What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fortunate Ones
One very special work of art—a Chaim Soutine painting—will 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 Zimmer’s 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 father’s 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 father’s 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.
It is 1939 in Vienna, and as the specter of war darkens Europe, Rose Zimmer’s 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 father’s 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 father’s 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.
324 pages, Hardcover
First published February 14, 2017
310 people are currently reading
5841 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Umansky
3 books47 followersEllen Umansky has published fiction and nonfiction in a variety of venues, including the New York Times, Salon, Playboy, and the short-story anthologies Lost Tribe: Jewish Fiction from the Edge and Sleepaway: Writings on Summer Camp. She has worked in the editorial departments of several publications, including the Forward, Tablet, and The New Yorker. She grew up in Los Angeles, and lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two daughters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 328 reviews
February 7, 2017
The Fortunate Ones was a very different book than I thought I was going to be reading. I love art and art mysteries so I was geared up to read that type of book. Instead, The Fortunate Ones is more a tale of loss, family bonds, and betrayal with a side story about a painting. While it was not what I was initially hoping for, I did like the book and felt that it was both entertaining and well-written.
The story takes place in two time periods, Europe in the 1930’s and 1940’s and Los Angeles in the 2000’s. I much preferred the story involving Rose Zimmer in the 1930’s and 1940’s. As her story begins, Rose and her brother Gerhard are living in Austria with her parents. They are Jewish, and Hitler is preparing to annex Austria. Her forward-thinking parents secure passage for their children to England on a kindertransport to save them from Hitler’s reign. After the war is over, Rose spends years trying to determine what happened to her parents and their belongings, particularly her mother’s favorite painting, The Bellhop. The second story takes place in Los Angeles in the 2000’s. Lizzie Goldstein has returned home for her father’s funeral. At the funeral, she meets Rose who now lives in L.A. Years previously, The Bellhop was purchased by Lizzie’s dad and subsequently stolen on Lizzie’s watch. Lizzie and Rose develop a friendship that leads Lizzie to discover devastating secrets about her family. Lizzie is a tough character to like; she is very needy and insecure. As her friendship with Rose blossoms, Lizzie becomes somewhat more likeable, but I felt generally like she detracted from the second story line.
Ellen Umansky’s portrayal of Rose’s experience after the war and finally learning what terrible ends so many European Jews including her parents met was very powerful. While any reader today already knows the horrific things that happened to so many Jewish people at the hands of Hitler and his thugs, the author very effectively conveyed how it would have unfolded for Rose and many others as they slowly and painfully learned what happened to their family members and friends. This part of the story has stayed with me – I am still thinking about how truly unbelievable it must have been to learn that about the unthinkable and tragic treatment and abuse of relatives and friends.
I enjoyed reading The Fortunate Ones. Thanks to LibraryThing for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story takes place in two time periods, Europe in the 1930’s and 1940’s and Los Angeles in the 2000’s. I much preferred the story involving Rose Zimmer in the 1930’s and 1940’s. As her story begins, Rose and her brother Gerhard are living in Austria with her parents. They are Jewish, and Hitler is preparing to annex Austria. Her forward-thinking parents secure passage for their children to England on a kindertransport to save them from Hitler’s reign. After the war is over, Rose spends years trying to determine what happened to her parents and their belongings, particularly her mother’s favorite painting, The Bellhop. The second story takes place in Los Angeles in the 2000’s. Lizzie Goldstein has returned home for her father’s funeral. At the funeral, she meets Rose who now lives in L.A. Years previously, The Bellhop was purchased by Lizzie’s dad and subsequently stolen on Lizzie’s watch. Lizzie and Rose develop a friendship that leads Lizzie to discover devastating secrets about her family. Lizzie is a tough character to like; she is very needy and insecure. As her friendship with Rose blossoms, Lizzie becomes somewhat more likeable, but I felt generally like she detracted from the second story line.
Ellen Umansky’s portrayal of Rose’s experience after the war and finally learning what terrible ends so many European Jews including her parents met was very powerful. While any reader today already knows the horrific things that happened to so many Jewish people at the hands of Hitler and his thugs, the author very effectively conveyed how it would have unfolded for Rose and many others as they slowly and painfully learned what happened to their family members and friends. This part of the story has stayed with me – I am still thinking about how truly unbelievable it must have been to learn that about the unthinkable and tragic treatment and abuse of relatives and friends.
I enjoyed reading The Fortunate Ones. Thanks to LibraryThing for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2017
3.5 review to follow.
November 16, 2021
Dual timeline story about two women with ties to the same famous painting. In 1939, with war looming in Europe, Rose Zimmer and her brother, Gerhard, are sent by their parents from Austria to England on Kindertransport. Rose retains memories of the painting, The Bellhop by Chaim Soutine, hanging in her mother’s bedroom. The second timeline is set in Los Angeles in 2000’s. Lizzie Goldstein is attending her father’s funeral, where she meets Rose, and the two form a friendship. Lizzie’s father had later owned the same painting, and it had been stolen. We gradually learn the backstories of both characters as well as what happened to the painting.
The chapters alternate between World War II times and present-day. While the painting is the common link between the two stories, it is much more focused on the lives of the characters. Rose’s story is one of devastating loss, and how the painting becomes the focus of finding a link to her past. Lizzie’s story cannot possibly equal Rose’s, but the two are blended well.
I liked the premise of this book in tying together two stories to a piece of art that had been stolen more than once. It takes a while to get the groundwork established, and the second half is much more compelling than the first. This book is quiet and reflective. The poignant scenes of separation and loss are well done and believable. It contains an emotional depth of feeling, especially in bringing to life the gut-wrenching decision to send your children away without knowing what would happen to them. It is a strong debut.
The chapters alternate between World War II times and present-day. While the painting is the common link between the two stories, it is much more focused on the lives of the characters. Rose’s story is one of devastating loss, and how the painting becomes the focus of finding a link to her past. Lizzie’s story cannot possibly equal Rose’s, but the two are blended well.
I liked the premise of this book in tying together two stories to a piece of art that had been stolen more than once. It takes a while to get the groundwork established, and the second half is much more compelling than the first. This book is quiet and reflective. The poignant scenes of separation and loss are well done and believable. It contains an emotional depth of feeling, especially in bringing to life the gut-wrenching decision to send your children away without knowing what would happen to them. It is a strong debut.
February 27, 2017
I disliked the modern part of the book. I did not really like any of the characters and felt no great desire to know them better. I didn't like how the author very very briefly alluded to why the Bellhop painting meant so much to Rose's mother. I understood Rose's intensity about it and what to stood for but was interested in finding out her mother's intensity for it.
August 30, 2017
This book for me has been a challenge to follow the story line. Descriptions from pre war times in Vienna to life in Los Angeles over the years after the war isn't the challenge. I am finding it distracting to read about reminiscent thoughts frequently interjected in present day scenerios such that it is easy to lose track of where you are in the story. There are times parents are called by their first names by the children, and other times Papi and Mutti for example. To be honest I got to page 100 and had to essentially restart the book to get relationships sorted out, and how the story comes together.
BUT, with all my moaning and groaning I AM enjoying the story and following the mystery of the lost artwork.
Well the pace picked up, and who "the fortunate ones" really were became clearer. Once a life path has been followed how many of us wonder...what if??? However if one would take the time to reflect, recognize and acknowledge...could we be a more empathetic society?
BUT, with all my moaning and groaning I AM enjoying the story and following the mystery of the lost artwork.
Well the pace picked up, and who "the fortunate ones" really were became clearer. Once a life path has been followed how many of us wonder...what if??? However if one would take the time to reflect, recognize and acknowledge...could we be a more empathetic society?
February 10, 2017
This book tells the story of the Zimmer family, a Jewish family living in Vienna in the late 1930’s, and the parents’ decision to send little Rose and her brother to England on a kinder transport to keep them safe from the oncoming war. The children are devastated to be sent off to different households in England. They are told that it will only be for six months but of course the horrendous war lasts much longer.
The Zimmer family possess a valuable painting by Chaim Soutere of a bellhop, which the mother has a particular love of. After the war when Rose is trying to deal with the grievous losses she has endured, she fixates on trying to find the painting and other family belongings that were lost or stolen by the Nazis.
The missing painting finds its way to the Goldstein family in America. However, the painting is subsequently stolen during a party thrown by teenager Lizzie. Lizzie carries the guilt of that theft and likewise is searching for the painting. The loss and search for this painting forge a friendship between Lizzie and Rose and reveal painful family secrets.
This is a haunting and unforgettable story of loss, love and forgiveness and the “fortunate ones” who survived the war but bear the scars. Recommended.
This book was given to me by the publisher through Edelweiss in return for an honest review.
The Zimmer family possess a valuable painting by Chaim Soutere of a bellhop, which the mother has a particular love of. After the war when Rose is trying to deal with the grievous losses she has endured, she fixates on trying to find the painting and other family belongings that were lost or stolen by the Nazis.
The missing painting finds its way to the Goldstein family in America. However, the painting is subsequently stolen during a party thrown by teenager Lizzie. Lizzie carries the guilt of that theft and likewise is searching for the painting. The loss and search for this painting forge a friendship between Lizzie and Rose and reveal painful family secrets.
This is a haunting and unforgettable story of loss, love and forgiveness and the “fortunate ones” who survived the war but bear the scars. Recommended.
This book was given to me by the publisher through Edelweiss in return for an honest review.
June 10, 2018
I had such high hopes for this one, part historical fiction and part contemporary two of my favorite genre and a story following two women journey's in two different timelines, I couldn't hope for me but the story was such an average one that couldn't hook me in or hold me captive.
The Fortunate Ones is another forgettable read that I'm probably going to forget about minutes after writing this. Harsh, I know but it's the absolute truth.
Full review now posted
It’s always painful writing a review for a book you thought you’re going to love but you ended up not even liking it, that’s what happened with the fortunate ones and I can’t even specify the reasons that made me so lukewarm towards the book because in truth and objectively speaking, this is a book that can interest a lot of people out there. I sure as hell though it was up my alley but when I reached that final page, all I felt was relief that it was over.
The fortunate ones is a book that blends two genres together in an effortless way (contemporary and historical fiction) while following the lives of two different women, Rose Zimmer in Europe between the thirties and the forties and Lizzie Goldstein in Los Angelos 2005 while connecting them through a Chaim Soutine painting that represented a very important thing in both their lives.
I’m always a fan of books with many timelines but it has to be well done that I care and be invested and fascinated by all of those time periods. Unfortunately with this book I felt complete disconnect with one character while being mildly interested in the other. Not feeling strong feelings or connections with the main characters of the book you’re reading doesn’t bode well for the experience as a whole, me thinks and that’s why I’ll find myself skipping through Lizzie Goldstein’s chapters more that Rose’s. Yup, I’ve skipped some pages with this book, Guilty as charged but I just couldn’t handle it at times, I was struggling so much through it and every time I picked it up I have to give myself some motivating speech as to why I have to finish the book.
I lost counts of how many times I wanted to DNF it but as I said I was kind of interested in Rose’s journey as a Jewish girl living the horror of world war two and that’s why I couldn’t give up on the book, as for Lizzie, I felt disconnected to her story even though I always feel drawn to stories depicting how people deal with loss and grief but for some reason, I felt like there’s a wall between me and her as a character. I tried to open up to her more but I just didn’t care.
Maybe because her story was done in many other books in ore engaging and authentic ways that it felt lacking for me or maybe the fact that at the end of the day, Lizzie story was just Lizzie story but Rose story was the story of a very important period of time of history and the story of many other people who went through the same thing, the fear of death, the loss of a home and the discrimination against the Jewish people.
The writing style didn’t help matters either, I felt like it was not suited for the themes the story is exploring, I just needed more from it and it didn’t deliver as it should. Me not liking the writing style distanced me more from the story and made not enjoy the experience of being in these people’s lives. But to be fair, the way we feel about the writing is something extremely personnel so don’t take my word for it, it could be exactly what you do like. And if I’m being completely honest about the whole thing, I feel like I ruined the experience for me a little bit, having those extremely high expectations made me impossible to satisfy and it all backfired at the end. What can I do? every time I tell myself not to get my hopes up and every time I fail.
Just to conclude, I’d really recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction, that part was done well at least and I’d like to say don’t let my thoughts discourage from reading this book, I still think it can resonate well with many other people.
The Fortunate Ones is another forgettable read that I'm probably going to forget about minutes after writing this. Harsh, I know but it's the absolute truth.
Full review now posted
It’s always painful writing a review for a book you thought you’re going to love but you ended up not even liking it, that’s what happened with the fortunate ones and I can’t even specify the reasons that made me so lukewarm towards the book because in truth and objectively speaking, this is a book that can interest a lot of people out there. I sure as hell though it was up my alley but when I reached that final page, all I felt was relief that it was over.
The fortunate ones is a book that blends two genres together in an effortless way (contemporary and historical fiction) while following the lives of two different women, Rose Zimmer in Europe between the thirties and the forties and Lizzie Goldstein in Los Angelos 2005 while connecting them through a Chaim Soutine painting that represented a very important thing in both their lives.
It was a time when fear and frustration and doubt still commingled with the slightest leavening, the most tenuous and fragile hope, of possibility, that all this might one day recede safely into the past
I’m always a fan of books with many timelines but it has to be well done that I care and be invested and fascinated by all of those time periods. Unfortunately with this book I felt complete disconnect with one character while being mildly interested in the other. Not feeling strong feelings or connections with the main characters of the book you’re reading doesn’t bode well for the experience as a whole, me thinks and that’s why I’ll find myself skipping through Lizzie Goldstein’s chapters more that Rose’s. Yup, I’ve skipped some pages with this book, Guilty as charged but I just couldn’t handle it at times, I was struggling so much through it and every time I picked it up I have to give myself some motivating speech as to why I have to finish the book.
I lost counts of how many times I wanted to DNF it but as I said I was kind of interested in Rose’s journey as a Jewish girl living the horror of world war two and that’s why I couldn’t give up on the book, as for Lizzie, I felt disconnected to her story even though I always feel drawn to stories depicting how people deal with loss and grief but for some reason, I felt like there’s a wall between me and her as a character. I tried to open up to her more but I just didn’t care.
In school, Rose and her Jewish classmates were moved to the back of the room, six of them occupying the last row, separated from the Christian students by two empty rows. They were a world apart now, the Jewish students.
Maybe because her story was done in many other books in ore engaging and authentic ways that it felt lacking for me or maybe the fact that at the end of the day, Lizzie story was just Lizzie story but Rose story was the story of a very important period of time of history and the story of many other people who went through the same thing, the fear of death, the loss of a home and the discrimination against the Jewish people.
The writing style didn’t help matters either, I felt like it was not suited for the themes the story is exploring, I just needed more from it and it didn’t deliver as it should. Me not liking the writing style distanced me more from the story and made not enjoy the experience of being in these people’s lives. But to be fair, the way we feel about the writing is something extremely personnel so don’t take my word for it, it could be exactly what you do like. And if I’m being completely honest about the whole thing, I feel like I ruined the experience for me a little bit, having those extremely high expectations made me impossible to satisfy and it all backfired at the end. What can I do? every time I tell myself not to get my hopes up and every time I fail.
Just to conclude, I’d really recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction, that part was done well at least and I’d like to say don’t let my thoughts discourage from reading this book, I still think it can resonate well with many other people.
February 19, 2017
The story follows two women, Rose in Vienna in the 1930s/1940s, and Lizzie in Los Angeles in the early 2000s. What brings them together is a painting by the Jewish painter, Chaim Soutine. The painting graced the walls of both of their families at different periods of time, but they both lost the painting through varying events.
The story itself, with the painting, and even aspects of their individual lives, are interesting, though there's a strange fixation on fertility that touches each character at least once and I'm not sure I understood that or how it related to the story.
Overall a decent read. The blurb from the publisher says that this is perfect for fans of Orphan Train, The Art Forger, or Sarah's Key. Strangely, I've not read any of those so cannot comment on that connection, but would assume the publisher is probably right about that.
Official review here.
This book was sent to me from the publisher for review.
The story itself, with the painting, and even aspects of their individual lives, are interesting, though there's a strange fixation on fertility that touches each character at least once and I'm not sure I understood that or how it related to the story.
Overall a decent read. The blurb from the publisher says that this is perfect for fans of Orphan Train, The Art Forger, or Sarah's Key. Strangely, I've not read any of those so cannot comment on that connection, but would assume the publisher is probably right about that.
Official review here.
This book was sent to me from the publisher for review.
January 3, 2017
eh, didn't really work for me. had trouble getting into and staying with it, and overall, just an average read.
August 11, 2016
The Bellhop. A painting which hung in Rosa's home, first in her father's study, and then which her mother, on her deathbed, longed to see. The painting had been purchased by Rosa's Mutti during a trip to Paris, and was confiscated by the Nazis in WWII Vienna.
Years later, Lizzie Goldstein's father bought The Bellhop, the seller unaware of its value. Again, it disappears in a robbery of the family home.
A half a century later, Lizzie and Rose meet, and soon discover their shared love of this missing painting. For both of them, the Bellhop has emotional and sentimental value, and this cements their friendship. Years pass as we enter the lives of these two incredible women.
If this were a movie, I think I would call it a "tear jerker", but since it is a most incredible novel, I think I shall call it heart wrenching and unforgettable. Ellen Umansky is a mistress of the written word, pulling the reader into occupied Vienna where parents, with love, put their children on trains to London hoping to save their lives. Through her artistry, we feel the loss of a miscarriage and the wonder of the teacher/pupil relationship.
Are Rose and her brother, Gerhard, who escaped Austria but never saw their parents again, the "fortunate ones"?
I read this marvelous DEBUT novel courtesy of Edelweiss and Harper Collins. pub date 02/14/17
Years later, Lizzie Goldstein's father bought The Bellhop, the seller unaware of its value. Again, it disappears in a robbery of the family home.
A half a century later, Lizzie and Rose meet, and soon discover their shared love of this missing painting. For both of them, the Bellhop has emotional and sentimental value, and this cements their friendship. Years pass as we enter the lives of these two incredible women.
If this were a movie, I think I would call it a "tear jerker", but since it is a most incredible novel, I think I shall call it heart wrenching and unforgettable. Ellen Umansky is a mistress of the written word, pulling the reader into occupied Vienna where parents, with love, put their children on trains to London hoping to save their lives. Through her artistry, we feel the loss of a miscarriage and the wonder of the teacher/pupil relationship.
Are Rose and her brother, Gerhard, who escaped Austria but never saw their parents again, the "fortunate ones"?
I read this marvelous DEBUT novel courtesy of Edelweiss and Harper Collins. pub date 02/14/17
June 18, 2018
I had noticed this book last year and thought it would be a good fit for my book club, as we enjoy reading historical fiction or books about Judaism. This one has both elements. I will admit that if it hadn't been chosen for book club, it might have taken me even longer to pick up. When I did finally pick it up, it took some time to get into, as there were parts that dragged a bit before they picked up mid-story. Some of this is attributed to pronoun switches within a paragraph. I had to re-read paragraphs and several times to figure out that they were talking about the same person. (Ex. Lizzie's dad would be referred to as her father, or Joseph, or Mr. Goldstein and it would switch around within the same paragraph.)
What I liked about this novel were the Jewish references. I could definitely identify with those. It wasn't an overwhelming amount, but enough to give a sense of the characters' identities as they related to being Jewish. I liked that Rose and Lizzie were able to connect early into the story and how it went back and forth between their lives, with Rose's timeline stretching out the most. It was an interesting story overall and even had some surprises thrown in.
I'm sure there will be plenty to discuss with my book club, as the story had a lot of substance to it, especially with the painting at the center, to serve as symbolism.
Movie casting suggestions:
Lizzie: Lake Bell
Rose (past): Ella Purnell
Rose (present): Dana Ivey
Sarah: Alison Brie
Max: Evan Handler
Thomas (past): Charlie Heaton
What I liked about this novel were the Jewish references. I could definitely identify with those. It wasn't an overwhelming amount, but enough to give a sense of the characters' identities as they related to being Jewish. I liked that Rose and Lizzie were able to connect early into the story and how it went back and forth between their lives, with Rose's timeline stretching out the most. It was an interesting story overall and even had some surprises thrown in.
I'm sure there will be plenty to discuss with my book club, as the story had a lot of substance to it, especially with the painting at the center, to serve as symbolism.
Movie casting suggestions:
Lizzie: Lake Bell
Rose (past): Ella Purnell
Rose (present): Dana Ivey
Sarah: Alison Brie
Max: Evan Handler
Thomas (past): Charlie Heaton
August 28, 2023
Era da un po sulla lista, ma non l’ho molto apprezzato.
Unica nota positiva: la doppia storia passato-presente.
Finale un po scontato.
Unica nota positiva: la doppia storia passato-presente.
Finale un po scontato.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2016
I received an uncorrected proof copy of this novel as a giveaway on Goodreads.
As the war threatens Vienna in 1939, Rose Zimmer's parents make the difficult decision to send her and her older brother to safety in England. After the war, alone and attempting to build a life in the rubble of war, Rose finds herself seeking out one memento of her childhood, a painting of a bellhop by Chaim Soutine that her mother had loved. Many years later, in modern-day Los Angeles, Lizzie Goldstein is adrift after the death of her father and lingering guilt over her part in the theft of the Soutine painting that her father had in his home. Lizzie and Rose form an unlikely connection over both having experienced the loss of the same painting and as they both unravel their grief, loss, and conflicting emotions over their turbulent pasts.
I found the concept of the two characters united over the same work of art an intriguing premise, however, I never found the relationship between Rose and Lizzie believable. Rose is prickly at best, responding to Lizzie's comments curtly, such as when Lizzie comments that Rose received her letter and Rose responds, "Yes, you sent it, and I received it. That's the way the postal system works" (61). There's little evidence that the two had much in common or really enjoyed speaking to one another so their multiple interactions seemed difficult to believe. Additionally, although much time had elapsed, I had a hard time connecting the snarky, snippy older version of Rose with the wounded, introverted youthful Rose. Similarly, despite the constant description of how Lizzie had to be the responsible older sister and helped raise her younger sister, she comes across as the disorganized, fly by the seat of her pants daughter, who continually exasperates her sister with her whims and unexpected reversals. In short, there seemed to be inconsistencies in characterization.
Furthermore, the author's attempt to equate the experiences of the two women felt inherently flawed. Rose narrowly escaped dying during the Holocaust, lost nearly all of her family, and was left without any material possessions or a home to return to. Lizzie did lose her father and is recovering from a break-up (of which she is the guilty party) and the painting was stolen during a house party that she threw as a teenager. Yes, they are united over the loss of the painting and loss of family members, but their stories hardly seem truly equitable. The author attempts to assert that Lizzie grows as a result of her interaction with Rose, yet I felt like Rose's involvement was rather incidental to Lizzie's path to finding her place in the world.
Told in alternating time periods, this is told in well written prose and convincing historical detail. I did love the extremely relevant storyline of connecting two women through a work of art and depicting two very different tales of two women struggling to find their place and meaning in the world and overcome difficult pasts.
As the war threatens Vienna in 1939, Rose Zimmer's parents make the difficult decision to send her and her older brother to safety in England. After the war, alone and attempting to build a life in the rubble of war, Rose finds herself seeking out one memento of her childhood, a painting of a bellhop by Chaim Soutine that her mother had loved. Many years later, in modern-day Los Angeles, Lizzie Goldstein is adrift after the death of her father and lingering guilt over her part in the theft of the Soutine painting that her father had in his home. Lizzie and Rose form an unlikely connection over both having experienced the loss of the same painting and as they both unravel their grief, loss, and conflicting emotions over their turbulent pasts.
I found the concept of the two characters united over the same work of art an intriguing premise, however, I never found the relationship between Rose and Lizzie believable. Rose is prickly at best, responding to Lizzie's comments curtly, such as when Lizzie comments that Rose received her letter and Rose responds, "Yes, you sent it, and I received it. That's the way the postal system works" (61). There's little evidence that the two had much in common or really enjoyed speaking to one another so their multiple interactions seemed difficult to believe. Additionally, although much time had elapsed, I had a hard time connecting the snarky, snippy older version of Rose with the wounded, introverted youthful Rose. Similarly, despite the constant description of how Lizzie had to be the responsible older sister and helped raise her younger sister, she comes across as the disorganized, fly by the seat of her pants daughter, who continually exasperates her sister with her whims and unexpected reversals. In short, there seemed to be inconsistencies in characterization.
Furthermore, the author's attempt to equate the experiences of the two women felt inherently flawed. Rose narrowly escaped dying during the Holocaust, lost nearly all of her family, and was left without any material possessions or a home to return to. Lizzie did lose her father and is recovering from a break-up (of which she is the guilty party) and the painting was stolen during a house party that she threw as a teenager. Yes, they are united over the loss of the painting and loss of family members, but their stories hardly seem truly equitable. The author attempts to assert that Lizzie grows as a result of her interaction with Rose, yet I felt like Rose's involvement was rather incidental to Lizzie's path to finding her place in the world.
Told in alternating time periods, this is told in well written prose and convincing historical detail. I did love the extremely relevant storyline of connecting two women through a work of art and depicting two very different tales of two women struggling to find their place and meaning in the world and overcome difficult pasts.
March 21, 2017
Fighting a stomach bug: will post a review in a few days!
April 1, 2017
The Fortunate Ones by Ellen Umansky is an historical novel weaving past and present through the lives of two women and a shared passion for locating a portrait painted by Chaim Soutine. Rose Zimmer and her brother Gerhard are the children in an affluent Jewish family growing up in Vienna when the Nazis invade Austria. After their parents fail to obtain visas for leaving they, like many other desperate parents, secure passage for their children on the Kindertransport to England. Their parting gifts to the children are a scarf (for Rose) and a diary (for Gerhard), along with promises that they will be together soon. Of course, the longed for reunion never materializes and the children grow up and forge lives for themselves in England. Somehow, as Rose grows up and learns that she will never see her parents again, she becomes fixated on the much loved Soutine painting, The Bellhop, which was her mother's source of love and comfort, especially during difficult times. When it becomes known that the Nazis had stolen many works of art, Rose becomes obsessed with finding the elusive painting, a quest that marks the rest of her life, even when she marries and moves to the United States.
Fast forward to the life of Lizzie Goldstein, in 2005. Her father has just been killed in a car accident and Lizzie finds herself reliving her difficult childhood, especially the years after her mother's death when she and her sister were uprooted to live with her dad in California. Somehow, the Soustine painting had been part of her father's home but circumstances surrounding Lizzie's unsupervised teenage party led to its disappearance. Knowing how important the painting had been to her father, Lizzie blamed herself for many years, especially when she met and came to know Rose Downes. Soon she also became concerned with finding the portrait, and her search leads her through difficult twists and discoveries about people and family members.
This was an interesting book with a different type of slant regarding history. I have to admit I was more engrossed with Rose's story and it was easier to understand how she developed a protective shell which hindered her ability to overcome her challenges and fully embrace happiness with her husband and family. I had a more difficult time empathizing with Lizzie even though she too faced many challenges along the way. However the final chapters were quite enthralling and wrapped all the unanswered questions very neatly. A very good read for fans of Holocaust literature and also some mystery.
Fast forward to the life of Lizzie Goldstein, in 2005. Her father has just been killed in a car accident and Lizzie finds herself reliving her difficult childhood, especially the years after her mother's death when she and her sister were uprooted to live with her dad in California. Somehow, the Soustine painting had been part of her father's home but circumstances surrounding Lizzie's unsupervised teenage party led to its disappearance. Knowing how important the painting had been to her father, Lizzie blamed herself for many years, especially when she met and came to know Rose Downes. Soon she also became concerned with finding the portrait, and her search leads her through difficult twists and discoveries about people and family members.
This was an interesting book with a different type of slant regarding history. I have to admit I was more engrossed with Rose's story and it was easier to understand how she developed a protective shell which hindered her ability to overcome her challenges and fully embrace happiness with her husband and family. I had a more difficult time empathizing with Lizzie even though she too faced many challenges along the way. However the final chapters were quite enthralling and wrapped all the unanswered questions very neatly. A very good read for fans of Holocaust literature and also some mystery.
February 19, 2021
The story line had potential but the writing was clumsy and the author often contradicted herself. Most of the characters were unlikeable. I only stuck it out to find out what happened to the painting. Glad it’s over.
April 7, 2017
The Fortunate Ones is a riveting debut novel by Ellen Umansky. The story moves from World War II Vienna to contemporary Los Angeles. The core of Umansky’s plot is a beautiful painting that is looted during the war. Eleven-year-old Rose Zimmer is forced to leave her parents behind in 1939 Vienna when they put her on a kindertransport to live with strangers in England. Her life is saved, but her parents do not survive the war. Rose is filled with grief and guilt. As she tries to build a life for herself in London Rose is desperate to find a missing piece of her childhood. She diligently searches for the Chaim Soutine painting, The Bellhop, that her mother owned and loved. Rose marries and moves to Los Angeles, but she never gives up hope of being reunited with The Bellhop. Lizzie Goldstein is thirteen when she arrives in Los Angeles in 1982 to live with her father following her mother’s death. She sees The Bellhop hanging in her new home and its allure gradually eases her loneliness. Five years later the painting is stolen from the home and never recovered. Lizzie believes she is responsible for the theft and she cannot assuage her guilt. When Rose and Lizzie meet in 2005 they instantly bond. Their friendship forms the key that will unlock long held secrets. The Fortunate Ones is much more then a tale of lost art. It is a remarkable story of perseverance combined with fascinating characters. Umansky’s clear prose and suspenseful plot will definitely make her readers feel that they are
March 28, 2017
The Fortunate Ones was at first glance about a famed, twice stolen piece of art, and the connections it brings throughout the generations. I can assure you that in reading this book; you’ll be drawn into the past and the present with a story about forgiveness, guilt, secrets, lies, love, survival, family ties and friendship. It’s a multi-layered story in a short 324 pages.
The artwork stolen in this novel, by master artist Chaim Soutine, is fictional. Yet this piece of art is the catalyst that brings the cast of characters together. Two women, separated by generations had the image of this piece of art, the fictionalized Bell Hop, as a memory that connects them to their home and most importantly their mothers’. When these two meet, a unique and unlikely friendship emerges. It’s cathartic and warm until secrets begin to undermine their relationship.
This book offers us a bit of Vienna and London before, during and after the war. This is not a full on Holocaust novel but there is a crucial storyline that surrounds it that becomes the backbone of the book. I’ve seen a few negative reviews citing that this novel really isn’t about WW2 and/or the Holocaust. I’d counter that these reviewers are right; it's about so much more than that. The Holocaust is just one part of the book.
As I read more and more books that uncover secrets after someone has died, it just unnerves me. I believe this happens in real life as much as it does in fiction so why oh why do people leave things unsettled or unfinished? What a burden that leaves on the surviving family- albeit it makes for good fiction as it did in this novel. I look forward to reading more from this author.
For more like this visit www.goodbookfairy.com
The artwork stolen in this novel, by master artist Chaim Soutine, is fictional. Yet this piece of art is the catalyst that brings the cast of characters together. Two women, separated by generations had the image of this piece of art, the fictionalized Bell Hop, as a memory that connects them to their home and most importantly their mothers’. When these two meet, a unique and unlikely friendship emerges. It’s cathartic and warm until secrets begin to undermine their relationship.
This book offers us a bit of Vienna and London before, during and after the war. This is not a full on Holocaust novel but there is a crucial storyline that surrounds it that becomes the backbone of the book. I’ve seen a few negative reviews citing that this novel really isn’t about WW2 and/or the Holocaust. I’d counter that these reviewers are right; it's about so much more than that. The Holocaust is just one part of the book.
As I read more and more books that uncover secrets after someone has died, it just unnerves me. I believe this happens in real life as much as it does in fiction so why oh why do people leave things unsettled or unfinished? What a burden that leaves on the surviving family- albeit it makes for good fiction as it did in this novel. I look forward to reading more from this author.
For more like this visit www.goodbookfairy.com
March 22, 2017
Non ci siamo proprio.
Dunque, la storia riguarda principalmente due donne, Lizzie e Rose, che hanno vissuto due vite completamente diverse.
Rose, che era una bambina allo scoppio della seconda guerra mondiale, è stata costretta a subire gli orrori di quel periodo tremendo.
Lizzie, invece, ha appena perso il padre e cerca di sopravvivere in una vita che, in realtà, non la soddisfa.
In comune hanno un pensiero "fisso": un quadro di Soutine, "Il Fattorino", che apparteneva alla famiglia di Rose prima della guerra e che, dopo vari giri, è stato comprato dal padre di Lizzie. PEccato che il quadro sia stato rubato anni prima e che non si sa dove sia.
Ora, fin qui tutto okay, i presupposti del romanzo buono c'erano tutti, ma non mi ha per nulla entusiasmata. Ho trovato lo stile di narrazione alquanto lento e trascinato e, soprattutto non ho sopportato per nulla nè Lizzie nè Rose.
Non mi ha presa, non avevo nemmeno la curiosità di sapere chi avesse rubato il quadro e come si sarebbe conclusa la storia.
Per me è no.
Dunque, la storia riguarda principalmente due donne, Lizzie e Rose, che hanno vissuto due vite completamente diverse.
Rose, che era una bambina allo scoppio della seconda guerra mondiale, è stata costretta a subire gli orrori di quel periodo tremendo.
Lizzie, invece, ha appena perso il padre e cerca di sopravvivere in una vita che, in realtà, non la soddisfa.
In comune hanno un pensiero "fisso": un quadro di Soutine, "Il Fattorino", che apparteneva alla famiglia di Rose prima della guerra e che, dopo vari giri, è stato comprato dal padre di Lizzie. PEccato che il quadro sia stato rubato anni prima e che non si sa dove sia.
Ora, fin qui tutto okay, i presupposti del romanzo buono c'erano tutti, ma non mi ha per nulla entusiasmata. Ho trovato lo stile di narrazione alquanto lento e trascinato e, soprattutto non ho sopportato per nulla nè Lizzie nè Rose.
Non mi ha presa, non avevo nemmeno la curiosità di sapere chi avesse rubato il quadro e come si sarebbe conclusa la storia.
Per me è no.
March 12, 2018
Reading about WWII delights me. This story is not your usual book about WWII, but from the prospective of the children that were growing up during this time. Rose and Gerhard were put on a train and ended up in England living with two different families in order to survive this wartime era. Rose married and then moved to California and lived for many year. It really doesn't focus on the war, but on the materialistic things that survived the war, particularly a painting called The Bellhop.
July 22, 2018
Really a 3.5 so wish they let us give half points!
I found this book to be more chic-lit type, it wasn't totally but close
I really liked the story about Rose and growing up away from her parents, then there is Lizzie and I didn't care much about her at all to be honest! But I can see the author did a lot of research on her part for the topic of both the Kindertransport and the stolen paintings during the war.
I found this book to be more chic-lit type, it wasn't totally but close
I really liked the story about Rose and growing up away from her parents, then there is Lizzie and I didn't care much about her at all to be honest! But I can see the author did a lot of research on her part for the topic of both the Kindertransport and the stolen paintings during the war.
June 11, 2017
Two women from different generations meet at the funeral of the younger woman's father and find that they have a stolen Chaim Soutine painting in common. When the purloined painting is finally located, they discover that seeing the painting again doesn't reconcile the past, but they have learned to accept unchangeable events and to live in the present.
April 6, 2018
Ellen Umansky is an excellent writer. It is evident that she has studied and worked hard at perfecting her style. This is an impressive first novel. Ms. Umansky did a great job of intertwining some WWII history as well as some art history. She also wove the two stories very well. The character development was written extremely well. I would recommend this book.
October 29, 2018
Just a good book!
One of my accidental finds that has been sitting in my to read shelf for some time being pushed aside for others. Thoroughly enjoyable story of two women who connect over a lost painting by Soutine and the symbolism of that painting to their emotions, relationships, and life experiences....one beginning pre WWII and the other present day.
One of my accidental finds that has been sitting in my to read shelf for some time being pushed aside for others. Thoroughly enjoyable story of two women who connect over a lost painting by Soutine and the symbolism of that painting to their emotions, relationships, and life experiences....one beginning pre WWII and the other present day.
March 24, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the detail to the story and the mystery behind the painting and what it had to do with World War 2. Its a good mystery and you don't find out until close to the end so it keeps you guessing.
March 29, 2017
Secondo me poteva rivelarsi una bella storia, ma l'ho trovata alquanto noiosa e decisamente non mi ha convinta per niente
July 6, 2017
An enjoyable read.
June 12, 2022
Interesting historical art world saga from delicate, harsh beginnings aboard the *kindertransport crossing into an otherworldly lifetime. How Rose & Lizzie intertwine over The Chaim Soutine…
June 5, 2017
3.75 stars. Another novel with two story lines, one set during WWII Vienna and London, and one set 50 years later in modern day LA. As usual, the WWII story line was richer and more compelling. Rose, who left Vienna in the kindertransport and ended up in LA after the war, was the character who tied the two story lines together, but her modern voice didn't sound like her earlier self. Also, her relationship with the weak/needy character of Lizzie didn't ring true. But, there are some very powerfully written scenes, particularly one near the very end. On the whole, it was a worthwhile read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 328 reviews