A Fall of Marigolds

Such depth to this story! I loved its layers. I loved it all.

Clever book.

This is such a lovely story of love and loss and love returned. It was so interesting to also learn about Ellis island, you feel like you’re really there. Highly recommended!!

I did not want this book to end. Amazing how it transported you between two worlds, 100 years apart, but I never felt like it was jumpy or missing anything. The dawn of realization when the two worlds/lives come together was truly an inspirational moment. I cried and feel like a better person for having read this extraordinary novel.

This is by far the BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ. IT CHANGED MY LIFE. You must read it. It has important life lessons and incredible quotes. I can’t even put it into words.

It’s lovely how the author ties together two different time periods. You enjoy all the characters whether in the past or current.

I enjoyed this book in spite of the fact that the 1911 heroine was weak.

I loved this book. The author isn’t afraid to visit the depth of soul. I know this doesn’t tell you much. This is the best book I have read in a long while. This book proves a great historical story can be written without the emphasis on murder and violence. It is written on the aftermath of death but most of all it is written about the chances we take to love.

My book club chose this book for our September read. I absolutely love the authors style and how she navigated between the characters. I can't wait to read more of her books.

Have you ever found an item and wondered about the lives of its previous owners? I have, which is why I was intrigued by A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner which is, at its core, about one beautiful scarf linking two women across time. A dual narrative spanning a century, this story follows two women: Clara, a nurse at Ellis Island in 1911, and Taryn, a single mother in present day. Both women are struggling to overcome personal tragedies and are, ultimately, seeking redemption. One of the things that I loved about this book, aside from the storyline, was the setting. The detailed descriptions about the life and patients on Ellis Island created such a vivid world that I could easily lose myself in the early 1900′s. Present-day Manhattan, of course, required less description and I am glad that the author chose to to use her words wisely by focusing on the past. Meissner avoids the mistake most historical fiction writers make by striking the perfect balance between description and plot. Lyrically written and with impeccable character development, A Fall of Marigolds is the perfect book to curl up with. The author has a gift for bringing emotions to the surface and takes the reader on an emotional journey that will leave you breathless. As the women faced their fears and made decisions that would last a lifetime, I felt like I was standing beside them, my heart racing in time with theirs. Historical fiction fans will absolutely adore this book.