Deeply moving, 13 Oct 2008
This book affected me deeply. I had never heard of the author but was given the book as a gift. The description of the poor Jews struggling to earn a crust in dangerously exciting New York was a bit over-sentimental and could have easily leapt off the pages of Dickens - not necessarily a bad thing. However, it was easy to understand the emotional pull of a grieving mother who is given the tiniest ray of hope. At times I found the emotion and sadness unbearable and I could feel the terrible ache in the heart of the protaganist, who must do anything, ANYTHING, that will reunite her with her past. Towards the end, the reader has to suspend disbelief. You somehow have to believe that a woman with no equipment, no SAS survival skills and little money, can achieve an epic journey across difficult terrain. But the novel is so full of tenderness and draws the reader into the characters so much that it is worth it.

Funny, Poignant and quite short too., 02 Oct 2008
An amazing tale based on various different true life stories. A page-turner without a doubt but felt a bit like a car I once bought.

The car was a good ride and lasted long enough but when it eventually popped its clogs I discovered it was made up of bits of four cars stuck together very cleverly.

This story felt the same, not like one person's life but a few joined up and made into one. Still enjoyable though.

I have long been a fan of Amy Bloom's, 05 Nov 2007
Ever since reading Come to Me: Stories, one of the finest short story collections I have ever come upon. This is her best piece since then. This is a story of amazing breadth and depth. Bloom takes both Lillian and the reader on an incredible journey. With few words, she creates characters who come alive on the page, and prose so extraordinary, that some passages practically burn their way into your mind. Her psychological sophistication is what makes it all come together in such a powerful and beautiful way. I could not recommend a book more highly!!! I would also recommend, if you missed reading TINO GEORGIOU'S masterpiece--THE FATES, go and read it. With fascinating and brilliantly created characters in `THE FATES' coupled with two intertwining plots makes for a completely enjoyable and page-turning read.

A Picaresque Look at Survival and Love, 01 Oct 2007
If your idea of a good novel is one that has a highly moral and talented protagonist who overcomes all obstacles to find the love and satisfaction sought and deserved, you'll be deeply disappointed with Away. Amy Bloom portrays a different kind of world, one in which great loss may simply lead to a mere desire to survive . . . beyond any sense of moral limits. There's little to appeal to those who like to read romantic novels in this book, even though it is about how love influences us. As my librarian friend warned me when I checked the book out, this is a dark novel.

Away is a book that challenges readers to leave their sense of settled, safe lives to examine what would happen if survival was a major challenge, whether from neighbors, friends, enemies, strangers, wild animals, or the elements. That leap will be difficult to make for most because Ms. Bloom favors showing what characters do rather than exploring how they think or what they are thinking. I found myself slow to step into the protagonist's shoes for that reason.

Lillian Leyb is an ordinary young Jewish mother in Russia, aged twenty-two, when frenzied neighbors invade her home and begin murdering everyone. Feeling that she is a sole survivor, Lillian leaves for America hoping to escape there with her life. The horrifying experience strips her of any desire other than doing what it takes to survive. Nightmares about that experience haunt her nights and linger into daytime. She proves to be a gifted survivor, tutored in the exigencies of doing whatever it takes. She learns a little English, how to sew, and how to apply for a job where the owners may be more interested in what the women look like than how they sew. As a result, she soon escapes from sharing a bed with another underfed woman into sharing a bed for a father and son who find her sexual charms to be valuable to them, one for physical purposes and the other for appearances. Life seems peaceful and settled when she learns that her daughter survived the attack . . . and is somewhere in Siberia. How will she save her daughter?

From that moment on, the power of maternal love overcomes the desire to merely survive. Lillian follows an astonishing route across North America towards Siberia that causes her to ally herself with others skilled in survival. The book moves into being an adventure story that displays the demi-monde of America and Canada in the early 20th century. It is almost like combining two books. Through her suffering Lillian comes to develop a moral sense again as she becomes confident in her ability to survive and views those who may not with increasing pity and kindness.

Those who enjoy reading about psychological healing will probably find Away to be an interesting variation on how such novels are usually written. I was impressed with the detailed research that must have gone into writing a story based so much on what the artful dodgers are doing.

But there's no great epiphany here, more like a slow melting away of guilt and ties to the past. Perhaps that is how many people heal. Those who are feeling great pain about family tragedies will probably find solace in this book's message that one must move on.

Ms. Bloom is a talented writer, a wonderful story teller, and a person who wants to challenge the reader to think and feel differently. I think she'll succeed in affecting you . . . if you can get past your false expectations for what this book is like.

I found the book's main weakness to be in the opening where the action moved faster than my ability to step into Lillian's mind and life. Also, Lillian's amoral approach didn't quite sink in right away either. As a result, I felt like I was suspended above the action for quite a long time, which is another way of saying that the book didn't affect me very much at first. The book's other weakness is that the problems that Lillian experiences in the trip across North America are overdone, some might say that part of the story is over the top.

A Picaresque Look at Survival and Love, 01 Oct 2007
If your idea of a good novel is one that has a highly moral and talented protagonist who overcomes all obstacles to find the love and satisfaction sought and deserved, you'll be deeply disappointed with Away. Amy Bloom portrays a different kind of world, one in which great loss may simply lead to a mere desire to survive . . . beyond any sense of moral limits. There's little to appeal to those who like to read romantic novels in this book, even though it is about how love influences us. As my librarian friend warned me when I checked the book out, this is a dark novel.

Away is a book that challenges readers to leave their sense of settled, safe lives to examine what would happen if survival was a major challenge, whether from neighbors, friends, enemies, strangers, wild animals, or the elements. That leap will be difficult to make for most because Ms. Bloom favors showing what characters do rather than exploring how they think or what they are thinking. I found myself slow to step into the protagonist's shoes for that reason.

Lillian Leyb is an ordinary young Jewish mother in Russia, aged twenty-two, when frenzied neighbors invade her home and begin murdering everyone. Feeling that she is a sole survivor, Lillian leaves for America hoping to escape there with her life. The horrifying experience strips her of any desire other than doing what it takes to survive. Nightmares about that experience haunt her nights and linger into daytime. She proves to be a gifted survivor, tutored in the exigencies of doing whatever it takes. She learns a little English, how to sew, and how to apply for a job where the owners may be more interested in what the women look like than how they sew. As a result, she soon escapes from sharing a bed with another underfed woman into sharing a bed for a father and son who find her sexual charms to be valuable to them, one for physical purposes and the other for appearances. Life seems peaceful and settled when she learns that her daughter survived the attack . . . and is somewhere in Siberia. How will she save her daughter?

From that moment on, the power of maternal love overcomes the desire to merely survive. Lillian follows an astonishing route across North America towards Siberia that causes her to ally herself with others skilled in survival. The book moves into being an adventure story that displays the demi-monde of America and Canada in the early 20th century. It is almost like combining two books. Through her suffering Lillian comes to develop a moral sense again as she becomes confident in her ability to survive and views those who may not with increasing pity and kindness.

Those who enjoy reading about psychological healing will probably find Away to be an interesting variation on how such novels are usually written. I was impressed with the detailed research that must have gone into writing a story based so much on what the artful dodgers are doing.

But there's no great epiphany here, more like a slow melting away of guilt and ties to the past. Perhaps that is how many people heal. Those who are feeling great pain about family tragedies will probably find solace in this book's message that one must move on.

Ms. Bloom is a talented writer, a wonderful story teller, and a person who wants to challenge the reader to think and feel differently. I think she'll succeed in affecting you . . . if you can get past your false expectations for what this book is like.

I found the book's main weakness to be in the opening where the action moved faster than my ability to step into Lillian's mind and life. Also, Lillian's amoral approach didn't quite sink in right away either. As a result, I felt like I was suspended above the action for quite a long time, which is another way of saying that the book didn't affect me very much at first. The book's other weakness is that the problems that Lillian experiences in the trip across North America are overdone, some might say that part of the story is over the top.

Deeply moving, 13 Oct 2008
This book affected me deeply. I had never heard of the author but was given the book as a gift. The description of the poor Jews struggling to earn a crust in dangerously exciting New York was a bit over-sentimental and could have easily leapt off the pages of Dickens - not necessarily a bad thing. However, it was easy to understand the emotional pull of a grieving mother who is given the tiniest ray of hope. At times I found the emotion and sadness unbearable and I could feel the terrible ache in the heart of the protaganist, who must do anything, ANYTHING, that will reunite her with her past. Towards the end, the reader has to suspend disbelief. You somehow have to believe that a woman with no equipment, no SAS survival skills and little money, can achieve an epic journey across difficult terrain. But the novel is so full of tenderness and draws the reader into the characters so much that it is worth it.

Funny, Poignant and quite short too., 02 Oct 2008
An amazing tale based on various different true life stories. A page-turner without a doubt but felt a bit like a car I once bought.

The car was a good ride and lasted long enough but when it eventually popped its clogs I discovered it was made up of bits of four cars stuck together very cleverly.

This story felt the same, not like one person's life but a few joined up and made into one. Still enjoyable though.

I have long been a fan of Amy Bloom's, 05 Nov 2007
Ever since reading Come to Me: Stories, one of the finest short story collections I have ever come upon. This is her best piece since then. This is a story of amazing breadth and depth. Bloom takes both Lillian and the reader on an incredible journey. With few words, she creates characters who come alive on the page, and prose so extraordinary, that some passages practically burn their way into your mind. Her psychological sophistication is what makes it all come together in such a powerful and beautiful way. I could not recommend a book more highly!!! I would also recommend, if you missed reading TINO GEORGIOU'S masterpiece--THE FATES, go and read it. With fascinating and brilliantly created characters in `THE FATES' coupled with two intertwining plots makes for a completely enjoyable and page-turning read.

A Picaresque Look at Survival and Love, 01 Oct 2007
If your idea of a good novel is one that has a highly moral and talented protagonist who overcomes all obstacles to find the love and satisfaction sought and deserved, you'll be deeply disappointed with Away. Amy Bloom portrays a different kind of world, one in which great loss may simply lead to a mere desire to survive . . . beyond any sense of moral limits. There's little to appeal to those who like to read romantic novels in this book, even though it is about how love influences us. As my librarian friend warned me when I checked the book out, this is a dark novel.

Away is a book that challenges readers to leave their sense of settled, safe lives to examine what would happen if survival was a major challenge, whether from neighbors, friends, enemies, strangers, wild animals, or the elements. That leap will be difficult to make for most because Ms. Bloom favors showing what characters do rather than exploring how they think or what they are thinking. I found myself slow to step into the protagonist's shoes for that reason.

Lillian Leyb is an ordinary young Jewish mother in Russia, aged twenty-two, when frenzied neighbors invade her home and begin murdering everyone. Feeling that she is a sole survivor, Lillian leaves for America hoping to escape there with her life. The horrifying experience strips her of any desire other than doing what it takes to survive. Nightmares about that experience haunt her nights and linger into daytime. She proves to be a gifted survivor, tutored in the exigencies of doing whatever it takes. She learns a little English, how to sew, and how to apply for a job where the owners may be more interested in what the women look like than how they sew. As a result, she soon escapes from sharing a bed with another underfed woman into sharing a bed for a father and son who find her sexual charms to be valuable to them, one for physical purposes and the other for appearances. Life seems peaceful and settled when she learns that her daughter survived the attack . . . and is somewhere in Siberia. How will she save her daughter?

From that moment on, the power of maternal love overcomes the desire to merely survive. Lillian follows an astonishing route across North America towards Siberia that causes her to ally herself with others skilled in survival. The book moves into being an adventure story that displays the demi-monde of America and Canada in the early 20th century. It is almost like combining two books. Through her suffering Lillian comes to develop a moral sense again as she becomes confident in her ability to survive and views those who may not with increasing pity and kindness.

Those who enjoy reading about psychological healing will probably find Away to be an interesting variation on how such novels are usually written. I was impressed with the detailed research that must have gone into writing a story based so much on what the artful dodgers are doing.

But there's no great epiphany here, more like a slow melting away of guilt and ties to the past. Perhaps that is how many people heal. Those who are feeling great pain about family tragedies will probably find solace in this book's message that one must move on.

Ms. Bloom is a talented writer, a wonderful story teller, and a person who wants to challenge the reader to think and feel differently. I think she'll succeed in affecting you . . . if you can get past your false expectations for what this book is like.

I found the book's main weakness to be in the opening where the action moved faster than my ability to step into Lillian's mind and life. Also, Lillian's amoral approach didn't quite sink in right away either. As a result, I felt like I was suspended above the action for quite a long time, which is another way of saying that the book didn't affect me very much at first. The book's other weakness is that the problems that Lillian experiences in the trip across North America are overdone, some might say that part of the story is over the top.

A Picaresque Look at Survival and Love, 01 Oct 2007
If your idea of a good novel is one that has a highly moral and talented protagonist who overcomes all obstacles to find the love and satisfaction sought and deserved, you'll be deeply disappointed with Away. Amy Bloom portrays a different kind of world, one in which great loss may simply lead to a mere desire to survive . . . beyond any sense of moral limits. There's little to appeal to those who like to read romantic novels in this book, even though it is about how love influences us. As my librarian friend warned me when I checked the book out, this is a dark novel.

Away is a book that challenges readers to leave their sense of settled, safe lives to examine what would happen if survival was a major challenge, whether from neighbors, friends, enemies, strangers, wild animals, or the elements. That leap will be difficult to make for most because Ms. Bloom favors showing what characters do rather than exploring how they think or what they are thinking. I found myself slow to step into the protagonist's shoes for that reason.

Lillian Leyb is an ordinary young Jewish mother in Russia, aged twenty-two, when frenzied neighbors invade her home and begin murdering everyone. Feeling that she is a sole survivor, Lillian leaves for America hoping to escape there with her life. The horrifying experience strips her of any desire other than doing what it takes to survive. Nightmares about that experience haunt her nights and linger into daytime. She proves to be a gifted survivor, tutored in the exigencies of doing whatever it takes. She learns a little English, how to sew, and how to apply for a job where the owners may be more interested in what the women look like than how they sew. As a result, she soon escapes from sharing a bed with another underfed woman into sharing a bed for a father and son who find her sexual charms to be valuable to them, one for physical purposes and the other for appearances. Life seems peaceful and settled when she learns that her daughter survived the attack . . . and is somewhere in Siberia. How will she save her daughter?

From that moment on, the power of maternal love overcomes the desire to merely survive. Lillian follows an astonishing route across North America towards Siberia that causes her to ally herself with others skilled in survival. The book moves into being an adventure story that displays the demi-monde of America and Canada in the early 20th century. It is almost like combining two books. Through her suffering Lillian comes to develop a moral sense again as she becomes confident in her ability to survive and views those who may not with increasing pity and kindness.

Those who enjoy reading about psychological healing will probably find Away to be an interesting variation on how such novels are usually written. I was impressed with the detailed research that must have gone into writing a story based so much on what the artful dodgers are doing.

But there's no great epiphany here, more like a slow melting away of guilt and ties to the past. Perhaps that is how many people heal. Those who are feeling great pain about family tragedies will probably find solace in this book's message that one must move on.

Ms. Bloom is a talented writer, a wonderful story teller, and a person who wants to challenge the reader to think and feel differently. I think she'll succeed in affecting you . . . if you can get past your false expectations for what this book is like.

I found the book's main weakness to be in the opening where the action moved faster than my ability to step into Lillian's mind and life. Also, Lillian's amoral approach didn't quite sink in right away either. As a result, I felt like I was suspended above the action for quite a long time, which is another way of saying that the book didn't affect me very much at first. The book's other weakness is that the problems that Lillian experiences in the trip across North America are overdone, some might say that part of the story is over the top.

Deeply moving, 13 Oct 2008
This book affected me deeply. I had never heard of the author but was given the book as a gift. The description of the poor Jews struggling to earn a crust in dangerously exciting New York was a bit over-sentimental and could have easily leapt off the pages of Dickens - not necessarily a bad thing. However, it was easy to understand the emotional pull of a grieving mother who is given the tiniest ray of hope. At times I found the emotion and sadness unbearable and I could feel the terrible ache in the heart of the protaganist, who must do anything, ANYTHING, that will reunite her with her past. Towards the end, the reader has to suspend disbelief. You somehow have to believe that a woman with no equipment, no SAS survival skills and little money, can achieve an epic journey across difficult terrain. But the novel is so full of tenderness and draws the reader into the characters so much that it is worth it.

Funny, Poignant and quite short too., 02 Oct 2008
An amazing tale based on various different true life stories. A page-turner without a doubt but felt a bit like a car I once bought.

The car was a good ride and lasted long enough but when it eventually popped its clogs I discovered it was made up of bits of four cars stuck together very cleverly.

This story felt the same, not like one person's life but a few joined up and made into one. Still enjoyable though.

I have long been a fan of Amy Bloom's, 05 Nov 2007
Ever since reading Come to Me: Stories, one of the finest short story collections I have ever come upon. This is her best piece since then. This is a story of amazing breadth and depth. Bloom takes both Lillian and the reader on an incredible journey. With few words, she creates characters who come alive on the page, and prose so extraordinary, that some passages practically burn their way into your mind. Her psychological sophistication is what makes it all come together in such a powerful and beautiful way. I could not recommend a book more highly!!! I would also recommend, if you missed reading TINO GEORGIOU'S masterpiece--THE FATES, go and read it. With fascinating and brilliantly created characters in `THE FATES' coupled with two intertwining plots makes for a completely enjoyable and page-turning read.

A Picaresque Look at Survival and Love, 01 Oct 2007
If your idea of a good novel is one that has a highly moral and talented protagonist who overcomes all obstacles to find the love and satisfaction sought and deserved, you'll be deeply disappointed with Away. Amy Bloom portrays a different kind of world, one in which great loss may simply lead to a mere desire to survive . . . beyond any sense of moral limits. There's little to appeal to those who like to read romantic novels in this book, even though it is about how love influences us. As my librarian friend warned me when I checked the book out, this is a dark novel.

Away is a book that challenges readers to leave their sense of settled, safe lives to examine what would happen if survival was a major challenge, whether from neighbors, friends, enemies, strangers, wild animals, or the elements. That leap will be difficult to make for most because Ms. Bloom favors showing what characters do rather than exploring how they think or what they are thinking. I found myself slow to step into the protagonist's shoes for that reason.

Lillian Leyb is an ordinary young Jewish mother in Russia, aged twenty-two, when frenzied neighbors invade her home and begin murdering everyone. Feeling that she is a sole survivor, Lillian leaves for America hoping to escape there with her life. The horrifying experience strips her of any desire other than doing what it takes to survive. Nightmares about that experience haunt her nights and linger into daytime. She proves to be a gifted survivor, tutored in the exigencies of doing whatever it takes. She learns a little English, how to sew, and how to apply for a job where the owners may be more interested in what the women look like than how they sew. As a result, she soon escapes from sharing a bed with another underfed woman into sharing a bed for a father and son who find her sexual charms to be valuable to them, one for physical purposes and the other for appearances. Life seems peaceful and settled when she learns that her daughter survived the attack . . . and is somewhere in Siberia. How will she save her daughter?

From that moment on, the power of maternal love overcomes the desire to merely survive. Lillian follows an astonishing route across North America towards Siberia that causes her to ally herself with others skilled in survival. The book moves into being an adventure story that displays the demi-monde of America and Canada in the early 20th century. It is almost like combining two books. Through her suffering Lillian comes to develop a moral sense again as she becomes confident in her ability to survive and views those who may not with increasing pity and kindness.

Those who enjoy reading about psychological healing will probably find Away to be an interesting variation on how such novels are usually written. I was impressed with the detailed research that must have gone into writing a story based so much on what the artful dodgers are doing.

But there's no great epiphany here, more like a slow melting away of guilt and ties to the past. Perhaps that is how many people heal. Those who are feeling great pain about family tragedies will probably find solace in this book's message that one must move on.

Ms. Bloom is a talented writer, a wonderful story teller, and a person who wants to challenge the reader to think and feel differently. I think she'll succeed in affecting you . . . if you can get past your false expectations for what this book is like.

I found the book's main weakness to be in the opening where the action moved faster than my ability to step into Lillian's mind and life. Also, Lillian's amoral approach didn't quite sink in right away either. As a result, I felt like I was suspended above the action for quite a long time, which is another way of saying that the book didn't affect me very much at first. The book's other weakness is that the problems that Lillian experiences in the trip across North America are overdone, some might say that part of the story is over the top.

A Picaresque Look at Survival and Love, 01 Oct 2007
If your idea of a good novel is one that has a highly moral and talented protagonist who overcomes all obstacles to find the love and satisfaction sought and deserved, you'll be deeply disappointed with Away. Amy Bloom portrays a different kind of world, one in which great loss may simply lead to a mere desire to survive . . . beyond any sense of moral limits. There's little to appeal to those who like to read romantic novels in this book, even though it is about how love influences us. As my librarian friend warned me when I checked the book out, this is a dark novel.

Away is a book that challenges readers to leave their sense of settled, safe lives to examine what would happen if survival was a major challenge, whether from neighbors, friends, enemies, strangers, wild animals, or the elements. That leap will be difficult to make for most because Ms. Bloom favors showing what characters do rather than exploring how they think or what they are thinking. I found myself slow to step into the protagonist's shoes for that reason.

Lillian Leyb is an ordinary young Jewish mother in Russia, aged twenty-two, when frenzied neighbors invade her home and begin murdering everyone. Feeling that she is a sole survivor, Lillian leaves for America hoping to escape there with her life. The horrifying experience strips her of any desire other than doing what it takes to survive. Nightmares about that experience haunt her nights and linger into daytime. She proves to be a gifted survivor, tutored in the exigencies of doing whatever it takes. She learns a little English, how to sew, and how to apply for a job where the owners may be more interested in what the women look like than how they sew. As a result, she soon escapes from sharing a bed with another underfed woman into sharing a bed for a father and son who find her sexual charms to be valuable to them, one for physical purposes and the other for appearances. Life seems peaceful and settled when she learns that her daughter survived the attack . . . and is somewhere in Siberia. How will she save her daughter?

From that moment on, the power of maternal love overcomes the desire to merely survive. Lillian follows an astonishing route across North America towards Siberia that causes her to ally herself with others skilled in survival. The book moves into being an adventure story that displays the demi-monde of America and Canada in the early 20th century. It is almost like combining two books. Through her suffering Lillian comes to develop a moral sense again as she becomes confident in her ability to survive and views those who may not with increasing pity and kindness.

Those who enjoy reading about psychological healing will probably find Away to be an interesting variation on how such novels are usually written. I was impressed with the detailed research that must have gone into writing a story based so much on what the artful dodgers are doing.

But there's no great epiphany here, more like a slow melting away of guilt and ties to the past. Perhaps that is how many people heal. Those who are feeling great pain about family tragedies will probably find solace in this book's message that one must move on.

Ms. Bloom is a talented writer, a wonderful story teller, and a person who wants to challenge the reader to think and feel differently. I think she'll succeed in affecting you . . . if you can get past your false expectations for what this book is like.

I found the book's main weakness to be in the opening where the action moved faster than my ability to step into Lillian's mind and life. Also, Lillian's amoral approach didn't quite sink in right away either. As a result, I felt like I was suspended above the action for quite a long time, which is another way of saying that the book didn't affect me very much at first. The book's other weakness is that the problems that Lillian experiences in the trip across North America are overdone, some might say that part of the story is over the top.

Deeply moving, 13 Oct 2008
This book affected me deeply. I had never heard of the author but was given the book as a gift. The description of the poor Jews struggling to earn a crust in dangerously exciting New York was a bit over-sentimental and could have easily leapt off the pages of Dickens - not necessarily a bad thing. However, it was easy to understand the emotional pull of a grieving mother who is given the tiniest ray of hope. At times I found the emotion and sadness unbearable and I could feel the terrible ache in the heart of the protaganist, who must do anything, ANYTHING, that will reunite her with her past. Towards the end, the reader has to suspend disbelief. You somehow have to believe that a woman with no equipment, no SAS survival skills and little money, can achieve an epic journey across difficult terrain. But the novel is so full of tenderness and draws the reader into the characters so much that it is worth it.

Funny, Poignant and quite short too., 02 Oct 2008
An amazing tale based on various different true life stories. A page-turner without a doubt but felt a bit like a car I once bought.

The car was a good ride and lasted long enough but when it eventually popped its clogs I discovered it was made up of bits of four cars stuck together very cleverly.

This story felt the same, not like one person's life but a few joined up and made into one. Still enjoyable though.

I have long been a fan of Amy Bloom's, 05 Nov 2007
Ever since reading Come to Me: Stories, one of the finest short story collections I have ever come upon. This is her best piece since then. This is a story of amazing breadth and depth. Bloom takes both Lillian and the reader on an incredible journey. With few words, she creates characters who come alive on the page, and prose so extraordinary, that some passages practically burn their way into your mind. Her psychological sophistication is what makes it all come together in such a powerful and beautiful way. I could not recommend a book more highly!!! I would also recommend, if you missed reading TINO GEORGIOU'S masterpiece--THE FATES, go and read it. With fascinating and brilliantly created characters in `THE FATES' coupled with two intertwining plots makes for a completely enjoyable and page-turning read.

A Picaresque Look at Survival and Love, 01 Oct 2007
If your idea of a good novel is one that has a highly moral and talented protagonist who overcomes all obstacles to find the love and satisfaction sought and deserved, you'll be deeply disappointed with Away. Amy Bloom portrays a different kind of world, one in which great loss may simply lead to a mere desire to survive . . . beyond any sense of moral limits. There's little to appeal to those who like to read romantic novels in this book, even though it is about how love influences us. As my librarian friend warned me when I checked the book out, this is a dark novel.

Away is a book that challenges readers to leave their sense of settled, safe lives to examine what would happen if survival was a major challenge, whether from neighbors, friends, enemies, strangers, wild animals, or the elements. That leap will be difficult to make for most because Ms. Bloom favors showing what characters do rather than exploring how they think or what they are thinking. I found myself slow to step into the protagonist's shoes for that reason.

Lillian Leyb is an ordinary young Jewish mother in Russia, aged twenty-two, when frenzied neighbors invade her home and begin murdering everyone. Feeling that she is a sole survivor, Lillian leaves for America hoping to escape there with her life. The horrifying experience strips her of any desire other than doing what it takes to survive. Nightmares about that experience haunt her nights and linger into daytime. She proves to be a gifted survivor, tutored in the exigencies of doing whatever it takes. She learns a little English, how to sew, and how to apply for a job where the owners may be more interested in what the women look like than how they sew. As a result, she soon escapes from sharing a bed with another underfed woman into sharing a bed for a father and son who find her sexual charms to be valuable to them, one for physical purposes and the other for appearances. Life seems peaceful and settled when she learns that her daughter survived the attack . . . and is somewhere in Siberia. How will she save her daughter?

From that moment on, the power of maternal love overcomes the desire to merely survive. Lillian follows an astonishing route across North America towards Siberia that causes her to ally herself with others skilled in survival. The book moves into being an adventure story that displays the demi-monde of America and Canada in the early 20th century. It is almost like combining two books. Through her suffering Lillian comes to develop a moral sense again as she becomes confident in her ability to survive and views those who may not with increasing pity and kindness.

Those who enjoy reading about psychological healing will probably find Away to be an interesting variation on how such novels are usually written. I was impressed with the detailed research that must have gone into writing a story based so much on what the artful dodgers are doing.

But there's no great epiphany here, more like a slow melting away of guilt and ties to the past. Perhaps that is how many people heal. Those who are feeling great pain about family tragedies will probably find solace in this book's message that one must move on.

Ms. Bloom is a talented writer, a wonderful story teller, and a person who wants to challenge the reader to think and feel differently. I think she'll succeed in affecting you . . . if you can get past your false expectations for what this book is like.

I found the book's main weakness to be in the opening where the action moved faster than my ability to step into Lillian's mind and life. Also, Lillian's amoral approach didn't quite sink in right away either. As a result, I felt like I was suspended above the action for quite a long time, which is another way of saying that the book didn't affect me very much at first. The book's other weakness is that the problems that Lillian experiences in the trip across North America are overdone, some might say that part of the story is over the top.

A Picaresque Look at Survival and Love, 01 Oct 2007
If your idea of a good novel is one that has a highly moral and talented protagonist who overcomes all obstacles to find the love and satisfaction sought and deserved, you'll be deeply disappointed with Away. Amy Bloom portrays a different kind of world, one in which great loss may simply lead to a mere desire to survive . . . beyond any sense of moral limits. There's little to appeal to those who like to read romantic novels in this book, even though it is about how love influences us. As my librarian friend warned me when I checked the book out, this is a dark novel.

Away is a book that challenges readers to leave their sense of settled, safe lives to examine what would happen if survival was a major challenge, whether from neighbors, friends, enemies, strangers, wild animals, or the elements. That leap will be difficult to make for most because Ms. Bloom favors showing what characters do rather than exploring how they think or what they are thinking. I found myself slow to step into the protagonist's shoes for that reason.

Lillian Leyb is an ordinary young Jewish mother in Russia, aged twenty-two, when frenzied neighbors invade her home and begin murdering everyone. Feeling that she is a sole survivor, Lillian leaves for America hoping to escape there with her life. The horrifying experience strips her of any desire other than doing what it takes to survive. Nightmares about that experience haunt her nights and linger into daytime. She proves to be a gifted survivor, tutored in the exigencies of doing whatever it takes. She learns a little English, how to sew, and how to apply for a job where the owners may be more interested in what the women look like than how they sew. As a result, she soon escapes from sharing a bed with another underfed woman into sharing a bed for a father and son who find her sexual charms to be valuable to them, one for physical purposes and the other for appearances. Life seems peaceful and settled when she learns that her daughter survived the attack . . . and is somewhere in Siberia. How will she save her daughter?

From that moment on, the power of maternal love overcomes the desire to merely survive. Lillian follows an astonishing route across North America towards Siberia that causes her to ally herself with others skilled in survival. The book moves into being an adventure story that displays the demi-monde of America and Canada in the early 20th century. It is almost like combining two books. Through her suffering Lillian comes to develop a moral sense again as she becomes confident in her ability to survive and views those who may not with increasing pity and kindness.

Those who enjoy reading about psychological healing will probably find Away to be an interesting variation on how such novels are usually written. I was impressed with the detailed research that must have gone into writing a story based so much on what the artful dodgers are doing.

But there's no great epiphany here, more like a slow melting away of guilt and ties to the past. Perhaps that is how many people heal. Those who are feeling great pain about family tragedies will probably find solace in this book's message that one must move on.

Ms. Bloom is a talented writer, a wonderful story teller, and a person who wants to challenge the reader to think and feel differently. I think she'll succeed in affecting you . . . if you can get past your false expectations for what this book is like.

I found the book's main weakness to be in the opening where the action moved faster than my ability to step into Lillian's mind and life. Also, Lillian's amoral approach didn't quite sink in right away either. As a result, I felt like I was suspended above the action for quite a long time, which is another way of saying that the book didn't affect me very much at first. The book's other weakness is that the problems that Lillian experiences in the trip across North America are overdone, some might say that part of the story is over the top.

Deeply moving, 13 Oct 2008
This book affected me deeply. I had never heard of the author but was given the book as a gift. The description of the poor Jews struggling to earn a crust in dangerously exciting New York was a bit over-sentimental and could have easily leapt off the pages of Dickens - not necessarily a bad thing. However, it was easy to understand the emotional pull of a grieving mother who is given the tiniest ray of hope. At times I found the emotion and sadness unbearable and I could feel the terrible ache in the heart of the protaganist, who must do anything, ANYTHING, that will reunite her with her past. Towards the end, the reader has to suspend disbelief. You somehow have to believe that a woman with no equipment, no SAS survival skills and little money, can achieve an epic journey across difficult terrain. But the novel is so full of tenderness and draws the reader into the characters so much that it is worth it.

Funny, Poignant and quite short too., 02 Oct 2008
An amazing tale based on various different true life stories. A page-turner without a doubt but felt a bit like a car I once bought.

The car was a good ride and lasted long enough but when it eventually popped its clogs I discovered it was made up of bits of four cars stuck together very cleverly.

This story felt the same, not like one person's life but a few joined up and made into one. Still enjoyable though.

I have long been a fan of Amy Bloom's, 05 Nov 2007
Ever since reading Come to Me: Stories, one of the finest short story collections I have ever come upon. This is her best piece since then. This is a story of amazing breadth and depth. Bloom takes both Lillian and the reader on an incredible journey. With few words, she creates characters who come alive on the page, and prose so extraordinary, that some passages practically burn their way into your mind. Her psychological sophistication is what makes it all come together in such a powerful and beautiful way. I could not recommend a book more highly!!! I would also recommend, if you missed reading TINO GEORGIOU'S masterpiece--THE FATES, go and read it. With fascinating and brilliantly created characters in `THE FATES' coupled with two intertwining plots makes for a completely enjoyable and page-turning read.

A Picaresque Look at Survival and Love, 01 Oct 2007
If your idea of a good novel is one that has a highly moral and talented protagonist who overcomes all obstacles to find the love and satisfaction sought and deserved, you'll be deeply disappointed with Away. Amy Bloom portrays a different kind of world, one in which great loss may simply lead to a mere desire to survive . . . beyond any sense of moral limits. There's little to appeal to those who like to read romantic novels in this book, even though it is about how love influences us. As my librarian friend warned me when I checked the book out, this is a dark novel.

Away is a book that challenges readers to leave their sense of settled, safe lives to examine what would happen if survival was a major challenge, whether from neighbors, friends, enemies, strangers, wild animals, or the elements. That leap will be difficult to make for most because Ms. Bloom favors showing what characters do rather than exploring how they think or what they are thinking. I found myself slow to step into the protagonist's shoes for that reason.

Lillian Leyb is an ordinary young Jewish mother in Russia, aged twenty-two, when frenzied neighbors invade her home and begin murdering everyone. Feeling that she is a sole survivor, Lillian leaves for America hoping to escape there with her life. The horrifying experience strips her of any desire other than doing what it takes to survive. Nightmares about that experience haunt her nights and linger into daytime. She proves to be a gifted survivor, tutored in the exigencies of doing whatever it takes. She learns a little English, how to sew, and how to apply for a job where the owners may be more interested in what the women look like than how they sew. As a result, she soon escapes from sharing a bed with another underfed woman into sharing a bed for a father and son who find her sexual charms to be valuable to them, one for physical purposes and the other for appearances. Life seems peaceful and settled when she learns that her daughter survived the attack . . . and is somewhere in Siberia. How will she save her daughter?

From that moment on, the power of maternal love overcomes the desire to merely survive. Lillian follows an astonishing route across North America towards Siberia that causes her to ally herself with others skilled in survival. The book moves into being an adventure story that displays the demi-monde of America and Canada in the early 20th century. It is almost like combining two books. Through her suffering Lillian comes to develop a moral sense again as she becomes confident in her ability to survive and views those who may not with increasing pity and kindness.

Those who enjoy reading about psychological healing will probably find Away to be an interesting variation on how such novels are usually written. I was impressed with the detailed research that must have gone into writing a story based so much on what the artful dodgers are doing.

But there's no great epiphany here, more like a slow melting away of guilt and ties to the past. Perhaps that is how many people heal. Those who are feeling great pain about family tragedies will probably find solace in this book's message that one must move on.

Ms. Bloom is a talented writer, a wonderful story teller, and a person who wants to challenge the reader to think and feel differently. I think she'll succeed in affecting you . . . if you can get past your false expectations for what this book is like.

I found the book's main weakness to be in the opening where the action moved faster than my ability to step into Lillian's mind and life. Also, Lillian's amoral approach didn't quite sink in right away either. As a result, I felt like I was suspended above the action for quite a long time, which is another way of saying that the book didn't affect me very much at first. The book's other weakness is that the problems that Lillian experiences in the trip across North America are overdone, some might say that part of the story is over the top.

A Picaresque Look at Survival and Love, 01 Oct 2007
If your idea of a good novel is one that has a highly moral and talented protagonist who overcomes all obstacles to find the love and satisfaction sought and deserved, you'll be deeply disappointed with Away. Amy Bloom portrays a different kind of world, one in which great loss may simply lead to a mere desire to survive . . . beyond any sense of moral limits. There's little to appeal to those who like to read romantic novels in this book, even though it is about how love influences us. As my librarian friend warned me when I checked the book out, this is a dark novel.

Away is a book that challenges readers to leave their sense of settled, safe lives to examine what would happen if survival was a major challenge, whether from neighbors, friends, enemies, strangers, wild animals, or the elements. That leap will be difficult to make for most because Ms. Bloom favors showing what characters do rather than exploring how they think or what they are thinking. I found myself slow to step into the protagonist's shoes for that reason.

Lillian Leyb is an ordinary young Jewish mother in Russia, aged twenty-two, when frenzied neighbors invade her home and begin murdering everyone. Feeling that she is a sole survivor, Lillian leaves for America hoping to escape there with her life. The horrifying experience strips her of any desire other than doing what it takes to survive. Nightmares about that experience haunt her nights and linger into daytime. She proves to be a gifted survivor, tutored in the exigencies of doing whatever it takes. She learns a little English, how to sew, and how to apply for a job where the owners may be more interested in what the women look like than how they sew. As a result, she soon escapes from sharing a bed with another underfed woman into sharing a bed for a father and son who find her sexual charms to be valuable to them, one for physical purposes and the other for appearances. Life seems peaceful and settled when she learns that her daughter survived the attack . . . and is somewhere in Siberia. How will she save her daughter?

From that moment on, the power of maternal love overcomes the desire to merely survive. Lillian follows an astonishing route across North America towards Siberia that causes her to ally herself with others skilled in survival. The book moves into being an adventure story that displays the demi-monde of America and Canada in the early 20th century. It is almost like combining two books. Through her suffering Lillian comes to develop a moral sense again as she becomes confident in her ability to survive and views those who may not with increasing pity and kindness.

Those who enjoy reading about psychological healing will probably find Away to be an interesting variation on how such novels are usually written. I was impressed with the detailed research that must have gone into writing a story based so much on what the artful dodgers are doing.

But there's no great epiphany here, more like a slow melting away of guilt and ties to the past. Perhaps that is how many people heal. Those who are feeling great pain about family tragedies will probably find solace in this book's message that one must move on.

Ms. Bloom is a talented writer, a wonderful story teller, and a person who wants to challenge the reader to think and feel differently. I think she'll succeed in affecting you . . . if you can get past your false expectations for what this book is like.

I found the book's main weakness to be in the opening where the action moved faster than my ability to step into Lillian's mind and life. Also, Lillian's amoral approach didn't quite sink in right away either. As a result, I felt like I was suspended above the action for quite a long time, which is another way of saying that the book didn't affect me very much at first. The book's other weakness is that the problems that Lillian experiences in the trip across North America are overdone, some might say that part of the story is over the top.

scandalous mourning in Amy bloom, 10 Aug 2003
Amy Bloom's latest collection wonderfully highlights the illicit and seemingly dangerous forms of consolation available in a predominantly secular age. Characters love beyond the boundaries of the permitted in these stories and Bloom advocates resourcefulness above any prurient 'good taste'. The stories uncover ( through her investment in apparently 'scandalous juxtapositions' a technique perfected in 'Come to Me' ) the secret dignity that emanates from intimacies that might appear at the very least ambivalent. Amy Bloom made me cry throughout this collection with her humour, insight and compassion. Aside from the first story in the collection which didn't work particularly for me,I found this the most dazzling collection of short stories for years.

Enjoyable read, 11 Apr 2001
Not nearly as 'visual' as her previous short stories in "Come To Me" (which I would rate as one of the best short story books I have read) but very enjoyable, with some unusual themes. However, I felt let down by some of the stories as I didn't feel satisfied when I'd finished reading them. But I look forward to the next book.