Books like Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and World War II, "Manhattan Beach" follows twelve‑year‑old Anna Kerrigan as she moves from Brooklyn to the Brooklyn Naval Yard. After her absentee father disappears, Anna assumes responsibility for her mother—formerly a Ziegfeld Follies performer—and her disabled sister. At the naval yard, she breaks gender barriers by becoming the first female diver, repairing ships vital to America’s war effort. Years later, a chance encounter with Dexter Styles rekindles the mystery surrounding her father’s disappearance, forcing Anna to confront the complex web of her family’s past and the realities of wartime America.
The novel blends family drama with historical detail, exploring themes of resilience, gender roles, and the hidden lives of ordinary people during tumultuous times.
First publish date: 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction/20th Century Historical Fiction
Authors: Jennifer Egan
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