Grand Central
By Various Authors
ISBN# 9780425272022
Brought to you by OBS reviewer JoAnne
Synopsis:
A war bride awaits the arrival of her GI husband at the platform…
A Holocaust survivor works at the Oyster Bar, where a customer reminds him of his late mother…
A Hollywood hopeful anticipates her first screen test and a chance at stardom in the Kissing Room…
On any particular day, thousands upon thousands of people pass through New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, through the whispering gallery, beneath the ceiling of stars, and past the information booth and its beckoning four-faced clock, to whatever destination is calling them. It is a place where people come to say hello and good-bye. And each person has a story to tell.
Now, ten bestselling authors inspired by this iconic landmark have created their own stories, set on the same day, just after the end of World War II, in a time of hope, uncertainty, change, and renewal….
Featuring stories from:
Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator’s Wife
Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us
Amanda Hodgkinson, New York Times bestselling author of 22 Britannia Road
Pam Jenoff, bestselling author of The Ambassador’s Daughter
Sarah Jio, New York Times bestselling author of Blackberry Winter
Sarah McCoy, New York Times bestselling author of The Baker’s Daughter
Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of The Pieces We Keep
Alyson Richman, bestselling author of The Lost Wife
Erika Robuck, bestselling author of Call Me Zelda
Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of After the Rain
With an Introduction by:
Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Home Front
Review:
This is an anthology of short stories that take place just after the close of World War II. They are all connected to Grand Central Station, and much of the action takes place there. The stories themselves are not all happy; many are filled with pain, fear, hope and love. They all take place on or around the same day in September 1945.
Each story is separate unto itself, but many of the stories reference, ever so slightly, a character from the previous one. It is in these pages that we are allowed to glimpse some of the fear of those traveling from overseas to America for the first time; their uneasiness and fright etched upon their very beings. And yet they are understanding that America will be kind to them; that it is different from the world they have always known – that there will be no police to search them out, no one to as for their ‘papers’, no one to judge them. Not all of the stories have to do with transplanted souls; there are a few that do center around Americans themselves, but even these show the horrors and aftermath of a terrible war.
I will admit, that as in all books, a couple of the stories I really didn’t care for, as they left me feeling that I would have liked a conclusion of sorts; I do understand that there was not one because there was still a story to be told by these people; but as with anyone, you like to have some sort of resolution. However, do not let this keep you from reading this wonderful book.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in history, World War II, or just a very good book.
