While We're Far Apart: (A World War I Homefront Novel Set in New York)

A widowed father goes to war. A young woman volunteers to care for his two angry children while he's away. A lonely Jewish landlord mourns the death of his wife and fears for the life of his only son away in Hungary under Nazi control. What happens while they're far apart makes for an intriguing, inspirational story as these unrelated near strangers struggle to trust Hashim (God) to work behind the scenes to take care of their loved ones who are in constant danger.

This story is so moving, so real probably because it could be the story of many people who lived through this awful war. Lynn Austin can weave a story like no other.

While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin will definitely be considered as a boring book by many who judge a book only after reading a couple of chapters but for those who actually invest their time and energy to it, they will find it all worthwhile in the end. This book is emotional and will leave you thinking long after you're done with it. I don't read a lot of books that have that kind of impression on me and so that's why I consider this a very good read. You know you are reading a good book when you're so drawn into the story and of the characters even when not much is really happening plot wise. I know, this sounds really weird but that's exactly how I felt when reading this book. The characters are fleshed out very nicely and you just can't help but keep reading into the next chapter even though there is no cliff hanger from the last one!The writing for this book is superb. I really don't know how else to put it. Never once throughout reading the 400+ pages of this book did I find myself skipping any parts. If this book was turned into a movie, I'm sure it would feel and look low budget because the entire book focuses only in a couple of locations. You have Mr. Mendel's apartment, the duplex for both Esther and Peter's grandparents along with Penny's parent, the bus station where Penny works, the inside of a bus and that pretty much sums it up. Obviously some of the characters will travel to other places close to within their vicinity but for the most part, what I've listed is all there is to it. However, the author makes it clear that it's not about traveling to different places and having the characters do incredible things that makes her book so incredible. It's about the trials and tribulation one goes through during hard times.All in all, I have nothing but high praise for this book by Lynn Austin, which is my first from her. I simply loved the characters in this book not because they are heroes or anything but for the fact that you can connect with them on an emotional level. I admit that I have shed a couple of tears while reading some of the letters written by the family members of Mr. Mendel stuck in a country so close to the war. While this book is fiction, you just can't help but think if this really didn't happen to a real family back in this war torn era. It's just amazing how many things this book teaches us and that's why I highly urge people to read it. If you know of someone who is depressed or just confused in life, I also believe this book can help in a very special way.

There is a lot I want to say about this novel. First is if I had know it was faith-infused historical fiction, I wouldn't have read it. I downloaded this novel for two reasons: it was a Kindle freebie and it's set during World War II. When I started reading it, I didn't know the story would unfold the way it did. The next thing I want to say is good thing I didn't know what I was getting into because this was one of the best novels I read this year.The novel begins when Eddie, widower and father of two children, enlists leaving his children in need of a guardian while he was away. To his surprise, slightly pathetic next door neighbor Penny - who is secretly in love with him - volunteers to watch them while he is away. I know I may be a little harsh on Penny by saying she's pathetic , but sadly it's true. She is the product of two overbearing parents who not only belittle her at every opportunity but are so protective she has no confidence in herself at all. One of the joys of this novel is watching Penny grow from an insecure girl to a mature woman. I absolutely disliked her in the beginning, she was mousy, needy and giving all at the same time. I was surprised to see how much she changed. More importantly, I thought her rebirth was completely believable.Mainly the novel focuses on the life and relationships of Penny, the kids and Mr. Jacob Mendel, their landlord. I loved the time I spent getting to know Mr. Mendel. I do not know a lot about the Jewish faith. I also have never read a novel which focused on a father's point of view, waiting for news of his Jewish son in war stricken Hungary. It was so heartbreaking emotional. I think Ms. Austin did a beautiful job of making Mr. Mendel's heartache and grief so real to me. I also enjoying watching him heal from the loss of his wife and the uncertainty of his son's welfare.With each character Ms. Austin introduced, I was more and more engrossed in the story. It flowed so easily. And I really felt like I was a becoming part of their makeshift family. I loved that there was a bit of mystery and romance. I loved that there was hope.As I said earlier, I wouldn't have read this novel if I knew it discussed faith. I think it didn't take anything away from the novel, in fact I think it added to it. I was moved by their struggles with God, and their spiritual reawakening.Overall this novel was a great read and one I would have gladly paid for.

What a wonderful book, set in Brooklyn in the 2nd world war, but focussing more on the lives of those waiting to hear about their loved ones. The main characters are 2 children whose mother has died, and whose still grieving father decides to enlist, leaving them in the care of a young neighbour who has been downtrodden by her elderly parents all her life. Peter is traumatised by his father's decision and loses the ability to speak.The book does not shirk the issues of how God can allow war and suffering to go on, and does not give any pat answers, but eventually the children and the adults who love them see how good can come about despite all the loss of lives and the horrors of war. Much of the scripture lessons come from the elderly Jewish landlord who becomes a substitute grandfather to the children, he has lost faith when his wife died in the same accident that killed the childrens mother, but does not want to disillusion Esther and Peter, in retelling the bible stories he finds that God may still be with him after all.Penny, their young carer, finds that she is not the useless 'green bean' her parents have dubbed her and although the children resent her, when they find that she genuinely cares for them, they start to open up more to her.All the various strands of the book come together beautifully at the end and we find out the fate of all those missing loved ones.A book to be savoured, I can see myself re-reading it at some point.

I acquired this when it was a Kindle freebie, but with hindsight I wouldn't have had any qualms about paying for this story either, though perhaps not at its current price which does seem a bit excessive!There is an underlying theme of religion within this book which I usually don't like (I am an atheist), but as it incorporates aspects of Judaism and faith during World War II, the plot just works.The story is based in Brooklyn, NY and starts in 1943 when two young children who recently lost their mother, now face their father going off to fight in the war at his own choosing, much to their anger (and mine!). A distant family friend, Penny, steps in to look after the children, much to their reluctance. Timid, put-upon Penny has been in love with their father forever and sees this as an opportunity to show him what she is made of and that she too can be marriage worthy. Will she succeed?Also in the building is Jacob, an orthodox Jew who has lost his faith since the death of his own wife. His son and family are trapped in Nazi-occupied Hungary and he is desperate for news and rereads their earlier letters to him for something to grasp onto. Somehow these building residents, who from the outset are very different, become close in such a time of tragedy in this story of faith and friendship.Please don't let the religious aspect put you off the story; I'm very glad I didn't. This is more a character study and shows the impact the war had on those still in the United States whose loved ones were overseas whilst the fighting was going on. It is beautifully written and though bleak in tone manages to be upbeat in places. It is told through both story and letters- I have to admit that one letter in particular from Jacob's daughter in law left me feeling a little bit choked up.The characters are very well written and I really grew to admire Penny and how she developed through the novel. My heart broke for Jacob and his family's plight. This story really brings home how the war affected not just those at the front but those who were waiting for news back home.Please read this story; you won't be disappointed you did.

I will let the Amazon synopsis inform the buyer, I would not want to give anymore away and spoil it for the reader.I finished this book last night and was actually disappointed it came to an end, I enjoyed it so much. It was a freebie for me, so this tempted me. I will definitely read more of Lynn Austin's books.Buy it and enjoy a good heartwarming read, you will not regret it.

Heart warming and touching tale. Many parts of this I found very thought provoking and it gives a different perspective to a story we all the world over, have become familiar with. I found myself drawn to the characters and equally repulsed by others.

I really enjoyed this book - it gave an insight into the lives of different people from different backgrounds during the war. It offered different perspectives through a spell-binding story that made my daily commute enjoyable.