Family responsibility, expectations, and the resulting fallout are the facets that make this gem sparkle. The characters are richly drawn, and the protagonist is so sympathetic that you can feel the duty on your shoulders as you read. Not a great choice if you want something lighthearted, but if it's gripping you're after, this is it.

Had to check it out. Amnesia is always a questionable plot device in my opinion (so handy), but hey, war is hell, and maybe it's more common than I think. The writing is good, and the story works, or I think it does. Maybe I forgot.

This book was completely unrealistic, but it's fun and it works. And you want it to keep going. Hilarious, suspenseful and touching.

Several horrific events coincided in the Windy City to create mayhem and madness. Top it off with dishonest politicians (is that redundant?) and you get a big old mess. I'm not sure these events in and of themselves are what "gave birth to Modern Chicago", but they sure might have made you wonder if you should move. Interesting, but not riveting, somehow.

This book pulls you in, takes you back and then takes off. Alternating between soothing memories of yesteryear and captivating, suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat moments keep you flipping those pages until the last one has been turned.

If you haven't already read this, you should remedy that now. If you have already read this, perhaps you should again. A perfect story, message, cautionary tale, commentary on the times, and sociological treatise all rolled up into one book.

Steel yourself for the racist banter of the times, and you'll have a good read on your hands. A many-layered masterpiece.

This book was FASCINATING! Peek behind the curtain at household names and blow the lid off what you thought you knew. This well-researched tome has just enough gossip rag to keep things moving along nicely. Loved it.

Jeffrey applies a dreamy style to this bleak topic in a tale told by a group of neighborhood boys, onlookers to the tragedy unfolding in the house where the girls off themselves, one by one. Left me feeling a little empty, but it is well-written. Glad it wasn't my introduction to him or I might have missed out.

Somehow this book has always been so enchanting to me. Worth a read and a step away from reality.

Wow. Soooooo much history. I read this book because of our friend, Bill, whose mom was 100% Basque. So cool. This well-researched book offers lots I hadn't known, mostly that you're not considered Basque unless you speak the language. Who knew?

This story tells the tale of a trio of Australian war brides and where those vows led. Though not always rosy, isn't that reality? I found this book to be highly readable and absorbing.