While We're Far Apart

( 311 )

Overview

In an unassuming apartment building in Brooklyn, New York, three lives intersect as the reality of war invades each aspect of their lives. Young Esther is heartbroken when her father decides to enlist in the army shortly after the death of her mother. Penny Goodrich has been in love with Eddie Shaffer for as long as she can remember; now that Eddie's wife is dead, Penny feels she has been given a second chance and offers to care for his children in the hope that he will finally notice her and marry her after the ...
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While We're Far Apart

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More About This Book

Overview

In an unassuming apartment building in Brooklyn, New York, three lives intersect as the reality of war invades each aspect of their lives. Young Esther is heartbroken when her father decides to enlist in the army shortly after the death of her mother. Penny Goodrich has been in love with Eddie Shaffer for as long as she can remember; now that Eddie's wife is dead, Penny feels she has been given a second chance and offers to care for his children in the hope that he will finally notice her and marry her after the war. And elderly Mr. Mendel, the landlord, waits for the war to end to hear what has happened to his son trapped in war-torn Hungary.

But during the long, endless wait for victory overseas, life on the home front will go from bad to worse. Yet these characters will find themselves growing and changing in ways they never expected--and ultimately discovering truths about God's love...even when He is silent.

Winner of the 2011 Christy Award for Historical Fiction

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Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
Austin loves to blend storytelling and interesting history, with her newest novel no exception. She sets her characters in one New York City apartment building during the difficult years of WWII. Esther Shaffer, 12, mourns her dead mother and now faces her father enlisting in the army; Penny Goodrich, long in love with Eddie Shaffer, volunteers to care for his children, hoping to marry Eddie when he returns; and Jacob Mendel, a Jewish widower, struggles to find Hashem (God) amid his loss. Their lives intersect as Jacob rediscovers his faith, Penny discovers her past and her future, and Esther begins to understand life and love. Add family drama, D-Day, the Holocaust, arson, and young love, and you'll see why Austin is so popular. While her story is entertaining, it lacks the narrative flow of some of her other work; her characters grow and change, but the story reads more like a history lesson than a novel. Still, readers will find much to enjoy. (Oct.)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780764204975
  • Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
  • Publication date: 10/1/2010
  • Pages: 416
  • Sales rank: 163,367
  • Product dimensions: 6.94 (w) x 11.28 (h) x 1.15 (d)

Meet the Author

Lynn Austin, a former teacher who now writes and speaks full time, has won five Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made into a Hallmark Channel movie. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and make their home near Chicago, Illinois.
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 311 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(192)

4 Star

(75)

3 Star

(28)

2 Star

(5)

1 Star

(11)

Your Rating:

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 312 Customer Reviews

  • Posted December 12, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Great surprise

    I didnt think when I got this book I would like it, however, IT was a great surprise!! Course I dont know why I was surprised Lynn Austin is a great historical fiction writer. Love her books and this just adds to the collection of great ones.

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 22, 2011

    Like stepping into history

    I LOVED This book! It really gave me a feel of what it would have been like to live during WWII. At times it made me wish I was there and other times I was so glad I wasn't. This book made it real. It was so good I couldn't put it down!

    3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 21, 2011

    Amazing story! Excellent!! 5 Stars!

    Lynn Austin did an excellent job with this book. It takes you and engulfs you in the time period of WW2. My heart went out to all it's characters. I think it should be made into a screenplay! It is so well written it puts all other romance fiction authors to shame! I definitely will be reading more of her work. The best I've read in a long time.

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 25, 2012

    Great read!

    Interesting insight to the homefront and family relationships during wartime.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 31, 2012

    While Were Far Apart

    While Were Far Apart was one of the best historical fiction books I have ever read. You could really feel as if you were the character. I did not ever want to put the book down, it was that good. I am doing this book for my book report for school and it was the perfect choice. I loved when Penny was kissed by Roy and it was her first kiss ever. I also loved when Peter started to talk after Mr.Mendel was going to get arrested. This book left a huge impact on be about what it was like to live during world war 2 ( the best war ever). I recommened this book for young readers who love a good world war 2 book!

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 5, 2012

    Great book

    I loved the way this book wove several characters into a WWII historical setting and kept you captivated by each of their lives. Showing how the war affected each one in a different way, but brought them together under their renewed faith in God who they discovered is in control, even when we cannot see Him working immediately in each situation. I give this a five star rating and will look for more of her books.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 19, 2011

    Not even half-way through the book...

    I am writing through tears. This book has touched me as no othersinceIread "Marjorie Morningstar" when I was in my 20's. I am now 68. I have been touched by much loss in my life. I believe that through this book I may, in fact, be purged of the anger I have felt toward G-d these many years. THANK YOU, Ms. Austin.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 26, 2012

    Wonderful simple read!

    I loved this book. Tells the perspective of jewish people in america wondering about their loved one's in Europe during WW II. I love a book that makes you feel a part of a bygone era. This book did that for me.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 10, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    Tender, thought-provoking, fast moving book with well developed characters

    This was my first Lynn Austin book and she writes with ease, develops her characters well and researches well, also. The story takes place during WWII, with the main character taking care of the two children of someone she has long loved due to his going off to war. The children are still suffering over losing their mother to a car accident, the neighbor downstairs suffers from not knowing where his only son is in Nazi occupied Europe, and many other twists and turns move the story along to hold interest. The main theme that all the characters learn is the God is in control even if we can't see Him or hear Him. Sometimes we need to be patient in His waiting room. Can't wait for her next novel!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 3, 2012

    Excellent book!

    This book was hard put down. I could not wait to see what would happen next. The characters drew me in. Good read.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 11, 2011

    Heartbreakingly beautiful!

    Leaps right to the heart of human relationships, the power of both God & satan, and the tremendous lessons that we can learn from history. We must never forget the value of faith or the freedom God meant all of us to enjoy if we're brave enough to hang onto it.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 8, 2013

    Great read

    This book kept me interested the whole way through. Great book. Great story.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 22, 2013

    Great heartful story about WWII

    A history lesson about jewish and christians in WWII. The story reals you in, and leads you through two familys lives. A wonderful love story about people, and their relationship with God. A must read for everyone, you will be pleasently surprised!

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  • Posted January 15, 2013

    First of all, B&N needs to have a better system of product r

    First of all, B&N needs to have a better system of product reviews. I hate all the nonsense that comes up when trying to read a review of something. Ok, enough ranting on that. While We're Far Apart, by Lynn Austin is a must read, people. I was drawn in from the very first moment and laughed and cried and cheered with these characters. I love the WWII setting and all that I learned about the Holocaust. You will not be disappointed in this book.  

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 23, 2012

    Misty

    "Can i join." Misty said. She looed at brownkit

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 22, 2012

    Everglaze

    Is there an elders den?

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 24, 2012

    Riverflow

    Dont worry they will thaw soon. I will hunt for you if you want

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 19, 2012

    Scatty

    My name is Scatty and the leader is nightstar

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 20, 2012

    Sprkletaio

    Someone was advertozing that there would be a partay

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 28, 2012

    Markaiz

    He yawned and wished ther uld be another owl. ~Markaiz~

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