While We're Far Apart

2.75 stars

First off, Esther's parts drove me batty and almost made me put the book down. I would have said she was 7 or 8 instead of 12 because of the immature and whiny tone she began the book with. Apparently she'd been living under some sort of shell for the first two years of the war and didn't know that men couldn't just decide to stay home after enlisting? Then she jumped straight from little kid to wanting a big, handsome boy to take her to the movies and thinking about kissing him. This book would have been much tighter and better written without the inclusion of Esther's POV. It makes it seem as though the author has not spent proper time learning the thought processes of a young girl of the period (hint: they were more mature than now and they were very involved in the war effort through schools.)

Second, Penny initially put me off. I had a hard time believing that she actually cherished a crush on a married man from the age of 11. This is...edgy. Sort of creepy. That said, she grew on me through the book, and I was rooting for her as she gained confidence to step out of her shell.

Jacob/Yaacov was probably my favorite character. He has real problems and real questions. He has a clear motivation and a consistent POV.

Now, last complaint: it seemed to me that the answers to the world's questions are found through this kind-hearted Orthodox Jew, who puts his trust in Hashem. I liked Jacob's part in that, because it is consistent with his character. However, this is a Christian book from a Christian publisher. The pastor is portrayed as unable to answer the philosophic questions brought on by the war, but the Jew gains all the answers and counsels the Christians to faith in God. My question: in a Christian-published book...where did Jesus go? Small oversight, there. Christian characters should be believing in Jesus.

This book was hard for me to get into because I didn't find many of the characters very likable. But the author does an amazing job with the development of each character and by the end I was invested in each one. I also enjoyed that the story was from the perspective of those waiting at home during WWII. It's one that certainly isn't seen as much.