What do you think?
Rate this book
The Garment Maker's Daughter
The Garment Maker's Daughter is a multigenerational saga of immigrant dreams and sweatshop realities, labor strikes and women's rights. It is the story of Lena Rothman, a shirtwaist-maker and active suffragette whose plans get derailed when she falls in love with her best friend's boyfriend; Jake Brenner, a passionate labor organizer determined to lead the shirtwaist-makers on a high-stakes strike; and Daniel Cowan, a brilliant and ambitious night-school student hobbled by a shameful past.
Fate draws them together. Emotions bind them to each other. But secrets will tear them apart. When a devastating blaze engulfs the shirtwaist factory, Lena must fight for her life. And in the chaos of the fire's aftermath, mistakes will be made with consequences that continue into the next generation.
Spanning the first half of the twentieth century, this is a story about unforgettable characters and the threads of friendship, love, betrayal, and redemption that form the fabric of their lives. The Garment Maker's Daughter is that rare novel you'll be thinking about long after you've finished it.
Fate draws them together. Emotions bind them to each other. But secrets will tear them apart. When a devastating blaze engulfs the shirtwaist factory, Lena must fight for her life. And in the chaos of the fire's aftermath, mistakes will be made with consequences that continue into the next generation.
Spanning the first half of the twentieth century, this is a story about unforgettable characters and the threads of friendship, love, betrayal, and redemption that form the fabric of their lives. The Garment Maker's Daughter is that rare novel you'll be thinking about long after you've finished it.
ebook
First published November 23, 2016
2493 people are currently reading
3208 people want to read
About the author
Hillary Adrienne Stern
1 book71 followers Hillary Adrienne Stern is originally from New York City. As a child, she was a voracious and extremely fast reader. Her love of books was coupled with a love of writing, primarily fiction but also poetry.
Hillary wrote her first novel at the tender age of eight and her supportive parents encouraged her to submit it to a publisher. In response, she received a very kind note that, while a rejection, nevertheless, encouraged her to continue writing. And continue she did.
Hillary wrote all through college and law school and continued to write while raising a family and practicing as a lawyer. She took writing classes and participated in writing workshops and writers groups. Ultimately, she completed her first novel written as an adult as well as several short stories.
Hillary says that hearing a reader enjoys her writing is the best feeling in the world.
Hillary wrote her first novel at the tender age of eight and her supportive parents encouraged her to submit it to a publisher. In response, she received a very kind note that, while a rejection, nevertheless, encouraged her to continue writing. And continue she did.
Hillary wrote all through college and law school and continued to write while raising a family and practicing as a lawyer. She took writing classes and participated in writing workshops and writers groups. Ultimately, she completed her first novel written as an adult as well as several short stories.
Hillary says that hearing a reader enjoys her writing is the best feeling in the world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 391 reviews
December 29, 2016
This is one of the best historical fiction novels I have ever read. The characters are engaging and complex. The writing is polished and lyrical. The plot is delightfully complicated, but never confusing or tedious. Most likely, the best recommendation I can give is that I can't wait for more from this author!! Good work!
June 10, 2017
Love just happens….. It can’t be planned, neither can it be bought nor sold or even traded; it just happens. When it does, for whatever reason, it is pure magic.
Like millions of immigrants before them, Twenty-two-year-old Daniel Cowan and seventeen-year-old Lena Rothman looked on Lady Liberty as their ship, the SS Pretoria made its way to Ellis Island; the gateway to a new life, filled with hope and promise. These two young people weren’t related or friends. It is really quite strange that they hadn’t seen or noticed each other on the long trip from war-torn Europe. The year is 1917 and for many their first real chance at life.
With Lady Liberty smiling down on them, a mutual connection is made. Even though no real words were exchanged, these two are destined to develop a close connection through the trials and tribulations of building a new home and life in the Promised Land, known throughout the world as the United States.
This world, just a century away from the one in which we now live, is so different. Immigrants are welcomed to our shores, regardless of their religion or where they were born. Women haven’t convinced their male counterparts of their equality and right to vote. Labor practices are cruel, unfair, and dangerous. Labor Unions are struggling to improve working conditions but are opposed at every turn by factory owners and local politicians that care more about the mighty dollar than their fellow man. Overcrowding in unsafe housing forms the backdrop for a beehive of activity. These new immigrants are in a hurry to settle in, make a decent living and merge with this new society that affords any man, or woman, the chance to succeed and prosper. They will be proud when they are able to call themselves Americans.
The reader is plunged into this strange world. Filled with hope and heartache, success and failure, love and loss, the transplanting process isn’t easy but it is worth all the effort and dangers. I was instantly connected to all of the characters and soon filled with empathy for their struggle. Written in a literary format, made popular by well-known authors as James Patterson, Hillary Stern uses relatively short chapters to give this missive wings. The reader is given the impression that he, or she, is literally flying through the book as chapter after chapter flies under their eyes in short order. Many books have mixed reviews. This story seems to impress everyone who reads it. I highly recommend it for its content and form; a perfect mixture for a perfect tale.
Like millions of immigrants before them, Twenty-two-year-old Daniel Cowan and seventeen-year-old Lena Rothman looked on Lady Liberty as their ship, the SS Pretoria made its way to Ellis Island; the gateway to a new life, filled with hope and promise. These two young people weren’t related or friends. It is really quite strange that they hadn’t seen or noticed each other on the long trip from war-torn Europe. The year is 1917 and for many their first real chance at life.
With Lady Liberty smiling down on them, a mutual connection is made. Even though no real words were exchanged, these two are destined to develop a close connection through the trials and tribulations of building a new home and life in the Promised Land, known throughout the world as the United States.
This world, just a century away from the one in which we now live, is so different. Immigrants are welcomed to our shores, regardless of their religion or where they were born. Women haven’t convinced their male counterparts of their equality and right to vote. Labor practices are cruel, unfair, and dangerous. Labor Unions are struggling to improve working conditions but are opposed at every turn by factory owners and local politicians that care more about the mighty dollar than their fellow man. Overcrowding in unsafe housing forms the backdrop for a beehive of activity. These new immigrants are in a hurry to settle in, make a decent living and merge with this new society that affords any man, or woman, the chance to succeed and prosper. They will be proud when they are able to call themselves Americans.
The reader is plunged into this strange world. Filled with hope and heartache, success and failure, love and loss, the transplanting process isn’t easy but it is worth all the effort and dangers. I was instantly connected to all of the characters and soon filled with empathy for their struggle. Written in a literary format, made popular by well-known authors as James Patterson, Hillary Stern uses relatively short chapters to give this missive wings. The reader is given the impression that he, or she, is literally flying through the book as chapter after chapter flies under their eyes in short order. Many books have mixed reviews. This story seems to impress everyone who reads it. I highly recommend it for its content and form; a perfect mixture for a perfect tale.
November 17, 2017
I very well balanced historical fiction read. The characters are full and lush and the story heroic. I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you Goodreads and author Hillary Adrienne Stern for the opportunity to go back in time.
June 23, 2018
I can hardly tell that I have read it. I had read the first part with my full attention, but the second and third I mostly just skimmed/skipped (and I did it only because I was curious whether it would be as bad as I feared - it was).
At the beginning, it reminded me very much The Tea Rose Series, especially wonderful The Tea Rose. But, not only Jennifer Donnelly's storytelling was better, but first of all, she managed better with a historical background.
Writing historical fiction a writer chooses which historical events have an impact on characters/a plot. It is completely understandable. But one can't write the story taking place in 1917 like there was no WWI at all. Hillary Adrienne Stern chose only historical fact/events that fit her story. So, we heard here about e.g. the 1905 Russian Revolution and pogroms of Jews in Russia but we didn't hear about WWI (I skimmed later parts of the book but I didn't find anything about WWII too).
In my opinion, Ms. Stern invented her characters and their lives and treated it like her precious children. She wanted to give them a meaningful life. Nothing wrong with that, I have my own stories like that. But, when one wants to make from them a book for other people one needs 'a stern father' too. Without him, one ends up like 'The Garment Maker's Daughter'.
The plot was too much predictable. Too obvious. I would have forgiven it, probably, but I couldn't forgive (like you can read in a description of the book) a mistake which consequences continued into the next generation. It was so stupid, so out of character (of Lena and Jack) that I was not going to read the next chapters. (Although, eventually, I skimmed through the rest of the novel.)
Besides, the life of the poor young immigrants described here was too easy, even for a young adult novel.
I think it is enough. I don't want to think of this book anymore.
I can add some fragments of other reviews that I find apt:
Sarah's: Poorly researched, all the characters we[re] one dimensional, overused tropes...
Loni DeRock's: Not so much a historical fiction book but a historical romance with immature drawn out whiny characters.
Katie's: The book has uneven pacing, and the different perspectives make it even more uneven. There are also some big historical inaccuracies. Both World Wars are glossed over. The Depression doesn't keep anyone from pursuing their dreams. Everyone is way more progressive than people in the early 20th century were.
At the beginning, it reminded me very much The Tea Rose Series, especially wonderful The Tea Rose. But, not only Jennifer Donnelly's storytelling was better, but first of all, she managed better with a historical background.
Writing historical fiction a writer chooses which historical events have an impact on characters/a plot. It is completely understandable. But one can't write the story taking place in 1917 like there was no WWI at all. Hillary Adrienne Stern chose only historical fact/events that fit her story. So, we heard here about e.g. the 1905 Russian Revolution and pogroms of Jews in Russia but we didn't hear about WWI (I skimmed later parts of the book but I didn't find anything about WWII too).
In my opinion, Ms. Stern invented her characters and their lives and treated it like her precious children. She wanted to give them a meaningful life. Nothing wrong with that, I have my own stories like that. But, when one wants to make from them a book for other people one needs 'a stern father' too. Without him, one ends up like 'The Garment Maker's Daughter'.
The plot was too much predictable. Too obvious. I would have forgiven it, probably, but I couldn't forgive (like you can read in a description of the book) a mistake which consequences continued into the next generation. It was so stupid, so out of character (of Lena and Jack) that I was not going to read the next chapters. (Although, eventually, I skimmed through the rest of the novel.)
Besides, the life of the poor young immigrants described here was too easy, even for a young adult novel.
I think it is enough. I don't want to think of this book anymore.
I can add some fragments of other reviews that I find apt:
Sarah's: Poorly researched, all the characters we[re] one dimensional, overused tropes...
Loni DeRock's: Not so much a historical fiction book but a historical romance with immature drawn out whiny characters.
Katie's: The book has uneven pacing, and the different perspectives make it even more uneven. There are also some big historical inaccuracies. Both World Wars are glossed over. The Depression doesn't keep anyone from pursuing their dreams. Everyone is way more progressive than people in the early 20th century were.
January 27, 2017
Great story. The Author writes extraordinarily well and is especially talented at conveying her characters' thoughts, moods and actions. The story moves incredibly quickly. Among other things, We get snapshots of immigrant life, particularly Jewish immigrant culture, the labor movement, and New York City. But, rather than focus too much on the intricacies of the time period she covers, Ms. Stern says enough to place her characters in a context without letting too many details distract from a lovely, poignant story about immigrants who become successful in one way or another. Finally, the book Is enriched by the moral dilemma at the core of the story and it is a good one.
June 9, 2021
This historical romance is 5% history and 95% romance...so judge accordingly. I'm not a big romance fan (meaning, not at all) so I was disappointed in the last 2/3s of the book. I've read Katharine Weber's Triangle (which I rated 5 stars) so perhaps I've been spoiled for any other book on the subject. (But really, the garment workers' scenes are very brief in this book.)
This was a freebie on Amazon for Kindle (but not today). I can't fault any of the plot, characters or scenes...this just wasn't my cup of tea. The title can be taken a couple of ways, but considering the main storyline took place in a shirtwaist company I'm surprised they have a dress shown.
This is the last of a cluster of "fashion" books that I've read. I was going to read The Last Bathing Beauty, but on seeing those reviews (thanks Goodreads friends!) the plot sounds almost exactly the same as this book. Different era, but same Jewish summer resort/best friends plotlines.
This was a freebie on Amazon for Kindle (but not today). I can't fault any of the plot, characters or scenes...this just wasn't my cup of tea. The title can be taken a couple of ways, but considering the main storyline took place in a shirtwaist company I'm surprised they have a dress shown.
This is the last of a cluster of "fashion" books that I've read. I was going to read The Last Bathing Beauty, but on seeing those reviews (thanks Goodreads friends!) the plot sounds almost exactly the same as this book. Different era, but same Jewish summer resort/best friends plotlines.
November 27, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel. I came in with no expectations, so it exceeded them in every way. A very engaging saga with a strong female protagonist. In fact, the entire story is a celebration of women's drive and ambition. The story spanned many decades of the early 20th century so was interesting to read about women in the garment workers union on through fighting for and gaining the right to vote, and starting their own successful businesses -- in some cases in spite of the men in their lives who weren't always helpful. I haven't read the other reviews yet and am curious if there might be a sequel, as the ending certainly leaves the door open. But it really isn't necessary, as the novel stands on its own very well. Loved it!
January 23, 2018
This was a great story line and I loved the way the characters were developed. But the number of typos made this very distracting for me. At one point, the uncle was even referred to by the wrong name. There's really no excuse for this. I would have given this book 4 stars had it not been for the typos.
September 27, 2017
I can't' believe this is Ms. Steven's first book!
Wonderfully written story with strong characters. I can't say there was any one person I didn't like. Perhaps Lena was my favorite person because she tried to do what was right in all situations. I don't want to give anything away so I will stop right here and just say that I thoroughly enjoyed this author's first book and hope others will read it too.
Wonderfully written story with strong characters. I can't say there was any one person I didn't like. Perhaps Lena was my favorite person because she tried to do what was right in all situations. I don't want to give anything away so I will stop right here and just say that I thoroughly enjoyed this author's first book and hope others will read it too.
January 23, 2018
Historical Novel Association
"In the early 20th century, three immigrants stand aboard a ship sailing into Ellis Island, each with their own dreams about what coming to America will mean for them: Daniel, a Polish boy with a love of language and law, and Lena and Joe, Jewish siblings hoping for a better life. They are about to meet New Yorkers Jake, a rough labor representative, and his dazzling girlfriend, Sophie. Together, they will change one another’s lives in ways no one could imagine. Over the next 50 years, these five friends come into and fall out of one another’s lives through joy and pain, tragedy and triumph. But there is one secret that could tear them apart forever.
The Garment Maker’s Daughter is a beautiful multi-generational epic about life, love and the choices we make. The characters are well drawn, and the plot is refreshingly realistic, allowing both positive and negative occurrences to color the characters’ lives, rather than romantically painting over the rough patches. Stern has obviously done her research, and she effortlessly plants the reader in a variety of historically accurate settings, from stuffy shirtwaist factory workrooms to a cozy hotel in the Catskills and the opulent dining halls of the political elite. She keeps the reader on track with a few real-life event tie-ins, but the crux of the story is the relationships of its main characters, and they do not disappoint. The expert pacing kept me turning pages, and Stern’s engaging plot had me hooked until the very last page. I highly recommend this wonderful tale of life, love and the struggle to be true to oneself as a book everyone should read. "
"In the early 20th century, three immigrants stand aboard a ship sailing into Ellis Island, each with their own dreams about what coming to America will mean for them: Daniel, a Polish boy with a love of language and law, and Lena and Joe, Jewish siblings hoping for a better life. They are about to meet New Yorkers Jake, a rough labor representative, and his dazzling girlfriend, Sophie. Together, they will change one another’s lives in ways no one could imagine. Over the next 50 years, these five friends come into and fall out of one another’s lives through joy and pain, tragedy and triumph. But there is one secret that could tear them apart forever.
The Garment Maker’s Daughter is a beautiful multi-generational epic about life, love and the choices we make. The characters are well drawn, and the plot is refreshingly realistic, allowing both positive and negative occurrences to color the characters’ lives, rather than romantically painting over the rough patches. Stern has obviously done her research, and she effortlessly plants the reader in a variety of historically accurate settings, from stuffy shirtwaist factory workrooms to a cozy hotel in the Catskills and the opulent dining halls of the political elite. She keeps the reader on track with a few real-life event tie-ins, but the crux of the story is the relationships of its main characters, and they do not disappoint. The expert pacing kept me turning pages, and Stern’s engaging plot had me hooked until the very last page. I highly recommend this wonderful tale of life, love and the struggle to be true to oneself as a book everyone should read. "
June 13, 2017
Excellent book! I rarely give 5 stars.
If you are a lover of Historical Fiction, this book is for you! It is relatively new, but I found it as a FREE Kindle book on Amazon.
If you are a lover of Historical Fiction, this book is for you! It is relatively new, but I found it as a FREE Kindle book on Amazon.
December 9, 2018
Union Girl
Die Freiheitsstatur in Sicht. Auch wenn sie sich nicht kennen, kommen sie im Jahr 1917 gemeinsam in den USA an. Lena und Daniel, junge Menschen, die die große Freiheit vor Augen. Natürlich relativiert sich das in den Büros der Einwanderungsbehörde. Doch zum Glück verlieren sich die Beiden nicht aus den Augen, auch wenn sich ihre Lebenswege in getrennte Richtungen entwickeln. Daniel nimmt Gelegenheitsjobs an, um die Abendschule absolvieren zu können. Er hofft auf die Möglichkeit, studieren zu können. Lena dagegen findet eine Anstellung als Näherin und gleich am ersten Tag wird sie von der quirligen Sophie unter deren Fittiche genommen.
Während sich Lena und Sophie in der Gewerkschaftsarbeit organisieren und ihre Arbeitsumstände verbessern wollen, nimmt Daniel den Weg einer gründlichen Ausbildung. Auch er möchte die Situation der Menschen verbessern. Allerdings ist es ein Ziel, ein Anwalt der kleinen Leute zu werden. Sophies Freund Jake engagiert sich als Gewerkschaftsführer. Das Auge, welches er auf Lena geworfen hat, muss ein geheimes bleiben. Schließlich ist Loyalität gegenüber Sophie gefragt. In ihrer Jugend kommt der eher ruhige Daniel bei Lena nicht zum Zuge. Als Lena und Sophie bei einem katastrophalen Brand in der Näherei fast ums Leben kommen, erweist sich das als schicksalsbestimmend für ihrer aller Leben.
Über mehrere Jahrzehnte wird der Lebensweg von Lena, Sophie und ihren Familien geschildert. Gerade nach der Dramatik am Anfang stellt sich der Mittelteil mit einer eher ruhigen Erzählung dar, in dem ein Überblick über die verstreichenden Jahre gegeben wird. Auch hier gibt es einschneidende Ereignisse und Entdeckungen, doch entwickeln sich die Protagonisten eher langsam. Im abschließenden dritten Teil wird die Fahrt gebremst und die Spannung gesteigert. In diesem Familienroman wird ein interessanter Abriss über die Geschichte der Arbeiterbewegung in den USA geboten. Gleichzeitig wird ein Akzent auf die beginnende Befreiung der Frau gelegt, die nicht mehr nur still hinter ihrem Mann steht. Die Kombination aus Familiengeschichte mit gesellschaftspolitischen Entwicklungen der Zeit macht diesen Roman zu einer interessanten und auch emotionalen Lektüre.
3,5 Sterne
Die Freiheitsstatur in Sicht. Auch wenn sie sich nicht kennen, kommen sie im Jahr 1917 gemeinsam in den USA an. Lena und Daniel, junge Menschen, die die große Freiheit vor Augen. Natürlich relativiert sich das in den Büros der Einwanderungsbehörde. Doch zum Glück verlieren sich die Beiden nicht aus den Augen, auch wenn sich ihre Lebenswege in getrennte Richtungen entwickeln. Daniel nimmt Gelegenheitsjobs an, um die Abendschule absolvieren zu können. Er hofft auf die Möglichkeit, studieren zu können. Lena dagegen findet eine Anstellung als Näherin und gleich am ersten Tag wird sie von der quirligen Sophie unter deren Fittiche genommen.
Während sich Lena und Sophie in der Gewerkschaftsarbeit organisieren und ihre Arbeitsumstände verbessern wollen, nimmt Daniel den Weg einer gründlichen Ausbildung. Auch er möchte die Situation der Menschen verbessern. Allerdings ist es ein Ziel, ein Anwalt der kleinen Leute zu werden. Sophies Freund Jake engagiert sich als Gewerkschaftsführer. Das Auge, welches er auf Lena geworfen hat, muss ein geheimes bleiben. Schließlich ist Loyalität gegenüber Sophie gefragt. In ihrer Jugend kommt der eher ruhige Daniel bei Lena nicht zum Zuge. Als Lena und Sophie bei einem katastrophalen Brand in der Näherei fast ums Leben kommen, erweist sich das als schicksalsbestimmend für ihrer aller Leben.
Über mehrere Jahrzehnte wird der Lebensweg von Lena, Sophie und ihren Familien geschildert. Gerade nach der Dramatik am Anfang stellt sich der Mittelteil mit einer eher ruhigen Erzählung dar, in dem ein Überblick über die verstreichenden Jahre gegeben wird. Auch hier gibt es einschneidende Ereignisse und Entdeckungen, doch entwickeln sich die Protagonisten eher langsam. Im abschließenden dritten Teil wird die Fahrt gebremst und die Spannung gesteigert. In diesem Familienroman wird ein interessanter Abriss über die Geschichte der Arbeiterbewegung in den USA geboten. Gleichzeitig wird ein Akzent auf die beginnende Befreiung der Frau gelegt, die nicht mehr nur still hinter ihrem Mann steht. Die Kombination aus Familiengeschichte mit gesellschaftspolitischen Entwicklungen der Zeit macht diesen Roman zu einer interessanten und auch emotionalen Lektüre.
3,5 Sterne
September 7, 2020
A multigenerational saga, those are the words that drew me to this book, however it was not a saga by any means. A well developed book of 30 years of the lives and friendships of smart young people coming together in New York in the 1920’s looking to make a better life for themselves. They all ended up making a difference with their careers, however they let lies get in the way of happiness in their personal lives. Good nonetheless, a few tears shed by me near the end. Good lessons on love and relationships with well developed characters.
January 12, 2022
Whilst I really enjoyed The Garment Maker's Daughter, I did feel that it lost out on some of its power by utilising huge gaps in time as part of the narrative structure. There were several moments throughout where the novel just skips ahead, things happen but you don't get to actually see them and you find out about them via an info dump in the first pages of the next section of the novel. If it's days going by, you can kind of get away with it. But when it's years and events happen that are critical to the main characters, it feels kind of lazy.
That said, this is a sweeping historical work that was an excellent read despite that critical flaw. Starting in 1917, the novel begins with it's focus on the labour laws and many of the heartless and cruel practices that were common of the era. This was perhaps the most interesting aspect to me as it's written superbly, drawing you into another place and another time without hesitation. As the years go by, the focus shifts to the romance angles but there is still enough meat on the bones to keep even a non romance fan like me interested.
That said, if you are excepting a historical saga, you may come away disappointed. This is very much a tale of individual lives and individual relationships. Despite covering the time periods of both World Wars for instance, they are completely glossed over with barely a mention. Likewise, whilst the garment making industry is a large focus in the opening sections of the novel, it and the industry aspects are all but forgotten by the end. This was compounded by the missing stretches of time; there's one particular moment where the struggles of a young female business owner after marriage could have been expanded on hugely, but it gets caught in the lost time and neglected.
So, well written but not really as advertised. This isn't really a 'multigenerational saga of immigrant dreams and sweatshop realities, labour strikes and women’s rights'. Bits of it are and those bits are fantastic. But it runs off with the romance angles and ends up neglecting much of everything else. That said, I did enjoy it. It just wasn't what I was expecting and I think it would have been stronger by far if the romance was dialled back and the immigrant dreams, sweatshop realities, labour strikes and women's rights were fully at the forefront of the novel.
That said, this is a sweeping historical work that was an excellent read despite that critical flaw. Starting in 1917, the novel begins with it's focus on the labour laws and many of the heartless and cruel practices that were common of the era. This was perhaps the most interesting aspect to me as it's written superbly, drawing you into another place and another time without hesitation. As the years go by, the focus shifts to the romance angles but there is still enough meat on the bones to keep even a non romance fan like me interested.
That said, if you are excepting a historical saga, you may come away disappointed. This is very much a tale of individual lives and individual relationships. Despite covering the time periods of both World Wars for instance, they are completely glossed over with barely a mention. Likewise, whilst the garment making industry is a large focus in the opening sections of the novel, it and the industry aspects are all but forgotten by the end. This was compounded by the missing stretches of time; there's one particular moment where the struggles of a young female business owner after marriage could have been expanded on hugely, but it gets caught in the lost time and neglected.
So, well written but not really as advertised. This isn't really a 'multigenerational saga of immigrant dreams and sweatshop realities, labour strikes and women’s rights'. Bits of it are and those bits are fantastic. But it runs off with the romance angles and ends up neglecting much of everything else. That said, I did enjoy it. It just wasn't what I was expecting and I think it would have been stronger by far if the romance was dialled back and the immigrant dreams, sweatshop realities, labour strikes and women's rights were fully at the forefront of the novel.
January 1, 2018
Nice storyline
This book had a nice storyline but I found it to be a bit juvenile and redundant. The "uncontrollable" lust/ love was unrealistic, as were many parts of the story, which made it so much like a storybook for a younger person. I thought the mention of the gay relationship to be completely unnecessary and distasteful in this story. Overall, nice story for a girl about 15 that still believes in love at first sight and sees the whole world through rose colored glasses.
This book had a nice storyline but I found it to be a bit juvenile and redundant. The "uncontrollable" lust/ love was unrealistic, as were many parts of the story, which made it so much like a storybook for a younger person. I thought the mention of the gay relationship to be completely unnecessary and distasteful in this story. Overall, nice story for a girl about 15 that still believes in love at first sight and sees the whole world through rose colored glasses.
December 11, 2016
I could not put this book down. Honestly I am not a big reader but once I started the book I had to finish. Each character was so brilliantly introduced and revealed throughout the story. Nothing is predictable and each part of the story flows seamlessly into the next. I don't want to say more and ruin the experience for you...I would put it on a must read list!
January 8, 2018
I was disappointed in this book. It ended up being a chick flick kind of story that just seemed to drag on forever. The closer I got to the end the more I seemed to find myself skimming some of the pages, very strange for me to ever skim read but the book was written at a very basic level and it just kept droning on.
December 30, 2017
3.5? 3.75?
A lot of it was kind of jumpy and didn't fit well together for me. A bit hard to follow at times.. and I'm not really sure how I feel about the ending.
A lot of it was kind of jumpy and didn't fit well together for me. A bit hard to follow at times.. and I'm not really sure how I feel about the ending.
December 23, 2017
Starting with two immigrants arriving at the Ellis Island processing centre this novel looks at how their lives pan out form their inauspicious arrival in 1917. Lena and Daniel's stories become strangely intertwined from his first glimpse of her on the ship to meeting her again at Night School. This is a real relationship so they fall away from each other and reconnect and fall away again - you get the idea.
Whilst the people in this story feel real there is little characterisation. It very much feels we are outside looking in and only see what they want to show us of their lives. We know maybe the most about Lena but even then I never at any stage felt I knew her or really understood her motives. There are a core cluster of 5 people in this book - Lena Kerner nee Rothman, Daniel Cowan, Sophie Friedman, Daniel Cowan and later in the book Rachel Rothman. We get glimpses of all their daily lives throughout the book and it does jump from place to place and year to year with seeming impunity but this is no bad thing as it keeps you reading to see what next happens to Daniel because this chapter is about Jake and then when that ends you want to know what happens to him and on and on it goes.
There is no real plot as such. This is just the unfolding of the lives of these driven and determined people up to the 1950s. As a social history it has some insights but there are few that we are not already aware of and there is little depth to them. There is an awful lot here about the Unionisation of America and struggles for fair employment and that seems to be the main drift of the authors "agenda". It is quite politically charged but this did not lessen my enjoyment of the book which did surprise me somewhat. Maybe this was because this is offset by moments of genuine warmth and camaraderie between the characters.
The war years are glossed over and so are racial tensions prevalent both now and then. In fact whole years are omitted which means that what could be a boring catalogue of daily events is not given the chance to develop. what I did find jarring was that everyone became if not exactly wealthy they were at least very, very successful in their chosen fields, which simply did not ring true at all and I am sure that it is not an indicative representation of life for Jewish Immigrants to the United States except in the opening chapters when they work for little pay and live in shoddy accommodations.
It is a tale of hope though and a tale that makes you believe no matter what happens the power to change your lot in life lies your hands and yours alone. It is not an easy read and does challenge your preconceptions about life then and, thusly, life now. With single motherhood, working conditions, homosexuality, thwarted affections and friendship being discussed. Told from a third person perspective it tells us how the character feels without that character narrating directly to us and I think this is why it is so hard to connect with the people as they inhabit the page. Much of what I read now is very much first person and it feels a little odd to read this more traditional form of story telling. In fact it was almost refreshing to step back to an earlier form of the novel.
I do think describing it as a sweeping saga has the touch of hyperbole about it and although I would not hesitate to recommend the book I would do so with the caveat that you do need to engage brain before reading - if only to keep up with everyone and their fast diverging lives from a joint starting point.
Whilst the people in this story feel real there is little characterisation. It very much feels we are outside looking in and only see what they want to show us of their lives. We know maybe the most about Lena but even then I never at any stage felt I knew her or really understood her motives. There are a core cluster of 5 people in this book - Lena Kerner nee Rothman, Daniel Cowan, Sophie Friedman, Daniel Cowan and later in the book Rachel Rothman. We get glimpses of all their daily lives throughout the book and it does jump from place to place and year to year with seeming impunity but this is no bad thing as it keeps you reading to see what next happens to Daniel because this chapter is about Jake and then when that ends you want to know what happens to him and on and on it goes.
There is no real plot as such. This is just the unfolding of the lives of these driven and determined people up to the 1950s. As a social history it has some insights but there are few that we are not already aware of and there is little depth to them. There is an awful lot here about the Unionisation of America and struggles for fair employment and that seems to be the main drift of the authors "agenda". It is quite politically charged but this did not lessen my enjoyment of the book which did surprise me somewhat. Maybe this was because this is offset by moments of genuine warmth and camaraderie between the characters.
The war years are glossed over and so are racial tensions prevalent both now and then. In fact whole years are omitted which means that what could be a boring catalogue of daily events is not given the chance to develop. what I did find jarring was that everyone became if not exactly wealthy they were at least very, very successful in their chosen fields, which simply did not ring true at all and I am sure that it is not an indicative representation of life for Jewish Immigrants to the United States except in the opening chapters when they work for little pay and live in shoddy accommodations.
It is a tale of hope though and a tale that makes you believe no matter what happens the power to change your lot in life lies your hands and yours alone. It is not an easy read and does challenge your preconceptions about life then and, thusly, life now. With single motherhood, working conditions, homosexuality, thwarted affections and friendship being discussed. Told from a third person perspective it tells us how the character feels without that character narrating directly to us and I think this is why it is so hard to connect with the people as they inhabit the page. Much of what I read now is very much first person and it feels a little odd to read this more traditional form of story telling. In fact it was almost refreshing to step back to an earlier form of the novel.
I do think describing it as a sweeping saga has the touch of hyperbole about it and although I would not hesitate to recommend the book I would do so with the caveat that you do need to engage brain before reading - if only to keep up with everyone and their fast diverging lives from a joint starting point.
September 20, 2018
This book covers several years Lena Rothman's life. She comes to America to start a new life and in doing so she becomes good friends with 3 people, Sophie, Daniel, and Jake. She and Sophie become really close almost like sisters. Daniel falls for Lena and wants to take the friendship to a new level. Jake and Sophie are in a relationship themselves. One night a tragic event occurs when a fire breaks out that changes Lena's life overnight. Lena soon has to make a decision in order to protect her friend, which she does without further thought. As the years go by, Lena life has taken a paths that she never saw herself going down. Eventually time brings Lena back to where it all started and back to those that she really cared about. Lena gets a chance to say she is sorry but was it soon enough. Lena also gets a second chance at a love that was always there but never realized.
Such a great read. A little historical fiction, some tragedy, some struggles, some achievements, and friendship and love all rolled into one. I was captivated by this story and could easily see it turning into a movie. The characters were real and personable. I become invested in their lives. I highly recommend this book.
Such a great read. A little historical fiction, some tragedy, some struggles, some achievements, and friendship and love all rolled into one. I was captivated by this story and could easily see it turning into a movie. The characters were real and personable. I become invested in their lives. I highly recommend this book.
March 26, 2018
When I first downloaded this I wasn't completely sure what to expect other than some kind of historical fiction set across the first half of the 20th Century. What I got was a tale following two generations of the Rothman family, first with Lena as she arrives in America with her brother to start a new life, and the second with her daughter Rachel as she grows up in the Catskill Mountains and tries to find out more about her own and her mother's past. This is as much a love story as it is a historical fiction, which didn't completely ruin it for me but I did find it jarred with the strong characters of both Lena and Rachel as they fell into the same traditions as most women of the time, even if it did take them longer to do so. That aside, the story is really well written and engaging with clear research having gone into the events and attitudes of the time (don't even get me started on Will!). I'm impressed to learn that this is Stern first book given how good the story, characters and writing is, although this could be a double edged sword!
January 27, 2019
I chose this historical novel at no cost through Kindle Unlimited. Without too much thought, I picked it out to read at bedtime. I was pleasantly surprised that the story drew me in and that I looked forward to reading it each night.
Lena Rothman, a Jewish immigrant, arrives in New York City at in the early twentieth century. Only her brother is there in America to greet her. With his recommendation she gets a grueling job in a shirtwaist factory.
At the factory, Lena meets Sophie, who becomes her best friend. Sophie’s boyfriend Jake, a union organizer, is attracted to Lena, and he and Lena fall in love.
Tragedy ensues with the shirtwaist fire of 1911. Thinking Sophie is dead, Lena and Jake consummate their love. They find out later that Sophie is badly injured but alive. Lena feels a strong loyalty to her best friend. A pregnant Lena leaves town to hide her pregnancy from Sophie and Jake.
This is a book about immigrants, women’s rights, and workers’ rights. The story is intertwined with relationships of friendship and romance. There are historical events such as the 1911 shirtwaist fire that killed so many innocents. The characters are believable and well developed. They come alive on the page.
Lena Rothman, a Jewish immigrant, arrives in New York City at in the early twentieth century. Only her brother is there in America to greet her. With his recommendation she gets a grueling job in a shirtwaist factory.
At the factory, Lena meets Sophie, who becomes her best friend. Sophie’s boyfriend Jake, a union organizer, is attracted to Lena, and he and Lena fall in love.
Tragedy ensues with the shirtwaist fire of 1911. Thinking Sophie is dead, Lena and Jake consummate their love. They find out later that Sophie is badly injured but alive. Lena feels a strong loyalty to her best friend. A pregnant Lena leaves town to hide her pregnancy from Sophie and Jake.
This is a book about immigrants, women’s rights, and workers’ rights. The story is intertwined with relationships of friendship and romance. There are historical events such as the 1911 shirtwaist fire that killed so many innocents. The characters are believable and well developed. They come alive on the page.
January 7, 2018
This was an Amazon book. Of course I know there is a reason for the zero price tag but occasionally they do look pretty good and get great reviews so I take a chance. I enjoyed the historical aspect of this novel and the story line kept me interested enough to zip through just to see how it ended. I wondered why I was skimming through so much of the dialogue and realized that was the problem. It seemed like I was reading a script. The dialogue was realistic and I felt for the characters but it lacked the prose of a beautifully written story. I love written language but don't have a memory for words so when I read a book and don't have to look up a single word I know it is missing something for me. I think this book would translate into an excellent movie.
August 8, 2018
Honestly, I had low expectations going in to this, but I really enjoyed the story (-ies) and the characters. I felt like the author did a great job of keeping things in context and accurate for the time period(s) and the dialogue was written very well, too!
March 16, 2019
4.5 This book had everything ....well written, great character development , love, friendships, family , betrayal and history ....need I say more!!!! must read!!!!
April 28, 2022
I wasn’t sure about the book at first. Turns out it’s a great story. Generational characters. Reminds me of the writing style of K Follett. Good flow and development.
February 14, 2020
This was a solid 3 until that second to last chapter.
January 18, 2018
An entertaining story with predicable problems, misunderstandings and ending. Characterizations were good. However the death of Sophie at the end felt like a "throw in" which didn't really contribute anything, except a possibility which by then was really no possibility.
May 19, 2017
This was a very engrossing. The characters were very real. I did enjoy the book I had a hard time putting it down as I wanted to get to the end and find out if all of the problems that came up would be solved in the manner I thought they should. The characters in this book are working in a sweatshop sewing shirt waists.....they are locked in and there is a fire. Two friends go in completely different directions and don't see each other again until...........can't say it will spoil the ending. There is a boyfriend who is trying to get everyone to strike the factories, one character who is totally involved in the group of suffragettes of the time. History is woven into this story. I really enjoyed reading it and I did stay up really late one night trying to get to the good part at the end. If you like a good romance with history thrown in, this book is definitely for you. The characters are well developed and very complex. Great book! I did receive this book in exchange for an honest review!
Description of the book as found here on Good Reads: The Garment Maker's Daughter is a multigenerational saga of immigrant dreams and sweatshop realities, labor strikes and women's rights. It is the story of Lena Rothman, a shirtwaist-maker and active suffragette whose plans get derailed when she falls in love with her best friend's boyfriend; Jake Brenner, a passionate labor organizer determined to lead the shirtwaist-makers on a high-stakes strike; and Daniel Cowan, a brilliant and ambitious night-school student hobbled by a shameful past.
Fate draws them together. Emotions bind them to each other. But secrets will tear them apart. When a devastating blaze engulfs the shirtwaist factory, Lena must fight for her life. And in the chaos of the fire's aftermath, mistakes will be made with consequences that continue into the next generation.
Spanning the first half of the twentieth century, this is a story about unforgettable characters and the threads of friendship, love, betrayal, and redemption that form the fabric of their lives. The Garment Maker's Daughter is that rare novel you'll be thinking about long after you've finished it.
Description of the book as found here on Good Reads: The Garment Maker's Daughter is a multigenerational saga of immigrant dreams and sweatshop realities, labor strikes and women's rights. It is the story of Lena Rothman, a shirtwaist-maker and active suffragette whose plans get derailed when she falls in love with her best friend's boyfriend; Jake Brenner, a passionate labor organizer determined to lead the shirtwaist-makers on a high-stakes strike; and Daniel Cowan, a brilliant and ambitious night-school student hobbled by a shameful past.
Fate draws them together. Emotions bind them to each other. But secrets will tear them apart. When a devastating blaze engulfs the shirtwaist factory, Lena must fight for her life. And in the chaos of the fire's aftermath, mistakes will be made with consequences that continue into the next generation.
Spanning the first half of the twentieth century, this is a story about unforgettable characters and the threads of friendship, love, betrayal, and redemption that form the fabric of their lives. The Garment Maker's Daughter is that rare novel you'll be thinking about long after you've finished it.
December 31, 2017
Lena immigrates to the United States in the early 20th century, and then the book follows her and those around her for the next 30 years. The book shows the many different paths immigrants took, and how far reaching their contributions to the United States have been. The book has uneven pacing, and the different perspectives make it even more uneven. There are also some big historical inaccuracies. Both World Wars are glossed over. The Depression doesn't keep anyone from pursuing their dreams. Everyone is way more progressive than people in the early 20th century were.
This is petty, but I really think the title is bad.
This is petty, but I really think the title is bad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 391 reviews