. I felt like a bystander watching the horrendous event unfold.
The characters were beautifully written and powerful to read. Molly was so different from other women of her time. She was always on a quest to share an unbiased and truthful account of the events in her community. Watching her life unfold across the pages is something I won’t soon forget. I loved how Graham didn’t spend much time with her characters during the war. Most of the book takes place before and after, which was such an original approach. We rarely get to see our characters immediately after returning from war or the lasting effects on the individual and their loved ones.
I could seriously go on and on and on about Letters Across the Sea, but all I can do is urge all my HF lovers to read this incredible book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Rape
maplegreen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Torture, and Violence
soobooksalot's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.5
Genevieve Graham is a gem of an author, with a gift for bringing the Canadian experience to world history.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for my eARC for review.
Spanning from Depression-era 1933 Toronto, to post-war 1945, the story is told between the characters of childhood neighbours Molly Ryan and Max Dreyfus.
Despite their love for one another, Molly and Max are kept apart due to the tensions between their Irish Protestant and Jewish families, respectively.
Illustrated through these characters and their siblings, we are taken through the role Canadians played in the war; those who did not return, and those who returned but beyond changed.
I especially enjoyed the element of Molly becoming a journalist, providing a unique storytelling device and strong female characterization.
This is only my second Genevieve Graham novel but I'll absolutely be working my way through her backlist (Tides Of Honour is on my TBR cart). While technically fictional stories, hers are well researched and based actual events that make for essential reading. Recommended!
Released on April 27.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for my eARC for review.
Spanning from Depression-era 1933 Toronto, to post-war 1945, the story is told between the characters of childhood neighbours Molly Ryan and Max Dreyfus.
Despite their love for one another, Molly and Max are kept apart due to the tensions between their Irish Protestant and Jewish families, respectively.
Illustrated through these characters and their siblings, we are taken through the role Canadians played in the war; those who did not return, and those who returned but beyond changed.
I especially enjoyed the element of Molly becoming a journalist, providing a unique storytelling device and strong female characterization.
This is only my second Genevieve Graham novel but I'll absolutely be working my way through her backlist (Tides Of Honour is on my TBR cart). While technically fictional stories, hers are well researched and based actual events that make for essential reading. Recommended!
Released on April 27.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Violence, and Religious bigotry