Set in the 1940s, this novel shows us the divide in the business world between women's role as secretaries and companions and the men's role as lawyers and thinkers. Women aren't given much credit for an ability to think. The main character, Linda Voss, breaks through that mold, obsessed with the rise of Hitler and making perspicacious conclusions about his impact on Europe and the world. But none of the women want to listen to that (they are more interested in gossip and fashion) and the men won't listen either (women are for sex not political insights). I was glad to leave that behind, as Linda's ability to speak German allows her to help with the US spy effort as a translator and then as an actual spy in Germany toward the end of the war. We move out of the realm of gossipy sex talk and adultery into heroism, nobility, and the gritty details of an undercover life in Germany. (I really hated all of the focus on sex and passion.) Linda is supposedly "naturally lighthearted," she didn't like grimness and appreciated a quality of fun, but the novel had very little lightheartedness and fun; it was grim. And, well yes, World War II was a grim time. One theme surfacing throughout the book (that added to the grimness) was the idea of classes. In Europe, a person is born into a class; but supposedly in the United States, we have done away with class structure. However, Linda felt oppressed with her station in life, struggling to fit into the upper classes formed by riches, family connections, and education. She never felt she fit in despite her intelligence and moving from poverty to the monied class. However, while in Germany, she realized "in a world of barbarians, the light of simple human decency is so overwhelming, so blinding, that you no longer see things like old silver and Yale and fancy accents." The writing and story line is good. I was intrigued with this idea: "If a man has some pleasure in one half of his life--home, work--he can usually take pretty much what the other half has to dish out." And I recognized this state in myself at times: "I was overtired the way a little kid gets: clumsy, and so irritable I felt on the verge of tears."Although the book was stellar in the last quarter, I gave it low stars for the overabundance of sexual content and also the grimness and lack of hope throughout. This was a coming of age story with Linda finding and understanding herself and valuing the right things in life, but it took so long to get there and I didn't like the journey.
Linda Voss is the narrator of her own story as a bilingual (English/German) secretary from Queens in a Wall Street law firm in 1940. At age 31, she considers herself an "old maid" with no regrets for turning down early marriage proposals, but clinging to a fantasy love for her brilliant, elegant, gorgeous (and married) boss, John Berringer -- a secret she shares with nobody, not even her closest friend. John's father-in-law, WWI war hero Edward Leland, is a well-respected member of the firm who takes an interest in Linda's unique skills, and gradually develops a working relationship with her that leads to espionage work.It is Linda's wit and sassy humor in the snappy dialogue that really makes this a tremendous pleasure to read. She hides her deceased father's Jewish heritage because of the rampant anti-Semitism of her working world, and because his family was never religious anyway. Having grown up with a German-speaking grandmother who never stopped longing to return to her home country, Linda knows more about Europe than most Americans and follows the news of Hitler's advances with more awareness and concern than anyone else of her acquaintance. (The other secretaries tease her about her obsession with politics). Complicated relationships -- working and romantic -- thread through Linda's adventures, first at the law firm, and eventually in Washington, DC, where a new, secret agency (precursor to the CIA) needs her linguistic and analytical skills to get real intelligence on what's happening in Germany, especially after Pearl Harbor and war is declared. Linda has her weak spots (John Berringer, for one -- it takes an agonizingly long time for her to realize he is unworthy of her!), but it's her intelligence, backbone, and calmness even when she is inwardly terrified that makes her such a likable character... and such a perfect spy! The story gives a vivid picture of life and social strata in 1940 New York City -- from the high-end wheeler-dealers of Manhattan to the blue collar world of Queens (where Linda lives with her alcoholic mother). And when Linda ends up in Berlin, we see through her eyes the contrast in cultures, as well as the terrors of war on a populace. I don't want to spoil the ending for anyone, so let's just say.... it made me smile.
What do You think about Shining Through (2000)?
On the whole, I don't read a lot of love stories. I guess I usually find them corny and overly sentimental. I read Susan Isaacs because she doesn't just write love stories; she writes amazing fiction. Most of her tales are set in the present, but this wonderful little dose of historical fiction was just right for me. It's Isaacs at her best, which means excellent writing.One of the things I like about her premises (in general) is that she favors either the working class woman, or a woman scorned seeking revenge. Either way she plays it, she does it with vigor and a snappy sense of humor.This particular story is set during World War II. The protagonist is a dirt-poor secretary with a splendid work ethic. What unfolds, I will leave to the reader to enjoy. As usual, though, Isaacs runs a tight plot despite the thicker-than-average length. She keeps it playing out more and more rapidly, but keeps the cast of characters manageable, so we don't lose track. She keeps events linear, which is much appreciated, especially by those of us who read more than one book at a time.This is a good time for me to do a search and see if she has written anything I haven't yet read. Loads of fun, as usual!
—Donna Davis
I'm not 100% sure if this book is a true 4 stars or whether I've just been reading a lot of very dull books lately, making this one seem better than it is. However, saying that, the book kept me interested, clipped along at a good pace, was entertaining and well written. The ending disappointed me - not only in the 'tied up with a neat bow' way, because really we all saw it coming..... but in the rushed manner it was executed. The last 6 pages of the book just left me deflated at the twee-ness of it all.I would read another book by this author.
—Rebecca Kent
Watch out 50 Shades of Grey, you could take a few pages from Shining Through . . .So, I really liked this book, I give it more like a 4.5 star. It had all the elements of my favorite kind of books: a period piece, likable, yet not perfect characters, characters that I love to hate, suspense, surprise and a resolved ending. Wa-la!Linda Voss is a secretary in a very "Mad Men" like office, and her boss is smoking hot, isn't that every girl's dream? However, Linda actual has a head on her shoulders and an invaluable gift for the 1940s: she can speak fluent German.As Linda makes her way up the ranks of her office, she falls short in the love portion of her life. And after her love life take a nose dive, Linda decides to put it all on the line.I couldn't put the book down for the last few chapters (view spoiler)[ most notably, when Linda starts her training to become a spy and then is taken to Germany and has to blend in perfectly, or she's dead. Her training and all the secrets that she had to keep for about a year and a half, make her into a much stronger person. When her cover is almost blown, you think the one person she has befriended in Germany, Margarete, will save her. But that's quite the opposite. When Ed comes in to save Linda, you realize he was always more than a boss for her. (hide spoiler)]
—Carolyn
