Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English

At the outset of World War II, Jack Rosenblum, his wife Sadie, and their baby daughter escape Berlin, bound for London. They are greeted with a pamphlet instructing immigrants how to act like the English. Jack acquires Saville Row suits and a Jaguar. He buys his marmalade from Fortnum & Mason and learns to list the entire British monarchy back to 913 A.D. He never speaks German, apart from the occasional curse. But the one key item that would make him feel fully British -membership in a golf club-remains elusive. In post-war England, no golf club will admit a Rosenblum. Jack hatches a wild idea: he'll build his own.

It’s an obsession Sadie does not share, particularly when Jack relocates them to a thatched roof cottage in Dorset to embark on his project. She doesn’t want to forget who they are or where they come from. She wants to bake the cakes she used to serve to friends in the old country and reminisce. Now she’s stuck in an inhospitable landscape filled with unwelcoming people, watching their bank account shrink as Jack pursues his quixotic dream.

Natasha Solomons wrote a delightful debut book. Loved Jack and Sadie from the very beginning, and came to care for their family. I was hurt, annoyed, disgusted with the prejudice inflicted upon them and cheered when Sir William was defeated!  The secondary characters are endearing as well.  Don't let the fact that a golf course is being built in this book (as a golfing family, I loved it), it is about so much more than that.  It's about love, loss, identity, family, dreams, acceptance, friendships, etc.  Do not miss this gem!

Vicki of Reading At The Beach hosts A-Z Wednesday, this round is author's names and this week's letter is "N".