Title: A Fall of Marigolds
Author: Susan Meissner
First published February 4, 2014
370 pages, Paperback
Rating: 4.08
Overview
A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner tells the story of two women, generations apart, connected by a beautiful scarf. In 1911, nurse Clara Wood finds herself on Ellis Island unable to return to Manhattan after losing the man she loved in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.
While caring for a fevered immigrant, she becomes intrigued by a scarf he carries embroidered with a name that forces her to confront the truth about her assumptions. A hundred years later, widow Taryn Michaels convinces herself that she is living fully until a lost photograph from the 9/11 attacks forces her to relive the terrible day her husband died.
Will a chance reconnection and the same century-old scarf that helped Clara free Taryn from her own grief and open her eyes to the larger forces at work in her life?
Editoral Review
Susan Meissner’s 2014 novel, A Fall of Marigolds, is a historical fiction narrative that weaves together two distinct periods in American history. Meissner is an accomplished author of both historical fiction and romance, with over a dozen novels to her credit.
A Fall of Marigolds is an exemplary piece of work and will appeal to readers who enjoy complex characters, intertwined histories, and tales of second chances. The book tells the story of two women, separated by a century, who experience life altering events on the same New York City street.
The first narrative follows Taryn Michaels, a nurse working at Ellis Island in 1911. Taryn has seen patients come and go, but she is devastated when she fails to save a young woman from Ireland named Clara.
Clara has been traveling to America to start a new life with her fiancé, but she arrives on Ellis Island with a deadly disease. Taryn keeps Clara’s scarf, which has a pattern of marigolds, and vows to take it to Clara’s fiancé when she is well enough to leave the island.
Taryn’s search for the fiancé will change her life in unexpected ways. Fast forward to 2011, and we meet Aimee Tierney, a young woman who has recently lost her husband in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.
Aimee works at a boutique shop called Liberty Silk, where her job is to treasure vintage scarves. One day, a man walks into the store and hands her a scarf with a marigold pattern.
Aimee notices it is from 1911 and jumps at the chance to research its origins. The book’s themes are tied to the idea that life is fleeting, and the past is complicated.
Taryn and Aimee’s stories are about lost love, identity, and finding peace amid tragedy. Meissner does an admirable job of holding these themes throughout the book, providing a narrative that is both intelligent and well-written.
The pacing of the story is steady, with Meissner taking time to establish the characters and settings. The setting of New York City is especially notable, as it is portrayed in two vastly different eras.
The historical accuracy throughout the novel is commendable, with Meissner weaving significant events into the plot. The details of Ellis Island and the boutique shop add richness to the story and highlight the author’s research.
The characters of Taryn and Aimee are multi-layered, relatable, and complex. The minor characters in the story also play significant roles, providing depth and diversity.
Although the two women’s narratives are separate, Meissner skillfully weaves them together in a way that feels natural. One weakness of the book is the lack of resolution for some of the storylines.
A few of the characters are left relatively undeveloped, and the ending could have been more satisfying. Additionally, some readers may find the plot predictable.
In conclusion, A Fall of Marigolds is a beautifully crafted novel that weaves two narratives and two eras together. Meissner’s exceptional writing, well-drawn characters, and intricate plot make this a novel worth picking up.
Fans of historical fiction, romance, and tales of second chances will enjoy this book. Overall, A Fall of Marigolds is a captivating page-turner that deserves an audience.
