Customer Reviews

Triangle: A Novel

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Creating a fascinating counterpoint between the infamous tragedy of the Triangle Shirtwaist fire and the world of genetic studies and music, Katharine Weber had me enthralled from the words "This is what happened." Even when she departs from 106-year-old Esther's recollections of the fire to discuss the evolution of George's musical genius, she does so easily and with the ability to hold this reader in her grip. The subject matter is never less than intriguing, often mesmerizing. George, Rebecca, and Esther feel like true, living people I would want to know. Unfortunately, in the character of Ruth Zion, the feminist herstorian, Weber has crafted someone so abrasive, so annoying and utterly insensitive that she is more a caricature than a believable character. This was a huge letdown in comparison to the more humanly drawn central figures. Nevertheless, this is one of the better reads I've enjoyed this summer. The ending, though not the total surprise some have suggested, is heartbreakingly written, with just a touch of ambiguity to leave me a bit puzzled about the other triangle, the love triangle of Esther, Jacob and Pauline.

Weber weaves an esoteric musical theme through her novel of the last survivor of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory tragedy of 1911, the improbable romance of two unusual people, composer George Botkin and geneticist Rebecca Gottesfeld. George's music explores "all sorts of formations found in nature for their musical possibilities, especially genetic codes and cell structures." His long-time paramour, Rebecca, is the granddaughter of Esther Gottesfeld, now one-hundred-six-years old and dying of natural causes, the last human archive of one of the most shocking exposes in the garment industry of the early 1900's. Esther's world is clouded with the painful images of the fire that took the lives of 146 people, including her fiancé and sister, Pauline, leaving Esther to raise her unborn child without the comfort of family. When Esther's son and his wife are killed in an automobile accident, it is she who raises Rebecca, her darling granddaughter.

Esther's narrow escape from the Triangle fire is told through a series of court documents and personal interviews with Ruth Zion, a woman's rights advocate, compiling what she believes will be the definitive "herstory" of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and the patriarchy that allowed it to happen. Ruth fails to penetrate Esther's painful secrets, knowledge the old woman has kept to herself for all the years of her long life. Hoping to uncover discrepancies in Esther's account of the fire, Ruth interviews Esther as often as circumstances permit, repeating the same questions over and over, but the wily old woman remains vigilant, sensing the ill-intentions of the researcher. After Esther's death, Ruth hopes to find more fertile ground in her granddaughter in Rebecca, who is grieving Esther's loss when first she meets the intrusive and insensitive Ruth Zion, clearly a woman with an agenda of her own.

Esther's account of the fire is harrowing: the helpless terror of women trapped in a burning building, blindly heaving themselves from the windows to avoid the flames, the cotton garments they have sewn fueling the pyre. That Esther escapes at all is exceptional, her actions driven by instinct. Esther dies a few days prior to 9/11, adding a subtle tension to Rebecca and Ruth's unfolding drama, the images of bodies falling to their deaths now embedded in the national consciousness of a more recent horror. The author skillfully manages the historical perspective with an unusual love story, Esther's survival a testament to the extraordinary spirit of the immigrants who fled a hostile Europe for the opportunities of a new country. Luan Gaines/ 2006.

having done extensive research on the triangle shirtwaist factory fire, i was very interested to read this novel. the main plot was riveting, but the subplot dealing with the composer boyfriend was irritating. at the beginning of the book, twentyish pages are devoted to a drawn out and boring description of his genius. the language is excessively technical, and the whole of it seems unnecessary to the rest of the novel. the story provokes many questions about the nature of academic research and the reliability of oral histories, but overall it fell sort of flat.

A rather flawed work. The aspects that I found the most annoying were:

1. The endlessly pretentious descriptions of character George Botkins' brilliant musicianship! Weber came across as a musician wannabe trying to show off her in-depth knowledge. I would have quit reading the book midway through Chapter 2 - the first one focused on Botkins' career - if it weren't for the fact that my long-time friend had urged me to read this book.

2. At the end, character Rebecca Gottesfeld has suddenly given up a rewarding career in the medical field after 20+ years so she can be a stay-at-home mom, all with absolutely no explanation for her major change of heart.

3. There were many incomplete story lines. Where did the $20,000 come from? Why was it accepted? What was the connection (if any) between the Triangle fire and the death via car accident of Esther's son and his wife fifty years later? Did her son know his father's identity? Did Rebecca learn her grandfather's identity? Who was the common ancestor three generations back that George Botkins and Rebecca shared?

4. The author didn't seem to have enough of a story to fill even a slim volume so she had Esther repeat her story about the day of the fire many times. In Chapter 10, a "transcription" of her testimony at a 1911 trial, she is asked to repeat the story *three* times, all three recitations of which appear word for word! No explanation is given as to why the lawyer had asked her to repeat her testimony three times, leaving this reader with the idea that the author needed "filler." And Chapter 10 is not the only one in which Esther recites her memories of the fire.

5. The author's depiction of the feminist "herstorian" was way more of a caricature than a portait. As someone who once did a short stint of historical research into a feminist topic, I winced at the shabby treatment accorded this character by the other characters and the author.

So, why did I give this book 2 stars instead of 1?

1. The author gave Esther quite a beautiful death, both in terms of the physical environment in which it occurred, and Esther's last thoughts.

2. Parts of the book were absorbing.

3. Most importantly, it actually motivated me to go looking for a non-fiction book on the Triangle Shirtwaist fire to learn more.

Prior to my reading TRIANGLE, which is a fictional account of the Triangle Fire of 1911, I read TRIANGLE,THE FIRE THAT CHANGED AMERICA, by David von Drehle. Given the precise facts of this horrific event, TRIANGLE is a beautiful story which captures the essence of that terrible day. It may be confusing to some readers who cannot understand the repetitive questions of the journalist but this is a reflection of an attempt to discredit the primary witness at the actual trial of the factory owners by repeatedly asking her to tell the story of the fire, subtley suggesting the similarities in her testimony proved it to be rehearsed.
As an amateur pianist, I found the musical descriptions fascinating but I can certainly understand that for someone with no knowledge of music theory that this could become tedious (hence my 4 star vs. 5 star rating). The sequential development of Botkin's music is an integral part of the book's finale; the reader can feel the tension created in "Triangle Oratorio" and although Douglas Moore is quoted in his discussion of music as saying "....a thing which only exists in sound..." the reader hears and feels this amazing piece of music.
I highly recommend TRIANGLE and suggest also reading about this time in our country's history as this event caused tremendous change in America.

Usually I know right where I'm going when I write a review but this book has me a bit stymied because of its thematic content. It is brilliant and beautifully written, literate and musical at the same time. It tackles great themes and does it subtly yet with a great strength. It is one of the finest books I've ever read.

The story is about the Triangle Factory fire which was, prior to 9/11, the worst tragedy that ever befell New York. One hundred forty-six men, women and children were killed in a fire that occurred in a sweat shop on the lower east side of Manhattan. This fire helped spur unions to grow and protect workers. Had there been exits available when the fire occurred, almost all of the deaths could have been prevented. As the story opens, Esther Gottesfeld is 106 years old, the oldest survivor of the 1911 tragedy. It is shortly after 9/11 and the two events are synchronous in the story-telling. Esther is being interviewed by an arrogant feminist scholar, Ruth Zion, who is trying to find out information about the fire and pry secrets out of Esther. Esther is too wise and cagey for Ruth Zion to get very far.

The story is also about Esther's granddaughter, Rebecca, who lives with George Botkin, the most famous composer of contemporary U.S. music. He writes music about DNA strands, chemistry, echinacea, and Huntington's Disease (which he may have inherited). His music is loved by a wide audience.

The story weaves back and forth in time and between characters. The strongest parts of the book are those about Esther while the most original parts of the book are about George and Rebecca. There are secrets to be found out and secrets to be kept. One fascinating theme in the book is the connections between the Triangle Fire, 9/11, and music - another triangle. We find out that Rebecca and George share similar DNA strands. For two people very much in love, this seems serendipitous but also sweet.

The ending of this book is dreamlike and written in stream of consciousness. I could not come up for air as its beauty swept me with it like a tide. The last 40 pages are as beautiful as anything I've ever read. I highly recommend this book.

I bought this book because I liked Weber's _True Confections_, and because my aunt told vivid stories of working in the garment industry as a girl: two of her best friends perished in the Triangle fire. The novel does explore those times and lives with tales as fresh and heartfelt as my aunt's. As I read "Triangle," however, I was challenged to reconsider so much more.

This novel examines the nature of memory, remembrance, and truth. The reiterations of stories and testimony are revealing when carefully read; they create an intriguing mystery that culminates in a powerful and emotionally satisfying climax. I find myself thinking about it days after I've finished reading it. "Triangle" begs to be reread.

The unconventional characters are convincing and authentic [even when they are annoying]. I enjoyed the way the author examines how an artist's creativity or a scientist's mind is inspired. And how love can accommodate a passion for work. And how beliefs and social skills shape one's understanding [the humorless historian-with-an-agenda is a hoot].

Get this book. It's not a quick read. It's a novel to be savored like fine chocolate.

On March 25, 2011, the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire will be observed. It was the 9/11 of its time and ignited reforms in working conditions and union representation. While this book is lyrically written, it has a number of discordant notes. At times it reads almost like two small books pasted together: one dealing with fire survivor Esther Gottesfeld's experiences and the other of her granddaughter Rebecca and her future husband composer George Botkin. What left me cold was the portrayal of a researcher, Ruth Zion, as a repelling, cartoonish, self-absorbed woman. As she attempts to find out whether there were children in the building on the day of the fire, Rebecca and George fight her at every step. The story creates tension between an individual's right to privacy and the value of full revelation of the facts about a major tragedy. Weber's plot suggests she believes that some facts are better hidden than revealed.

I've read three other books by Katharine Weber I really liked and was anxious to get this one. Unfortunately, it did not in any way live up to the other novels I've read.

There was the odd and almost unbelieveable relationship between Rebecca and George. Maybe I'm a cynic, but their constant, unrealistic checking in with each other's feelings sounded a false note. And they seemed to wear their weird set-up as some sort of badge of courage.

The chapters about George's music were really boring, and I even started skipping them.

As another reviewer mentioned, the character of the "herstorian" was so overdrawn as to be unbelievable, and the way both George and Rebecca treated her was unforgiveable. The cat episode was especially ridiculous.

And, I could not believe that the story of what happened the day of the fire was actually repeated three times! Wouldn't it have been sufficient to say that Esther was made to repeat the story three times. That was also unrealistic; why would a judge have allowed that?

Finally, I really don't understand what happened! Did Esther lie about the $20K. Was Esther Pauline? Was Esther someone other than either Pauline or Esther? What was revealed in the picture? What was the last page where all three jumped out of the window?

I had read about the Triangle fire of 1911 many years ago, so when this book popped up and was recommended by amazon.com I could not resist. This was an interesting book in more ways than one. It centers on the last living survivor of that disaster, who is now dying from natural causes of old age. She had apparently given numerous interviews to reporters concerning what she remembered about the fire, but as an old curmudgeon she really knew how to put reporters with inappropriate suggestions in their place (and shut them up!) To bad, we can't all take lessons on how to deal with such annoying people, whether reporters, nosy neighbors, invasive bosses, etc.

Anyway, the story of the fire is intertwined with the current day through the old lady's granddaughter who she raised by herself after her only child died in a car accident. Of course, she spoke to her granddaughter about that time period, and about the loss of her beloved sister and her fiance. This woman did the smart thing, and did not lose her cool under pressure, maybe partly because she was bearing a child. So instead of screaming and running for the main door which would only open inward instead of outward, she headed toward the dooor the bosses used.

In reading the nonfictional accounts of this disaster, it becomes all too clear that there were those men and women who showed bravery in the face of danger, and then there were those whose only thought was for themselves. To make matters worse, there were young children involved who sewed by hand, even though by that time, child labor was being banned. The horrendous conditions which made it only a matter of time before a disaster of this proportion occurred, were once again done at risk of lives just to make a profit. Sound familiar? Think about the recent mining 'accidents' in West Virginia, as well as the ongoing fight against pharmaceutical companies who push their medications for things those medicines were not intended for and whose contents had not been analyzed.

This book followed a current fad in 'stream of consiousness' in which the older woman who is dying is rambling and her thoughts run into one another, similar to how we think without placing periods or commas at the end of one sentence and one idea, then immediately going on to another topic. This alternated with regular and descriptive chapters dealing with the granddaughter of this dying woman, who is trying to best handle her grandmother's wishes, while trying to stave off the reporter 'vultures' who are circling to get that lst piece of information that will mean a best-seller (even if the ideas are slightly less than truthful or a bit scandalouse in order to attract readers).

This isn't my usual reading fare, but it was a good, fast-paced and well written book. It did not dwell too much on the fire, but focused instead on the heroics of many, and the continued lives of those who survived the fire. Life did go on, though many lives were forever changed because of the fire. And ultimately, the fire did lead to changes in rules, changes in how the rickety outer stairs were built, changes in fire departments and their equipment to make it more likely to save more lives. It also brought back the disaster of the Challenger, which was similar to the Triangle Fire in the push for necessary corrections. It still bothers me to this day, that those responsible for the Triangle fire, the Challenger fiasco, and other such catastrophes such as the Johnstown flood would never face real prison time. Instead they were able to buy themselves out of their predicaments. One can only hope that their memories and happy times were forever altered becauseof the lives they took.

This story would make a good movie...

Karen L. Sadler