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Grand Central: Original Stories Of Postwar Love And Reunion

A war bride awaits the arrival of her GI husband at the platform...   A Holocaust survivor works at the Oyster Bar, where a customer reminds him of his late mother...   A Hollywood hopeful anticipates her first screen test and a chance at stardom in the Kissing Room...   On any particular day, thousands upon thousands of people pass through New York City's Grand Central Terminal, through the whispering gallery, beneath the ceiling of stars, and past the information booth and its beckoning four-faced clock, to whatever destination is calling them. It is a place where people come to say hello and good-bye. And each person has a story to tell.   Now, ten bestselling authors inspired by this iconic landmark have created their own stories, set on the same day, just after the end of World War II, in a time of hope, uncertainty, change, and renewal.... Featuring stories from   Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator's Wife Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us Amanda Hodgkinson, New York Times bestselling author of 22 Britannia Road Pam Jenoff, bestselling author of The Ambassador's Daughter Sarah Jio, New York Times bestselling author of Blackberry Winter Sarah McCoy, New York Times bestselling author of The Baker's Daughter Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of The Pieces We Keep Alyson Richman, bestselling author of The Lost Wife Erika Robuck, bestselling author of Call Me Zelda Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of After the Rain   With an Introduction by Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Home Front

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Berkley (July 1, 2014)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0425272028

ISBN-13: 978-0425272022

Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.2 inches

Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (143 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #50,260 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #2 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical > Short Stories & Anthologies > Anthologies #436 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Short Stories & Anthologies > Anthologies #10741 in Books > Literature & Fiction > United States

Last year Grand Central Station turned 100 years old. This drew a renewed interest in its history and the millions of stories of people who had passed through its doors. A group of best-selling authors decided to create their own stories set at Grand Central on the same day, just after the end of World War II. After reading each other's stories, the authors found a way to piece their stories together, connecting characters from one story into the next. The result is truly well-done.All of the stories in this anthology are connected to the war. A Jewish violinist plays at Grand Central for the pure joy of it and for a beautiful woman who visits a pastry stand every day. A Holocaust survivor works as a busboy at the Oyster Bar, but can't seem to forget his previous life before the war. A woman returns home to a man she loved before the war and finds life isn't as she expected. An abused wife and son wait for her husband to return from the war and meet a woman who will change their lives forever. A woman pilot visits the family of her best friend and realizes she needs to trust her instincts in order to move on. A budding actress waits for the audition of a lifetime in the famous Kissing Room. These stories and five others bring in iconic pieces of Grand Central that visitors to the terminal will be able to envision and feel part of the story. Every single story left me in tears and wishing there was more, but Sarah Jio's and Erika Robuck's are ones I am still thinking about days later.In each of these stories, you feel the devastating pain of war and the love that kept hope alive. You will be left wanting more and you won't be able to forget the characters or their choices. The unique way the stories are intertwined is a treat that the reader will enjoy finding as they read. This anthology is emotionally moving and so descriptive that you will be able to place yourself in Grand Central and see the lives played out. It truly is a splendid compilation of high-caliber writing. Fans of historical fiction and love stories will be riveted and deeply moved. It was a book I didn't want to end.

Grand Central: Original Stories of Postwar Love and Reunion, what an incredible and beautiful tribute to New York City’s Grand Central Terminal 101th birthday— with the main entrance to this historical landmark, dedicated to the former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis this past Monday, honoring her efforts to keep the station open.This group of talented ten bestselling and inspiring authors have put together a beautiful collection of memorable stories, each unique. Every person has a story to tell; allowing readers to enter the lives of many who have passed through this historical landmark. It is a place with lovers meet and ones say goodbye.Of course, my two of my favorite authors are featured, the queens of historical fiction: Sarah Jio and Karen White, fitting for this heartwarming and compelling read. In addition, my other long-time favorite author, Kristin Hannah, introduces the novel with a touching story, as she describes that often in our war fiction, we overlook the truths of women and their importance during this time.As Hannah mentions, “This talented group of authors has taken an intriguing premise and coaxed from it a seamlessly integrated group of stories. In it, a single day in Grand Central Terminal—entrance to the melting pot of America—becomes the springboard for ten very different stories which when read together weave a beautiful tapestry about men and women and their war years.”In some stories, the characters are finding new loves after devastating losses; while others are battling the terrible effects of the war and are seeking a better future. World War II was the last Great War for Americans, a time of national sacrifice and common goals. In our modern divided and conflicted world many of us long to glimpse a forgotten time, when the right path seemed easier to identify and follow. The Greatest Generation. This is what makes these stories powerful and compelling, as we revisit this era.The characters are coming and going in so many different directions—not only geographically, but in their own individual lives. Set on the same day, just after the end of World War II, in a time of hope, uncertainty, change, and renewal.I also enjoyed reading the other stories some authors which I have not had the opportunity of reading, prior to this book. A great way to make an introduction, to add to your to read list. I felt privileged to listen to the audiobook (and the e-book), from this distinguished group of authors, and narrated by Carla Mercer-Meyer.A special thank you, for putting together this gem, readers can treasure for years to come, and pass along to future generations.Highly recommend to fans of historical fiction and love stories, who will appreciate this deeply moving collection to remind us what was lost and hope for the future.

I read Grand Central out of order, beginning with the authors I knew, then moving to the stories with intriguing titles, and finally, the rest. It wasn't until I read them again, in order, that the resonant, emotional themes binding the stories together became apparent--so bravo to whomever arranged this anthology.The setting of the Grand Central station is the physical tie between all ten tales, but the thematic tie is the resilience, honesty, and growth each narrator experiences in the wake of WWII. My favorite part of this anthology was its illumination of various facets of the era, from the use of German POWs on American farms, to the GI Brides, to women pilots. I could taste the cocktails at the Oyster Bar, feel the apprehension of a foreign bride awaiting her American husband, hear the click of cuban heels across the floor of the station.The variety was also enjoyable, with some featuring a nice romantic element, while others were deft character studies. Some were written in first person, while others were in third. And the Easter egg: a few of the stories had characters cross paths with one another--the fun is identifying them!All in all, Grand Central is engrossing and unique. Brava ladies for this fantastic anthology, which granted me the opportunity to while away a few hours in their worlds.

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