Bethlehem is the story of a strong family and two very different women from two distinctly different times who’ve now come together under one roof: 1960’s housewife Joanna and her 1920’s-era mother-in-law.
This is a slow-growing, character-driven story about the invisible ties that develop between people through our lives. The characters (there are a lot to keep track of and it felt overwhelming early on) are richly developed and intriguing, each with a unique history, motivation and voice.
Karen Kelly writes of each era and character in a way that brings them to life without slowing the pace or feeling too showy. The stories of both women are beautifully woven together until the finale beautiful end, which left me a little misty eyed.
*I received a copy of Bethlehem from St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review