In the Shadow of the Greenbrier

De: Emily Matchar

Narrado por: Gilli Messer

Four generations. One remarkable hotel. Countless secrets.

Nestled in the hills of West Virginia lies White Sulphur Springs, home to the Greenbrier Resort. Long a playground for presidents and film stars, the Greenbrier has its own gravitational pull. Over ten decades, four generations of the Zelner family must grapple with their place in its shadow . . . and within their own family.

In 1942, young mother Sylvia is desperate to escape her stifling marriage, especially when it means co-running Zelner’s general store with her husband. When the Greenbrier is commandeered for use as a luxury prison, Sylvia finds her fidelity strained and her heart on the line.

Seventeen years later, Sylvia’s daughter, Doree, struggles to fit in, eagerly awaiting the day she’ll leave for college and meet a nice Jewish boy. But when a handsome stranger comes to town and her brother Alan’s curiosity puts him and Sylvia at risk, Doree is torn between loyalty and desire.

An immersive family saga rich with historical detail, In the Shadow of the Greenbrier explores the inevitable clash between past and future and the extraordinary moments in ordinary lives.

Reseñas de la Crítica

Longlisted for the Crook’s Corner Book Prize

"Matchar deftly weaves the four time lines together to reach a satisfying, emotionally resonant conclusion." —Booklist

"A stirring coming-of-age tale and gripping family saga set against the backdrop of the famous and historic West Virginia resort. Readers will eagerly follow and root for the generations of the Zelner family as they struggle with their places in a changing world and come face-to-face with dark secrets of the past in this memorable and moving book.” —Pam Jenoff, author of Code Name Sapphire

“Matchar’s debut novel is a richly layered and beautifully written tale that immerses the reader into a sweeping saga set in the picturesque backdrop of the lush West Virginia mountains’ legendary Greenbrier resort, and its fascinating, secret history. Utterly captivating, In The Shadow of The Greenbrier is unforgettable." —Kim Michele Richardson, author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Emily Matchar brings the iconic Greenbrier Hotel to vivid life through the engaging, heartbreaking, and often harrowing experiences of four generations.” —Diane Chamberlain, author of The Last House on the Street

“With meticulous research and an unerring eye for the nuances of family dynamics . . . In the Shadow of the Greenbrier is a triumph of storytelling and a must-read for lovers of rich, evocative historical fiction.” —Kelly Rimmer, author of The Paris Agent

“A richly detailed and beautifully written family saga, In the Shadow of the Greenbrier intimately explores the lives of characters caught between the past and the present, unsure of what to let go and what to hold fast. Matchar deftly steers us through time, unfolding long-held secrets and weaving them into a story that is at once poignant and a page-turner.” —Kelly Mustian, author of The Girls in the Stilt House

“Emily Matchar's gripping debut expertly weaves together the fascinating and fraught tale of four generations of a Jewish family. Told with lyrical prose, In the Shadow of the Greenbrier is a heart-rending story of what it means to belong and the impact of long-buried family secrets, at last, coming to light.” —Heather Webb, author of The Next Ship Home

“Careful research, vivid description and a solid historical basis are the scaffold on which this novel is built. But it’s the characters, with all their longings and disappointments, their flaws and their triumphs who will steal your heart and not give it back; they’ll stay with you long after the last page is turned.” —Kitty Zeldis, author of The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights

Relatable in many ways

The title got my attention due to my familiarity with the Greenbrier and West Virginia. The story kept me interested because each chapter peeled back the layers. I shared it with our Jewish sisterhood book club and my friends who are not Jewish but are familiar with the bunker at the Greenbrier. Everyone loved it! I enjoyed listening to the audio book on Audible especially the voices of Sol and Sylvia due to their accents and pronunciation of Yiddish words. I agree with the author that families have their secrets and it can take generations to discover them. Great book and even better listen!

Left longing for more about the government

I wanted more info on the government secrets. Is it still in use? Just how much $$ did taxpayers spend on a facility to save only government employees.

Genuine depiction of characters

I have enjoyed the superb narration by Gili Messer who once again, has brought to life the protagonists, their traits including language & dialects . The story of Jews in Appalachia is unique. It sheds light on an era bygone.

Terrific read

The characters are captivating, the history is so clearly drawn and placed at the foundation of the story. The author’s facility with language made this great - precise and careful. Once I got started I didn’t want to stop. (The narrator overdid it with accents, but I think that about most audio books.)

A little slow but good story

It was a good story but a little slow at times. Overall not bad and an interesting read to learn about history.