A Fall of Marigolds
A beautiful scarf connects two women touched by tragedy in this compelling, emotional novel from the author of As Bright as Heaven and The Last Year of the War.
September 1911. On Ellis Island in New York Harbor, nurse Clara Wood cannot face returning to Manhattan, where the man she loved fell to his death in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Then, while caring for a fevered immigrant whose own loss mirrors hers, she becomes intrigued by a name embroidered onto the scarf he carries...and finds herself caught in a dilemma that compels her to confront the truth about the assumptions she’s made. What she learns could devastate her—or free her.
September 2011. On Manhattan’s Upper West Side, widow Taryn Michaels has convinced herself that she is living fully, working in a charming specialty fabric store and raising her daughter alone. Then a long-lost photograph appears in a national magazine, and she is forced to relive the terrible day her husband died in the collapse of the World Trade Towers...the same day a stranger reached out and saved her. But a chance reconnection and a century-old scarf may open Taryn’s eyes to the larger forces at work in her life.
“[Meissner] creates two sympathetic, relatable characters that readers will applaud. Touching and inspirational.”—Kirkus Reviews
September 1911. On Ellis Island in New York Harbor, nurse Clara Wood cannot face returning to Manhattan, where the man she loved fell to his death in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Then, while caring for a fevered immigrant whose own loss mirrors hers, she becomes intrigued by a name embroidered onto the scarf he carries...and finds herself caught in a dilemma that compels her to confront the truth about the assumptions she’s made. What she learns could devastate her—or free her.
September 2011. On Manhattan’s Upper West Side, widow Taryn Michaels has convinced herself that she is living fully, working in a charming specialty fabric store and raising her daughter alone. Then a long-lost photograph appears in a national magazine, and she is forced to relive the terrible day her husband died in the collapse of the World Trade Towers...the same day a stranger reached out and saved her. But a chance reconnection and a century-old scarf may open Taryn’s eyes to the larger forces at work in her life.
“[Meissner] creates two sympathetic, relatable characters that readers will applaud. Touching and inspirational.”—Kirkus Reviews
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✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI
Readers say *A Fall of Marigolds* thoughtfully connects two women’s stories a century apart, linked by a marigold-embellished scarf. Reviewers agree t...
I read this book because I wanted to see the significance of the marigold. It is a very resilient flower that refuses to give up. I recently found out that the marigold is the “flower of the dead”. I wasn’t entirely thrilled with this story line but it was an interesting read.
I agree with those who would like to give this book 3.5 stars. I particularly enjoyed the history of the hospitals on Ellis Island.
A little schmaltzy, but I'm here for it. Interesting interwoven histories between the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 and 9/11 and their lasting effect.
I immediately wanted to keep reading! The two different times of history intertwined was captivating. Having lived during one time in that history line made me want more information about the other time in history. Sad that the character Clara chose an ending I didn’t want but the book was definitely a page turner.
I'm glad I finished reading this book on September 11th. A good story tieing together the Triange Shirtwaist fire and September 11th.
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