Evergreen

Belva Plain

Book 1 in the series:Werner Family Saga

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multi generational family saga

jewish immigrants in america

historical fiction

struggles of identity

love and sacrifice

historical events of the early 20th century

immigration journey from poland

life during world wars i and ii

new york city backdrop

emotional writing style

steady pacing with a lengthy narrative

personal tragedies and joys

descriptive passages that convey emotion

Evergreen by Belva Plain is a family saga following Anna Friedman from her childhood in a 19th century Polish village through her immigration to America. The story encompasses Anna's life journey through World Wars I and II, marriage, family, the depression, her husband's successful business, and various tragedies and joys. The book beautifully portrays the multi-generational tale of Anna's family, showcasing the changes through the generations and her constant battle for happiness and fulfillment. Belva Plain's writing style immerses the reader in the rich historical backdrop of New York and captures the struggles and triumphs of the characters in a graceful and insightful manner.

Characters:

Characters are well-developed, with authentic struggles that reflect issues of identity, love, and sacrifice throughout their lives.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by descriptive passages that convey emotion but can feel uneven or choppy at times.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows the life journey of a young Jewish girl from Poland who migrates to America, highlighting her struggles and triumphs through various historical events.

Setting:

The setting spans from a small village in Poland to various locations in New York City, framing the historical events from the early 20th century through the late 20th century.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally steady, but with nearly 700 pages, it can feel lengthy and sometimes slow in parts.

In the beginning there was a warm room with a table, a black iron stove and old red-flowered wallpaper. The child lay on a cot feeling the good heat while the mother moved peacefully from the table to...

Notes:

Belva Plain's Evergreen was first published in 1978.

The book was on the New York Times best seller list for a record 41 weeks.

It tells the story of Anna, a young Jewish girl from Poland who immigrates to America.

The novel spans from 1906, when Anna is 12, to 1972, when she is 78.

Evergreen covers significant historical events like World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II.

Anti-Semitism, interfaith marriage, and family dynamics are major themes in the book.

Anna's character deals with love, loss, and generational struggles.

Evergreen is the first book in the Werner Family Saga, followed by Tapestry and Harvest.

Many readers relate to Anna's experiences, seeing their own family stories reflected in hers.

Some have found the writing style clunky, while others appreciate its depth.

The book explores the emotional impact of the Holocaust on Jewish immigrants.

Readers enjoy the detailed depiction of immigrant life in early 20th century New York.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of anti-Semitism, infidelity, and a scene involving rape.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance in Evergreen, with key relationships that impact the protagonist's life.

From The Publisher:

"A grand, sweeping panorama . . . richly written, finely detailed . . . vivid and memorable."-Daily News (New York)

Yearning for a better life, Anna Friedman fled Poland for New York at the turn of the century. Finding work as a maid for the Werner family, Anna discovers an elegance beyond her dreams-and the passion of Paul Werner, a man beyond her reach, even when she is in his arms. But it is Joseph Friedman whom she marries. And through an act of illicit passion that will haunt her though all her days, Anna lifts Joseph from poverty to a wealth on which the Friedman dynasty would be based for generations. Sweeping from Jazz Age New York to Nazi Germany to a sun-baked Israeli kibbutz, Evergreen has become a modern American classic-an epic novel that spans three generations of an unforgettable family-and exposes the heart of an extraordinary woman: her marriage, her children, her deceit.

"A magnificent story . . . this beautifully written book will be treasured and reread for many years to come."-Library Journal

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What can you read after
Evergreen?

See the list (15 books)

About the Author:

Belva Plain is the New York Times bestselling author of Evergreen, Random Winds, Eden Burning, Crescent City, The Golden Cup, Tapestry, Blessings, Harvest, Treasures, Whispers, Daybreak, The Carousel, Promises, Secrecy, Homecoming, Legacy of Silence, Fortune's Hand, After the Fire, Looking…

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