SPOILERS AHEADGood story...this would have been a good "beach read." It was quick and fairly entertaining. The author just didn't go deep enough into the characters' lives or the pain of their situation. All I got was a lot of whining and complaining from the women, and I never really felt sorry for any of them. I certainly didn't feel the pain or emotions of what they were going through...They lost everything in the depression? OK. They have to live in a squalid apartment? Didn't sound so bad to me.Jonathan wants to kill himself? Whatever. Get over it, Jon.Aryl dies at the end? He was my favorite one, and I didn't even cry! Claire...which one is she, again? Victor, don't even get me started on Victor. Little Jean...reminded me of the little cousin mouse who comes to visit in the old episodes of Tom & Jerry.This is the Great Depression, people! People alive today who went through it are still affected by it! But do you know what stuck with me about this book? All the sex these people were having! I mean, come on! I really wanted to like it. It had its moments. But when I read a book, I want to FEEL something. It was a good story, but she could have done so much more with it. Still, 3 stars. That's a good solid "meh." While the book kept my interest, as I wanted to know what happened to them, especially the bad guy, and it elicited emotions, had tears rolling down my face at the end, which is a cliff-hanger, I found it to be too much like a soap opera. Three very young couples, the husbands all well-to-do stockbrokers, living in elegant houses, complete with household staff, shallow wives and even shallower acquaintances (I wouldn't call them friends) suddenly find themselves broke and moving to a tenement. The former household staff come to their aid, and they meet a nice couple who teach them basic household economics. The men find physical labor jobs which they are ill-equipped to do and the women learn to cook and clean and do their own laundry.They find happiness even in poverty, and it looks like they might be learning some humility. But the women (at different times) are insecure and have little tantrums, throw things, stop speaking to their spouses who are bone-tired from working long days.If you can get past the melodrama you might get a good picture of what life was like around the time of the 1929 stock market crash, with Prohibition thrown in on top of it. Bottom line, I was amused and now am ready to read something more serious.
What do You think about 1929: Book One (2000)?
Love this book. It is a fascinating read. Can't wait for the next one in the series.
—Shaquana
Loved it - couldn't put it down - can't wait for the next book.
—smilesallaround
It was a little slow to begin with but then was a good read
—Oakley
