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Debra's Reviews > A Fall of Marigolds

A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner
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really liked it
bookshelves: witch-words-reads

3.5 stars

"The marigold insisted I not give up. They are very resilient flowers, you know.... They aren't fragrant like roses and sweet peas, but they can stand against odds that the more fragile flowers cannot.... They can bloom in the fall, even after a frost. Even after all other flowers have given up."

A scarf connects two women both coping with tragic events which lead to loss and heartache.

In 1911, Nurse Clara Wood survived the Triangle Shirtwaist fire. The fire was the deadliest industrial disaster in U.S. history. The fire resulted in the death of 123 women and 23 men. In the book, Clara was able to get out of the factory in time only to see those who jumped, including a man she had feelings for, to their deaths rather than face the flames. However, the trauma of the fire and what and who she has lost haunts her and she accepts a job on Ellis Island caring for sick immigrants. There she meets a man with whom she feels a connection as he has a loss like her own. She is drawn to the scarf he has, and the name embroidered on it. In helping the man obtain some of his belongings, she learns some truths and is left with a decision concerning the "truth" and whether to tell the truth and in doing so will she herself learn some "truths"?

In September 2011, widow Taryn Michaels is working in a specialty fabric store. Her life is turned upside down when a photograph of her is published in a magazine. The photograph shows her and a man who helped her on September 11, 2001 when she was attempting to meet her husband at the World Trade Center when tragedy struck. In the book, her husband dies in the collapse in the World Trade Center. The attacks on 9/11 killed 2,996 people and injured 6,000 others (according to Wikipedia).

"Everything beautiful has a story it wants to tell. But not every story is beautiful."

The book is about both women but mainly focuses on Clara's story. With dual story-lines, I find I always enjoy one more than the other and this was the case here. I did enjoy Clara's story more but wonder if that is because her story was given more attention in this book. Her story takes up most of the book. I did learn some about scarlet fever and how immigration was handled during that time specifically when dealing with ill immigrants. I enjoyed how the Author showed Clara being unwilling to move on with her life as her friends were gently prodding her to do just that. To move on, to stop being stuck, and to finally see the “truth” about not only how she was living but also about the man who died the day of the fire. Having said that, I also feel that the Author could have moved things along a little faster in this aspect.

I would have liked to have seen Taryn's story-line fleshed out a lot more. She lost her husband in 9/11 and is coping with the guilt that he was on a certain floor in the tower because she asked him to meet her there. She is also wrestling with what her daughter's reaction will be when she learns this information. I remember watching the towers fall on television. I can't even imagine what it must have been like to be in NYC during that time and after or what it was like for those who lost loved ones, survived or in any way were affected by the tragedy that day. In this book Taryn was saved by a stranger as so many were that tragic day. I really would have loved more about Taryn's experiences in this book. Her story line got the short end of the stick here and I would have liked to have known more about her and her daughter.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read about two women who share the theme of loss and have a connection to a scarf. Their story-line's eventually merge, and it was rewarding to learn how. As the Author used real life tragic events, I wish she would have given both equal time. I know I have said that before in my review, but I just wanted a little bit more. I realize that Clara's story-line is necessary for setting up the reason for the connecting of both story-lines, but I feel that could have been done with giving more focus to Taryn's story-line as well.

This is a great book for books clubs as there is a lot to discuss here: historical events, loss, tragedies, love, denial, what constitutes love, survivor’s guilt, moving on, coping with loss of a loved one, transference, ethics, etc.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
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Reading Progress

August 27, 2018 – Started Reading
August 27, 2018 – Shelved
August 27, 2018 –
10.0%
August 28, 2018 –
29.0%
August 28, 2018 –
36.0%
August 28, 2018 –
53.0%
August 31, 2018 –
69.0%
August 31, 2018 –
73.0%
September 1, 2018 – Finished Reading
September 2, 2018 – Shelved as: witch-words-reads

Comments Showing 1-41 of 41 (41 new)

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Sandysbookaday (currentlyonholidayuntilmid-Jan) I loved this book. I hope you are enjoying it too. 😎


Debra Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "I loved this book. I hope you are enjoying it too. 😎"

I am enjoying it! I hope to finish it over the weekend!


Debra Elyse wrote: "Debra --I have a kindle download -- and I've had it in my thoughts to read this book forever -- I can't wait to read your thoughts -- you are 'already' inspiring me. Thank you :)
I just love our bo..."


Thank you Elyse. I am enjoying this one. I hope you enjoy it as well. I hope to finish and review this one today. So far, I am really enjoying it.


message 4: by Paul (new)

Paul Falk Wonderful review Debra!


message 5: by Angela M (new)

Angela M Terrific review, Debra .


Debra Paul wrote: "Wonderful review Debra!"

Thank you Paul!


Debra Angela M wrote: "Terrific review, Debra ."

Thank you Angela!


RedemptionDenied Excellent review, Debra!


message 9: by Julie (new)

Julie I often enjoy one storyline over another, too, when there are dual time lines- usually the historical part. LOL! This sounds really good! Great review, Debra!


Debra RedemptionDenied wrote: "Excellent review, Debra!"

Thank you RedemptionDenied!


Debra Julie wrote: "I often enjoy one storyline over another, too, when there are dual time lines- usually the historical part. LOL! This sounds really good! Great review, Debra!"

Thank you Julie! I am the same, I usually like the story-line based in the past more.


message 12: by Suzy (new) - rated it 4 stars

Suzy Great review Debra! 😊


Debra Babydimps (Suzy) wrote: "Great review Debra! 😊"

Thank you Suzy!


message 14: by Jess☺️ (new)

Jess☺️ Brilliant review Debra!!🤗


message 15: by Sheri (new)

Sheri Great review, Debra!


message 16: by Paula (new)

Paula K Excellent review, Debra!


Debra Jess ☺️ wrote: "Brilliant review Debra!!🤗"

Thank you Jess.


Debra Sheri wrote: "Great review, Debra!"

Thank you Sheri!


Debra Paula wrote: "Excellent review, Debra!"

Thank you Paula!


message 20: by *TUDOR^QUEEN* (new)

*TUDOR^QUEEN* Excellent review, Debra :-)


Debra *TUDOR^QUEEN* wrote: "Excellent review, Debra :-)"

Thank you Tudor Queen!


message 22: by JanB (new)

JanB I wish I could have joined in on this TF read - it sounds great! Nice review Debra!


Debra JanB wrote: "I wish I could have joined in on this TF read - it sounds great! Nice review Debra!"

Thank you Jan!


message 24: by Bookworm (new)

Bookworm Nice review Debra


Alex ✰ Comets and Comments ✰ Lovely review, babe <3 Glad you enjoyed xox


Sandysbookaday (currentlyonholidayuntilmid-Jan) Great review Debra. So glad you enjoyed this. 😎


Debra Bookworm wrote: "Nice review Debra"

Thank you Bookworm!


Debra Alex ✰ Comets and Comments ✰ wrote: "Lovely review, babe <3 Glad you enjoyed xox"

Thank you Alex!


Debra Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "Great review Debra. So glad you enjoyed this. 😎"

Thank you Sandy!


message 30: by Deanna (new)

Deanna Great review!!


Debra Deanna wrote: "Great review!!"

Thank you Deanna!


message 32: by Mackey (new)

Mackey I love your review of this one Debra - it sounds beautiful!


Debra Mackey wrote: "I love your review of this one Debra - it sounds beautiful!"

Thank you Mackey! It was a lovely book!


message 34: by KAS (new)

KAS Very thoughtful review, Debra :) Sounds like a fascinating, yet deeply sad read. xoxo


Debra KAS wrote: "Very thoughtful review, Debra :) Sounds like a fascinating, yet deeply sad read. xoxo"

Thank you KAS! It was an emotional read but very good. Really enjoyed it.


message 36: by Holly (new)

Holly  B (slower pace!) Great review Debra!


Debra Holly wrote: "Great review Debra!"

Thank you Holly!


message 38: by MarilynW (new)

MarilynW Great review Debra! 💕


Debra marilyn wrote: "Great review Debra! 💕"

Thank you Marilyn!


Greta Samuelson Great review. I just started reading yesterday. It certainly stirs a lot of emotions.


Debra Greta wrote: "Great review. I just started reading yesterday. It certainly stirs a lot of emotions."

Thank you, Greta!


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