Ellen Ruderman

Article first published as Book Review:Chasing The Red Car by Ellen Ruderman on Blogcritics.

We often hear the old adage that history often repeats itself. Occasionally, when threats against the nation happen, like those of the atomic bomb or later the 9/11 tragedy, we see parallels in how these situations are handled, that can be construed in such a way.

Ellen Ruderman has given us a novel of a young woman coming of age during the McCarthy age, when fear of atomic weapons and communism was uppermost in everyone’s minds. In Chasing the Red Car, Ruderman allows us a picture of a time when many freedoms were put to the test, and many accusations were leveled against different groups, especially many of those from the Hollywood crowd, as well as those in academics. We follow Kim Lebow as her family moves from New York and on to the San Fernando Valley, through the turmoil’s of a time that affected the lives of many. Through her upbringing with an outspoken father, and throughout her years and the grief she encounters throughout these times, we watch a young woman expand and grow into a woman strong with political understanding and heavy into education.

Kim seems to have a knack of finding those who believe in her, and who hold thier beliefs close. Life was difficult and Kim had more than her fair share of vicissitudes. We follow her through love and loss, and her own pursuits throughout the years, and she maintains her focus throughout. Ruderman also draws parallels with the policies and practices put in place after 9/11, focusing again on executive power and how some of the happenings mirrored earlier years. This is a well-written, and emotional work that draws you into the lives of those most affected.

Ruderman does a wonderful job of creating characters of honor and standing. They have both their strengths and their flaws, and you come to care about them through her prose. She captured much of what we have heard and seen during the McCarthy era, the meetings and trials of the times. We see much of the devastation that happens to the families accused, even with no proof. Jobs were lost to suspicions, and many lives were changed.

She continues with her story bringing it up to the more recent present with her character continuing to grow and evolve within the political arena. She draws the correlation of power between the then and now, and the concerns and lives of families again affected.

If you like history and are interested in this period of time when upheaval was the order of the day, you will enjoy this work. The history is interesting and the story makes it all more personal. This would be a great book for a reading club, with a look at a view from the outside from a young girl’s point of view.

This is an in-depth look at the politics of the times, and how different lives were affected in different ways, depending on your beliefs.

This book was received as a free copy. All opinions are my own based off my understanding of the material.… (plus d'informations)

A book about politics, a young girl's life, her liberal attitude, and US history during the McCarthy Era.

Kim's liberal attitude started at home. She called her parents by their first names without any objection from them, but even though Kim was free to call her parents by their first names, she had to walk on egg shells because of her mother. She never knew what would set her off. Her parents' constant fighting was very unsettling for Kim and her younger sister. The summer before Kim was to enter high school, her father had a job change, and a move was necessary.

Their move from New York to California was quite traumatic for Kim, but her mother was excited. The move/drive to California actually was a humorous part of the book.

When they did arrive at their new home, not much had changed with her parents, and the teenage concern about school and finding friends was utmost in Kim's mind. She did find a good friend with whom she shared adventures….they remained friends into adulthood. Kim commented: "No matter how bad things get at home, when I'm on this trolley and were going someplace, life is good." Page 55.

School also became a haven for her writing and for her political views that were published in a school newspaper. Her haven became as chaotic as her home life after tragedy struck her favorite teacher, Mr. Samuels.

High school ended, and Kim enrolled in UCLA. The troubles at home continued, but she met a man who helped her through them and through school. He made her forget what was going on at home and what had made her the way she has been her entire life. Lucien made her realize she had to live her life and complete whatever she needed to do for herself. He was the love of her life and she of his….so they thought.

The book moves through Kim's life at the university and then jumps forward to her adult life. She had a great deal of heartache in her life because of family problems...tissues needed at times.

The story of Kim Lebow kept my interest for the most part, but since I am not political or liberal, portions of the book were not to my liking. The storyline veered away from liberalism as it moved into Kim's adulthood and was on a more personal level, but then her life and the story came full circle and many answers were revealed to her. The book was very well written and brought attention to social as well as mental issues which can ruin lives.

Not sure what to rate it....I liked the personal level, but truly didn't like the political and liberal aspect.… (plus d'informations)