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pam2375's review
3.0
I am not a fan of short stories so this kind of put me off a bit. However, I did think that it was kind of nice that each short story was tied to each other in some way. This made for a great effort by each of the authors.
beastreader's review
4.0
I like reading stories that take place in the WWII era. This time period fascinates me. This is why when I heard about this anthology I had to check it out. I have to say that this is a fantastic anthology. I loved almost all of the stories in this collection. Not to say that the ones I did not love were bad because they were good. It is just that I wanted more out of them. They kind of felt incomplete as short stories. Or they did not bring me into the story as well as the others did. Although I felt like I was living in this era and could picture Grand Central Station and all of the characters in this book hanging out there. Even though I have never been there.
The lives of everyone in these stories were great. Of course I enjoyed reading Karen White and Pam Jenoff's stories. Two authors that I am familiar with their work and enjoy reading. The other authors I am not so familiar with but now I can say I am after reading this anthology. I will look for more books by these other authors. Grand Central is a joyous, lovely anthology. Check it out for yourself.
The lives of everyone in these stories were great. Of course I enjoyed reading Karen White and Pam Jenoff's stories. Two authors that I am familiar with their work and enjoy reading. The other authors I am not so familiar with but now I can say I am after reading this anthology. I will look for more books by these other authors. Grand Central is a joyous, lovely anthology. Check it out for yourself.
judithdcollins's review
4.0
Grand Central: Original Stories of Postwar Love and Reunion, what an incredible and beautiful tribute to New York City’s Grand Central Terminal 101th birthday— with the main entrance to this historical landmark, dedicated to the former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis this past Monday, honoring her efforts to keep the station open.
This group of talented ten bestselling and inspiring authors have put together a beautiful collection of memorable stories, each unique. Every person has a story to tell; allowing readers to enter the lives of many who have passed through this historical landmark. It is a place with lovers meet and ones say goodbye.
Of course, my two of my favorite authors are featured, the queens of historical fiction: Sarah Jio and Karen White, fitting for this heartwarming and compelling read. In addition, my other long-time favorite author, Kristin Hannah, introduces the novel with a touching story, as she describes that often in our war fiction, we overlook the truths of women and their importance during this time.
In some stories, the characters are finding new loves after devastating losses; while others are battling the terrible effects of the war and are seeking a better future. World War II was the last Great War for Americans, a time of national sacrifice and common goals. In our modern divided and conflicted world many of us long to glimpse a forgotten time, when the right path seemed easier to identify and follow. The Greatest Generation. This is what makes these stories powerful and compelling, as we revisit this era.
The characters are coming and going in so many different directions—not only geographically, but in their own individual lives. Set on the same day, just after the end of World War II, in a time of hope, uncertainty, change, and renewal.
I also enjoyed reading the other stories some authors which I have not had the opportunity of reading, prior to this book. A great way to make an introduction, to add to your to read list. I felt privileged to listen to the audiobook (and the e-book), from this distinguished group of authors, and narrated by Carla Mercer-Meyer.
A special thank you, for putting together this gem, readers can treasure for years to come, and pass along to future generations. Highly recommend to fans of historical fiction and love stories, who will appreciate this deeply moving collection to remind us what was lost and hope for the future.
http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/920540/grand-central-original-stories-of-postwar-love-and-reunion
This group of talented ten bestselling and inspiring authors have put together a beautiful collection of memorable stories, each unique. Every person has a story to tell; allowing readers to enter the lives of many who have passed through this historical landmark. It is a place with lovers meet and ones say goodbye.
Of course, my two of my favorite authors are featured, the queens of historical fiction: Sarah Jio and Karen White, fitting for this heartwarming and compelling read. In addition, my other long-time favorite author, Kristin Hannah, introduces the novel with a touching story, as she describes that often in our war fiction, we overlook the truths of women and their importance during this time.
As Hannah mentions, “This talented group of authors has taken an intriguing premise and coaxed from it a seamlessly integrated group of stories. In it, a single day in Grand Central Terminal—entrance to the melting pot of America—becomes the springboard for ten very different stories which when read together weave a beautiful tapestry about men and women and their war years.”
In some stories, the characters are finding new loves after devastating losses; while others are battling the terrible effects of the war and are seeking a better future. World War II was the last Great War for Americans, a time of national sacrifice and common goals. In our modern divided and conflicted world many of us long to glimpse a forgotten time, when the right path seemed easier to identify and follow. The Greatest Generation. This is what makes these stories powerful and compelling, as we revisit this era.
The characters are coming and going in so many different directions—not only geographically, but in their own individual lives. Set on the same day, just after the end of World War II, in a time of hope, uncertainty, change, and renewal.
I also enjoyed reading the other stories some authors which I have not had the opportunity of reading, prior to this book. A great way to make an introduction, to add to your to read list. I felt privileged to listen to the audiobook (and the e-book), from this distinguished group of authors, and narrated by Carla Mercer-Meyer.
A special thank you, for putting together this gem, readers can treasure for years to come, and pass along to future generations. Highly recommend to fans of historical fiction and love stories, who will appreciate this deeply moving collection to remind us what was lost and hope for the future.
http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/920540/grand-central-original-stories-of-postwar-love-and-reunion
kdurham2's review
5.0
Check out Kritters Ramblings for the full review
A collection of short stories from a perfect list of writers who are masters in historical fiction and all of these stories are centered around a US landmark - Grand Central Station. Set during the conclusion of World War II, many people may their way through Grand Central Station for many reasons and these authors tap into many of those reasons.
Not only was this a collection of short stories that all had a location in common, they magically weaved their characters in and out of each other stories and I adored it! I couldn't believe that they were able to get these characters to show up so seamlessly in the backgrounds of each others stories - can you tell that I loved it?! Each story was so unique in their way of portraying the events that were happening at the close of the war and also in different parts of the country.
A collection of short stories from a perfect list of writers who are masters in historical fiction and all of these stories are centered around a US landmark - Grand Central Station. Set during the conclusion of World War II, many people may their way through Grand Central Station for many reasons and these authors tap into many of those reasons.
Not only was this a collection of short stories that all had a location in common, they magically weaved their characters in and out of each other stories and I adored it! I couldn't believe that they were able to get these characters to show up so seamlessly in the backgrounds of each others stories - can you tell that I loved it?! Each story was so unique in their way of portraying the events that were happening at the close of the war and also in different parts of the country.
kluvable23's review
4.0
Love the multiple perspectives and stories. The tragedies of the war are almost masked by the beauty of love and reunion in the stories; plus the self discovery of each character. Very compelling.
tobyyy's review
5.0
I'm normally a little "eh" about anthologies.
I'm also normally a little (more) "eh" about anthologies of stories classified as being "romance."
However, Grand Central delivered. The authors included in this book were an amazing set (and 6 out of the 10 authors - 11 counting Kristin Hannah's forward - I'd read at least one of their novels and remembered their names).
I wouldn't call this a collection of romance stories. In fact, it was very much not focused on the romantic aspect at all. The stories were about love, loss, and reunion... but not always romantic love. I don't really know how to better explain it, but if you're like me and generally wary of books that could be (or are) labeled as "romance," I assure you that none of the stories in Grand Central were annoyingly romantic. (I guess it's romance in terms of the classical phrase... where a person could be dubbed "a romantic" - rather than the meaning of "here's a bunch of scenes that completely rely on sexual tension/action to actually kind of sort of 'work.'")
I also loved how the stories were tied together... very slightly, very subtly. Loved it.
5/5 - would read again!
I'm also normally a little (more) "eh" about anthologies of stories classified as being "romance."
However, Grand Central delivered. The authors included in this book were an amazing set (and 6 out of the 10 authors - 11 counting Kristin Hannah's forward - I'd read at least one of their novels and remembered their names).
I wouldn't call this a collection of romance stories. In fact, it was very much not focused on the romantic aspect at all. The stories were about love, loss, and reunion... but not always romantic love. I don't really know how to better explain it, but if you're like me and generally wary of books that could be (or are) labeled as "romance," I assure you that none of the stories in Grand Central were annoyingly romantic. (I guess it's romance in terms of the classical phrase... where a person could be dubbed "a romantic" - rather than the meaning of "here's a bunch of scenes that completely rely on sexual tension/action to actually kind of sort of 'work.'")
I also loved how the stories were tied together... very slightly, very subtly. Loved it.
5/5 - would read again!
kaulyjo's review
5.0
I am generally not a fan of short story compilations, but the cover (a soldier and a young woman kissing the grand four-sided clock in the main terminal) caught my eye. All of the stories center around a single day at post-World War II Grand Central Station, and all of the stories interconnect at some small moment, bringing them together.
I found this to be a wonderful collection of stories. There were all so different, but each built well upon the one before it. I felt an emotional pull for each main character, and I kept rooting for the happy ending, even if it wasn't the traditional kind of happy ending. I like to believe they all got it.
I found this to be a wonderful collection of stories. There were all so different, but each built well upon the one before it. I felt an emotional pull for each main character, and I kept rooting for the happy ending, even if it wasn't the traditional kind of happy ending. I like to believe they all got it.
joeybartusek's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5