Grand Central: Original Stories of Postwar Love and Reunion

I read Grand Central out of order, beginning with the authors I knew, then moving to the stories with intriguing titles, and finally, the rest. It wasn't until I read them again, in order, that the resonant, emotional themes binding the stories together became apparent--so bravo to whomever arranged this anthology.The setting of the Grand Central station is the physical tie between all ten tales, but the thematic tie is the resilience, honesty, and growth each narrator experiences in the wake of WWII. My favorite part of this anthology was its illumination of various facets of the era, from the use of German POWs on American farms, to the GI Brides, to women pilots. I could taste the cocktails at the Oyster Bar, feel the apprehension of a foreign bride awaiting her American husband, hear the click of cuban heels across the floor of the station.The variety was also enjoyable, with some featuring a nice romantic element, while others were deft character studies. Some were written in first person, while others were in third. And the Easter egg: a few of the stories had characters cross paths with one another--the fun is identifying them!All in all, Grand Central is engrossing and unique. Brava ladies for this fantastic anthology, which granted me the opportunity to while away a few hours in their worlds.

I am so pleased this was the selection for our Falmouthport book club. This anthology of stories is truly moving. Each of the ten stories is connected to post Word War II and the theme of love is interwoven with the characters and within each story written by a different author. And there is also the connection of Grand Central Station for everyone. I read online that the book was written to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Grand Central Terminal and at times you feel as if you are in Grand Central experiencing what is happening. From the first story about violin music and love at first sight, female aviators, to the war bride waiting for her husband, the reader learns and feels a great deal about each character’s story. As a reader I was also amazed with how the stories flowed into each other. The introduction to each story was touching, too, with a short dedication to the group that was the focus of the story. When I take the train from Stamford, CT to Grand Central in 4 weeks to see Cassie and Dan, I will surely be thinking about the stories and what happened here post WWII. Off to find books by some of the authors I enjoyed in this collection. Here is a summary of their writings:Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator's WifeJenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save UsAmanda Hodgkinson, New York Times bestselling author of 22 Britannia RoadPam Jenoff, bestselling author of The Ambassador's DaughterSarah Jio, New York Times bestselling author of Blackberry WinterSarah McCoy, New York Times bestselling author of The Baker's DaughterKristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of The Pieces We KeepAlyson Richman, bestselling author of The Lost WifeErika Robuck, bestselling author of Call Me ZeldaKaren White, New York Times bestselling author of After the Rain

I don't usually gravitate to short stories. This book, though, reads like a novel. Each story, by a variety of gifted authors, is beautifully crafted.Although the setting is the magnificent Grand Central railroad station in N.Y. at the end of WWII, each author captures pain in hearts, love, hope, longing and the results of war as crowds wait under the clock for a reunion. A reunion perhaps that could be both joyous, unhappy or take much time to heal.This was an exceptional idea for a book--one that brought together talented writers who delved into one theme but with different stories and new perspectives. Some touch on faith, others on luck and others on guilt. But these writers managed to weave together a book where all characters meld.Ultimately, a significant piece of our history unfolds-- a history that encompasses the hearts of both the returning soldiers and the ones remaining at home that loved deeply.

"Grand Central: Original Stories of Postwar Love and Reunion", is compilation of ten short stories by ten noted authors. The theme is New York City's Grand Central Station on a day in September, 1945. WW2 is over, soldiers are returning home, and the four-sided clock, the "Kissing Room", and the Oyster Bar are scenes of reunion of lovers and family, and also for the disunion of some characters. Each story in some way relates to another story in the book.I felt the problem with "Grand Central" - and the reason I'm giving it 3 stars - is that while a few of the stories really are quite good, many of the others are mediocre. I read "Grand Central" yesterday and I already can't remember most of the stories. Some of the stories - Jenna Blum's "The Lucky One", "Alyson Richman's "Going Home", and Karen White's "The Harvest Season" - could be expanded into book-length fiction; the others are merely okay.Short stories are notoriously difficult to write because the author has to "miniaturize" plots and characters. I've read book-length fiction by most of the authors of "Grand Central" and quite enjoyed them. Perhaps the problem here is not mediocre writing - per se - but rather mediocre writing for the medium.In any case, I enjoyed reading "Grand Central" and was intrigued how well some of the authors related one story to another. I think it will do nicely for a lazy afternoon read...and for keeping track of the authors for future work. Preferably, book-length.

I bought this for my elderly mother-in-law but was disappointed to see how small the print was. I also felt that the rough edges to the pages would make it difficult for her to turn the pages. I am going to have to find an alternative present for her. I read this book on my Kindle and loved it. Wonderful stories beautifully written.

This was a really good read......obviously some stories touched me more than others, but every one was well written and engaging. I also found that the way in which many of the stories 'linked up', was interesting and somewhat unexpected. A really good "summer read''

Officially as of 4pm today, THIS teacher is on vacay! Goal #1 is to finally trim down my TBR shelf, some of these titles have been begging for me to read them for a long while. This short story collection features ten different works written by some of my favorite authors. As I always do when reading this type of collection, I will rate each short story and I do put quotes that are part of my KOBO edition.World War II. Today, that's all it takes for me. Tell me it's a novel set during that war and you have a better than even chance of snagging my attention. Add that it's epic or a love story and you have me ordering the book in advance. ( Author Introduction by Kristin Hannah)Oh yes, that is how it is for me but with the exception of the romance portion but definitely it is true of the time period.Going Home Alyson Richman 4 starsYour son has a gift. Sell what you must, but get him a violin and find a way to get him lessons. And do it as quickly as you can.The first story in the collection features Zelik, a refugee of World War II now making a living in a tiny corner of Grand Central Station playing his violin. Zelik is haunted by the memories of what happened in his village and to his parents, but he hopes that his music can touch those around him. And one day it does as he notices a young woman pass his way at the apple strudel stand. That woman is Liesel, another refugee, a talented young dancer that was sponsored to come to New York City before the war closed the borders. Unfortunately, Liesel's parents could not come and were left behind in Czechoslovakia. Soon the violinist and the dancer connect and the beginning of a love story sweeps us away. It's classic AR and having read 5 of her novels, I was swept away by this post war romance.The Lucky One by Jenna Blum 5 starsNo one throws a gut punch like Jenna Blum. I do believe I have never fully recovered from Those Who Save Us which I read in May 2014. A German refugee and Holocaust Survivor, Peter is living with his cousins in New York City. His American cousin, Sol, treats Peter's story as a little bit of a circus show, including having Peter revealing the physical evidence of his time in Auschwitz. As more of Peter's story is revealed, Jenna Blum explores the differences between the experience of the European Jews and the way other Jewish communities in the west viewed them. There is one scene in particular that is very heartbreaking and shows that in the immediate aftermath of the war, there was a real lack of understanding as to what exactly had occurred in Europe.The Branch of Hazel by Sarah McCoy 3.5 starsYou cannot come home to Luxembourg, Cata's mother had penned when the war ended. It's too dangerous. Your brothers are young and still in school. Your father could lose his business.Author Sarah McCoy and I have a very topsy-turvy relationship, but I enjoyed the exploration of a woman fleeing Europe to America because of her involvement in the Lebensborn program. As Cata takes the train from New York to Boston, she meets a blind man, Mr. Krupper, who offers insights into life that not only has her reflect on the choices of her past, but gives Cata an idea of what she can do with her future.The Kissing Room by Melanie Benjamin 2 starsAnother author that I have a rollercoaster type relationship with s I loved The Avitator's Wife but wasn't entirely won over by Alice I have Been. In this short story, Marjorie, is an aspiring New York actress fresh from Philiadephia I get that the angle was a woman in post war America trying to make it in the world, but it didn't really intrigue me.I'll Be Seeing You by Sarah Jio 2.5 stars There may always be a man waiting for you, she says. But you can't hinge life's most important decisions on which man is waiting for you.... You have to do what your heart wants.The first author in the collection that I have never read, Sarah Jio presents a melodramatic romance where the main female protagonist is forced to make a choice between the two men that she loves. Reminiscient of Hollywood films of the 30's and 40's, the overall story just didn't ring true for a cynical modern woman such as I have the habit of being.I'll Walk Alone by Erika Robuck 3.5 starsNow this is perhaps the short story that I will remember the most because it is reflective that not everyone waiting at Grand Central station was looking forward to a potential reunion. As Robuck's main protagonist, Mary Josephine and her young son, Timmy wait for the arrival of husband and father, Mitch, flashbacks reveal that this marriage was less than rosy.The Reunion by Kristina McMorris 4 starsHow is it you two are best of friends or worst of enemies, and never in between?Acknowledged by many of the other authors for bringing the idea of this collection to their attention, Mcmorris takes a look at the women who took to the skies as pilots during the war. Another author that I have never read, but is an author that I have had on my TBR for a long time, I enjoyed McMorris' exploration of the fierce competition between these pilots.Tin Town by Amanda Hodgkinson 3. 5 starsAnother author that has captured my heart ( see and cry over 22 Britannia Road, if you dare) and I was so excited to see her name in this collection. Surrounding the story of the British GI Brides that emigrated to the US, Hodgkinson's youthful protagonist, Molly, accompanies her mother, Irene and another war bride, Mrs. Lewis to Grand Central Station to greet their returning soldiers. Molly, we soon learn aches for the family farm in England and is hesitant about her stepfather, Jack who she feels doesn't really want her. I think what struck me was how beautiful the ending of this story was. Strand of Pearls by Pam Jenoff 3.5 starsEach of us must find his or her own path.Ella travels from Shanghai to New York City to find her father that came to America 5 years before. What she discovers is not exactly what she anticipates, but a chance encounter with a fellow new arrival, David, makes her think about what kind of future she wants for herself. The ending is a bit shaky and a bit open for interpretation.The Harvest Season by Karen White 4 stars. Some people break in a strong wind, while others learn to bend into it.Another author that lingers on my TBR shelf as a "want to read", Karen White explores a returning GI and his discovery that his family has relied on German POW's to work in their cotton fields and that's not the only thing that has changed.Overall, another great addition to the WWII historical fiction fan's library.Goodreads Review 29/06/19

Great book, pageturner

Easy read, relaxing just before going to bed