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aidnoah's review against another edition
2.0
The summary piqued my interest. Not only that, but I’ve hit a point in my reading life that made me want to read historical novels – getting a feel of how much we have changed since such times.
Ann Rinaldi is a renowned author of historical novels, and in this one she delves into the past of her own family. The story sounded pretty unique, if not for its own time than for ours.
However, the thought of a fifteen year-old marrying someone who is thirty… having a baby at that age, I couldn’t believe it, and was distantly disgusted. Not overly so, because I also understand that that is what people did back then. But even so….
The ending was far too abrupt. I turned the page, expecting to know more, see more of what happened with Charlotte, but there was nothing. Nothing except and author’s note, and certainly no promise that there would be a continuation. Such a drop-off ending for a singular novel infuriates me, and was one of the reasons I gave this book the rating that I did.
Ann Rinaldi is a renowned author of historical novels, and in this one she delves into the past of her own family. The story sounded pretty unique, if not for its own time than for ours.
However, the thought of a fifteen year-old marrying someone who is thirty… having a baby at that age, I couldn’t believe it, and was distantly disgusted. Not overly so, because I also understand that that is what people did back then. But even so….
The ending was far too abrupt. I turned the page, expecting to know more, see more of what happened with Charlotte, but there was nothing. Nothing except and author’s note, and certainly no promise that there would be a continuation. Such a drop-off ending for a singular novel infuriates me, and was one of the reasons I gave this book the rating that I did.
ra042312's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
thecactusprincess's review against another edition
4.0
A really good book, very quick read (I think the reading level it about a 4th grade, however THIS IS NOT A 4th GRADE BOOK) she marries a man twice her age and they talk about things probably no fourth grader should be reading. The time period is quite nice and very vintage, I ended up loving the characters (oddly enough minus the main character it's written from). I wish it went on a bit longer up through *Spoiler Alert* when she has her baby. However I feel like Ann Rinaldi just felt like writing a one-shot or something. Anyways a good quick read, I read it in about 2 hours. :)
justcatherine's review against another edition
3.0
The characters were not well-developed, and I never felt like I really knew the protag. The ending was abrupt and in a way the book felt choppy. An interesting premise, but weaker writing from Rinaldi.
mystery_reader_24's review against another edition
3.0
This book served as yet another Saturday into Sunday, quick-read. Upon completion, I can now understand some of the low ratings by reviewers. It had a good premise, as the characters were based on the author's grandparents. Unfortunately, Rinaldi stated that she didn't know much about her grandparents, so I assumed the majority of details must be completely fictional. That seemed to translate into a form of detached or superficial characterization throughout the novel.
Brooklyn Rose actually felt more like a well-developed short story and the hasty ending didn't help matters. I read the end without even realizing it, flipped the page and then noticed the beginning of the Author's Note chapter. The most enjoyable aspect of the writing was the journal entry format. (I am a total sucker for books written in an epistolary format, whether it be in diary form or letters!) Some readers commented on the 'ick' factor of a fifteen year old marrying a much older man but I tried to view it as a neutral observer, while considering that was a still a socially acceptable practice during the early 1900s.
Although I didn't love the execution of this book, I liked the spirit of it enough to consider reading another historical fiction novel by Ann Rinaldi.
Brooklyn Rose actually felt more like a well-developed short story and the hasty ending didn't help matters. I read the end without even realizing it, flipped the page and then noticed the beginning of the Author's Note chapter. The most enjoyable aspect of the writing was the journal entry format. (I am a total sucker for books written in an epistolary format, whether it be in diary form or letters!) Some readers commented on the 'ick' factor of a fifteen year old marrying a much older man but I tried to view it as a neutral observer, while considering that was a still a socially acceptable practice during the early 1900s.
Although I didn't love the execution of this book, I liked the spirit of it enough to consider reading another historical fiction novel by Ann Rinaldi.
dandelionfluff's review against another edition
2.0
So I read this when it came out, and for the life of me could not remember what it was until last night in a grand epiphany it came to me: Brooklyn Rose! Surely I can find it again and have reviews help me remember just what drove me to it in the first place.
And, reading the other reviews, I've got to say that yeah, I definitely remember being dissatisfied and a bit weirded out by this plot.
While I can't remember the exact details of the narrative, I can remember having to constantly remind myself that being married at 15 to someone twice your age was once upon a time very normal. And, I also remember how the whole sex thing was never adequately addressed, even though she's basically a child, and is constantly treated like one.
This was the most glaring issue for me: as a teenager, I distinctly felt the pangs of wanting to be seen as someone who possesses a brain of her own, while simultaneously becoming my own person. This protagonist, however, is a mere 15 years old and is already being given the responsibilities of wife and mother. How on earth could anyone properly fall into this role without strict guidance? No wonder her husband treats her the way he does; he's practically a father-figure and later father-to-be. Creepy? Creepy.
I cringe at writing zingers, but here we are: I'm not a Rinaldi fan, so I can't measure this up to her other work, but as a book of Young Adult Historical Fiction, I feel it could have been written with a bit more sensitivity and deeper exploration of what it was like to be this young in this time period, being a mother and wife with a husband who's significantly older. The psychology must be fascinating, but reading this, I'm still left guessing.
And, reading the other reviews, I've got to say that yeah, I definitely remember being dissatisfied and a bit weirded out by this plot.
Spoiler
While I can't remember the exact details of the narrative, I can remember having to constantly remind myself that being married at 15 to someone twice your age was once upon a time very normal. And, I also remember how the whole sex thing was never adequately addressed, even though she's basically a child, and is constantly treated like one.
This was the most glaring issue for me: as a teenager, I distinctly felt the pangs of wanting to be seen as someone who possesses a brain of her own, while simultaneously becoming my own person. This protagonist, however, is a mere 15 years old and is already being given the responsibilities of wife and mother. How on earth could anyone properly fall into this role without strict guidance? No wonder her husband treats her the way he does; he's practically a father-figure and later father-to-be. Creepy? Creepy.
I cringe at writing zingers, but here we are: I'm not a Rinaldi fan, so I can't measure this up to her other work, but as a book of Young Adult Historical Fiction, I feel it could have been written with a bit more sensitivity and deeper exploration of what it was like to be this young in this time period, being a mother and wife with a husband who's significantly older. The psychology must be fascinating, but reading this, I'm still left guessing.
ocnlvr83's review against another edition
4.0
I love historical novels. And this one was no exception. I will admit that I was a little weirded out by who the character marries, and the age difference between the two, but I also accepted that this was a story that happened over 100 years ago, so that helped a little.
I loved this story. I enjoyed the budding romance between the two characters, the story behind them, and the events that occurred around them.
I loved this story. I enjoyed the budding romance between the two characters, the story behind them, and the events that occurred around them.