The Savages in Love and War
Having survived WWI and the Roaring Twenties, the third and fourth generation of Savages must maintain the family fortune in 1932. Although they live on three separate continents, they remain linked by family loyalties that will be tested by another World War.
Nick Savage parlays his banking experience into a position as a fundraiser for FDR’s presidential campaign and eventually becomes the US ambassador to Germany. His sister Brook and her husband live in Paris and are buying land in Palestine in order to establish a Jewish homeland. Both siblings witness the devastating consequences of Hitler’s rise to power in Germany. Their step-sister-in-law, Gloria, also has a major storyline. The Chinese branch of the family include Lance Wang, heir to a chain of department stores, his English wife, Nora, and his mother Jasmin, philanthropist and wife to an advisor of Chiang Kai-shek. Their struggle is to outlast not only the communist threat, but also Japanese, imperialist forces.
Stewart has written several best-selling books, a few of which have been made into TV miniseries and motion pictures. I had no problem following the episodic story, but found the dialogue to be forced and unrealistic. Also, while no doubt Stewart expended much time researching popular culture and politics in the 1930s-40s, these facts are often presented in a pointless fashion. For instance, one character, searching the movie ads in the newspaper, lists every movie playing in downtown Manhattan, then opts to do something else instead. Still, those who enjoy fast action and quick wrap-ups will want to read this novel.
