Eavesdropper

by Alexandra Kivowitz

It's 1953. Soviets have the bomb and fear of communist influence in the US government and society at large is at its peak. In the quiet, rural town of Goshen, one family learns hiding in plain sight isn't as easy as it seems.

Eavesdropper is the story of 14-year-old Sara, an inquisitive girl who lives with her progressive parents in a conservative New England small town, where they moved to avoid city life, polio, and surveillance. Sara faces the usual challenges of adolescence-friendships, hormones, and boys-amidst the backdrop of the isolated yet beautiful forest and the air raid drills at school. Partly by eavesdropping, Sara becomes increasingly aware of a protective veil of secrecy her parents have drawn around their past. As Sara's curiosity grows, so does the persecution of the Red Scare, which infiltrates her small town, threatening to expose her family.

280 pages, Paperback

Published February 25, 2025

Reviews

[Sophie Musset · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teenage Sara has been sheltered by her parents her whole life, but she has a habit of listening to the adult's conversations, without them noticing. While not understanding everything, she can feel... Feel that her family is different from the others in the small town of Goshen in New England. Feel that her mother will fight injustice, even if that means bringing unwanted attention to Sara at school. Feel that her Grandpa lived and saw some terrible events in Poland, before moving to America. Feel that something terrible is happening right now, in the United State, for people who believe in progressive ideas or worse, who have been associated with communists.
Is Sara's mother one of these people? Is she in trouble? Can Sara lose her?

As Sara is growing up and facing her own teenager challenges, she will come to understand more of the world she is living it, and more of her family history.

I really enjoyed reading this story, which was a page turner for me. I could very well relate with Sara's feelings and experiences - but I also found that the context of the book interesting: a glance on how the McCarthy period may have been lived for some of the people targeted, and their loved ones. This setting is historical, but also deeply relevant today.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara Green is a 14-year-old only child living in Goshen, Massachusetts in 1953 when she learns by eavesdropping that her parents are sympathetic to controversial issues that are not aligned with their community. This was during a time when McCarthy began to pursue people thought to be sympathetic with Communism, and her mother, Libby, is very outspoken about her beliefs in public forums. As the fear of nuclear war gains momentum, Libby is appalled that Goshen would consider constructing a bomb shelter solely for Goshen residents when others might also need to use it. Red flags surrounding Libby's background and alternative beliefs began to mount until she is eventually imprisoned for six months.

Sara's conservative Jewish grandparents rail against her involvement, leaving Sara confused and fearful for her family. She is horrified to learn what her grandfather's family suffered during WWII. Sara also has to come to grips with the knowledge that her best friend, Mary from a Roman Catholic background, may also face censure when she has a child out of wedlock.

This well-researched book shows the overt and covert persecution of anyone deviating from the homogenous mind set of the community during the McCarthy era. Its relevance is echoed today.

[Liz KBS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book!

This steady-moving story transports us to the life of Sara, a teenager growing up in a small town in New England. She goes on adventures in the forest with her friend, starts to take an interest in boys and recognizes she may not have a future playing the piano. She has a deep love for and knowledge of birds.

But her adolescent experience has a backdrop of creeping anxiety, as Sara comes to understand what FBI surveillance is, and how her mom and dad are judged by her peers’ parents and other neighbors.

Eavesdropper is a powerful coming of age story that provides historical insights into what it was like for people to live during McCarthyism and the Red Scare, and the deep courage and sacrifice of those that refused to compromise their values.

The story and characters press us to think about what it might take to preserve our democratic values today.

[T. Rash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is well-written and gives lots of context into the history and politics of the time. We can see how differences of opinion can get out of hand and affect the entire community. The author did good at letting us see both sides and why the characters felt the way they do.

There were many times that it reminded me of things happening in modern times and some of the resulting extreme reactions. The author gave us much to think about, and the ending was satisfactory.

I enjoyed the story, and I cant determine any reason why I didn’t love it.

[Catherine]

The first couple of chapters were great. This would have been a great read for past Catherine. Present Catherine is not entertained by politics and stress and reads more to escape or enjoy. I want to want to turn the pages, not treat it like an assignment.

DNF