This was a different read than what I am typically reading – it was a slow, savory read. I enjoyed the multigenerational story of a wealthy family from WWII to present. I did find the transitions from past to present to be slightly difficult to follow at first, but got used to it as the story went on. I was disappointed that some of the more interesting plot points felt very glossed over, and other less interesting parts of the story were discussed in too much detail. I also felt that some of the characters never really developed. Overall, it was an interesting read that fans of multigeneration historical fiction are sure to enjoy.

Thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A multigenerational saga involving a white WASP family...not exactly topical, right? Yet Sarah Blake imbues this plot line with deeply held family secrets, deeply developed characters, and a long deep walk into privilege. What are the rules? Who should follow them? Are the rules fair, right, consistent? Do they apply to everyone or just if you are white and Protestant? As the 20th century unfolds for the Miltons and the 21st century is born, each generation is confronted with these questions and many more, as the Miltons face tragedy, lost love, betrayal, and death around their lives in New York City, as well as their island life in Maine. My brain was buzzing throughout the second half, as the motifs rang loudly: the anchoresses, women who are walled into chapel walls set to pray for the rest of their life, forcing one to consider how we are imprisoned into our separate tribes; the unchanging life on Crockett Island, as we question tradition and its forces; the greedy pursuit of money and power, asking what one will do to be 'better than.' This is a provocative, stunning, gorgeously written book that is sure to be on many 'best of' lists...cannot recommend it highly enough.

I loved following the lives of this family. Happiness, heartache, triumph and finally acceptance about your past

This book was good but not great. The writing was great but the story felt a little long. It is worth reading though.

The Guest Book started off very promising, but quickly the story lost its grip for me. I could not mere myself in the plot. It bounced around from here time eras and different perspectives. Normally that style attracts me, but this time it fell short. This book is getting rave reviews, however, I just couldn't find a chord with it.

The Guest Book by Sarah Blake is a 2019 Flatiron Books publication.

An Epic multi-generational family saga exposing long buried secrets and truths- not only providing a mirrored reflection of the privileged Milton’s, but of the entire country as well…

“There is the crime and there is silence”

In the mid-thirties, golden couple Ogden and Kitty Milton, recovering from a horrific tragedy, purchase Crockett Island, making it a point of renewal. They will ‘summer’ there every year of their lives, thereafter, as do their children, and their grandchildren. But now the money has run out and the house is in ill repair, leaving the painful decision about the island’s future to rest in the hands of the only surviving family members- a trio of cousins, who each have their own agenda.

“Nothing will ever change. Sunlight. Starlight. Drinks on the dock. A single sail out in the bay. It will never change. It seems to promise. ‘You will not die’ On and on. Like a painting. Here you are. As long as the Island stands, we stand. Time never minds”

Evie is fighting hard to keep the island, while her cousins are open to selling it, and her husband, Paul, constantly reminds her of their financial situation.

But is Evie holding on to the island, or to her mother’s memory?

Evie can easily laugh at her family's 'WASP culture' history, yet she becomes irritated if anyone else passes judgements on them. And- Despite evidence to the contrary, Evie stubbornly turns a blind eye to the dark secrets hidden in her family’s past.

As Blake takes us back across time, a heart wrenching story unfolds, revealing an ugly, sad, guilt ridden underbelly to the affluent Milton family, one deeply rooted in entitlement, prejudice and racism. Yet, future generations attempt to provoke a new value system, one which requires a conscience, insists on a shift in attitude, and demands change. The contrasts between entitlement, power and control, against idealism, and then juxtaposed against certain harsh truths, stirs up a tragic fire storm, which left this reader with a fire in my belly, on the edge of my seat, and with an ache in my heart, not only for the characters, but for -Us

“History is sometimes made by heroes, but it is also always
made by us. We, the people, who stumble around, who block or help the hero out of loyalty,
stubbornness, faith, or fear. Those who wall up—and those who break through walls. The
people at the edge of the photographs. The people watching—the crowd. You.”

Sarah Blake’s writing is beautiful. Her prose is elegant, powerful, poignant, and almost hypnotic. The characterizations and dialogue are so incredibly vivid and devastatingly realistic. The trappings of wealth, the narrow- mindedness of class distinctions, the half- lived lives, the progression and changes of the times unfolding through the years, stripping away decades of racism and prejudice is mesmerizing.

Yet, for Evie, as the blanks are finally filled in, there is a revealing defensiveness, a conspiratorial, protective silence, and a stubborn refusal to accept the reality of her family’s history, one which is too painful to acknowledge.

(view spoiler)

Although the story leaves us with a hint of hope, it is a shy, tentative first step. Mirrors don’t lie- looking into one, seeing the dark corners of our nation’s past, and our own personal histories exposed, is neither easy, nor kind.

However, it is an opportunity to break the chain, learn from the past, work diligently to prevent history from repeating itself. It is a lesson we can all learn from. Stay on the forward path, ever alert, never silent, or willfully ignorant. That is the key to releasing the past, where healing begins, where forgiveness takes root, and hope’s seed is planted.

This is an outstanding family saga, so well-written and packed with tautness and poignancy. I was absolutely riveted to the pages of this rich, compelling novel from start to finish. If you can only fit in one book in this summer- make it this one!

5 stars

I do not typically read historical fiction but decided to give this one a try. I found it difficult to get through the beginning of this book. I did not find the characters to be very likable and ultimately was not invested in their story. However, by the time I got about halfway through the book, I did not want to put it down. I do like the fact that the story is told by switching between the three generations. Small details were given in one generations story that were then expanded on later in another generation. It kept me intrigued and although I did not grow to really connect with any of the characters, I was interested in continuing the book to see how the story ends. Overall I think it falls somewhere between 3 and 4 stars.

After reading the Guest Book with Sara Blake's beautiful style of prose, I finally understand the difference between general fiction and literary fiction. The Guest Book will be one of the most significant novels of 2019. I will definitely need to read it again.
The Milton's, story unfolding from the 1930s to the present day is one powerful family saga. The novel is a testament to WASP culture in the U.S. wrought with racism and antisemitism. Secrets abound throughout the novel.
Ogden and Kitty Milton, descendants of “Old Money," buy their own island in the 1930s to escape the real world. For many years, the island becomes their family's personal utopia. In 1959, an incident will occur that will change the family forever.
The characters of the novel are so credible and have been brought to life through Ms Blake’s meticulous character development. I found the matriarch of the family, Kitty Milton to be a very complex character. Kitty cannot get past her privileged background. The decisions she makes, time and time again will haunt her forever.
In the present era, the family wealth has diminished greatly. The heirs have to make a decision about what to do with the island. Kitty’s granddaughters, Evie and Min go to the island to tidy up loose ends and in the process uncover disturbing secrets about their family's history.

Magnificent. An epic family saga, filled with secrets, privilege and money. I was instantly swept away in this instant classic. We will be talking about this remarkable book for years to come.

A beautifully written story that addresses the choices and mistakes of three generations and how the past continues to influence present. It has love, shame, evil, tragedy, privilege, racism, progress, prejudice, choices, and family at its core.

I thought the first half dragged a little, but settled on 3.5 stars because the second half really picked up.

Told in several viewpoints over three generations, The Guest Book chronicles the saga of the Milton family, an old money family rubbing elbows with only the best of society - Rockefellers, Astors, even Roosevelts.

The Miltons have their fair share of tragedy though, and just before WWII, patriarch Ogden buys an island (yes a whole island) with a mansion in Maine so the family can entertain and relax.

The modern day Milton have fallen and while they live comfortably, they are no longer what they once were. The island is in disrepair and the youngest generation doesn't know if they have the wherewithal or the funds to keep it.

The book also deals with classism, racism, sexism, homophobia, antisemitism, and a dash of Nazi. This can get a little heavy handed at times, particularly with Evie, the main character of the present day story. She comes across as pretentious and I didn't particularly care for her, but I was invested in the past storyline,

I enjoyed getting to know the Milton family. Although it was a slow story with a bit too much jumping around from different times and social issues it really was an intriguing story. If you like historical fiction this would be a great book to pick up. The characters are relatable and the Milton family has quite the story to tell through 3 generations.
I am grateful that I received an ARC of this book so I could read it before it's release in May 2019.

“One ought never burden others with one’s sorrows. One ought keep them to oneself.”

The Milton’s of Crockett Island appear to be put together and one happy family. However, appearances can be deceiving. And Kitty Milton lived her life by appearances. A family that has appears happy but has secrets. Wealthy enough for islands, but house on the island is crumbling. Sons and daughters trying to understand their parents. Outsiders trying to become part of the crowd instead of outside looking in.

This story broke my heart in different places. In the very beginning with an open window. In the 1930s with a request from one mother to another. In the late 1950s with love. And even in the 2000s with a daughter missing her mother’s story.

I felt like the story did take some time to get going. It was really driven by the characters and slowly you see where they are taking you. The storyline goes between Kitty, Joan, and Evie. A mother, daughter and grand-daughter respectively. In the present Evie is struggling with the loss of her mother Joan. In the past, Kitty is trying to keep up appearances and Joan is finding herself a woman in the world. And then there is Moss. The heir apparent in the late 1950s to keep the Milton name going. In the beginning it was hard for me to keep everyone straight, but once I got in the flow of the book, I really wanted to stay with the Milton family for as long as possible. The story is touching, sweet, and sad. It lets you see that even if you are taught not to share you sorrows sometimes it will really help you heal.

I really wanted to love this book. There were parts that pulled me in and made me want to know more, but overall it felt a bit disjointed and too long.

I love this type of book. Family drama, beautiful description of islands off coast of Maine. What happens with family money after its gone. I will recommend this book to patrons who love family histories and their complications.

<i> “Wars, plagues, names upon tombs tell us only what happened. But history lies in the cracks between.” </i>

In the early 1930s, Kitty and Ogden Milton have to live the life that causes others to envy them. They have three beautiful children, live in a high-rise apartment, Ogden’s company is climbing the ladder of success and they love each other deeply. And then the unthinkable happens and they are thrown into this life that they aren’t sure how to overcome.

One day, Ogden receives a tip from a friend that there is property off the coast of Maine for sale, Crockets Island. The island is home to 400 acres of beautiful terrain, a large house on the hill, a giant barn for hosting lively parties that last into the evening and also the hope that this will be what brings Kitty back to him.
Fast forward years into the future, Kitty and Ogden Milton have three beautiful grown children who are out taking on the world one step at a time. They are each becoming their own person, making their own rules and also learning from their mistakes.

The Guest Book by Sarah Blake follows the Milton family through the years, from the early 1930s, through WWII and then reaching all the way to the present day. It weaves the tale of the all American family and sprinkles in bits about the lives of those the Milton’s come into contact with who are less fortunate. Money, indulgence, sickness, love, racism, power and just how the secrets that we keep can lead to our demise. All of these aspects are enclosed within the pages of this novel.

When I first discovered The Guest Book, I was immediately intrigued by the story. It seemed to encompass all of my favorite themes of a memorable Historical Fiction novel so I was thrilled when I was granted an advanced reader copy. I couldn’t wait to finish the book that I was currently reading and dive into the Guest Book.

I found that this book had the bones that make a story great. All of the mystery, the hope, the family drama; everything a lover of this genre looks for in a book. I became attached to two of the main characters, Joan and Evie. They were strong-willed, independent women who knew what they wanted. They took their family history in stride and they stood up for themselves. Joan was years ahead of her time and Evie was determined to keep her mother's final wishes. I looked forward to the chapters of the book that were told from their perspective.

Another aspect of this book that I found appealing was that there were a number of beautiful, thought provoking quotes. I found myself constantly highlighting and returning back to think about the words that Blake chose to use. One of my favorites that she used is <i> “No matter how well you take care of the dying, no matter if you sit beside them every minute, every day—in the end they must go, and you stay.” </i>

Unfortunately, I struggled to find any connection with the rest of the book. I almost gave up entirely before I had finished the first 100 pages as I had a difficult time following the direction of the book. There was little to no indication as to which time period was being referenced and when you are reading a novel that flips back and forth between time periods it is essential to be able to keep track of where I was. It was also challenging to follow as the story switched between alternating characters points of view. I had to continually go back and read a paragraph again to be sure I knew who was speaking. As I said, this story had great bones but everything else didn't stack up for me.

I gave The Guest House, three stars because when I had given up hope of being able to feel the novel pull me in, it would. But, it couldn’t keep that pull. I have no doubt that there will be others out there who love this book but it regrettably was not for me. I may consider going back and re-reading it one day and hope for a better outcome.

Thank you to Netgalley, Sarah Blake and Flatiron books for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to Sarah Blake’s next work.

The Guest Book is a history novel spanning three generations of privilege and cultural differences. This book is worth sticking with during some slow spots. Great writing and good characters.

I love love love loved this book. I love a book that has multiple generations and really love historical fiction. Hopping back and forth between the different time periods and story lines was done seamlessly. Even though this family’s story could not have been any more different than my family history, there was something very relatable about it. I even liked the love story! I would recommend this to everyone!

This is a good historical fiction saga spanning three generations of a family. It highlights the injustices bewtween the privileged and the poor along with racial inequality. Feelings change from one generation to the next but not clearly not enough. #netgalley #theguestbook

An emotional, tragic and heartfelt story of what society was like back in the 1930s in America with the great divide of cultural division and social injustices spanning three generations of the Milton family and what it's like to be same.