Mountains of Manhattan

Reading "Mountains of Manhattan", with its connections to Munich, Germany, Radio Free Europe, and the beautiful Swiss Alps, was like taking a step back in time to the years between 1984 and 1995 when my husband and our two sons and I lived in Munich, Germany when my husband was Director of Operations for Radio Free Europe. Our lives even intersected briefly with Jenny Lind Schmitt and her husband when they first came to Munich as newlyweds. "Mountains of Manhattan" focuses on the lives of two very different women who meet in New York City in the 1950's. One, a young American with emotional ties to Munich, Germany, who worked at the New York office of the fledgling Radio Free Europe; the other, an older woman who as a teenager, made the emotionally difficult decision to leave her beautiful village in the Swiss Alps behind at a very vulnerable time in her life. The book is refreshingly honest, written with a Christian world view, with real people who aren't perfect, who struggled with matters of moral conscience, and yet both were able to learn and to grow, from their own mistakes, as well as from random events over which they had little control. Besides being a very satisfying "people" story, "Mountains of Manhattan" also provides interesting historical insight into the political events that shaped Post World War II Europe, as well as an "insiders" experience of the Swiss Alps, certainly one of the most beautiful places in all of God's creation. I look forward to more novels to come from the mind and heart of Jenny Lind Schmitt.

Jenny has an amazing command of the English language (as well as French and German), as exhibited by her ability to use words to describe scenery and convey emotions throughout the book. She transported me from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan to the peaceful tranquility of Swiss mountains.I love the way that she took two women's lives and intertwined them so artfully. I truly was engaged throughout the book and wanted to see how the characters and story developed. This is a story that left things to the imagination that weren't necessary for the plot. I appreciate that she kept the book very wholesome, winsome, and hopeful.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is set both in 1950s Manhattan and 1920s rural Switzerland. It weaves together these settings, along with Munich immediately after the war, so skilfully. This is ultimately a moral tale, though, without being at all didactic or preachy. All the characters are asked to stretch and accept each other and their circumstances in unexpected and uncomfortable ways, to become who they were meant to be ,rather than just who they want to be. Well worth reading; I hope the author writes a sequel!

I bought this book and read it only because the author is a dear lady at my church. I cracked it open out of a sense of duty, but as I was reading, I kept saying to myself, "This is very well written!" And I got swept away with the story. Soon I was remembering why I don't read good books anymore. Things that needed my attention weren't getting it because I wanted to read my book instead.I really liked this book. There were surprising twists in it and things to ponder long after I finished reading the book.

A delightful read, the unexpected storyline held my attention well. The author has a poetic way with descriptive words. The fact that actions have consequences is observed through the twists and turns in the character's lives. Subtle yet clear lessons were also conveyed, such as joy, meaning and purpose in serving others, rather than leading a self-focused life. I was inspired to serve my family more readily. Most of all, this is a fun book to read, giving you a chance to escape to another time and place.

This novel carried me into another multi-continental world of charming days gone by, leaving me completely surprised at the end that it was over and I had to move on with my life... Interesting characters and great plot twists I didn't see coming, with wonderful phrasing of feelings I could taste.

Loved this story - it was hard for me to put down. I just kept wanting to know how Helen and Clementine's lives would be entwined. This was a great summertime historical fiction/novel with complex characters. I also loved how Rose developed in the story. Great first novel - can't wait for your second!

I love this book! It is a wonderful story and beautifully written!! I hope she writes a sequel! I did not want the book to end!!