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The Fortunate Ones
The Fortunate Ones: A Novel | Ellen Umansky
28 posts | 20 read | 22 to read
One very special work of arta Chaim Soutine paintingwill connect the lives and fates of two different women, generations apart, in this enthralling and transporting debut novel that moves from World War II Vienna to contemporary Los Angeles. It is 1939 in Vienna, and as the specter of war darkens Europe, Rose Zimmers parents are desperate. Unable to get out of Austria, they manage to secure passage for their young daughter on a kindertransport, and send her to live with strangers in England. Six years later, the war finally over, a grief-stricken Rose attempts to build a life for herself. Alone in London, devastated, she cannot help but try to search out one piece of her childhood: the Chaim Soutine painting her mother had cherished. Many years later, the painting finds its way to America. In modern-day Los Angeles, Lizzie Goldstein has returned home for her fathers funeral. Newly single and unsure of her path, she also carries a burden of guilt that cannot be displaced. Years ago, as a teenager, Lizzie threw a party at her fathers house with unexpected but far-reaching consequences. The Soutine painting that she loved and had provided lasting comfort to her after her own mother had died was stolen, and has never been recovered. This painting will bring Lizzie and Rose together and ignite an unexpected friendship, eventually revealing long-held secrets that hold painful truths. Spanning decades and unfolding in crystalline, atmospheric prose, The Fortunate Ones is a haunting story of longing, devastation, and forgiveness, and a deep examination of the bonds and desires that map our private histories.
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Deblovestoread
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Received this today. Looking forward to starting tonight. #LMPBC #GroupV

@suvata @DanaManiac @Mynameisacolour @BookishBelle

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Librarybelle
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Pickpick

A remarkably moving story about remembrance, pain, and grief, using a dual timeline to tell the story about a stolen painting and those connected to the painting. Glad I picked this one up for #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ; while I know a little bit about artwork stolen from Jewish families, other aspects of the story, such as Kindertransport, were unfamiliar to me. How heartbreaking! #Booked2021 #JewishAuthorOrMC

kspenmoll Great review. I have enjoyed so many of the #literarycrew picks, including this one. 4y
Cinfhen Beautiful review \ book sounds really good 😌 4y
105 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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Librarybelle
This post contains spoilers
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I‘ve posted 5 questions under the spoiler post for this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead , but I feel there is so much more to discuss! The overall topic of reparations has become more prominent over the last 10-15 years, yet there is still much to know, and in some ways, things we may never know.

There‘s also Lizzie and her contemporary struggles!

Anything you wish to discuss with the group? Post thoughts and comments here. Thanks for joining!

CoffeeNBooks I got distracted by the new books I got for my birthday, set this one aside, and never got back to it.🙄 Sorry! 😁 I'm skipping the March book, but hope to join in again in April. 4y
CoverToCoverGirl I apologize. I never got to read this, this past month. My nephew, James took seriously ill and passed away. At this time I will skip March‘s book but may jump back in for April‘s buddy read. 4y
Librarybelle So sorry to hear, @CoverToCoverGirl ! 4y
11 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
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5. Are you surprised by Rose‘s reaction to the discovery of the painting? Was this satisfying or frustrating for you? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Blackink_WhitePaper At first I was surprised by Rose‘s reaction, but later when I think about it,I felt it is slightly disappointing. 4y
BethM I thought it was appropriate and brought the story full circle. 4y
6 likes2 comments
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Librarybelle
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4. Think about Rose‘s refusal to@seek compensator her suffering, and then about her desire to recover the stolen painting. What is valuable to Rose? Can we see the painting as a “reparation”? Why or why not? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

megnews I don‘t think the painting is a reparation. I think it‘s just giving her back something that belonged to her. I think of a reparation as money or something given to replace something else taken. What I think was valuable to Rose was having the painting that her mother loved. Maybe in some sense it felt like getting a piece of her mother back. 4y
CarolineLovesToRead @megnews I agree. Rose so badly wanted her parents back that having the painting was the only way she would be able to hang on to them. Especially her mother. 4y
BethM I agree with @CarolineLovesToRead . Also I think she suffered so badly from ptsd that to seek for@al reparation would have forced her to deal with things she wanted to ignore. 4y
4 likes3 comments
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Librarybelle
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3. Joseph‘s death and the search for the stolen painting being Lizzie and Rose together. In what other ways are these characters drawn toward each other? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

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Librarybelle
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2. Were you familiar with the Kindertransport during the World War II era? How familiar were you with the stolen property of Jewish families during this time? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

megnews I was a little familiar with the Kindertransport. Interestingly I read another book on that subject this month 4y
megnews I was familiar with the stolen property from the movie about Klimt‘s Woman in Gold. 4y
CarolineLovesToRead I am a little familiar with the kindertransport and would like to know more about it. I am familiar with the stolen property that the Germans took. I remember seeing a movie about soldiers trying to find the artwork stolen but can't remember the name of it. I believe it was a book turned to movie. 4y
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megnews @CarolineLovesToRead is it Monuments Men? I saw a preview years ago and wanted to see it but never got around to it. Not sure if that‘s the one you‘re thinking of or not. 4y
CarolineLovesToRead @megnews yes. Thank you. That's the one. John Goodman and George Clooney star in it 4y
BethM I was not familiar with kindertransport at all but was familiar with the stolen art etc. 4y
kspenmoll I am familiar with both but more background knowledge on Nazi‘s taking over Jewish homes/businesses/ antiques, artifacts, artworks—stolen property- especially artwork. Great book on this 4y
5 likes7 comments
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Librarybelle
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1. Two themes, among many others, presented in this book are grief and this constant search for belonging. How do Lizzie and Rose tackle each of these themes throughout the novel? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

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Blackink_WhitePaper
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Pickpick

It‘s a good #historicalfiction set in dual time line. I liked the past story of Rose touching & intriguing. I can‘t imagine the departure & separation of kids from their parents during WWII. I liked Rose character strong willed & powerful. But I felt the story of the present is slow paced. Audio narration was good. 3.5🌟

Looking forward for the discussion with #literarycrew #buddyread #booked2021 #bookspinbingo

Librarybelle Yay! I will be posting discussion questions this afternoon (Eastern time). 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
32 likes2 comments
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kspenmoll
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#iambicpentameter #DeclarationofIndependence #statelyprose #Shakespeareinfluence #literarycrew

Always something new to learn. Wonder if Shakespeare influenced Jefferson‘s prose?

Librarybelle Good question! 4y
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BethM
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Pickpick

I‘m having a hard time marshaling my thoughts on this one. Intriguing but almost sad. What stuck out to me was the very significant PTSD from WW2, which led me to thinking about how many millions of people probably never got treatment. It breaks my heart to think people like Rose lived that way. It also breaks my heart to think about sending my child away. Again- intriguing enough, but far from uplifting. 3/5

Librarybelle Great review! 4y
megnews It left me thinking about that too. There have been studies done about this trauma being passed on in the genes of Holocaust survivor descendants. I also wondered what happened to all the children on Kindertransports whose parents never came to get them. 😞 4y
52 likes2 comments
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Tattooedteacher
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Celebrating a huge milestone for @TheLudicReader Congratulations!🍾 1. Number The Stars was a yearly reread for about 15 years when I was teaching 5th grade. 2. The Book Thief is a big one I recommend. I love the writing, the perspective, and the topic. So we‘ll done.

TheLudicReader I am so with you on The Book Thief. Love that book. Thanks for participating. 4y
28 likes1 comment
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kspenmoll
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#fragilehope #literarycrew

Rose rides the tube all over 1945 London, visiting any area designated for listing those Jews seeking to reconnect & find family post WWII. Rose‘s parents sent she & her older brother in trains to London during the war, with the promise they would join them as soon as they could.💔

megnews I can‘t wait for this discussion. 4y
Librarybelle Great quote! 4y
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Librarybelle
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Check in time for #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ! I‘ve noticed one or two finishes and comments on progress so far...what are your impressions? Thoughts?

Tattooedteacher Goodness. I‘m so far behind. I‘ll catch up today. 4y
CarolineLovesToRead I am more intrigued with Rose's stories than with Lizzie's. I'm finding it a bit slow at the moment with halfway through but am curious to find out what happened to the Soutine. 4y
Jerdencon Going to try to catch up on this one - all my library holds came in at once (of course!) so haven‘t even started it yet. 4y
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CoverToCoverGirl Hoping to start today! I‘m behind as usual. 🙄 4y
BethM Im enjoying so far! 4y
kspenmoll I am using your reading guide . Finding going slow helps- so much going on I need the slower pace to help me process. (edited) 4y
Blackink_WhitePaper I finished the book. Captivated by the Rose‘s story. Looking forward for the discussion 😀 4y
Blackink_WhitePaper Can you please tell me which is the book selected for March buddy read? I think I have missed the original post. 4y
Librarybelle @Blackink_WhitePaper I have not posted about the March book yet but hope to today! Sorry for the delay! 4y
53 likes9 comments
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kspenmoll
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#FabulousFebruary#Readathon #literarycrew #sundaybuddyread

Enjoying this book today. Finished Queenie- I just could not stop reading. Usually I keep to the suggested reading selection per week. I promise, promise, no spoilers! Getting some good reading in while not at work!

TheBookHippie 🤣🤣🤍 it happens 🤪 4y
Librarybelle Yay! 4y
Andrew65 Going well 👏👏👏 4y
69 likes3 comments
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janeycanuck
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Mehso-so

This is definitely trying to capitalize on the WWII historical fiction trend. It was fine and pretty typical of its genre but I had a hard time believing the rather insipid Laura as a high powered NY lawyer. I also felt the transition of Rose desperately searching for the Bellhop to being so vocal against looking for it rather abrupt.

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megnews
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Pickpick

The main character holds you at arm‘s length as her story of the kindertransport and her family‘s artwork stolen during WWII slowly unfolds.

#literarycrew

Librarybelle Yay! Glad you liked this one! 4y
41 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
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Tomorrow starts the February #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ! I‘m excited to start this one.

Tagging those who are joining this month; open to everyone. If you‘re interested in being tagged, comment below! We‘re a low key buddy read. Use the schedule above as a suggested reading guide, but read at your own pace. I‘ll post periodic check ins throughout the month, with discussion at the end of the month.

Blackink_WhitePaper Thanks for the tag 💐 excited to read this book. 4y
BethM Already started! 4y
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CarolineLovesToRead Thanks! Starting the book tonight 4y
kspenmoll I got the book! 4y
46 likes7 comments
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Librarybelle
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Announcing the February title for #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead - this dual timeline tale centers on a piece of lost artwork and the horrors of World War II.

Tagging those who are participating this month, but all are welcome! Just comment below if you are interested in joining next month, and I‘ll tag you in posts.

This is a low key buddy read. Read at your own pace; the schedule above is a suggested timeline. Discussion at month‘s end.

catebutler Can‘t wait! 4y
CoverToCoverGirl Please include me! 🙂 4y
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Crazeedi Looking for the book now! Thank you!! 4y
Crazeedi Whoohoo I got it!! 4y
Blackink_WhitePaper I am in please include me. 😀☺️ 4y
CoffeeNBooks I'm in! I already have a copy of it! 4y
BethM Im in 4y
Librarybelle @Crazeedi That‘s great! Glad you could find one! 4y
megnews Gonna try! 4y
Librarybelle Terrific, @megnews ! 4y
Jerdencon Sounds good! 4y
CarolineLovesToRead I'm in 📚💟 4y
Tattooedteacher Sounds like a good one! 4y
kspenmoll Sounds lime a great choice! I am in! 4y
Crazeedi @Librarybelle guess what I downloaded this book and when I opened my kindle it says "read", I checked GR, I read in 2018!!! 4y
Crazeedi @Librarybelle I'll follow along with you, but not sure I want to reread, lol 4y
Librarybelle @Crazeedi Sounds good! We‘ll discuss it too at the end of February. 4y
56 likes22 comments
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GirlWellRead
Pickpick

Umansky's writing is rich and wonderful although I quickly fell out of like with Rose. There were a few spots in the plot that could've been tighter, but overall, this is a good book and I would certainly recommend it. I look forward to her next book.

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Laalaleighh
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Pickpick

This book deserves better.

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mrozzz
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Another fun evening yesterday at Books Are Magic! Listened to Joanna Hershon & Ellen Umansky in conversation discussing Elllen's new paperback, the Fortunatw Ones. I was intrigued by the history of art factor. Hopefully it's a good one!

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Nitpickyabouttrains
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Mehso-so

I liked the switching between time lines. I also liked using a painting as a focus to show feelings about family and displacement. But I did not love the characterization, which felt flat to me. And a lot of major events got skipped with all the fun hopping.

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BooksFootballBeer
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Books provide goodness for all! Me: reading in bed on a lazy Saturday morning. Velcro: a place to run his cheeks. 😻

FashionableObserver I couldn't help but notice the Iowa City Public Library stamp on the book. I spent many, many hours there when I lived in Iowa City. The university's library was amazing (obviously), but the ICPL was one of my favorite spaces in town🤓 I hope you enjoyed The Fortunate Ones as much as I am enjoying it now! (edited) 7y
BooksFootballBeer I love the ICPL - it is an amazing space with some many resources. 7y
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HarperCollins
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Pickpick

Have you read The Fortunate Ones by Ellen Umansky yet?

In The Fortunate Ones, a lost work of art—a painting by the renowned artist Chaim Soutine—connects the lives and fates of two different women, generations apart. The storyline in this transporting debut novel moves from World War II Vienna to contemporary Los Angeles, resulting in an unexpected friendship and eventually revealing long-held secrets….

#amreading #thefortunateones

31 likes3 stack adds