Naomi Weisman is a Canadian-Australian and mother of three who loves to ramble with her dog, cook for family and friends, and laugh whenever possible.
A few weeks ago, while driving and listening to a podcast, I was introduced to Jennifer Egan, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Visit from the Goon Squad. I had heard her name before but had never read any of her work. In the interview, she came across as so soft-spoken and down-to-earth that I found myself genuinely intrigued.
It’s funny how life works sometimes. Just a few days after hearing that interview, I was out walking my dog when I passed a Little Free Library outside someone's house. On a whim, I decided to take a quick peek inside, and right there, staring back at me, was Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan. Without a second thought, I grabbed it. It felt like fate!
This meticulously crafted and deeply researched mystery novel seamlessly weaves together characters from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is set in New York during the Great Depression and World War II, and the vast, omnipresent ocean is both a literal and metaphorical presence throughout the narrative.
With the ocean as its greatest "character," the novel explores themes of loss, poverty, organized crime, and the changing role of women during the war—how the absence of men (who were at war) opened doors to new opportunities for women in the workforce that would persist and expand into the modern era.
The protagonist, Anna, is a young woman left adrift after her beloved father's sudden disappearance when she was just 14. Forced to step into the role of caregiver for her disabled sister and primary breadwinner for her family, she matures quickly, developing the resilience and determination of someone much older than her years.
By the early 1940s, at 19, Anna becomes a deep-sea diver to contribute to the war effort, only to uncover the powerful forces behind her father's disappearance. As she navigates a male-dominated workplace, enduring both discrimination and loneliness, she grapples with moral dilemmas and delves into the complex motivations of those around her, seeking to uncover the secrets that lie beneath the surface.
Jennifer Egan guides readers on a poignant, lyrical journey—one that lingers long after the last page is turned. I highly recommend this thoughtful read, and I will definitely be reading more of her work in the future.
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