Staff Pick
After escaping WWII-era Berlin for London, the Rosenblums must assimilate into proper British society. Sadie Rosenblum isn't as concerned with fitting in as her husband, preferring to hang onto and embrace her German roots. Jack Rosenblum, however, will not be swayed from attaining the perfect English life. Marmalade, a Jaguar, and correct English attire soon follow, along with Jack's ownership of a respectable carpet factory. Yet, much to his consternation, one item is just outside of his reach: membership to a golf club. Try as he might, this is one element of British society that is seemingly unattainable. So, a desperate Jack does what he must: He builds his own golf club.
Although this is a light, funny, charming story, it doesn't lack depth. Solomons packs the pages with volumes of commentary on war, prejudice, and class, as well as the fears associated with leaving home, the difficulties of assimilation, and the personal cost of becoming culturally "invisible." Based on the true life story of the author's grandparents, this novel is dark and poignant underneath its delightful, sweet facade. Recommended By Dianah H., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
At the outset of World War II, Jack Rosenblum, his wife Sadie, and their baby daughter escape Berlin, bound for London. They are greeted with a pamphlet instructing immigrants how to act like the English. Jack acquires Saville Row suits and a Jaguar. He buys his marmalade from Fortnum & Mason and learns to list the entire British monarchy back to 913 A.D. He never speaks German, apart from the occasional curse. But the one key item that would make him feel fully British -membership in a golf club-remains elusive. In post-war England, no golf club will admit a Rosenblum. Jack hatches a wild idea: he'll build his own.
It's an obsession Sadie does not share, particularly when Jack relocates them to a thatched roof cottage in Dorset to embark on his project. She doesn't want to forget who they are or where they come from. She wants to bake the cakes she used to serve to friends in the old country and reminisce. Now she's stuck in an inhospitable landscape filled with unwelcoming people, watching their bank account shrink as Jack pursues his quixotic dream.
In her tender, sweetly comic debut, Natasha Solomons tells the captivating love story of a couple making a new life-and their wildest dreams-come true.
Synopsis
With its bittersweet humor and World War II nostalgia, this novel, inspired by autobiographical events, is the charming love story of a couple making a new life--and their wildest dreams--come true.
Synopsis
At the outset of World War II, Jack Rosenblum and his family escape Berlin for London. Jack embraces the welcome pamphlet instructing immigrants how to act like "the English." He acquires Saville Row suits and a Jaguar. He never speaks German, apart from the occasional curse. But one key item--membership in a golf club--remains elusive. So Jack hatches a wild idea: he'll build his own.
Jack's wife, Sadie, does not share this obsession. She wants to cook her mother's recipes and remember the life they left behind. But when Jack relocates them to the country, Sadie watches their savings deplete as he pursues his quixotic dream.
In this gently surprising first novel, Natasha Solomons tells the captivating love story of a couple making a new life--and their wildest dreams--come true.
About the Author
Natasha Solomons is a screenwriter who lives in Dorset, England. Mr Rosenblum Dreams in English is her first novel and was inspired in part by her childhood spent at the cottage her own grandparents bought with restitution money from Germany. The recipes in the novel are from her grandmother's ancient cookbook. Solomons' most recent novel is the New York Times bestseller The House at Tyneford.