Happy Wednesday! Today I have a review of Not Our Kind, a new historical fiction title from Harper Books!
My Thoughts:
It seems like I was just writing a review for another World War II story, and in fact I was. Not Our Kind stands out because of its unique perspective on being Jewish in a post-WWII United States.
To set the stage, two women are brought together by a chance encounter in Brooklyn two years after the war. Eleanor Moskovitz is Jewish and a teacher. She meets Patricia Bellamy whose challenging teen daughter, Margaux, needs a tutor due to being diagnosed with polio. Conditions are so uncomfortable for Jews at this time that Eleanor has to use a different last name to enter the Bellamys’ building, and she spends ample time worrying about what Mr. Bellamy thinks of her, and even sometimes Patricia because she never knows just where she stands. Nonetheless, she easily forms a bond with Margaux, and that’s why she’s there.
Patricia’s brother makes a visit, and he and Eleanor hit it off. At the same time, the true friendship between Eleanor and Patrica grows stronger until something happens to put it all in jeopardy.
I found the sense of time and place interesting in Not Our Kind with the recovery efforts combined with the stagnant feelings about groups of people that had not yet changed. Patricia and Eleanor, especially, were champions in this book. They each come into their own and offer insight when hopefully change was on the horizon. The writing is charming and sophisticated, and I enjoyed Zeldis’ storytelling with the unique perspective of post-WWII fiction. A tale of unlikely friendship, Not Our Kind is a must-read for historical fiction fans.
Many thanks to the most generous Harper Books for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
With echoes of The Rules of Civility and The Boston Girl, a compelling and thought-provoking novel set in postwar New York City, about two women—one Jewish, one a WASP—and the wholly unexpected consequences of their meeting
One rainy morning in June, two years after the end of World War II, a minor traffic accident brings together Eleanor Moskowitz and Patricia Bellamy. Their encounter seems fated: Eleanor, a teacher and recent Vassar graduate, needs a job. Patricia’s difficult thirteen-year-old daughter Margaux, recovering from polio, needs a private tutor.
Though she feels out of place in the Bellamys’ rarefied and elegant Park Avenue milieu, Eleanor forms an instant bond with Margaux. Soon the idealistic young woman is filling the bright young girl’s mind with Shakespeare and Latin. Though her mother, a hat maker with a little shop on Second Avenue, disapproves, Eleanor takes pride in her work, even if she must use the name “Moss” to enter the Bellamys’ restricted doorman building each morning, and feels that Patricia’s husband, Wynn, may have a problem with her being Jewish.
Invited to keep Margaux company at the Bellamys’ country home in a small town in Connecticut, Eleanor meets Patricia’s unreliable, bohemian brother, Tom, recently returned from Europe. The spark between Eleanor and Tom is instant and intense. Flushed with new romance and increasingly attached to her young pupil, Eleanor begins to feel more comfortable with Patricia and much of the world she inhabits. As the summer wears on, the two women’s friendship grows—until one hot summer evening, a line is crossed, and both Eleanor and Patricia will have to make important decisions—choices that will reverberate through their lives.
Gripping and vividly told, Not Our Kind illuminates the lives of two women on the cusp of change—and asks how much our pasts can and should define our futures.
Have you read Not Our Kind, or is it on your TBR? Have you read any other books about post-WWII in any country? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Wonderful review, Jennifer!! 💕
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Thanks, Mack! ♥️
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Once again, great picture! Great review! YOU JUST KEEP ROCKING IT!
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Thanks, Reeca! ♥️ I happen to think you’d enjoy this one!
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Pretty picture. You did a great job sparking my interest in this one. Cannot wait to read this story. Happy reading.🌺💕📚
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Thank you, Virginia! Oh, I hope you enjoy this one, too! It’s a wonderfully unique perspective! ♥️
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Was excited to read this review when I saw your IG post this morning. ☺️
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Yay, thank you, L! ♥️
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Sounds like a book for me! Wonderful review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! Yes, most definitely a book for you!
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This sounds like something I might enjoy. Wonderful review, gives us a great insight to the book!
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Thank you! That’s so kind of you to say! I really loved this book. It was an interesting perspective. Thanks for visiting me. ♥️
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Beautiful review and post, Jennifer! Thank you for introducing me to another title I hadn’t heard about.
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Aw, thank you, Jonetta! I hadn’t heard much about this one either, and one review sparked my interest! I’m so grateful I picked it up!
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I love anything centred around WW2 and that cover! wow! xx
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Me, too! So many fantastic stories about that time period. And, yes, beautiful cover! ♥️
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Wonderful review!
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Thank you, Darinda!
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Awesome review Jen! Do you read a book every day? I don’t work and I can’t keep up with you!😊💕 Happy Wednesday my friend!💕💖
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Thanks, Sus! Back in the summer, I read about one a day because I had more time to read and had way over-requested, so I kind of had to. I hardly ever read one in a day though. I read a few books at once, so I just kind of rotate through them until I finish one, but I’m drawn into some stories more than others. I’ve “slowed down” to four or five a week now. I had only been posting reviews on weekdays the last few weeks except for last Sunday, I had that one extra book. I have also slowed down hard on the requesting, but I got the new Taylor Jenkins Reid book today, so I’m excited! ♥️ I hope your Wednesday has been absolutely wonderful! Xo
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I do enjoy historical fiction. Wonderful review.
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Thanks, Chrissi! I’m so happy you enjoy it too!
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Great review of what sounds like another interesting book!
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Thanks, FF! The CWW post about the mermaid- I think that is based on a true story from kind of your neck of the woods – I think England rather than Scotland, though.
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Ooh post-WWII isn’t something I come across often! I love WW2 stories but I think historical fiction is kind of saturated with them right now. Great to see a story that explores the aftermath of the war!
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I enjoy historical fiction and read so much WWII histfic I have to make sure I don’t read two back to back! I hadn’t thought of it as a saturated market before because I am consumed with them, but you are absolutely right, Kathy- the fact that I’m having to space them out says so. This was a refreshing and interesting time to spotlight! ♥️
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Great review, Jennifer!
I hope you enjoy the rest of your week and have a great weekend !! 🙂
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Thank you, Dee! ♥️ I hope yours is wonderful as well! I’m ready for the weekend! These four days weeks are rough somehow! Xo
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Wonderful review Jennifer and as always, beautiful picture 🙂
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Thanks, Diana! I had fun with this photo! ♥️
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Gorgeous, gorgeous review! Have I ever told you how bad you are for my TBR?! 😜 I love how the flowers match the girl in the dress as well 😍 I’m so envious of your stunning pictures!
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Thank you, thank you, thank you so, so much for your sweet comments to me, Beth! ♥️ I’m going to miss my flowers this winter! You are likewise bad for my TBR because I one-clicked the book you bought today! You’ve seen some of my shelfies- it may be a while before I get to it, but I’m super excited! 💗
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