The Photograph [Large Print] [Library Binding]

Virginia Ellis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2003

As a nation of young soldiers marches off to war, two women left behind will embrace a final keepsake, a profound reminder of the moment before their lives changed forever—its bittersweet images telling the story of an innocence lost, of a love just beginning, and of a family that may never be whole again. . . .

THE PHOTOGRAPH

In her highly acclaimed hardcover debut, The Wedding Dress, Virginia Ellis earned a place among the new stars of women’s fiction with her unforgettable portrait of sisters mending their dreams from the tattered remains of the Civil War. Now she triumphs once again in this stirring new novel of hope and the enduring spirit of those bound by the passions of the heart.

For Maddy Marshall, it was a time of jitterbug contests and drugstore sodas. Then on her seventeenth birthday, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Suddenly all the boys she grew up with, including her fiancé, ran off to enlist, ready to defend their country. It was all incredibly romantic to Maddy. Until the fateful night before her brother Davey shipped out, the night she danced with dreamy Lieutenant Tull-Martin, the night of the photograph—when her world fell apart.

Only Davey’s frail wife, Ruth, will discover what happened, helping Maddy to hide her grave secret and its undeniable consequences. Together these sisters of the heart maintain a deception that, like the shifting reflections of a picture, becomes a beacon of possibility to be cherished until fate brings their men home.

Written with warmth and grace, The Photograph is a moving celebration of the women who lived, loved, and came of age in a time of overwhelming heartbreak.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When she turns 17 on December 7, 1941, Maddy has no inkling how her life is about to change. Surprisingly, she is allowed to accompany her enlisted brother Davey's wife Ruth to Miami until he ships out. They end up staying, and chapters told in the girls' alternating voices, sprinkled with local headlines, chronicle their emotional and financial struggles. The title refers to a photo taken of Ruth, Davey, Maddy, Maddy's new love, and several of Davey's friends, taken on the eve of the men's departure. Ruth sees changes in the photo, such as Maddy in tears or a soldier disappearing, which nobody else sees. This is how she finds out that Maddy was raped that last night, that she is pregnant, that Davey's best friend has been captured, and that Frankie, Maddy's attacker, is dead. Ellis' second novel is packed with period details, from the Lone Ranger on the radio to rationing and war bond sales; without these clues, it is a heartfelt saga that could have taken place during any war, as recently as today. Deborah Donovan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“A powerful, emotional story, whose reflection of families in war-time is relevant today.”
—Romantic Times

“An exciting World War II tale that vividly brings to life the home front. . . . Ellis provides fans of historical tales with a powerfully timely descriptive look at mostly 1942 America.”
—The Midwest Book Review

“A HEARTFELT SAGA . . . PACKED WITH PERIOD DETAILS.”
—Booklist

“Stunning . . . The poignant tale of two women, sisters of the heart, who share their lives while the men they love march off to war. . . . If you only purchase one hardcover book this summer, I recommend it be The Photograph.”
—Romance Fiction Forum

“Displaying a talent that makes The Photograph difficult to put down, Virginia Ellis threads together an interesting backdrop of historic World War II events that help make this book unforgettable.”
—www.ReaderToReader.com


From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 400 pages
• Publisher: Center Point Pub (December 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585473707
• ISBN-13: 978-1585473700
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,666,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another wonderful book by Virginia Ellis!, July 1, 2003

By 

Andreas Attic "Booklover" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Photograph (Hardcover)

Once again Virginia Ellis captures the tone of a past era. This time she takes us to the 1940s and WWII. Who would have thought an author with the ability to bring the late 1800s alive could do the same for an era many of our parents lived through? But she does it with grace and style and a compelling characters. This is a story once again about woman who band together in crisis. It's a theme obviously close to Ms. Ellis' heart, one she understands and portrays beautifully.

If you loved The Wedding Dress, than you'll love The Photograph. And if you've read neither, treat yourself. BOth are books you'll read more than once.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beuatiful and moving, November 16, 2005

By 

Gigi Fufu "gigi fufu" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Photograph (Hardcover)

On the advice of a friend I read this book. I was very glad I did. The story takes place during WWII when Maddie and her sister-in-law Ruth move to Miami to be closer to Ruth's husband before he departs for war. Although they intend to be in Miami for just a short period of time, a tragedy happens and they continue to live there until after the war.

The author is very gifted at developing people who you genuinely grow to love. Ruth and Maddie are finely drawn characters, as are Tully, Jack, Davey, the Silers, and even Maddie's mother. Ellis also does a great job at telling a good story. This one has it all: heartbreak, loss, fear, motherhood, love, friendship and family.

She also does a very credible job of making us feel that we are present during WWII and we can understand the hardships, uncertainties and deprivations that the main characters are going through. I also found it interesting how close Maddie and Ruth became and how loyal they were to each other.

Whatever your reading interests are, I am sure you will be charmed by this sweet and unassuming book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! I loved it!, October 6, 2004

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Photograph (Paperback)

December 7, 1941. The day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and the day Maddy Marshall turned seventeen. Maddy had lived a relatively quiet small town life in Radley, Pennsylvania, until now. Suddenly her fiancé has announced that he has joined the Navy and is leaving. Her brother Davey had joined the Marines previously and is getting ready for Paris Island. So all within one week Maddy is left with her mother, Davey's wife (Ruth), and heartache ... until that fateful letter arrives and Maddy's life changes forever.

Miami brings a whole new world to Maddy and Ruth. It also changes their lives. As these two sisters of the heart find themselves in trials they never dreamed of, their bong grows stronger. But will one fateful night, down at the pier, and the photograph be too much for the sisters as they wait for their men to come home?

***** Romance, intrigue, and heartfelt bonds set the stage for this wonderful saga that brought me into the world of these two women. Author Virginia Ellis has a way of bringing a time long gone to life again. I definitely loved this book. If you are looking for a good heartfelt book to help pass the winter away, then pick this one! *****

Reviewed by K. Blair