The year is 1901, the literary sensation The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is taking New York City by storm, and everyone wonders where the next great book will come from. But to Annie Gallagher, stories are more than entertainment―they’re a sweet reminder of her storyteller father. After his death, Annie fled Ireland for the land of dreams, finding work at Hawkins House.
But when a fellow boarder with something to hide is accused of misconduct and authorities threaten to shut down the boardinghouse, Annie fears she may lose her new friends, her housekeeping job . . . and her means of funding her dream: a memorial library to honor her father. Furthermore, the friendly postman shows a little too much interest in Annie―and in her father’s unpublished stories. In fact, he suspects these tales may hold a grand secret.
Though the postman’s intentions seem pure, Annie wants to share her father’s stories on her own terms. Determined to prove herself, Annie must forge her own path to aid her friend and create the future she’s always envisioned . . . where dreams really do come true.
I love reading and stories and writing and I usually really enjoy books about reading. Annie's father is a story teller and after his death, Annie leaves Ireland for America. She has her father's stories, and wants to honor him with a library. She meets Stephen, a young postman who lives above a publisher. He reads one of her father's stories and gives it to the publisher without Annie's knowledge.
The life of these early immigrants was difficult and often horrifying. There were many plot points and characterizations and the novel gives a terrific glimpse of life in early 20th century New York. I liked Annie, I found myself frustrated with Stephen. But the story is compelling and the literary aspect is delightful.
Second in the Ellis Island series, I haven't read the others and the story stood alone just fine.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book. You can learn more about Cindy Thompson here. You can purchase your own copy here.
Read 6/15
* * *
3/5 Stars
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