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Reviewed by Tracy Slowiak for Readers' Favorite
In a dark and fascinating new read by author Marina Julia Neary, The Gate of Dawn: A Novel of 19th Century Lithuania is a story that readers will find themselves sucked into from the very first page, and will keep them obsessively reading all the way through until the very end. Follow the story of Renate Lichtner, a 15-year-old young girl who was given in marriage to a Polish farmer, by her father while he was on his deathbed. Thaddeus, a widower, is twice her age. Renate was used to her life as the privileged daughter of wealthy textile merchant, and is completely unhappy with her life as the wife of a farmer who is content to work alongside his peasants. Renate seeks comfort in the arms of a Jewish painter, and while Thaddeus might be willing to excuse her actions, his peasants are not, and are completely affronted by her affair. Will the couple survive? You'll need to read this dark tale to find out.
I very much enjoyed The Gate of Dawn. Author Marina Julia Neary has done a wonderful job of creating characters that her readers will find incredibly believable and settings that are very realistic for the historical time in which the story is set. The relationship between Renate and Thaddeus, as well as Renate and her lover, are complex and complicated, and certainly don't make for a traditional love story. Any reader who enjoys a good work of historical fiction, or who is looking for a great work of fiction in general, should definitely read this book. I highly recommend this book, and hope that the author is already working on her next offering right now!
