I loved this book! This novel is a story of a Jewish family from California, although their ancestors are from Eastern Europe. Usually family stories of this type take place in New York or other locations in the east, so already this novel is a bit unusual at the outset. The novel opens as an elderly woman is packing up her home to move into a senior citizen facility, and gradually we learn about her early years and her family life in California. Elaine had grown up in a family of four daughters, and she had a twin sister, Barbara, who had disappeared without a trace when they were eighteen. As the reader progresses through the novel, we learn about the complicated relationships between the members of this unusual and volatile family, from Zayde (the paternal grandfather), Elaine's parents, Aunt Pearl and Aunt Sonya (Papa's sisters), cousin Mollie, and of course, the challenging relationship between the twin sisters as they grow up and apart. There is also the friendship and sometimes romantic relationship that each girl has with the neighbor boy, Danny, and the tension that he contributes to the family at different times during their youth. As the elderly Elaine is reminiscing about her youth, finding some information in papers that have been discovered as she is packing, she becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to her long lost twin sister, to close a chapter in her life that has been festering for decades. I enjoyed this book immensely. All of the characters were richly depicted and sympathetic, and the description of the early lives of the family members were easy to follow and fascinating to read. The progress of the events underwent some twists and turns, and the ending was difficult to understand and accept, but demonstrates that many humans possess flaws that even those closest to them may not understand. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy contemporary women's literature, especially with the themes of friendship, sisters, mothers and daughters....great book! This was an enjoyable read with a little Los Angeles history thrown in.Elaine Greenstein, an 85-year-old woman who is preparing to move into a retirement home discovers family papers which lead her to believe that her long-lost twin sister may still be alive.In a series of flashbacks Elaine tells the story of her Jewish immigrant family and their stuggles in 1920s Los Angeles. In the present, Elaine is motivated to begin another search for her twin who left home after graduating high school and who has not been heard from in over 60 years.
What do You think about Het Blikken Paardje (2014)?
Was a bit disappointed,it was kind of light. My expectations were higher.
—1234
This was an interesting book but the ending seemed not quite believable.
—JocelynOrtegaa
Pretty good; learned a lot about European immigrants in LA 70 years ago.
—rachet90
A little to slow moving for me but a good story nontheless
—Jay
