Rated of 5
by Meredith Holding My Breath
This book ended up surprising me and I really enjoyed it a lot. I became engrossed with Beth and her family as she grew up and the different things that the family went through and experienced. The book had a similar vibe as "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" to me which is an amazing book as well. This is a book that you'll want to keep reading to find out what happens to each of the family members throughout their lives. Gives you a glimpse into a Jewish family in Canada and I like the fact that it was set there as most books I read are based in United States. I highly recommend it!
Rated of 5
by Sylvia I Held My Breath
I liked this book a lot...the problem is I wanted to love it a lot. The first chapter was so well written and compelling that my expectations might have been too high. I thought the characters, who had acted consistently throughout the story changed too rapidly in the book's rather rushed ending. The unique setting was fresh and made this coming of age story worthy. Good...not great.
Rated of 5
by Sandy A captivating multi-generational story
This captivating, multi-generational story offers a glimpse into family life (albeit dysfunctional) in Jewish Canada in the 1950's and 60's. The women in the story are tough and strong and their characters are extremely well developed. In particular the narrator, one of the daughters, Beth, feels very real-to-life. You feel like she could literally walk off the page as she recounts her family story, capturing moments both happy and sad. I was totally drawn into both the story as well as the depiction of a place and time foreign to me.
Rated of 5
by Laura Holding my Breath
This book is enjoyable if you are interested in family dynamics, how childhood events and cultural issues shape who you are. I was able to read it quickly and get involved in the characters. It is told from the perspective of a child, and ends as this child approaches adulthood. The concepts touched upon are serious, death and grief, career choice, family dynamics, and more. Sidura Ludwig deals with these issues seriously and deeply. At times I became confused about what time in the person's life is being discussed. She often jumps from the past to the future, and that can be hard to follow. Still, I would recommend this book if you are interested in Canadian Jewish family-life in the 1960's.
Rated of 5
by Froma Holding My Breath
Long on plot and short on character, this rather wooden first novel was not bad enough to stop reading but not good enough to recommend. Although the novel is set in Manitoba, there is no real sense of locale; it could be anywhere. The details that establish time do not seem intrinsic to the plot - which is odd in a coming of age story set in the 1950's to 1970's. All in all, a mediocre first attempt.
Rated of 5
by Kari Holding My Breath - by Sidura Ludwig
I have always loved coming of age stories! I read a LOT of coming of age stories. This one, Holding My Breath, was great. I felt that I got to know all the characters very well, and they all seemed very real. Beth's narrative worked very well all the way through the book, it was really done in an entertaining and interesting way. It didn't matter at all that I really don't know much about Jewish culture or the time period the story took place in.However, this did not bother me at all, and I think that's a big part of why I liked this book so much. It was so easy to just feel like you were THERE with all the characters.
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