Book Summary and Reviews of Fatherland by Victoria Shorr

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Beth_B

He thought he had it all ...
A phenomenonal read. Rich in family interaction and whether or not to seize the moment. Martin is a shadow in his own home -- a true snake in the grass. His wife is the model of perseverance, overlooking his weaknesses while holding her family together. The reader is given a window to observe how each of the three children react and evolve. Lora is the constant, the Motherland.

The author sprinkles gems throughout -- places in Ohio, song lyrics, current events that enhance the novel's savory prose. The final pages are poignant to the extent that I had to breathe deeply and look at the sky to position myself in the moment. I urge you to delve into the richness of this book and highly recommend it for book club discussion. Lots of prizes are ahead for Victoria Shorr.

Kassapa

A Long Shadow
I finished Fatherland by Victoria Shorr. It's the story of womanizing Dr. Brier, his resilient wife Lora and daughter Josie who thrive in his absence. It was a painful read for me, bringing up how powerful men mistreat women, and how growing up in the 1950's in Midwestern America as a young girl is full of challenges. And even though the last quarter of the book was more painful for me, there was also the reconciliation for both Lora, the wife, and Josie, the daughter, with a man who cast a long shadow in their lives. Like the story, reading the book was a love/hate experience for me.

Becky_S

Reflections of a missing character
Loved this book that shows the after math of a father who leaves his family in the 1940s… we get to follow the characters through the 1990s and get an up close glimpse of what this void meant for Lora, the wife, and mostly, Josie, the eldest daughter. The writing style is slow and thoughtful , we really get to look at the emotions of Josie and how she ultimately relates to her father . I really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more from the author.

Joyce_Montague

A Surprisingly Good and Easy to Read Book
This book snuck up on me to my surprise. Initially I did not understand what was happening and was considering not reading further. I'm so glad I did. Now having finished the book I realize that the author was merely setting the stage for what was to come. I reread the beginning and decided maybe I just wasn't paying attention. Pay attention throughout the book. The author takes us into the private thoughts of all the main and sometimes minor characters. Slowly but surely you are pulled into the emotional state of their lives. The end of the book takes the mother and daughter down memory lane. I found it was very relatable for anyone who lived somewhere for a very long time, moved away and then years later returned to see what had changed. The father in the book was despicable. However, the author told this story in such a way that at the end I felt sorry for him which definitely surprised me. Finally, I still don't know why it's entitled "Fatherland".

Maren_C

Short and (bitter)sweet
Victoria Shorr's writing is a treat to read. She takes a simple story that will resonate with many readers, but still manages to make it fresh, unique, and heartbreaking. In some ways reflective of the writing of domestic dramas from the era where this story begins (Mildred Pierce comes to mind), the writing style is a welcome departure from what might be considered the norm. It may take some getting used to for some readers, but once drawn in, it's hard to look away.

Beverly D. (Palm Harbor, FL)

Father ???
This is the American dream gone wrong and the ripple effects on a well to do family living in the rust belt of the 50's midwest. Having been in a "fatherless" family, so much of this story rang very true...the feeling of abandonment, the hope that "he'll be back", the useless efforts later on to re-establish any relationship with a father who just never understood what he was supposed to be. Ms. Shorr's writing is clear and precise. This will be a GREAT bookclub title!

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