Blast from the Past discussion

How are you liking the layout of the book? Instead of chapters, the book is divided with phrases or quotes, are you liking that? How is it adding to the book? Addie is now a young woman, what is societies and her parent's expectations of her? How do those expectations differ from what she wants out of life?

I really like how the book is broken up by years. It really sets the historical tone for the story. I also like the chapter headings, they’re like little teasers telling me what’s to come.

There is so much sadness and hardship even before the war began. It was really hard to read about how the flu impacted Addie’s family and the city. I didn’t know people just left bodies outside for pickup 🙁

I was shocked Filomena moved away. And how Betty ended up with Levine! I just love following Addie as the main character. She’s wonderful.

Candace wrote: "I really like how the book is broken up by years. It really sets the historical tone for the story. I also like the chapter headings, they’re like little teasers telling me what’s to come.

There ..."
I'm really liking how the book is broken up too! Filomena was probably my favorite character, and then she just ran off with a married guy! I was like what?! However, I'm sure finding a man that pushed you to pursue your passions was hard to come by during that time period so I can see why she did it.

I could kind of see Betty and Levine getting together because there was a part where Betty called him Herman when he was still married to Celia, and I thought that was strange.

YES, the flu! So so sad. I've taken care of babies recently with the actual influenza virus, and it's terrible. They do turn a grayish color and seem to be in so much pain. Makes you realize that modern medicine and hygiene hasn't been around for that long!!

Addie's mother is still the most horrible person on the planet.

So much tragedy in this section :( Though it really mad me realize how little I know about that period in history. I know little to nothing about both the influenza epidemic and WWI. I need to remedy that.

I like that the author is not shying away from anything that young women of the time might of had to deal with from self induced abortions to dating soldiers coming back from the war with PTSD, and also handles it in a way that does not weigh the story down.

I was bummed that Filomena moved away, mostly because Addie basically lost her best friend. But I also would've liked to of had more of a conversation between Addie and Filomena about her situation and her reasonings behind the decision to abort and then still move away with him. I felt unresolved with that, but then again that's probably how Addie felt and therefore how I should feel.

Looking forward to getting deeper into the 20's!

I just finished these sections today. Like you guys, I'm also liking how it's divided by years and the chapter headings. It's different, but not distracting.

I liked Filomena and was so glad when she and the other girls came around after Celia died to help Addie. I'm glad she convinced her to go to Rockport. BUT then she basically ditched her to be with the artist dude and I was so angry. At the same time, however, I can totally understand that she's 20 and the crush she'd develop on a gorgeous mentor artist is very natural. I am sad that their relationship developed beyond Rockport though and wonder if we're done with her story or if she will show up again down the road.

I loved a few things in this section - Addie trying on pants for the first time and all the things she tried to do in them. That made me smile. I also loved her Shakespeare night school class. That professor and his style of teaching was so unique. I love his philosophy of questions. What an interesting way to teach and to learn.

Like you, Robyn, I wasn't surprised by Betty and Levine. Made sense even. The scene at the graveyard where a few of them put stones on Celia's gravestone was touching.

The flu epidemic was so heartbreaking. I also don't remember much about this time period. It broke my heart that they lost 2 boys in 2 days. Just so sad.

I love the pacing of this book and am totally captivated by Addie's story. It feels like she's telling it to me. I like those moments here or there where she makes "side" comments to her granddaughter and steps out of the story just a bit. Makes it feel very conversational. I feel like I could be in the room with them listening to her talk.

Just finished this section and I just love this story. I agree with Krista, it's like Addie is sitting talking to me about her life and it's so fascinating.

It's just amazing how much we have advanced since the early 1900's. We've come so far in a relatively short amount of time. Such a horrible time when the flu epidemic took so many lives. My heart broke for Betty and Levine losing their kids so close together. What resilience they had to find the strength to move forward.

I just had to laugh at all of Addie's dating mishaps. It reminded me so much of my dating experience when I was in my 20's. Funny how the male/female relationship still seems to be the same no matter the century!😄

I wasn't surprised Betty and Levine got married. But I also didn't understand why Filomena aborted her baby but still ran off with the married man. I guess the social backlash of having a married man's baby was just too much for her to deal with.

I really love the chapter titles instead of numbers. It's like a preview of things to come.