A review by alphabetseeds
When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a cozy, fable-like historical fiction set in the early 20th century. An angel and a demon leave their small town in the Pale of Settlement to travel to America to check in on a village girl, who hasn't written home and may be indebted to bad people.
Even though the plotline is very serious, tackling issues like workers' strikes, unsafe and unsanitary travel conditions, and issues of emigration, the book just feels... cozy. Little Ash and the angel have a centuries-old friendship that is tested by their journey to America, in which both of them are fundamentally changed and transformed by their experiences.
I enjoyed all the characters and the evolution of the plot, from two beings venturing out from their village to a full-on strike in America, getting in all sorts of trouble. I'm not very familiar at all with Jewish culture or language but never felt like I was totally clueless; the author did a good job of providing textual context and there was a handy glossary to reference.
A nice read if you're looking for a solid mix of historical and magical, with a touch of queer romance and evolving identities.
Even though the plotline is very serious, tackling issues like workers' strikes, unsafe and unsanitary travel conditions, and issues of emigration, the book just feels... cozy. Little Ash and the angel have a centuries-old friendship that is tested by their journey to America, in which both of them are fundamentally changed and transformed by their experiences.
I enjoyed all the characters and the evolution of the plot, from two beings venturing out from their village to a full-on strike in America, getting in all sorts of trouble. I'm not very familiar at all with Jewish culture or language but never felt like I was totally clueless; the author did a good job of providing textual context and there was a handy glossary to reference.
A nice read if you're looking for a solid mix of historical and magical, with a touch of queer romance and evolving identities.