The Golden Cup

Werner Family Saga #2

by Belva Plain

In this magnificent retum to the world of Evergreen , Henrietta Roth, an extraordinary woman, fights to control her destiny; and three turbulent generations come vividly to life against a background of immigrant struggle, war, and passion.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Drama, Family, Jewish, Historical Romance

480 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1986

About the author

Belva Plain was a best-selling American author of mainstream women's fiction. Her first novel, Evergreen (1978) topped the New York Times bestseller list for 41 weeks and was made into a TV miniseries. At her death, there were over 30 million copies of her twenty-plus novels in print in 22 languages.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Golden Cup tells the story of star-crossed lovers Paul and Anna, who were introduced in the Evergreen series. It is also the story of Henrietta De Rivera, who married Dan Roth. She was a suffragette and a fighter for social justice. Hennie, as she is called, and Dan have a temptestuous marriage. This is the world of the Jewish immigrant, political fervor and the horror of impending war. Hennie and Dan have a passion to change the world and a greater passion for each other. They suffer heartbreak when their son, Freddie, marries Leah, who is pregnant with their first child. Freddie has enlisted in the army to go off to war.

This is just another good book by Belva Plain. Just love her writing. Keeps me captivated.

[cluedupreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's old is new again (banned books), as reflected in this family saga. Feminism and wokeness pervade the second installment which takes place at the turn of the last century through the First World War.

TW: graphic killing of pet dog; suicide ideation

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just arrived from USA through BM.

Even if I haven't read the previous books of Werner Family saga, I was able to follow the plot.

A pleasant reading for a nice Sunday.

[Marcelle Mase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belva Plains “Evergreen” was the first book of hers I had read many years ago. A fabulous book and a story whose characters I thought of for a long time after I was finished reading it. Not sure why, I chose not to continue reading the books so that I could follow this Werner family saga. Perhaps at that time, I didn’t even realize that “Evergreen” was the 1st in this series. The reasons why are not important. What is important that I came upon “The Golden Cup”, recalled having loved her book “Evergreen” and was excited to read it! Love sagas and I really enjoyed “The Golden Cup”, which focuses upon Hennie Roth and her extended family. Story takes place from the late 1800's through World War I and some years after. I will continue with this series and will download “Tapestry” for my next read.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved EVERGREEN, the first in this series. But THE GOLDEN CUP was only a three-star read for me. While the book is full of family drama, which I love, there wasn't enough historical context to make this a fulfilling book for me. Belva Plain didn't even include dates, so as you were reading you had to guess what year it was by analyzing things like technology (are there cars yet, electricity, phones, etc.) and talk of wars (Boer War, Civil War, WWI). I also felt like there had to be a larger overarching theme to the book besides the Werner family saga. Overall, this was easy enough to read but disappointing. I'm not going to continue reading this series.

P.S. Why is called the golden cup? Where is this golden cup? It can't be a eucharistic reference since the Werners are Jewish. Does it have some Jewish symbolism that I don't know about?

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hennie was raised in a wealthy family in New York but is not feeling at home in such an environment. She married a school teacher, who works tirelessly to change the fate of the poor. This causes rifts within the family that threaten to destroy relationships. After a number of tragic incidents there is a flicker of hope that the family will reunite.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea...too long, too wordy...

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the Werner family series (Evergreen being the first). This one focuses on Paul's aunt Hennie Roth and the extended family from the late 1800's through World War I and the years just after. Paul's mother Florence is Hennie's sister. There are a couple of incidents from the previous book which are also included here but mostly it is other family members.
I didn't enjoy this as much as Evergreen, but still enough to give it three stars. Evergreen covered a much broader range of years than this one. I didn't get as much of a sense of the period in this one. Perhaps that is why I didn't like it as much. I enjoy books where I can get sucked into the time period and feel I'm living it right there as I read. For me with this, I had more a role of standing back and observing.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A generational family saga, set at the turn of the last century. One of my favourite time periods to read about with the advent of electricity, telephones and automobiles. The family does not see eye to eye on politics and social issues, with one branch being very active in various movements (suffrage, tenement reform) while the rest of the family grows their wealth in property acquisition and supplying the war effort. In the end, blood is thicker than water.

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with secrets, sex, and scandal, the Werner family saga continues in this second volume of the five-part series by Belva Plain that began with "Evergreen."

Taking place from 1891 through the end of World War I, a time when horse-drawn carriages were being replaced with automobiles and young, brash businessmen could make a fortune seemingly overnight, the book focuses on the next generation of the Werner family: Florence and Walter Werner and their son, Paul, and Hennie and Dan Roth and their son, Freddy, and adopted daughter, Leah. While Florence and Walter live a life of prosperity and wealth, Hennie and Dan shun such luxuries, working instead to help the poor and downtrodden.

In many ways, the soap opera-type story is predictable and even at times plodding (the descriptions are vivid but can be overly long), but it's basically a fun and engrossing read. If you enjoy family sagas told over several generations, this is a solid choice. While "The Golden Cup" stands alone quite well, it's always best to begin at the beginning with a series—so start with "Evergreen."

[Fran Gerardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the first book in the Werner saga, Evergreen, I found this book disappointing. It did not move as fast as book 1 and I felt the characters were not as animated and well developed. This book dealt more with Paul's side of the family, mainly his Aunt Hennie. We also get a glimpse of his account of his relationship with Anna.

Hennie, Florence and Alfie are siblings, children of Angelique who was a Southerner often remembering the Civil War. This book primarily takes place prior, during and slightly after WWI. We see the devastating effects of the war on Angelique's children and grandchildren.

Hennie marries Dan Roth, who at that time is a voice of the poor man. He rallies on about child labor, the rich making money from the tenement houses where the poor are living in filthy and dangerous conditions. He abhors the evils of money, and those who profit from the money earned from war. He sees himself at a crossroads when one of his "inventions", a hobby he dabbles in, becomes useful to society as a whole.

We follow the life of Freddie, Hennie's and Dan's son and we meet Leah, the daughter of Hennie's best friend.

Alfie, marries Emily, the first mixed wedding in the family as she is Episcopalian. They have a daughter, Meg. Florence is Paul's mother and she and her husband, who is a banker are the complete opposite of Hennie and Dan in their politics and philosophy on money.

[Paula Galvan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Golden Cup, the second in the Werner Family Saga, Belva Plain takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster as we learn how Paul Werner grew up and met Anna Friedman—the woman featured in Evergreen, the first book. It also features Henrietta De Rivera, called Hennie, Paul's aunt, who, although from an affluent family, is a proud champion of the poor immigrants flooding into New York. She marries Daniel Roth, a teacher, and activist for the common laborer and social justice. Together they live a simple life while raising their son, Freddy, until the world erupts into war. Then, Paul, Hennie, and Dan's lives are torn apart by uncertainty and infidelity. I found the characters interestingly complex and the plot authentic to the era.

[Mextli · Rating 4 out of 5]

La vida de una persona se encuentra constantemente con altibajos, donde una decisión puede ser tomada por el calor del momento o por la primera impresión y a partir de ese momento, las circunstancias se irán acomodando para llevar a una familia de tres generaciones en el camino normalmente conocido como vida, donde los celos, las ideas diversas, los principios y los hechos históricos de finales de siglo XIX y principios del siglo XX, conducirán a la protagonista a vivir no solo en una situación delicada con su pareja e hijo, sino que su relación con la familia se verá mermada durante años, pese haber nacido en una alta cuna.

[Amanda Kahs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realise this was the second book in a series so I will go back and read the first one soon. I'm glad to see that there are actually five books in the series so lots more to come. I really enjoyed this book and got drawn into it. It follows the ups and downs in the lives of the Werner family, with romance, tragedy and hardship. It's very well written with lots of fascinating historical detail. I felt like I was actually there with the characters. The only thing that I didn't like was a particularly horrific animal death. That really upset me so I'd like to point it out to others so they will be aware. Other than that, it was a really enjoyable book.

[Bamboozlepig · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF'd this one. I've got the other books in the "Evergreen" series and was disappointed in this one. In the original book, there was no mention of Henrietta that I remember, or if there was, it was only a brief mention. I'm not sure why Plain focused on her character because Henrietta was on the bland side. I was also not all that into Dan's character. Paul Werner is in it, but is pretty much sidelined, at least he was in the section I got up to before stopping. The plotting seemed rushed as well, so I'm hoping the other three remaining books aren't like this one.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting follow up to "Evergreen", the first in the series. In "Evergreen" it was about the life of a Polish immigrant. This book looks at her love interest, a man from a wealthy family and his kin. Though you can read them separately, I'm glad I followed on the tail of reading the first book so I still remembered all the names of the characters. Meanwhile, new characters were introduced to I guess it's on to book 3, "Tapestry."

[Carol Gaskamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copyright 1986 - Purchased the book for a dollar at a library book sale in Northborough MA, chosen because I vaguely reading & liking books by her in the past (before I started keeping track of books read). Interesting multi-generational saga of Jewish families in late 1890s-1900s NYC. While it included WWI, I was curious as to why the author omitted any evidence of the flu epidemic that followed WWI even though the saga included that time frame.

[Carmen Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this so many times

I just love the series. Read it first in my late teens. I read the series again every couple of years. It's s story about a group of NY Jews and how they live and interact as they try to blend in with America. Some continuing to follow their customs and others trying to leave it behind. In this book we get a perspective of Paul's family and his he sees his relationship with Anna that started in book 1.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and the book before it (Evergreen) are compatible reads. They question, what is love? Things don't appear as they seem. Maybe we should just be honest with others and ourselves. Is it better to live in denial or oblivious or to know the truth? I can't wait to read the next in the series (Tapestry)!!!!

I highly recommend these books for readers who love epic family dramas, historical fiction or tragic love stories.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read

Bella Plains books are a comfortable, intriguing collection of family dynamic stories. I am re-reading as many as I can this summer! This is the second book in the Warner Family Saga set. I enjoyed it as much or maybe even more than when I first read it. This is a highly recommended writer. Try her books, I believe you will like them as much as I do!😊

[Patricia King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book...

The continuing saga of Paul and Anna. A more detailed account of their lives, as well as their families lives. Ms. Plain also writes her Story around the WW11 and the effects it had on the Werner family. Simply put, another great read. I highly recommend this book.

[Darc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like the description of this book does not do the story any justice. Another great story from Belva Plain, focusing on the Werner family. I also enjoyed the various points of overlap and also the parallels to Anna’s story in Evergreen. Another fantastic read, I cant wait to start the third one!

[Cynthia Drenzek Buckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am starting Book #3 - "Tapestry" - in this series by Belva Plain and am thoroughly enjoying them. She is an engrossing storyteller and has you feeling as if you know the people in the Werner family.

[Negin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book in the series, Evergreen, but very good regardless. It dragged on a bit but was a pleasant escape overall.

[Evelyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

THIS WAS A VERY HARD BOOK TO GET INTO AND TO FOLLOW ONCE YOU THOUGHT
YOU KNEW WHAT IT WAS ABOUT. i FINISHED IT AND STILL DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE
STORY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT.

[Susan]

1895-1922 NYC

[Raquel Iacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series and Belva Plain’s writing. I can’t put her book down. I can’t wait to read the next one!

[carol eldridge]

goosd

[Lin S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I barely made it through this book. Not near as good as Evergreen.

[Karen Rombauer]

L