An Accident of Love

by Mary Ellin Barrett

In post-war 1940's New York, a smart Jewish girl meets a rich, handsome Wasp boy and they fall madly in love.

251 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[L.a. Presas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book 30+ years ago when a friend gave me a copy. It's perfect for a rainy afternoon because it's a very quick read but don't be fooled by that. It's a very engaging story that begins in postwar New York in the late 40's. Susannah Rosoff, a bright Jewish girl trying to make a name for herself in the literary world using the name Susan Rose, and Mike Browne, the WASP scion of a wealthy family meet at a wedding and fall madly in love. They face the inevitable resistance from both their family and friends but nothing can stand in the way of their love, not even their obvious differences. They live an exciting and tumultuous life and become a celebrated "it" couple but there are problems.
This story has everything; improbable love, money, jealousy, conflict and conspiracy with a surprising resolution.
I lost my copy of the book years ago but I never forgot it and was so pleased to find it again. It was just as I remembered and, for one rainy afternoon, I was in 1946 New York, the center of the world, rubbing elbows with the rich and famous, and what an afternoon it was!

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Times have changed. This book is about a femme fatale who might have been described as passionate and tempestuous, but she comes off as melodramatic, even histrionic. Her poor husband comes off as a sap.

[Alice Bellan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libro carino e scorrevole. La storia è particolare ma la ho apprezzata, non è per tutti però comunque è diversa dal solito