Shelfari: The Site for Books & ReadersShelfari Logo

Away: A Novel
 

Away: A Novel

by Amy Bloom

Panoramic in scope, Away is the epic and intimate story of young Lillian Leyb, a dangerous innocent, an accidental heroine. When her family is destroyed in a Russian pogrom, Lillian comes to America alone, determined to make her way in a new land. When word comes that her daughter, Sophie, might still be alive, Lillian embarks on an odyssey that takes her from the world of the Yiddish theater... (read more)

Top tags: fiction,  historical fiction,  immigrant experience,  jewish,  1920s (all tags)

Readers

Groups

  • Crazy Lady Book Club Discussion Group
  • the girls Discussion Group
  • FrugalReader.com Members Discussion Group
  • Brilliant Babes (And Dudes) Who Read Selectively Discussion Group
  • NYT Bestsellers List Discussion Group
  • No Egg Bake Book Club Discussion Group

Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

Amy L
  • Rated 4 stars

“This was a great book! Lillian is at once innocent and devious. She learns something valuable from all she encounters. And we believe that those she loves are forever touched by her presence in their lives. One interesting thing that Bloom does is to tell us of the fates of some of the people Lillian encounters. Instead of having Lillian get on a train and leaving us hanging as to those she leaves behind, Bloom spends several paragraphs or pages telling us what those people did after...”

Amy L’s full review »
more reviews »

Didn’t Like It

Marlene K
  • Rated 2 stars

“Amy Bloom's story of a young immigrant woman in NYC in the 20's grabbed my interest with the promise of an inspiring journey as a woman with a violent past struggles to make her way in America with the hope of reuniting with the daughter she left behind. Unfortunately, I was not in the mood for the sorrowful tone and the dark descriptions. Maybe I will revisit this one another time.
”

Marlene K’s full review »
more reviews »
Community:
  • Rated 3.342975 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 3 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • Nora M

    nora m said:

    “Yes, this book is unrealistic...but that is what gives it its charm. The writing style is unusual and is what drew me in. The story of Lillian's adventure kept me reading. I would recommend this book.”

    posted Monday, September 8 2008
  • badcat

    badcat said:

    “I am still in the beginning of the book, buit so far the detail and texture of the story are really pulling me in....”

    posted Friday, June 20 2008
  • FatherOfHollywood

    fatherofhollywood said:

    “I was disappointed with this story. It seemed so unrealistic, the writing was a little choppy, & too many of the adventures were too far-fetched. I also wasn't impressed with the future hints sprinkled throughout the book as to what happened to the characters in the future.”

    posted Friday, October 19 2007
  • pattyroker

    pattyroker said:

    “Hands down, THIS is the book I want to write!”

    posted Thursday, October 11 2007
© 2008 Tastemakers, Inc. | Portions of Shelfari.com are Copyright © 1996-2008 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy