This Shining Splendor

Rating:
Summary: shining? tarnished, rather
Review: Ostensibly, this is about Jewish persecution in Switzerland and a family's daring decision to leave for the shining splendor of America where they can live without prejudice and find acceptance and financial security.

Jared, the hero of our story, can now finally marry Miriam, who he has known for years and had an unspoken understanding with. While the entire family's prospects rise and Jared himself rises to be a millionaire, this lovely family picture is marred by the fact that Jared has met a beautiful woman named Vashti. Jared and Vashti begin a lifelong love affair and --- between the 6 kids he has with Miriam --- even have a daughter together.

Miriam knows about her husband's affair and is jealous but accepting. Jared congratulates himself on being successful and just like the famous men in the Old Testament with multiple wives. The story continues with the fortunes of the rest of the family but by that time I had lost interest and skimmed it.

This was a frustrating read for me. I pretty much consistently dislike long-term triangle stories and this was no exception.