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dasbooch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
elemmire's review against another edition
2.0
Never before have more unlikely coincidences taken place in one book. The string of events flow like a river of molasses, which I suppose is fitting with the southern location of most of it. By this I mean that there is one central plot, which is fine, but each sub plot that tries to go off into a slightly different direction is immediately sucked back into the black hole of the main plot. I really came to the conclusion that Jacob wasn't picked as a spy just because he was Jewish, but also because he was entirely expendable. He may be brilliant with number, but nothing else. You get the sense that he should be wearing thick glasses and spending all of his time in the library, yet not gaining as much knowledge as would be assumed. A story about an ordinary man doing what he is told, in an extremely understated way.
I'm also sure that there are words other than beautiful and stunning to describe an attractive woman.
I'm also sure that there are words other than beautiful and stunning to describe an attractive woman.
purplealyssum's review
3.0
Phenomenal at portraying Jewish history on both sides of the civil war, knocking off stars bc of how weirdly sympathetic it was towards the confederacy at points?? Eugenia is a great character and a strong female role model if you manage to overlook the fact that she’s a racist and confederate????? Which i’m sorry but i can’t overlook? Like blah blah blah nuance i get it i read the authors note but. I dont want to be sympathetic to the confederacy, even in the confines of fiction. But it keeps 3 stars because of how little accurate and good Jewish rep there is, and that this is a narrative not often given the limelight.
lilays43's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This story really ebbed and flowed for me. At some points I was so invested in the characters and others it just seemed like filler.
magpiewithpebbles's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
amongthelunatics's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rachelmariereads's review against another edition
4.0
This was book was absolutely stunning. A heartbreaking tale of a Jewish man coming of age during the Civil War, and being asked to make impossible choices.
The story begins on Passover in 1861, as Jacob Rappaport’s parents attempt to set him up for marriage with one of their business associate’s daughters. Horrified by the prospect, Jacob runs away to join the Union Army right as the Civil War begins. A year into his service his generals ask him to do the unthinkable: murder his own uncle. His uncle is on the opposite side, and apparently a threat to the Union. Seeing no other option, Jacob goes undercover as a Confederate soldier and does what he is told. When he returns, the generals give him another task. This time, instead of murdering someone on the other side, he’s asked to win their trust and marry them.
Eugenia Levy and her three sisters are unlike anyone that Jacob has ever met. Jacob has been told that they are running a spy ring, funneling Union information back to the Confederate Army… but things are not always what they seem. And despite being on opposite sides of the war, Jacob can’t help but be captivated by Eugenia. What ensues is a devastating tale of love and loss in unthinkable circumstances.
I really loved the way this story was woven together. Horn really takes her time painting the picture of the war, the difficult conditions in the trenches, the missing loved ones back home. She also makes a point of showing that there are good and bad people on both sides of the war. I think growing up we’re taught that the North was “good” and the South was “bad”... but that’s just geography. There were good and bad people stuck on either side of the lines when the fighting began, and Jacob sees them all.
I learned so much from this novel. It’s clear Dara Horn has done her research and is passionate about the subject. I’m not usually one to gravitate towards historical fiction, but I’m so glad I did. This is a story that is going to stick with me for a long time. I was so impressed by Dara Horn’s writing, and I am already planning to pick up more of her books!
The story begins on Passover in 1861, as Jacob Rappaport’s parents attempt to set him up for marriage with one of their business associate’s daughters. Horrified by the prospect, Jacob runs away to join the Union Army right as the Civil War begins. A year into his service his generals ask him to do the unthinkable: murder his own uncle. His uncle is on the opposite side, and apparently a threat to the Union. Seeing no other option, Jacob goes undercover as a Confederate soldier and does what he is told. When he returns, the generals give him another task. This time, instead of murdering someone on the other side, he’s asked to win their trust and marry them.
Eugenia Levy and her three sisters are unlike anyone that Jacob has ever met. Jacob has been told that they are running a spy ring, funneling Union information back to the Confederate Army… but things are not always what they seem. And despite being on opposite sides of the war, Jacob can’t help but be captivated by Eugenia. What ensues is a devastating tale of love and loss in unthinkable circumstances.
I really loved the way this story was woven together. Horn really takes her time painting the picture of the war, the difficult conditions in the trenches, the missing loved ones back home. She also makes a point of showing that there are good and bad people on both sides of the war. I think growing up we’re taught that the North was “good” and the South was “bad”... but that’s just geography. There were good and bad people stuck on either side of the lines when the fighting began, and Jacob sees them all.
I learned so much from this novel. It’s clear Dara Horn has done her research and is passionate about the subject. I’m not usually one to gravitate towards historical fiction, but I’m so glad I did. This is a story that is going to stick with me for a long time. I was so impressed by Dara Horn’s writing, and I am already planning to pick up more of her books!
themagicalinbetween's review against another edition
3.0
There's a new edition of this book with a gorgeously designed cover which is what drew me to it at the used bookstore. Once I eventually began reading it, I was intrigued immediately and couldn't put it down. While the main character, Jacob wasn't the most winsome or interesting, the plot and the storyline based on true people and true events made this book a page-turner.
Historical fiction (especially based on true events) has long inspired me with the way it can weave various ideas and new perspectives in an intriguing and informative manner. "All Other Nights" brings to light a very different experience of the Civil War through the Jewish Americans, all of who are the main characters in this novel.
I found "All Other Nights" intriguing, raw, tragic and thought-provoking. There's a depth that is presented with the unmet longings and unanswered questions. The weighing between what is right and wrong, what makes a hero, and how to decide when faced with questions of loyalty to those you love or duty to the cause. The author describes the emotions of some difficult situations and there are honest but not graphic descriptions of intimacy. My only frustration was with the rather rushed climax and what felt like an abruptness of the ending. I believe the author's intent was to continue that tension and somewhat "unresolved but left up to fate" idea that carries throughout the book. There's resolve but not in a way that leaves you entirely satisfied. It almost felt just a little like the ending of "Gone With the Wind" but not as dramatic or quite as heartbreaking. Just a hollow feeling of questions and unknowns.
Personally, I found this book haunting with echoes of questions and continuing to see patterns of the struggles that humanity faces today of justice, standing for your beliefs, liberty and doing what is right no matter what the cost.
Historical fiction (especially based on true events) has long inspired me with the way it can weave various ideas and new perspectives in an intriguing and informative manner. "All Other Nights" brings to light a very different experience of the Civil War through the Jewish Americans, all of who are the main characters in this novel.
I found "All Other Nights" intriguing, raw, tragic and thought-provoking. There's a depth that is presented with the unmet longings and unanswered questions. The weighing between what is right and wrong, what makes a hero, and how to decide when faced with questions of loyalty to those you love or duty to the cause. The author describes the emotions of some difficult situations and there are honest but not graphic descriptions of intimacy. My only frustration was with the rather rushed climax and what felt like an abruptness of the ending. I believe the author's intent was to continue that tension and somewhat "unresolved but left up to fate" idea that carries throughout the book. There's resolve but not in a way that leaves you entirely satisfied. It almost felt just a little like the ending of "Gone With the Wind" but not as dramatic or quite as heartbreaking. Just a hollow feeling of questions and unknowns.
Personally, I found this book haunting with echoes of questions and continuing to see patterns of the struggles that humanity faces today of justice, standing for your beliefs, liberty and doing what is right no matter what the cost.
katieparker's review
4.0
All Other Nights is about a 19-year-old Jew named Jacob Rappaport, who is a Union soldier during the Civil War. One day, he is summoned before three of his officers who have an assignment for him: travel across the lines to New Orleans to kill his uncle, who is planning the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Thinking he has no choice but to accept, he makes the journey and completes the mission, much to his surprise. When he returns, he expects to be lauded for his efforts, but is instead met with a new mission: befriend a family known to his father, and marry one of the daughters, who is suspected of being a Confederate spy. What he doesn’t anticipate is to genuinely fall in love with her.
I won’t say much to ruin any more of the plot than I already have, but I will say that I became so engrossed in it that I stayed up well past midnight the last three nights reading it. It reminded me a lot of the many young adult historical fiction novels I read as a kid, primarily the books by Ann Rinaldi. I actually probably hadn’t actually read a Civil War-based novel since then! I enjoyed the book a lot and will almost definitely seek out the author’s other works, though what I really want is a sequel to this one.
I won’t say much to ruin any more of the plot than I already have, but I will say that I became so engrossed in it that I stayed up well past midnight the last three nights reading it. It reminded me a lot of the many young adult historical fiction novels I read as a kid, primarily the books by Ann Rinaldi. I actually probably hadn’t actually read a Civil War-based novel since then! I enjoyed the book a lot and will almost definitely seek out the author’s other works, though what I really want is a sequel to this one.
carrieliza's review against another edition
5.0
Ok, Dara Horn, I forgive you for the crap ending of "The World to Come". Because if that's what you needed to do to get to this book, then I'm fine with it.
This book has so many things I love: Lincoln, Jews, history!
I was a bit surprised when it ended, and a little sad--I wanted more.
This book has so many things I love: Lincoln, Jews, history!
I was a bit surprised when it ended, and a little sad--I wanted more.