alixgb's review against another edition
4.0
This book really reminded me of the Tiger's Wife. It used lots of family history/lore to connect to a larger cultural fairytale. I liked the characters and the culture clash. It's a fun read and I would definitely recommend it.
librarianna81's review against another edition
3.0
shelfnotes.com
Dear Reader,
This book...what DID I think of this book? I have a hard time coming to any conclusions, because it is all still pretty muddied in my mind. I loved a lot of the imagery Feldman employs; her writing is beautiful. And the parts of the book about Marjorie, those that took place in the present day? Those were really enjoyable to read. However...I think I might have missed something with the White Rebbe stories. They never really felt wholly fleshed out or complete, and I think that must have a lot to do with my feeling entirely lost when it comes to the Jewish faith. I know very little about Jewish mysticism and the religion's stories and legends, and I felt like I must have been feeling so confused because of my unfamiliarity. I can't otherwise explain why I didn't love those parts of the book as much as I thought I would. Again, the writing in the four stories about the White Rebbe (I still am not 100% certain what a "rebbe" is...) was wonderfully done, and the stories danced along on magical writing just like my most beloved fairy tales. However...there was just something that didn't quite fall into place for me. I'm not sure I understood what it was that Marjorie was searching for, really, or how the White Rebbe and/or the White Magician (were they the same person?) related to her studies. I wasn't sure how all of this related to her brother-in-law Nathan, either. Or how and why they both thought they could save their loved ones. It felt, essentially, like there was a lot left unexplained for me, and perhaps that might have to do with the magical realism of the book itself? In which case, that is fine - I am just not much for that genre, and so I can entirely blame myself. However, I have to emphasize how much I really did like Feldman's writing, particularly those parts which examined Marjorie's family life close up. I would probably try another one of this author's books, provided it was a bit less heavy on the magic. (Which is so funny, because I love sci-fi & fantasy books! I just don't love magic being blended so closely into the real world, I suppose.)
On a slightly different note: I have to say, I really adore the cover of this book. I want to frame that image, it's so beautifully done!
Yours,
Arianna
Dear Reader,
This book...what DID I think of this book? I have a hard time coming to any conclusions, because it is all still pretty muddied in my mind. I loved a lot of the imagery Feldman employs; her writing is beautiful. And the parts of the book about Marjorie, those that took place in the present day? Those were really enjoyable to read. However...I think I might have missed something with the White Rebbe stories. They never really felt wholly fleshed out or complete, and I think that must have a lot to do with my feeling entirely lost when it comes to the Jewish faith. I know very little about Jewish mysticism and the religion's stories and legends, and I felt like I must have been feeling so confused because of my unfamiliarity. I can't otherwise explain why I didn't love those parts of the book as much as I thought I would. Again, the writing in the four stories about the White Rebbe (I still am not 100% certain what a "rebbe" is...) was wonderfully done, and the stories danced along on magical writing just like my most beloved fairy tales. However...there was just something that didn't quite fall into place for me. I'm not sure I understood what it was that Marjorie was searching for, really, or how the White Rebbe and/or the White Magician (were they the same person?) related to her studies. I wasn't sure how all of this related to her brother-in-law Nathan, either. Or how and why they both thought they could save their loved ones. It felt, essentially, like there was a lot left unexplained for me, and perhaps that might have to do with the magical realism of the book itself? In which case, that is fine - I am just not much for that genre, and so I can entirely blame myself. However, I have to emphasize how much I really did like Feldman's writing, particularly those parts which examined Marjorie's family life close up. I would probably try another one of this author's books, provided it was a bit less heavy on the magic. (Which is so funny, because I love sci-fi & fantasy books! I just don't love magic being blended so closely into the real world, I suppose.)
On a slightly different note: I have to say, I really adore the cover of this book. I want to frame that image, it's so beautifully done!
Yours,
Arianna
rodiemom's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vivielex's review against another edition
4.0
️ ✔️ A book with ✨Magic ✨ in it: The Angel of Losses by Stephanie Feldman. This book could definitely also fit the siblings category because the heart of the book was about two sisters, their relationship, and the intergenerational bounds of perseverance and love. Jewish mysticism and folklore and magic provide the meat of the story which makes this a satisfying read. 4 out of 5 Stars. #26bookswithbringingupburns
acinthedc's review against another edition
3.0
A quick read about Jewish folklore, family bonds, and religious devotion. The main character, Marjorie, has a tarnished relationship with her sister, a strong dislike for her brother-in-law, an idealized love for her grandfather, and we're told a sharp tongue that can be off putting to others. That sharpness never really materialize, and Marjorie's relationships are much less interesting than the stories her grandfather left in his journals and his history that she uncovers. The jumbled timeline and lack of character depth/development make this an okay read. Overall 2.5 out of 5
abookishtype's review against another edition
5.0
Marjorie's grandfather had secrets. Everyone has secrets, of course, but none quite like Grandpa Eli. Even after Eli's death, those secrets could get people killed. This introduction makes Stephanie Feldman's The Angel of Losses sound like a thriller. The novel is something quite different. Grandpa Eli's secrets have to do with a centuries-old family curse, Jewish mysticism, and an angel. Feldman's novel is an extraordinary book that had me reading well past my bedtime...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
devrose's review against another edition
4.0
I spent this entire book trying to figure out if it was general fiction or fantasy. I'm still not sure. The only thing I am sure of is that I went to bed way too late one night because I could not for the life of me put the book down.
mdpenguin's review against another edition
5.0
You know, I really like the cover of this book with the hearts and stars and the women and old men circling the title over the skyline, but it makes it look like a much lighter story than it is. Anyway, I loved the novel and the stories in it. There was something about the characters that seemed accurate to me, the the exception of Nathan, who felt a bit like a caricature. I found the family relationships believable and I had a lot of sympathy for almost every character's perspective. It was such a rich tale, with the fantastical elements really just telling the story of the more realistic family that they surrounded. And it was one of those novels that just reads well. It read quickly and developed well. It also had some pretty prose here and there, but only in service to the experience of the story. I definitely enjoyed it.
chrismarnone's review against another edition
3.0
I did enjoy this book, but not as much as some who recommended it to me. It's a great blend of Jewish folklore and generational family drama. The main character is a bit difficult to like, but she's sympathetic enough to draw me in. I would be curious to see the opinion of someone who knows the Jewish folklore versus the fiction that Feldman created.
Artistically, Feldman has a nice, subtle flourish to her prose. It does feel a bit like she flips a switch between using that flourish and not. I would like to see more consistency in that respect with her future work, which I will definitely look for.
Artistically, Feldman has a nice, subtle flourish to her prose. It does feel a bit like she flips a switch between using that flourish and not. I would like to see more consistency in that respect with her future work, which I will definitely look for.