Every so often you stumble upon a book that neither the author nor the book was known to you, and it becomes an unexpected favourite you consider a gem. This is such a book. There are so many good things to say about this book - the interesting structure of the interconnected stories, the idea of the key parallels of “37”, the stories themselves which wander to fascinating places and time in history, but mostly the writing, which is lyrical in places and convincingly contemporary in others.
I see this as a mid-life crisis journey, both literally and figuratively. But mostly it’s about relationships, and how I read it, as the stories are connected in some way, so are all of us by experiencing what it means to be human, and how one person can make a huge difference in another’s life. The feelings of regret that are expressed in this novel ring true, for who amongst us doesn’t have an “if only” story they wonder about, or had to deal with challenges in relationships.
This book is compelling, relatable, joyful at times, incredibly sad in others. And I loved it. I have recommended this book to my book club, hoping it will be chosen. But all the same, I’m recommending it to everyone who enjoys good fiction, because in it’s varied stories, there is something of all of us.
Thank you to NetGalley and Guernica Editions for the ARC of this book, which I ended up buying anyway.

This was a very interesting book that in some ways felt more like a short story collection, with all of the stories linked by the year 1937. It really is incredible to realize that no matter where you were in the world in 1937, the world was a very dangerous place.

I really enjoyed reading this, although, I think it could have been a touch shorter. Thank you #netgalley and @Guernicaeditions for my complimentary copy of 37 in return for my honest review. 4 stars.

The stories in this book entitled 37, incidently, and coincidently, occurred in 1937, creating a kaleidoscope of people, in exile and/or experiencing painful circumstances. The book characters found, at times, dubious refuge in various places. These stories detail the heartbreaks and challenges of ongoing conflicts even in their so-called havens; prejudices and so on, scarring them further. All this culmination despite some healing and overcomings to pick up the pieces and "move on" in life. That is, for those who did survive.

There is an undercurrent story here of Polly Stern, would be famous photo-journalist, who collects these stories as she grapples with her own identity, which always has seemed, well, "off". Will she ever piece together her own story and be able to move on?

Although these stories have elemental truth as told, be reminded this is a historical fiction novel so the purist historian will no doubt unearth some added 'salt and pepper'. Nevertheless, the stories will reach the heart and stir up emotions and may even help the reader rethink some issues of how things, currently, are.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by the publisher.

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Polly is a photojournalist in Vermont whose career doesn't have the glamour she thought it would. Her mother has passed away, her father is struggling with Alzheimer's, and her brother has become distant for a mysterious reason. She's also full of regret over past loves that didn't pan out and her one marriage that ended in divorce. Then she comes upon story after story that relates to the year 1937 and span the globe, from the Dominican Republic to Tibet. She finds that these tales, many of which involve friendship, traveling, and cross- cultural encounters, help her deal with her own life, especially when a surprising family secret is revealed. Polly’s story is interesting enough, but the 1937 stories, presented as a book-within-a-book written by Polly, are fascinating. We meet the Jewish community of the Dominican Republic, a young Tibetan man who loves soccer, Jewish and Palestinian teenage friends who die together, an abused wife who flies off the Golden Gate bridge, and more.