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Wherever There Is Light
From the author of Comeback Love, a sweeping, panoramic tale of twentieth-century America, chronicling the decades-long love affair between a Jewish immigrant and the granddaughter of a slave.
Julian Rose is only fifteen when he leaves his family and Germany for a new life in 1920s America. Lonely at first, he eventually finds his way—first by joining up with Longy Zwillman and becoming one of the preeminent bootleggers on the East Coast, and later by amassing a fortune in real estate.
Kendall Wakefield is a free-spirited college senior who longs to become a painter. Her mother, the daughter of a slave and founder of an African-American college in South Florida, is determined to find a suitable match for her only daughter.
One evening in 1938, Mrs. Wakefield hosts a dinner that reunites Julian with his parents—who have been rescued from Hitler’s Germany by the college—and brings him together with Kendall for the first time. From that encounter begins a thirty-year affair that will take the lovers from the beaches of Miami to the jazz clubs of Greenwich Village to postwar life in Paris, where they will mingle with Sartre, Picasso, and a host of other artists and intellectuals. Through his years serving in American intelligence and as an interrogator at the Nuremberg trials, what Julian wants most is to marry and find the joy that eluded his parents. Kendall craves her freedom, and after trading her oil paints for a Leica camera, becomes a celebrated photographer, among the first American journalists to photograph the survivors of a liberated concentration camp. Yet despite distance, their competing desires, and the rapidly changing world, their longing for each other remains a constant in the ceaseless sweep of time.
Captivating and infused with historical detail, this is the epic tale of three generations, two different but intertwined families, and one unforgettable love story.
Julian Rose is only fifteen when he leaves his family and Germany for a new life in 1920s America. Lonely at first, he eventually finds his way—first by joining up with Longy Zwillman and becoming one of the preeminent bootleggers on the East Coast, and later by amassing a fortune in real estate.
Kendall Wakefield is a free-spirited college senior who longs to become a painter. Her mother, the daughter of a slave and founder of an African-American college in South Florida, is determined to find a suitable match for her only daughter.
One evening in 1938, Mrs. Wakefield hosts a dinner that reunites Julian with his parents—who have been rescued from Hitler’s Germany by the college—and brings him together with Kendall for the first time. From that encounter begins a thirty-year affair that will take the lovers from the beaches of Miami to the jazz clubs of Greenwich Village to postwar life in Paris, where they will mingle with Sartre, Picasso, and a host of other artists and intellectuals. Through his years serving in American intelligence and as an interrogator at the Nuremberg trials, what Julian wants most is to marry and find the joy that eluded his parents. Kendall craves her freedom, and after trading her oil paints for a Leica camera, becomes a celebrated photographer, among the first American journalists to photograph the survivors of a liberated concentration camp. Yet despite distance, their competing desires, and the rapidly changing world, their longing for each other remains a constant in the ceaseless sweep of time.
Captivating and infused with historical detail, this is the epic tale of three generations, two different but intertwined families, and one unforgettable love story.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published November 3, 2015
103 people are currently reading
2484 people want to read
About the author
Peter Golden
23 books130 followersPeter Golden is an award-winning journalist, historian, and novelist who has written nine books and interviewed Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Bush (41); Secretaries of State Kissinger, Haig, Shultz, and Eagleburger; Israeli Prime Ministers Rabin, Peres, and Shamir; and Soviet President Gorbachev. His first novel, Comeback Love, was praised by the novelist and reviewer Caroline Leavitt as an “extraordinary debut.” Wherever There Is Light, his second novel, was featured in New York Magazine’s Fall Preview issue, widely reviewed, and selected by the New Jersey Star-Ledger as one of the best books of 2016. His third novel, Nothing Is Forgotten, which explores the connection between the Holocaust and the Cold War, was published on April 10, 2018. New York Times bestselling author Lisa Wingate praised the novel as "the sort of book you won’t soon forget…Cold War Europe, lingering Nazi secrets, and the tragic history faced by millions of families not only bring this tale to life but will keep you turning the pages.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
November 15, 2015
There were so many things I liked about this book AT FIRST. I liked the characters in spite of their flaws. I was enjoying the love story as melodramatic as it was . I've said it before and can't help but say it again here , that I so much enjoy these glimpses of New York City in the past. This one includes the clubs and Greenwich Village , Harlem in the late 1930's and 1940's and a good portion of the book takes place in NYC . The story line appealed to me - a Black girl and a Jewish man in love at a time when an interracial couple was not acceptable in society and I was definitely interested in how these characters would fare .
BUT
The Nazis were killing Jews in Europe and white racists were still lynching black men and the lives of these people seemed to be inserted in what was happening in the world rather than being a part of it. After a while everything seemed so contrived . Things wrapped up quickly in the end , much too neatly and a bit over the top . For a while I really thought this would be a 3.5 star book for me so I was disappointed. I just can't give that rating to a book that makes me I wish I had my time back to read something else . Overall 2.5 stars .
Thanks to Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss.
BUT
The Nazis were killing Jews in Europe and white racists were still lynching black men and the lives of these people seemed to be inserted in what was happening in the world rather than being a part of it. After a while everything seemed so contrived . Things wrapped up quickly in the end , much too neatly and a bit over the top . For a while I really thought this would be a 3.5 star book for me so I was disappointed. I just can't give that rating to a book that makes me I wish I had my time back to read something else . Overall 2.5 stars .
Thanks to Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss.
September 14, 2015
"What color is love"?
"Where there is Light", by Peter Golden, illuminates brightness from many shades of color ....
from a couple in love.
Julian is white. Kendall is African-American. There love begins in 1938, Florida.
Hitler's war is happening in the world, and it's a time of Jim Crowism.
Julian and Kendall's parents don't support their love. It was unlikely that their love could survive the times-- the prejudice, bigotry, discrimination, and the narrow-mindedness.
The world conditions were separating them and their own community -and families were.
It was common to read signs saying, "NO BLACKS, NO JEWS, and NO DOGS"!
Life was complex, and even more so for a black & white couple, yet
there was a power between the lovers differences ( Black & Jew). They could draw on each
others strength to fight for civil rights - equality- and political power. Their love was creating goodwill and change in the future.
The descriptions of being on the beach in Miami- the night life in Greenwich Village to Post War Paris were wondrous, and the characters were real. The storytelling flowed.
When reading this historical fiction novel, I reflected on a time in my own life. I was in High School, living in Oakland, California. The scandal broke out in my community-when my close friend, Jewish like me, older sister fell in love with a black man. Her parents were so angry, they would not allow her lover in the house. When they got married, the parents didn't attend. It broke the family apart. My own mother was telling me how wrong it was for a Black & White couple - Jewish or not- to be together. She kept stressing how hard their lives would be. My mother also told me we would never see a Black President of the United States in my lifetime, either.
My mother was wrong on both accounts. My friends sister and husband -- a Jewish white female and her loving Black husband --were married 30 years. They had many friends. She died last year of cancer.
"Wherever There Is Light", 'shines' and 'awaken' our own spirit and humanity!
This story would make a terrific movie. I'm trying to 'cast' the roles in my head now. :)
Thank You to Atria Publishing, Netgalley, and Peter a Golden for the opportunity to read this.
October 28, 2015
Wherever There Is Light has some of the ingredients for good historical fiction, but there was too much that I didn’t like for me to read it with much pleasure. Set in the 1930s through the 1960s, the story focuses primarily on the relationship between Julian – a young Jewish man of German descent – and Kendall – a young black woman from Florida. Julian is a real estate developer in New York with a mobster shady past, and Kendall is an aspiring artist with a university education. Julian’s father is a professor in an black university in Florida, and Kendall’s mother is the president of that university. That’s the set up – interesting if somewhat unrealistic. But it wasn’t the lack of realism that didn’t work for me; it was the delivery that irked me. To name a few irritants: the depiction of the historical context while it dealt with important issues of race felt off and cartoonish (was it really necessary to have Sartre, de Beauvoir and Picasso make an appearance in a Paris cafe?); much of the dialogue felt like it was out of a bad movie, often relying on awkward phonetics; Julian’s mobster side was minimized despite the fact that he is depicted as having done some pretty terrible things; Julian’s relationship with Kendall was very focused on sexual attraction which comes across as a male fantasy rather than a real relationship; and as the book progresses, Kendall's life course became way too unrealistic; and the end was over the top. I acknowledge that I am generally tough on historical fiction – I look for well researched work that really engages with the issues and politics of the time -- and I really don't like books that impose contemporary sensibilities on previous historical contexts -- and romantic melodrama doesn't really cut it for me when it comes to historical fiction. So this one definitely did not hit the mark for me. The other reviews on GR so far are far more positive than mine so I suspect that I'm a tough customer -- likely an outlier -- and my reaction is not representative. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
December 25, 2015
A special thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Once again, Atria dominates.
Ex·tra·or·di·naire! 5 Stars+
Following Comeback Love, Peter Golden returns with a captivating and epic love story— WHEREVER THERE IS LIGHT , making my Top Books of 2015 crossing many genres (my perfect cup of tea), touching on all my favorites categories----
Best Book-to-Big Screen Adaptation.
A sensational suspense crime thriller, infused brilliantly with historical significance, mystery, intrigue, sex, passion, racial injustice, war tension, glam of the roaring 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s to the 60s; Prohibition, gangsters, excitement of South Beach, Miami, Paris, New York, Europe, and the diversity of Harlem and Greenwich Village-- jazz clubs, world travels, art, culture, literary, humor, the turbulent South, and numerous obstacles across three generations, two families, and at the heart, the most romantic unforgettable love story.
A perfect novel made for the big screen! Can you imagine the cast? A cross between The Nightingale, The Notebook, Calling Me Home, and the Great Gatsby, with its own individual style and charm. You will laugh and cry.
WOW! I would not change a thing ---- I want a front row seat. So blown away by the talented author; cannot, believe I missed, Comeback Love, and found myself quickly purchasing—cannot wait to read. After what I have read, sounds like another headed for the big screen.
Julian Rose, Jewish—(with the looks of a movie star) came to American in the 1920s, escaping Germany as an immigrant and finds himself working with bootleggers along the East Coast, loyal to the people who helped him get a start. Along the way, he became a successful real estate tycoon in the residential and commercial sector. An intelligent, sharp business man, who wants nothing more than a loving family of his own. Something he never had as a child.
Kendall Wakefield, --African-American, beauty an independent, driven college senior, raised by a single mother, and the founder of an African-American college in South Florida (Yeah, South Florida). Kendall is driven and wants nothing more than to escape the south and move to New York, to become a famous artist. Her mother (late forties) on the other hand, wants her to marry, settle down, and help her with the college so she can take over one day.
When Garland, Kendall’s mom (daughter of a slave) hosts a dinner party for the Julian’s parents. Theodor, (a scholar at the college), coming from Nazi Germany to accept a post as the only white professor at African-American Lovewood College in Florida. Julian travels south to visit his parents. Not a lot of closeness between father and son.
Julian and Kendall meet for the first time. Kendall is enamored with this man. Fireworks! What happens next . . A thirty-year affair which takes the couple across time and place. Kendall is always torn between her strong love of Julian and her own independence and career (carryover from her past generations). She wants nothing to stand in her way. From a struggling artist to an award-winning photographer. A roller-coaster ride and hopefully, second chances.
All the while there is lurking danger, coming at them from both sides. Julian has a past with a number of enemies from his gangster days. From 1938 – 1965 readers experience an array of emotions with a world against these two lovers.
Kendall has the cruel narrow minded south bigots to contend with; their family owns 2,000 acres of land and will stop at anything to attain. Two courageous individuals, both have a past and a strong desire to protect those they love.
The author takes readers on an incredible journey. Historian Golden, not only knows his stuff, he can write like no other. I was mesmerized. There is so much depth to the story with Garland’s father Ezekiel and the land as well as Julian’s past.
Settle in, for an engaging page-turner, which will hook you from the first page to the last, with characters you will remember, long after the book ends. Set aside the time, as worth every moment. Utterly Captivating. . And the Research----Impeccable! From the complex absorbing, multi-generational saga-- at heart a love story of two interracial different people bound together in a world of obstacles, in a compelling World War II era, in the middle of racial unrest.
The author draws you into a world with vivid settings and descriptions with well-developed characters. The diversity, the passion, the heartbreak, loss, joy, sorrow, darkness, light, and reconciliation. After you finish reading you will find yourself going back to the beginning to South Orange, New Jersey in Dec 1965 when the book opens. You will need to re-read the first few chapters again, to tie in with the last, coming full circle.
Of course, loved the parts of my own backyard, South Florida, (love Eden Roc) the travels, art, history, and culture. Oh, the characters: I wanted to kick Kendall (wake up and see you can have both career and family) and her mom, Garland. Fell in love with Julian, Bobby, Eddie, Fiona, Lucinda—they will grab your by the heart strings and never let go! The ending was spectacular. An ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions.
Love the front cover design, drawing you into the mysterious and intriguing Hollywood classical film "noir-look and feel" capturing the essence and mood of this exceptional and unforgettable story. I strong recommend buying this book, like NOW!
Can’t wait to see what the gifted, talented storyteller, Golden has in store, next! Has been added to my favorite author list.
JDCMustReadBooks
Ex·tra·or·di·naire! 5 Stars+
Following Comeback Love, Peter Golden returns with a captivating and epic love story— WHEREVER THERE IS LIGHT , making my Top Books of 2015 crossing many genres (my perfect cup of tea), touching on all my favorites categories----
Best Book-to-Big Screen Adaptation.
A sensational suspense crime thriller, infused brilliantly with historical significance, mystery, intrigue, sex, passion, racial injustice, war tension, glam of the roaring 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s to the 60s; Prohibition, gangsters, excitement of South Beach, Miami, Paris, New York, Europe, and the diversity of Harlem and Greenwich Village-- jazz clubs, world travels, art, culture, literary, humor, the turbulent South, and numerous obstacles across three generations, two families, and at the heart, the most romantic unforgettable love story.
A perfect novel made for the big screen! Can you imagine the cast? A cross between The Nightingale, The Notebook, Calling Me Home, and the Great Gatsby, with its own individual style and charm. You will laugh and cry.
WOW! I would not change a thing ---- I want a front row seat. So blown away by the talented author; cannot, believe I missed, Comeback Love, and found myself quickly purchasing—cannot wait to read. After what I have read, sounds like another headed for the big screen.
Julian Rose, Jewish—(with the looks of a movie star) came to American in the 1920s, escaping Germany as an immigrant and finds himself working with bootleggers along the East Coast, loyal to the people who helped him get a start. Along the way, he became a successful real estate tycoon in the residential and commercial sector. An intelligent, sharp business man, who wants nothing more than a loving family of his own. Something he never had as a child.
Kendall Wakefield, --African-American, beauty an independent, driven college senior, raised by a single mother, and the founder of an African-American college in South Florida (Yeah, South Florida). Kendall is driven and wants nothing more than to escape the south and move to New York, to become a famous artist. Her mother (late forties) on the other hand, wants her to marry, settle down, and help her with the college so she can take over one day.
When Garland, Kendall’s mom (daughter of a slave) hosts a dinner party for the Julian’s parents. Theodor, (a scholar at the college), coming from Nazi Germany to accept a post as the only white professor at African-American Lovewood College in Florida. Julian travels south to visit his parents. Not a lot of closeness between father and son.
Julian and Kendall meet for the first time. Kendall is enamored with this man. Fireworks! What happens next . . A thirty-year affair which takes the couple across time and place. Kendall is always torn between her strong love of Julian and her own independence and career (carryover from her past generations). She wants nothing to stand in her way. From a struggling artist to an award-winning photographer. A roller-coaster ride and hopefully, second chances.
All the while there is lurking danger, coming at them from both sides. Julian has a past with a number of enemies from his gangster days. From 1938 – 1965 readers experience an array of emotions with a world against these two lovers.
Kendall has the cruel narrow minded south bigots to contend with; their family owns 2,000 acres of land and will stop at anything to attain. Two courageous individuals, both have a past and a strong desire to protect those they love.
The author takes readers on an incredible journey. Historian Golden, not only knows his stuff, he can write like no other. I was mesmerized. There is so much depth to the story with Garland’s father Ezekiel and the land as well as Julian’s past.
Settle in, for an engaging page-turner, which will hook you from the first page to the last, with characters you will remember, long after the book ends. Set aside the time, as worth every moment. Utterly Captivating. . And the Research----Impeccable! From the complex absorbing, multi-generational saga-- at heart a love story of two interracial different people bound together in a world of obstacles, in a compelling World War II era, in the middle of racial unrest.
The author draws you into a world with vivid settings and descriptions with well-developed characters. The diversity, the passion, the heartbreak, loss, joy, sorrow, darkness, light, and reconciliation. After you finish reading you will find yourself going back to the beginning to South Orange, New Jersey in Dec 1965 when the book opens. You will need to re-read the first few chapters again, to tie in with the last, coming full circle.
Of course, loved the parts of my own backyard, South Florida, (love Eden Roc) the travels, art, history, and culture. Oh, the characters: I wanted to kick Kendall (wake up and see you can have both career and family) and her mom, Garland. Fell in love with Julian, Bobby, Eddie, Fiona, Lucinda—they will grab your by the heart strings and never let go! The ending was spectacular. An ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions.
Love the front cover design, drawing you into the mysterious and intriguing Hollywood classical film "noir-look and feel" capturing the essence and mood of this exceptional and unforgettable story. I strong recommend buying this book, like NOW!
Can’t wait to see what the gifted, talented storyteller, Golden has in store, next! Has been added to my favorite author list.
JDCMustReadBooks
January 26, 2016
When I first read the synopsis of Wherever There Is Light, I thought 'great...another book about racism & World War II...NOT my cup of tea.' But that is why I love being a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club...I read books that I would not have considered or possibly even heard of. And, often times, unexpectedly love the book as I did in this case. While reading this book, I could tell that author Peter Golden truly cared for the characters he created, especially Julian & Kendall. The first chapter hooked me & I enjoyed following along the journey these characters took over several decades. I shed many tears, most falling at the end. I found the last line of the book to be the most poignant- "...both of them weeping as if they wished that their tears could conquer time." Can't we all relate to that sentiment at some point in our lives? If you are looking for a well-written book to immerse yourself in, I highly recommend Wherever There Is Light.
December 25, 2015
Where There Is Light
By: Peter Golden
Published By: Simon & Schuster
Copy Courtesy of Netgalley
Reviewed By: tk
You will meet a man by the name Julian. This will be the only simple thought you will have until you reach the last page and close the book.
You are about to embark on a breath taking journey with Julian. It begins around the age of 12 and into his adulthood. A heart wrenching tale of triumph, loss, and acceptance that no ordinary man should have to endure.
Peter Golden is an extremely talented writer. His tale will take your heart and soul along with Julian. It seems at times you have become an actual character walking beside Julian while observing his life from a first person stand point. A winning heart felt story that will haunt you long after your finished. Highly recommended!
5/5
By: Peter Golden
Published By: Simon & Schuster
Copy Courtesy of Netgalley
Reviewed By: tk
You will meet a man by the name Julian. This will be the only simple thought you will have until you reach the last page and close the book.
You are about to embark on a breath taking journey with Julian. It begins around the age of 12 and into his adulthood. A heart wrenching tale of triumph, loss, and acceptance that no ordinary man should have to endure.
Peter Golden is an extremely talented writer. His tale will take your heart and soul along with Julian. It seems at times you have become an actual character walking beside Julian while observing his life from a first person stand point. A winning heart felt story that will haunt you long after your finished. Highly recommended!
5/5
January 28, 2016
Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
A German Jewish businessman and an African-American woman find love in the late 1930s. But because of racism and discrimination, the two find themselves fighting to be together.
The plot had a lot of potential, but The execution didn't fare as well. It wasn't that interesting because the characters seemed the same under their various ethnic backgrounds. The couple seemed to fall in love instantaneously, which I know does happen but they went from acquaintances to lovers without hardly any actual interaction. I made it about a quarter into the book before putting it down.
A German Jewish businessman and an African-American woman find love in the late 1930s. But because of racism and discrimination, the two find themselves fighting to be together.
The plot had a lot of potential, but The execution didn't fare as well. It wasn't that interesting because the characters seemed the same under their various ethnic backgrounds. The couple seemed to fall in love instantaneously, which I know does happen but they went from acquaintances to lovers without hardly any actual interaction. I made it about a quarter into the book before putting it down.
August 20, 2015
Great book. I really enjoyed it.
The characters are richly portrayed and the story is captivating. It covers a lot of ground, both literally and figuratively. Just on geography they move around: Florida, New Jersey, Greenwich Village, Harlem, Paris, and Germany. With ideas it gets into art, music, business, philosophy, war, the Holocaust, race relations, family, love and more.
One warning - there are graphic sex scenes. The author may have gone too far in a couple of spots but I'm not complaining.
The ending was brilliant. You won't believe it.
The characters are richly portrayed and the story is captivating. It covers a lot of ground, both literally and figuratively. Just on geography they move around: Florida, New Jersey, Greenwich Village, Harlem, Paris, and Germany. With ideas it gets into art, music, business, philosophy, war, the Holocaust, race relations, family, love and more.
One warning - there are graphic sex scenes. The author may have gone too far in a couple of spots but I'm not complaining.
The ending was brilliant. You won't believe it.
October 10, 2015
Review to follow...
April 12, 2017
Great book. I really enjoyed it.
The characters are richly portrayed and the story is captivating. It covers a lot of ground, both literally and figuratively. Just on geography they move around: Florida, New Jersey, Greenwich Village, Harlem, Paris, and Germany. With ideas it gets into art, music, business, philosophy, war, the Holocaust, race relations, family, love and more.
One warning - there are graphic sex scenes. The author may have gone too far in a couple of spots but I'm not complaining.
The ending was brilliant. You won't believe it.
The characters are richly portrayed and the story is captivating. It covers a lot of ground, both literally and figuratively. Just on geography they move around: Florida, New Jersey, Greenwich Village, Harlem, Paris, and Germany. With ideas it gets into art, music, business, philosophy, war, the Holocaust, race relations, family, love and more.
One warning - there are graphic sex scenes. The author may have gone too far in a couple of spots but I'm not complaining.
The ending was brilliant. You won't believe it.
May 9, 2018
OK. Here's the premise: A white man (OK he's Teutonic Jewish) falls in love with a black woman in pre WWII America. Smells like BS to me and funnily enough, it reads like it too. The sex scenes read like a plagiarized letter from a Penthouse magazine forum. 1 star for spelling your name correctly.
February 8, 2016
I really enjoyed this book and the characters. I can't imagine what it would of been like as a black woman in the 1930's/40's and wanting to be more than just a "slave" or being owned by someone. Kendell wanted to make a name for herself as a person. Photography became her passion. She was amazing at telling the story of a person or situation through her craft. She falls in love with Julian, a white, Jewish man. Sadly, she can't allow the love that she has for him to complicate or throw her life off track. She fights his love for years. She wont allow him to "control" her (though he never tries to).
I felt so sad for them both. All the years they spent "together" but never together. Julian later marries, has a daughter and tragedy strikes. In the back of his mind (and heart), Kendell still holds a place. One can never turn back the hands of time and I loved the ending quote "Yet as she clung to him, Julian understood that Kendall wept for him and Bobby too - because there was no adequate payment for all that they had lost - and so Julian joined her, their sobs echoing in the garage, both of them weeping as if they wished that their tears could conquer time." What an amazing summary for time and of life.
Can't wait to discuss this with the rest of the Pulpwood Queen's at our monthly meeting!
I felt so sad for them both. All the years they spent "together" but never together. Julian later marries, has a daughter and tragedy strikes. In the back of his mind (and heart), Kendell still holds a place. One can never turn back the hands of time and I loved the ending quote "Yet as she clung to him, Julian understood that Kendall wept for him and Bobby too - because there was no adequate payment for all that they had lost - and so Julian joined her, their sobs echoing in the garage, both of them weeping as if they wished that their tears could conquer time." What an amazing summary for time and of life.
Can't wait to discuss this with the rest of the Pulpwood Queen's at our monthly meeting!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2016
An entertaining read, but one that never seems to fulfill its promise.
The book is a love story between Julian, a Jewish immigrant ex-bootlegger turned real estate developer and Kendall, the independent-minded African American granddaughter of a former slave and founder of an all black college in South Florida.
Starting in the late 30's, and spanning three decades, through WWII, the beginning of the Cold War and the struggle for Civil Rights, the potential for sweeping historical fiction never happens. The story seems to be overlaid onto the time in which it occurs, but never a part of it. A too pat ending comes off as one big cliche.
Again, an entertaining love story, but save this one for the next beach trip.
The book is a love story between Julian, a Jewish immigrant ex-bootlegger turned real estate developer and Kendall, the independent-minded African American granddaughter of a former slave and founder of an all black college in South Florida.
Starting in the late 30's, and spanning three decades, through WWII, the beginning of the Cold War and the struggle for Civil Rights, the potential for sweeping historical fiction never happens. The story seems to be overlaid onto the time in which it occurs, but never a part of it. A too pat ending comes off as one big cliche.
Again, an entertaining love story, but save this one for the next beach trip.
September 24, 2015
Thanks Atria Books and netgalley for this arc.
This is a time stopping, life-changing, perspective expanding book!
It has everything I love about historical fiction. Love, art, life, and sexy heroes and heroines.
I didn't know the history of what was happening in the States at the same time as WWII in Europe, but I feel like I have a changed outlook at the world now. I love how Peter Golden presented us with a brand new look of history in this love story!
This is a time stopping, life-changing, perspective expanding book!
It has everything I love about historical fiction. Love, art, life, and sexy heroes and heroines.
I didn't know the history of what was happening in the States at the same time as WWII in Europe, but I feel like I have a changed outlook at the world now. I love how Peter Golden presented us with a brand new look of history in this love story!
August 17, 2015
A beautifully written book with amazing descriptions that pull you right into Paris and more where you mingle with real life characters out of history. A sexy, honest love story - a tale of two very different people who despite class and racial differences come together to not only find love during difficult times but realize they share surprising family issues. All tied together perfectly for a most satisfying and surprising ending. A must read!
December 2, 2015
This is one of those books I just couldn't seem to get into and unfortunately I abandoned it halfway through. I gave it three stars to give it the benefit of the doubt and because I won it in a Goodreads Giveaway. I admired the history, very well researched, but the story and writing style couldn't hold my interest long enough for me to finish it.
January 29, 2016
Interesting story of two star crossed lovers- one Southern and Black the other a Jew from the Northeast.
Their problems are many- race, and gender roles, family history and parental expectations.
The characters are interesting and layered.
Their problems are many- race, and gender roles, family history and parental expectations.
The characters are interesting and layered.
November 5, 2018
I won this book in Goodreads giveaway a while back but for some reason did not get to it till now. I am glad I finally decided to pick it up. Let me tell you right away- I absolutely did not expect last 30 or so pages of the book. No spoilers, you will have to read it to see what I am talking about. This book is essentially the account of the relationship between two unlikely people - African American woman and Jewish man, with the historical backdrop that in many ways defines their relationship. It’s is not, however, detailed account of the historical events; history is mostly pictured through the experiences of the main characters. These are two extremely lonely people who have seen and experienced too much to just give themselves fully to this relationship. I liked the writing, the characters and the flow of the story. This book kept me awake till late into the night and this is an indicator of a good book to me. So, give it it a try.
July 29, 2018
I enjoyed the writing style of Golden but felt that he was trying to achieve too much in the genre of novel that he decided to write. He has a beautiful way with words which was often lost in the story. His novel crossed so many important historical events and societal changes which he attempted to dip into along the way but which were too weighty for him to do them justice. In the end he wrapped up his book in a dis-satisfyingly gauzy bright bow.
August 26, 2018
I found the facts and stories about the oppression of colored people informative and importand to be remembered. Unfortunately, everything else I was not able to connect with. The characters are half-developed (mainly Julian, who is kind of "wannabe" hero, part Cary Grant, part self-made criminal, part nouveau riche, part tragical, melancholy soul, part noble partisan - and this mix is just not working for me). This book needs a good editor, too.
June 13, 2022
This book felt like 4 books in one. It was too much. I enjoyed the narrative of the first story with Julian & Kendall's budding relationship. Then it jumped into the war narrative. Then the post war narrative then the ending was an entire story unto itself. It seemed like all of these storylines could've been separate books themselves. It was too much packed into one story for me. I just found myself wanting to getting to the end.
July 17, 2022
Really disappointing. It never engaged me...and I gave it 130 pages! It felt very stilted and disconnected at first. I wish the author had put more effort into character development and maybe dialogue than he did into crafting very descriptive and improbable sex scenes. This book seems to suffer from an identity crisis. There's a lot going on, but the writing just feels like it skims the surface of it all.
February 8, 2023
Wherever There is Light spans 40 years starting in the 30’s. Laying bare the racism of the times, star crossed lovers, Julian and Kendall fight against a society that categorizes people by their ethnicity and religion. The hierarchy is clear - but rules are cast aside, misunderstandings create division, hearts are broken. A broad cast of characters populate this engaging novel.
February 17, 2024
This book covered topics that were hard to read about, segretation, racism, jim crow... was a painful read. As a jew who is interested in other cultures and anti racism, it was an interesting crossover between my culture and theirs. It was educational about a painful time in history. It was a good book with a satisfying ending, but only giving it a 4 because it was a painful read.
December 21, 2017
This book is probably more like a 3.5. I liked it, but after just finishing The Lost Wife, which I loved, it was unfortunately what I was comparing it too. Nevertheless it was a beautiful story of a love that survived unimaginable times that never faltered over the decades.
February 6, 2018
I gave myself 100 pages and then I stopped. there were too many themes: gangsters, race, love, religion, art, war, Paris, NYC, FL, education, sex, history, etc. Some of the characters are too extreme to be credible. Supposedly historical fiction.
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July 24, 2019I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it to my local library.
October 14, 2019
Yea, this just didn’t do it for me. I think the book struggled to find its genre. Romance? War story? Intrigue? Idk- it had lots of nice words, likable characters but overall, was just.... confusing. Why was Kendall the way she was? What was the end? Blech- just a lackluster book overall.
November 15, 2019
After reading Warlight, I found this book a bit light. It was a good story of racism in the 1930's, but I wouldn't call it fine literature. The author did a good job with the characters and various settings - New Jersey, New York City, South Florida.
March 3, 2024
Another excellent read put out at my library for Black History month. The racism in the Deep South was and is real and Golden paints that picture accurately. Tied in with WWII atrocities by the Nazis and the mob ties in Jersey—very well done.
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