The Guest Book was an interesting read for me. While I felt the story was slow and dragged at times, I still found myself wanting to keep reading. It was not a page turner and not one I couldn't put down, but I continued to go back to the story to see where it would go. Although I enjoyed the authors writing style, I did find it somewhat confusing at times to follow the different time periods of the book. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would give it 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

“We were kind. We were generous. We do not owe, more than we could give,” Kitty Milford.

This story follows generations of the wealthy, privileged Milford family from the early 1900s to present day. Led by patriarch, Ogden, and matriarch, Kitty Milford, they lived by rules that reflected the social norms of the times.

There are secrets, sadness, love, and prejudice.

At one point, Kitty makes a decision that will haunt her the rest of her life.

Any time a book makes me feel uncomfortable because the description is so accurate the author has succeeded. The accounts of racism and hatred are appalling. This is an intense book, but well worth the time.

The Guest Book is a historical fiction novel about the richest family in the 1900's. The trials and tribulations they endure and the triumphs will make your heart sing. Thank you to Netgalley and Flatiron Books for my honest review

Very hard for me to write a review for this book and I don’t know where to start!! I guess for me this was just disappointing. The story at most times dragged but yet I wanted to continue reading to see where it went. Other times it was confusing to see what time period I was reading that I had to go back and reread parts. I loved how it spanned over generations of characters and how they developed over time but it was also very wordy that I just wasn’t invested and wanted to just finish. It took me almost a week to finish which is long for me!!! Not sure I would recommend this book but want to thank Netgalley for letting me give an honest review of this book.

This is a very thought-provoking and poignant tale about the rise and fall of an elite family whose matriarch rules with a heavy hand while oblivious to the world around her. Dominant are the themes of prejudice and war and privilege. It is a riveting story and relevant to our lives today. Highly recommended.

How do I begin to describe this powerful and beautifully written saga about 3 generations of the Milton family, the ultimate representation of WASP culture during the 20th century? Blake takes us through the ascent and descent of the Miltons, rulers of their own private kingdom, Crockett Island, off the coast of Maine.

There are secrets and tragedies, but the swirl of anti-Semitism and racial prejudice are recurrent themes in this novel of the "upper-crust." Kitty Milton the matriarch of the family feels absolute satisfaction in the perfection of her life, until one day, it literally goes out the window with the death of a child. Her husband, the banker, Ogden Milton becomes involved on the Nazification of pre-war Germany. Her daughter Joan, commits the greatest sin of all, involvement with a Jew, while her son Moss invites a man of color into their lives.

All of this comes together perfectly in the appearance of Len Levy and Reg Pauling into their staid lives. Levy, the young Jewish banker who is mentored by Ogden and his friend Reg, the extraordinary Black Harvard graduate are the catalysts that allow the reader to see the totally accepted prejudice within the gracious confines of the Milton family, and those around them.

Evie the middle aged college professor is left to try to unravel the family history and make decisions about the future of their island. She is, ironically, married to a Jew. Her digging up the skeletons in the Milton closet and trying to come to terms with her real history make this a novel of compulsive readability. The use of foreshadowing is perfect, the reader is guided to the inevitable ending with such care that the novel is engrossing throughout every section.

Blake writes with such detail and clarity that I was able to picture every scene (and cast all the characters for the film that should follow). I generally am a fast reader, but I had to savor every moment and picture every scene, so I was lucky enough to spend a few days wallowing in the beauty of this novel.

I cannot wait to recommend this to all my book groups and seminars. It contains so much material to think about and discuss. With the rise of anti-Semitism, and hatred, in the world, this is a wonderful jumping off point to understand the deep seated feeling of prejudice against Blacks and Jews.

Thank you Netgalley for this incredible experience. Thank you Sarah Blake for making my life richer by reading this novel. BRAVO!