Lots of very interesting history here, and Friesner does all she can to alert readers to her various messages. I know a lot more now about Jewish society in New York City, and the garment industry, and most specifically the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911. I like Raisa, the main character. She’s a very mature 14-year-old, having traveled on her own from Poland to the US. There are several very well-written scenes, but the fire itself is the horrific centerpiece. It’s hard to get a sense of what exactly is happening, and how Raisa struggles to escape. Kind of like what it must have felt like to be caught in all the flames and screaming panic. I liked some aspects of the ending more than others, and I feel a bit guilty for liking it at all, given how miraculously saccharine it was. At 390 pages, there’s plenty of opportunity to pack in the teachable moments: pogroms in Europe, the immigrant journey across the Atlantic, Ellis Island, child trafficking, organized labor; it’s all part of the plot fabric. Too many times, the dialogue seems like it’s only there to make sure everybody understands how important the history is. I’m a history major and a librarian. I love learning through fiction. But more subtlety, and more editing, might be in order. "Threads and Flames" was all in all, a tedious, chore of a read. The characters were indistinguishable from one another and lacked any real substance. Raisa was a dull main character. At times, entire characters and scenes seemed extraneous. Worst of all for me were the extensive internal monologues that resembled info dumps more than thought processes. However, I will praise Friesner for accurately depicting the struggles of immigrants and wage earners in that time period. If you're looking for a book that accurately teaches about history, and you don't mind a lack of characterization, this is the book for you.
What do You think about Threads And Flames (2010)?
I loved this book! The first half was kind of slow moving but I would definetly recommend this book!
—espitemi
This book was amazing! I would read it again.
—Alysa
