Lynn Austin

Dear Readers,
There is always a bit of excitement when a new Lynn Austin book is due in. There are many people that look forward to her new book and start asking for it weeks in advance. While We're Far Apart is Lynn's newest and she once again doesn't disappoint her loyal fans.
I am not sure who I would call the main character of this book. You have Esther, who is trying to figure out how her life fell apart. Her mother has been gone a little over a year and her father just announced he is leaving for the army to help fight the Nazis. There is Penny, who has been in love with Eddie for as long as she can remember. When he announces he is leaving for the army and needs help with his children while he is gone, Penny is sure this is a way for her to get noticed by him. There is also Jacob who, besides trying to recover from the loss of his wife, is worried about his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter who are in Hungary. They all have such an important part to play in the story. There are also background characters that are just as important and yet don't have as big of parts.
Young Peter who has been unable to speak since the day his father left. Penny's parents and the secret they have kept and even Roy the young man on the bus. They are all part of the rich tapestry that is this story. I can't imagine the story without them. They all start out with their own tale, but as the story continues on they all become wrapped together and become part of each other's lives.
For me one of the most interesting storylines was Jacob's. How he waited to hear from his son in Hungary. How he worked behind the scenes to send money to different charities to get money over to Europe and save as many of the Jews as possible. Sometimes we forget that not only did Hitler affect families over in Europe, there were many families over here waiting for years to hear word of missing family members.
It is interesting to read a story like this in that it is a reminder that there are numerous families right now in America with family members overseas. They are all making new memories without that loved one there to share it with them. It is a great calling to defend our country, but it costs the families much.
Happy Reading