A Time of Angels
A Time of Angels, written by Karen Hesse is an incredible book, in my opinion of course. My friend’s think it is unusual to why a novel like this is one of my favorites because of the genre section it “fits”. A Time of Angels is a novel of magic realism and fantasy.
A Time of Angels takes place in 1918 in a two-month period, September through November. A Time of Angels, is a novel about a fourteen-year-old American- Jewish teenage girl named Hannah Gold and her two younger sisters, Libbie and Eve Gold. Hannah and her sister’s move to Boston and live with their Aunt Tanta Rose and her mean friend Vashti in a crowded apartment complex. Hannah stays with her aunt in Boston awaiting her parents to return; her mom captured in Europe, and her dad fighting in the war against Germany.
Quickly, the influenza epidemic struck in her town, meaning that no one is safe from this quick spreading sickness. Sooner than intended, Tanta Rose, Libbie, and Eve get the influenza. When Tanta Rose dies, Hannah is sent away to her cousin’s house in Albany to get away from the influenza.
As Hannah is leaving town, she is helped getting onto the train by a girl with violet eyes (which later on she realizes is an angel). Hannah catches the influenza on the train, and is taken to a Red Cross Hospital in Vermont.
She is then taken care of by an elderly man named Klaus Gerhard who she realizes is a German. At first, Hannah hesitates around Klaus because he is a German, but later on she outbreaks stereotypes and realizes that just because you are German or Russian doesn’t make you mean or nice, it‘s all about the person himself. She accepts Klaus as a German and begins to call him “Uncle” Klaus like he asks of her. “Uncle” Klaus takes care of her and gives her the strength to go back to her town to see Vashti and the other people in her old community. On the way there, the girl with violet eyes reappears and helps guide her on her way, and Hannah realizes that she is an angel.
Hannah has a bond with everyone by the end of the novel, even Vashti. In addition, when Hannah goes back to her town Vashti, Libbie, and Eve are all alive.
This novel is at the top of my list for recommendations. A Time of Angels shows and helps you realize the importance of family and close friends. It also shows how even a violet-eyed angel could help guide her and be with her in the times she needed it the most. The use of words Karen Hesse’s uses in her novel makes you feel like you are there, with Hannah going through obstacles and assistance. The struggle Hannah had when she made the decision of going back to her town or to stay in Vermont with “Uncle” Klaus, makes you want to be able to be there and be able to give them your opinion. This novel, once again, is one of my favorites and it would be one of the first books I would recommend for you to read.
-Hazar Rafkah
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This novel seems very interesting. Although I am not much into fantasy reading, other than love stories, historical fiction catches my interest very easily no matter what it is about. Along with the historical fiction, it seems as if this novel has many realistic elements, and seems like a book someone might be able to relate to. The war, epidemics, and many other things you have described in the plot all are examples of the troubles in the modern world. I love how the main character is able to break free of the stereotypes, and accept people for who they are, not what. The racism and discrimination in the world is a harsh thing that many people in the world should realize is wrong. Also I think this book shows somewhat of a religious view, which appeals to me. It teaches the lesson that somewhere, whoever it is, is there watching over you. I believe you did a very good job in your explanation, and it gives me an interest to read this novel!
ReplyDeleteI believe this would be an excellent novel to read. I usually don't read fantasy novels but this one sounds very good. It is great that you are taken back to that time to learn more about those times. This book can have some great historical context. The main character seems like a wonderful girl who has someone to watch her. It sounds as if family is a very important thing to always have. It also sounds as if she kept her faith with her family and that seems like a reason she found the courage to go back to her town? I would love to read this novel sometime and the analysis was wonderful.
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