Can the invisible walls that separate people ever come down?In 1933, Anna Leibowicz is convinced that the American dream that brought her Jewish family here from Poland is nothing but an illusion. Her father has vanished. Her dreams of college can’t make it past the sweat-shop door. And when she discovers to her shame and horror that she’s with child, her mother gives her little choice but to … but to leave her family. Deciding her best course of action is to try to find her father, she strikes out…hoping against hope to somehow redeem them both.
When Anna stumbles upon a house full of orphan boys in rural Indiana who are in desperate need of a tutor, she agrees to postpone her journey. But she knows from the moment she meets their contemplative, deep-hearted caretaker, Thomas Chandler, that she doesn’t dare risk staying too long. She can’t afford to open her heart to them, to him. She can’t risk letting her secrets out.
All too soon, the townspeople realize she’s not like them and treat her with the same disdain they give the Sisters of Mercy—the nuns who help Thomas and the boys—and Samuel, the quiet colored boy Thomas has taken in. With the Klan presence in the town growing ever stronger and the danger to this family increasing the longer she stays, Anna is torn between fleeing to keep them safe…and staying to fight beside them.
Oh, that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest…
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“I think people dislike those they do not know because t hey cannot see the good in others.” One of Anna’s insights about the struggles and differences she observed in the fictional town of Corbin, Indiana where she found herself after leaving her Jewish family and community.
Wings like a Dove by Camille Eide is a poignant and heart wrenching story of bigotry and intolerance to immigrants or anyone who was different from the leaders of the town, but is still prevalent in America today. I admired the determination, dedication, hardworking, compassion that Thomas and Anna gave to the six young boys that Thomas was caring for. The history of America shined forth throughout the story with the ugliness of hatred, prejudice and events that many have forgotten is part of our history. Eide penned a superb historical romance that was raw at times to moments of compassion, forgiveness and acceptance being given. I highly recommend Wings like a Dove to fans of historical Christian fiction. There are many lessons that can be applied to our culture today. Another thought to ponder from Anna: “Will not all need mercy at some time in our lives? Mercy we do not deserve? It is a precious gift and yet it is free. Forgiveness and mercy are always possible because they are gifts from God.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was under no obligation to write a positive review but I have expressed my own sincere thoughts. I’m glad I decided to read this book while it’s on tour with Celebrate Lit Bloggers.
I really enjoyed this book and was a great love story with a little history thrown in.
Its about Anna Livowicz and her family coming to America.
She discovers she is pregnant and is forced to leave by her Mom.She heads for Chicago to look for her father.
She runs into a bunch of orphans and their care taker in Indiana.She stays to help with their schooling and care.
The Sisters of Mercy’s school burned down and Thomas and the boys help in rebuilding it.The sisters bring food and clothing to help the boys and Anna.
The towns people do not trust Anna or Samuel the little black boy who won’t talk and forms a bond with Anna.
The Klan is involved in several things going on in town.It is very exciting and keeps you wanting to keep reading.
Wings Like a Dove was my first read by Camille Eide but I’m sure it won’t be my last! I was instantly transported back to 1933 and into the heart and mind of Anna Leibowicz. Her life was no easy road and each hurdle that came her way only made me cling to hope for her even more. She was an easy character for me to have empathy for. She wanted a loving family and a place to belong so desperately yet she needed to learn to forgive and love herself first before she could accept the same in return from others. It was a powerful journey to healing that I’m glad I went along for the ride for.
One of the most memorable relationships for me in this novel was the friendship of Anna and the little colored orphan boy Samuel. Especially since I read a lot of WWII fiction, I’ve read numerous books where people faced persecution for being Jewish. I’ve also read many where people were targeted for their skin color. It was a unique perspective to see two people under the same roof fighting the same oppression for different reasons. Yet was seemed to tighten the bond between Anna and Samuel, also seemed to create a divide between them and others. This was such a powerful element to the story.
As for Thomas? Oh, Thomas. Gotta love a good hero. There were some places were he almost seemed “too perfect” because of how he handled everything, but at the same point he did have his own pain and emotions that he wrestled with. Even when it was hard, he put others before himself and cared more about their well-being than his own. He was amazing.
This was such a good story on so many levels and I’m glad I picked it up for the read. I know I’ll be looking for more from the author in the future. I highly recommend to historical fiction fans.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
One of my favorite books is The Memoir of Johnny Devine by Camille Eide. So I was really excited to read Wings Like a Dove. This story is set in 1933. With the presence of the Klan, there is a lot of bigotry, hate, and heartbreak in this story. But, there is also a lot of hope, love, and forgiveness.
I was drawn into this story from the first page and even when I wasn’t reading, I kept thinking about the characters. The things that Anna and Samuel go through will make your heart ache. I really loved Anna and her resilience and how she always made the best of her circumstances. I especially loved her relationship with Samuel. Thomas was a wonderful character. I love how he had taken in the boys to keep them from having to go to an orphanage. He truly showed the love of Christ.
This story is both heartbreaking and beautiful – a story you won’t want to miss.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
While I wasn’t sure what to expect since this author is new to me, I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book. I loved the lessons on loyalty, acceptance, forgiveness, but most of all love and hope. This book had great examples of seeing the goodness in the bad and ugliness of life. I would definitely recommend this book!
I was given a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author, but was not required to write a review. The thoughts and comments are my own
Wow! What an amazing story of mercy, grace, and forgiveness. There are many difficult subjects dealt with in this book. Some are quite horrific. One of my favorite passages is, “Will we not all need mercy at some time in our lives? Mercy we do not deserve?…” Sadly, it is a much-needed lesson for today’s world.
The author also gives us heart touching, sweet moments. I loved how Anna met the boys. Those boys melted my heart. I loved how they stuck together, even on the newly imposed “wash day.” Samuel was a very special child.
I cannot complete this review without mentioning Thomas. He loves his apprentices more than a true father would. And I liked the bargain he made with Anna.
I loved the Sisters Mary too.
This book is not a quick easy read. It is a very thought-provoking look at some ugly realities. I enjoyed the Discussion questions at the end.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. A review was not required. The opinion expressed is entirely my own.
Wings Like a Dove by Camille Eide tells of harsh times in our nation’s history when bigotry ruled in the name of moral justice.
“We will never have unity as long as people demand sameness. Unity is not sameness, but oneness of purpose. But whose purpose.”
This story takes place in the 1930’s when almost everyone was poor and jobs were scarce.
Anna Leibowicz is forced to flee her life in New York City through a humiliation she brought on herself. She starts out for Chicago in search of her father, who has been missing for six years. She is led to a small town in Indiana where she finds work as a tutor for six orphaned boys in exchange for room and board until she can resume her journey.
She is making progress with her students and coaxing a small, mute black boy to speak, but she is wary of making friends. As soon as the town finds out she is a Jew, she is ostracized along with Sam, the black child.
This story is raw, it is real, it doesn’t shy away from hard things and yet it is filled with compassion and Grace.
“Will not all need mercy at some time in our lives? Mercy we do not deserve? It is a precious gift and yet it is free. Forgiveness and mercy are always possible because they are gifts from God.”
“If love is genuine, then compassion must follow, because compassion is the most basic act of love.”
“If ultimate love is found in the ultimate sacrifice, then I will consider what the cross of Christ truly means.”
This story holds eternal truths that have applications yet today. In my opinion, Ms. Eide has done a superior job of giving us much to think about and apply to our own lives.
*I received a complimentary ebook from WhiteFire Publishers on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
What a perfect book. It has it all. A love story, a history lesson, and it teaches tolerance and acceptance. It wraps its arms around you and holds you tight from the first chapter to the last page. It is set as the Great Depression is just on its last legs.
Anna, a young Jewish woman, starts off on a journey to Chicago but ends up getting waylaid along the way. Here she meets Thomas, a kind hearted carpenter with 6 orphan boys who need help passing end of year school tests. However does Anna have time to teach them? She does have a personal deadline. Will the town let Anna stay once they find out she is a Jew? Did you know there was a WKKK movement? (Woman’s Ku Klux Klan) She is risking so much by staying. Each week it is more scary for Anna to stay but the boys need to pass the end of year school test and Samuel the young Negro boy really needs Anna.
….and then Anna’s greatest fear happens! Clean Read.