While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin

Genre: Historical Fiction 
Publisher: Bethany House 
Released: October 1, 2010
408 pages

About the Book:

In an unassuming apartment building in Brooklyn, New York, three lives intersect as the reality of war invades each aspect of their lives. Young Esther is heartbroken when her father decides to enlist in the army shortly after the death of her mother. Penny Goodrich has been in love with Eddie Shaffer for as long as she can remember; now that Eddie's wife is dead, Penny feels she has been given a second chance and offers to care for his children in the hope that he will finally notice her and marry her after the war. And elderly Mr. Mendel, the landlord, waits for the war to end to hear what has happened to his son trapped in war torn Hungary. But during the long, endless wait for victory overseas, life on the home front will go from bad to worse. Yet these characters will find themselves growing and changing in ways they never expected and ultimately discovering truths about God's love. . .even when He is silent.

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Told from the viewpoint of 3 characters, each a different generation which was interesting. Takes place during WWII but set in Brooklyn, New York so we are following characters stateside. Jacob was the character that I was drawn to the most as his pain and frustration felt so realistic. Penny and Esther both kind of annoyed me at times, but we see them both grow over the course of the story and watching their development, in particular the transformation of Penny pleased me. The letters were some of my favourite parts to read, they told the horrors of war without being too descriptive and I felt connected with the authors. There is heartache but also happiness throughout the book. I enjoyed seeing the friendship develop between characters from different backgrounds. Depicts both Jewish and Christian faith, but it did feel like it had more a Jewish bent than Christian. I do wish it hadn't jumped months in time, but if it didn't the book would have had to be quite a bit longer. I would have liked to have more Roy in the book.

Favourite Quote: 

“Traditions are good. They give order and stability to our lives. But change is part of life, too. The secret is to find the balance.”

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

If I Were You