Shining Through

I have attempted some other Susan Isaacs books and was disappointed, so it may be surprising that this book has a constant place on my "frequently read" bookshelf. Rather than discuss the plotline (I think the editorial review does that succinctly enough), let me try to convey to you the experience of actually reading the book.The singlemost outstanding feature of this book is the screaming reality with which Isaacs develops characters. One reviewer was apparently upset that the narrator felt too little sympathy for the Germans (and described her boss, rather than "showing" what he was like). These details actually contribute greatly to my love of the book, as the editorializing narrator (Linda Voss) demonstrates her own personality through the way in which she communicates. She only describes her boss as "perfect"? Exactly--she's blinded by her feelings. Not sympathetic towards the Germans? Of course not--the character is an extremely cynical, stubborn woman who is working for the U.S. Government during the war. Perhaps, then, the best feature of the narration is the consistency which Isaacs employs; assuming that you are able to recognize literary tricks, you should have no problem differentiating between Linda's views and the facts of her world.As for the plot itself, despite frequent rereading, this book keeps me spellbound from the first chapter until the last. At times, the plot twists are truly surprising; other times, the story is unsurprising but told saucily enough to hold my interest all the way through. As aforementioned, the narrator is such a compelling character that one gets the feeling of just listening to her chatter her way through the pages. I enjoy this book in one straight read; it helps maintain the feeling of Linda Voss, storyteller (as opposed to Susan Isaacs, author).In short, then:1. Linda Voss is THE most compelling narrator/character I have ever read.2. The writing is consistent and precise.3. The plot is interesting enough to be worthy of the gorgeous characterization.Enjoy!

Were I to be stranded on a desert island with only three books to sustain me . . . Susan Isaacs' "Shining Through" would definitely be one of those books!Come to think of it, were I to be stranded with only one person for companionship, Linda Voss -- Isaacs' heroine -- would be my top choice. (A pity she exists only in the pages of "Shining Through" . . . or does she?)A simple (oh, yeah?) Bronx secretary in a 1940 topnotch Manhattan lawfirm presumes to aspire "far beyond her station," as the old saying goes. More than that, she dares to THINK. And, when war comes, her sense of moral outrage (as well as the pull of her family roots) impels her to act. That's the bare-bones synopsis of "Shining Through," which is at once a brilliantly-executed depiction of time and place as well as a totally satisfying celebration of the heroism which, hopefully, lies dormant and subject to call in most people even today.Wise-cracking and irreverent, wryly self-deprecating in her rejection of self-pity, Linda Voss is alternately vulnerable and nail-hard tough, when needs be, as the world's events unfold and lead her to her destiny.And that ultimate destiny -- at least to the point with which the book concludes -- is one which should make the reader shout, "Hooray!" (I always do, anyway, at the end of each rereading.)Author Susan Isaacs is regarded, for the most part, as a "woman's writer." This is a pity, and -- especially in the case of "Shining Through" -- a loss to male readers.Guys, a lot of us are missing something here!

Okay, I have to be very careful here. You see, I have to be if I want to do this work justice. I cannot emphasize enough what a great novel this is and what a truly, wonderful writer Susan Isaacs is. Her eye for detail (written so funnily) and her ear for dialogue (just flows off the page) cannot be surpassed. You know what, instead of lauding my praises I'll write a quick excerpt from the novel to persuade you. It's from very first lines of the novel. If it doesn't persuade you, I don't know what will. Here it is: STARTIn 1941, when I was thirty-one and an old maid, while the whole world waited for war, I fell in love with John Berringer.An office crush. Big deal. Since the invention of the steno pad, a day hasn't gone by without some secretary glancing up from her Pitman squiggles and suddenly realizing that the man who was mumbling "...and therefore, pursuant to the above..." was the one man in her life who could ever bring her joy.So there I was, a cliche with a number 2 yellow pencil: a working firl from Queens who'd lost her heart to the pride of the Ivy League. ENDIsaac's hooks you in and never lets you go. The main character, Linda Voss, is a wonder. She is a heroine unlike any other. She is and always will be wonderfully funny, sometimes mocking, but never boring. All of Isaac's characters are soo human; they are never perfect; they all have flaws. You may not like some of them, but all of them are understandable.I shall forever be grateful to Isaacs for writing this masterpiece. So, please, please, I cannot stress this enough, please go borrow, buy, or steal this book and try it out. You'll fall in love with it. I know I did.

The parallels, the characterization, the foreshadowing, the dynamic evolving characters... this is an excellent example of modern American fiction at its highest level. Our protagonist, Linda Voss, is a real woman recognizably full of her own illusions and strengths, gets involved in the catalyst of WWII, thereby learning what really matters to her as a woman, an American, and a Jew. Miss Isaacs is able, with her impressive understanding of WWIIand humanity in general (which asks the questions Who am I? What do I really want? Why is this happening to me? How can I survive? How can I emerge victorious?), to paint the human condition against a background of war that is didactic while at the same time entirely recognizable. A critical yet loyal Isaacs fan, I believe this book is my supreme favorite of all her work, and I also believe it's my favorite book, period.

They made a movie of this and bungled it royally. Isaacs did not write the screenplay which is patently obvious: the heroine botches up everything and the hero saves her by carrying her comatose body across the Swiss border. Please. In the book, the story of a Jewish American girl of German heritage who volunteers to infiltrate the home of a Nazi official may be implausible but it's a terrific page turner of a story. She is feisty, irreverent and fearless and definitely not a Melanie Griffith type. There is a thumping good love story in here too (read: not sappy). Most of Isaacs' books seem to be more like who-dunnits, but this one is rich in detail (she does an excellent job of evoking the period) and marvelously suspenseful. I'd love to see her try this genre again