Dear once is the multi-generational saga of the Springer family, Lithuanian Jews who immigrate to America at the turn of the 20th century. As the older generation lives in traditional ways (occasionally with tragic results) their children find ways to break away to live their own lives (also occasionally with tragic results.) The book focuses on Millie, beautiful and determined to live her own life, who falls in love young with a dubious actor, marries him and must then live with her choices. The story follows the couple through their early struggles and surprising success. When Millie, to oblige a family member, gets the couple involved in the anti-fascist cause, she shows seeds that will destroy her husband and alter all their lives.

The author draws her characters vividly and I found the story absorbing. The writing style is pleasant and the book reads easily. In many ways, Millie, the book's central focus, was the least interesting character and she would be hard sell as a main character published today. Millie falls in love young and is completely absorbed by her husband and children, so even though she is a rebel to her mother's generation she seems oddly old-fashioned. ( )