Saturday, January 3, 2015

The Boston Girl

Addie Baum is being interviewed by her granddaughter Ava as
she approaches her college graduation. She asks 85 yr old Addie, "How did you get to be the woman you are today?" And so begins the diary-like story of The Boston Girl. Beginning in the early 1900's, the daughter of immigrant parents working in the local factories, learning english, living in the tenements and not having much to eat, Addie shares her story of friendship, family, love and struggle. Through wars, The Depression, illnesses and death - none of it was easy and all of it necessary. To fight for more, for women's rights,  child labor laws, to end lynching, higher education and gosh, just to wear pants! Addie is a feisty, intelligent woman who was as a sister, daughter, wife and friend. She lived her life to the fullest. Every moment and every opportunity. The Boston Girl was reading my grandmothers diary, or that of any her friends and family from that generation. Peeking so deeply into her heart felt as if Addie was sitting in my living room having tea. These stories are all of our stories, America, the melting pot. The values determined from this exciting tumultuous century from using the telephone to prohibition and the discovery of so many things we sometimes take for granted. Addie believed in progression, she believed in moving forward. This is a simple story that I could not put down. Mesmerized by the vibrant cast of characters, all I could think is why in the world did I not sit down and truly interview my own grandmother? Because when you are 22 your life is moving so quickly, it is hard to value the past, until it is too late. I read The Boston Girl in one sitting. This easy enjoyable writing was an absolute treat and boy, is my mother and mother-in-law going to flip over this story!

1 comment:

  1. I'm really excited to read this book. I have had "The Red Tent" as one of my top 3 favorite books of all time for the last 5 years or so. The Lifetime mini-series was wonderful as well. Did you read The Red Tent? Is her writing comparable?

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