Sharon Gloger Friedman

I loved Friedman’s book “Ashes” and was thrilled that she had written a second historical fiction novel. I certainly was not disappointed. “In Freedom’s Light” is suspenseful, heartbreaking, and memorable.

The story begins in Valencia, Spain in the 18th century amidst the Inquisition. When rumors circulate that the Anselems are secretly following the Jewish faith, Efren knows he and his wife Anica must flee. Fortunately, he owns a shipping company and is able to escape to South Carolina. They leave behind the atrocities Jews faced in Spain, but are then horrified when they observe the atrocities against the slaves in their new home.

The characters are well-developed and easily come to life through Friedman’s exquisite writing. The Anselem family, along with many of the other characters, will linger in my mind for some time. I rejoiced with them, and my heart broke as some of the characters we met in South Carolina died. Other characters were totally despicable; a reflection of how well Friedman portrayed them. I admire an author who can evoke such differing emotions through her written words.

I love family sagas and how the Anselem “family” is more than blood ties. As they settle in South Carolina, their “family” expands based upon loving relationships and shared values with others. I loved Anica’s devotion to her faith and her acceptance of others whose beliefs were different. The story revolves around the strong women and their resilience in standing strong and united and finding hope for the future.

Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. I know my book club will love it. I highly recommend this book if you love historical fiction.… (plus d'informations)

Thank you to Read More Books(FB)and especially the author Sharon Gloger Friedman.

I read her first book Ashes and thought that was my favorite. This is one as well. I love the diversity of her books and if she does write others (G-d willing), I'll be on the bandwagon.

I admit that I don't read a lot of books set in the 1800s and the ways they lived especially with slavery. Sharon made it easy to enjoy despite this. I loved this family and all the generations.

I know I say this often in my reviews but I loved the epilogue. One more thing, the cover is so beautiful.… (plus d'informations)

Thank you to the author of this book. I've had this book on my shelf for a while and I wish I read it sooner but glad I finally got to it.

An amazing historical book based on true facts of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and the horrible way that the fire happened.

The book was not just about the fire itself and it's deplorable working conditions, but lives of many but especially of Miriam and her family who fled Russia to New York for a better life and how they struggled on the small paycheck of Miriam's wages at the factory. Her aunt and uncle and their family were wonderful to them when they came to New York and lived with them.

The friends that Miriam made at the factory were like sisters to her and I loved them all.

Then there was Jacob, the union coordinator, who fell in love with Miriam and she with him. He was the best thing that ever happened to her.

Then came the sad part of the fire itself and the details were unbelievable and graphic to a point where I just had to stop reading the book for a minute and get myself together and dry my tears. The people jumping to their deaths was just horrifying and to think this happened in real life.

I think I cried most at when Miriam and Jacob got married -- happy tears for a change.… (plus d'informations)

This beautifully written novel of the horrendous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 is Friedman’s debut in historical fiction. I certainly hope she will write more books in this genre.

The Raisky family endures one tragedy after another – the horrific pogroms in Russia in 1903 which resulted in the death of many Jews, leaving their home country to escape persecution in Russia, daily financial struggles as they settle into New York’s lower east side, and finally the fire. Yet in the midst of all this tragedy could be found love and hope.

All the characters were wonderfully developed and came to life as I read about them. The story focuses on the Raisky family as they adapt to life in America. While the primary focus is on daughter Miriam, we also experience the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments of the entire family - father Meir, mother Sadie, Sadie’s sister Malka, and Malka’s children. I felt pride as Malka’s son Avrum, just a child, stood up to his abusive father. I ached for Miriam’s friends – sweet funny little Osna, happy loving Rivka, Angie and Ambra – as they grasped to hold on to their hopes and dreams. And at the end I was holding my breath, wondering which of them would survive the fire. I struggled with the fear each girl experienced as she fought bravely to escape the fire, and the terror and anguish of their loved ones as they learned who lived and who died. I also felt angry toward the people who allowed such deplorable work conditions to exist, people who were never held accountable for the loss of innocent lives.

It must have been very difficult for Friedman to write this story as it is obvious she was emotionally committed to it. She described in vivid detail how New York was during this era and how difficult life was – limited employment, low wages, crowded filthy tenement houses. The pacing was excellent as the closer we got to the date of the fire, the shorter the time intervals of the chapters. Once I reached March 1911 I found myself dreading what was to come and hoping that for some reason the girls would not go to work on March 25, 1911.

I highly recommend this book if you love historical fiction.… (plus d'informations)