I wanted so much to love this book -- the story had great potential. However, there was just too much left unexplained. I didn't quite understand the father's reluctance in keeping the truth from his daughter while being open with the housekeeper and uniting with others from his past. I didn't quite understand the daughter's relationship with her lovers -- either one. I agree that there just didn't seem to be enough of a connection between her and the furniture repairer for a lasting relationship. And, at times, I felt the switch back and forth between the letters to Mrs. Roosevelt and the present were too much of a jump.

I thought the ending was the best. Family memories are never quite what the reality was and every family member has a slightly different version. And every immigrant has a story to tell. I don't want this to be a totally negative review as there was much to offer. The book had a wonderful premise; I just wish it would have connected with me a bit more. ( )

I did not care for the writing in this book. I was moderately interested to find out what would happen, and it was very predictable. The characters were not well-developed. The story was about a young man who escaped Belgium during World War II and his unmarried daughter who was about to adopt a child. I will research Walter Benjamin, who the daughter was translating, to see whether knowledge of him adds to my appreciation of this book. ( )