Florence Adler Swims Forever
A Novel
by Rachel Beanland
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Pub Date Jul 07 2020 | Archive Date Jan 12 2024
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Description
“Rachel Beanland is a writer of uncommon wit and wisdom, with a sharp and empathetic eye for character. She’ll win you over in the most old fashioned of ways: She simply tells a hell of a story.” —Rebecca Makkai, Pulitzer Finalist for The Great Believers
Atlantic City, 1934. Every summer, Esther and Joseph Adler rent their house out to vacationers escaping to “America’s Playground” and move into the small apartment above their bakery. Despite the cramped quarters, this is the apartment where they raised their two daughters, Fannie and Florence, and it always feels like home.
Now Florence has returned from college, determined to spend the summer training to swim the English Channel, and Fannie, pregnant again after recently losing a baby, is on bedrest for the duration of her pregnancy. After Joseph insists they take in a mysterious young woman whom he recently helped emigrate from Nazi Germany, the apartment is bursting at the seams.
Esther only wants to keep her daughters close and safe but some matters are beyond her control: there’s Fannie’s risky pregnancy—not to mention her always-scheming husband, Isaac—and the fact that the handsome heir of a hotel notorious for its anti-Semitic policies, seems to be in love with Florence.
When tragedy strikes, Esther makes the shocking decision to hide the truth—at least until Fannie’s baby is born—and pulls the family into an elaborate web of secret-keeping and lies, bringing long-buried tensions to the surface that reveal how quickly the act of protecting those we love can turn into betrayal.
Based on a true story and told in the vein of J. Courtney Sullivan’s Saints for All Occasions and Anita Diamant’s The Boston Girl, Beanland’s family saga is a breathtaking portrait of just how far we will go to in order to protect our loved ones and an uplifting portrayal of how the human spirit can endure—and even thrive—after tragedy.
Advance Praise
"Rachel Beanland is a writer of uncommon wit and wisdom, with a sharp and empathetic eye for character. She'll win you over in the most old fashioned of ways: She simply tells a hell of a story."
—Rebecca Makkai, Pulitzer Finalist for The Great Believers
“Rachel Beanland has written a wonderfully assured and completely engrossing first novel. From the very first page, I was completely invested in the lives of Florence, Gussie, Anna and the rest. Florence Adler Swims Forever has much to say about family, loss and all the ways we have to wonder what might have been, and it does so with great skill and a deeply humane vision. I could not recommend it more highly.
—Kevin Powers, author of National Book Award finalist The Yellow Birds
"Florence Adler Swims Forever is a tender, funny, frank look at how family and faith can frustrate us, sustain us, and keep us human.”
—Blair Hurley, author of The Devoted
“Grief may propel this story, but the overall effect is one of joy—especially at watching such an assured and dazzling debut writer at work. The Adlers are as real as your closest friends, and their tale of perseverance couldn’t be more timely. From its unforgettable opening and through the rippling current of her characters’ lives, Beanland shows a warmth and humanity that will bring readers back again and again.”
—Brian Castleberry, author of Nine Shiny Objects
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781982132460 |
| PRICE | $25.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 320 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Amy H, Librarian
A sweet and poignant family story based on actual events and people.
I will definitely recommend this as a beach read!
Samantha M, Educator
Absolutely wonderful! I wasn't sure what to expect, and after a tragic event in the early chapters, wasn't sure I would enjoy it, I'm so glad I kept reading. Such beautiful writing that evocatively captured 1934 Atlantic City and several family members reeling and recovering for the tragic event. I was sad to see it end and even though I finished it a couple of days ago keep thinking about the Adler family and wonder what happened after the last chapter. Be sure to read the author's notes, they added so much to the reading experience!
I loved this novel and eagerly await its publication so I can encourage everyone to read it this summer. One of the best books I've read in a long time!
Librarian 166886
A truly enjoyable story with unforgettable characters and a great weekend read. Based on a true story of the author’s family.
Natalie L, Reviewer
This is a charming and thoughtful novel about a family caught up in lies and filled with good intentions. The novel takes place in Atlantic City, a very different place in the 1930’s. It centers on the Adler family as they face several crises during one awful summer.
The sad catalyst is the death of their daughter Florence, a champion swimmer, who drowns while she is training to cross the English Channel. There are more complications as the family hides this awful truth from their other daughter, Fannie, who is in the hospital under rigorous orders for complete bed rest as she awaits the birth of her child. The family has a visitor, Anna, who they have sponsored to allow her to escape Nazi persecution in Germany.
The woes and the lies keep mounting. As a reader, I was filled with compassion for this beleaguered family. The novel moves quickly, the characters were well drawn and sympathetic.
Ironically, this was based upon the true story of the author’s relative. Included in the novel are obvious historic references, fascinating glimpses into medical treatment during the 1930’s , and reminders of the world before WWII.
I am certain that reading groups will love this novel and find so much to discuss. Women’s groups and seminars will be appalled at the way the medical establishment treated women.
I heartily recommend this book. I really believe readers will enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you Netgalley for the privilege of reading this extraordinary novel.
Jo H, Librarian
What an amazing story! I have always been fascinated with the Jewish religion/culture and learning some things about how they deal with death is very interesting. So many lovely and believable characters. I think most people can relate to some of them and see others in their lives who are similar, especially the son-in-law who is such a creep. This really took family secrets to the extreme with Florence’s death. Reading the authors notes at the end and how she used so much of her own family history made this so special!
Bookseller 401796
A Wonderfully Engaging Family Saga!
Oh, how I adore family sagas. This one was no exception to the rule. The characters were infectious, particularly Esther. The era - WWII. The focus of this book was on Nazi Germany. While many historical fiction do focus on this time of history, I felt that Beanland had a fresh perspective and unique voice. I didn't feel like I had ever read anything like Florence Adler Swims Forever.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes family sagas. This was an excellent family saga with a strong cast of supporting characters. I would read anything that Beanland writes next and I greatly anticipate her next novel!
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