Modern
Girls is a well-researched and thought-provoking debut
novel by Jennifer S. Brown. It is a portrayal of three women
who attempt to balance traditional Old World values with “modern”
American views. With the rich historical backdrop of pre-WWII,
Brown delves into a number of different issues. The mystery
involves how two women, a mother and daughter, will handle
the realization of being pregnant.
The author noted, the story “originated twelve years
ago when I was pregnant with my son. I spoke with my father
about our family history and found out my great, great grandmother
had an abortion. That became the spark for this story as I
became intrigued with someone pregnant who could do nothing
about it. I decided to write a story I wanted to read. I hope
people with different viewpoints will consider the characters
and enjoy the plot.”
Although the story is set in New York City’s Jewish
immigrant community any immigrant group can be substituted,
because the experience is universal. Dottie Krasinsky is a
nineteen-year-old who thinks of herself as a “modern”
woman. She has a job, plans on going to college, drinks a
bit, and eyes the latest fashions. But after traveling to
Camp Eden during one careless night, she finds herself pregnant
and unwed. Contrast her with Rose, her married mother who
has raised five children as a housewife. She is uneasy about
Hitler’s rise to power and what is occurring in Europe
and will discuss her socialist views with anyone who will
listen. But she is also put in a precarious situation when
she finds herself pregnant again and begins wrestling with
unthinkable choices. The counter balance to Rose is Molly
Klein, a social climber, who spurns her culture and past in
an attempt to become assimilated completely into American
life.
When asked if other immigrant beliefs could be applied to
this story, the author commented, “I grew up in Miami
where immigrant children did not want to learn Spanish. My
own cousin who came from Russia refused to speak it. The common
ingredient is how they wanted to become assimilated. The main
decision is what traditions will they pass down to their children.”
Brown shows how each woman faced the social consequences while
forced to confront their values. Rose, now in her forties,
feels her childbearing days are behind her, while Dottie struggles
to take personal responsibility for her actions. Because of
the social stigma, a single mother was unthinkable in New
York in the 1930s. All women struggle with the decision to
have an abortion or have the child, to do the right thing
by themselves. With these well-developed characters, readers
will hope for a sequel to see how the characters’ lives
progress as World War II and the Jewish plight encompasses
the world.
Because this is a generational story, Brown showed how each
family considered the past traditions and current circumstances.
According to the author, “Rose thought herself more
modern than her own mother who simply had babies, covered
her hair, and wore long sleeves. She had a progressive outlook
to being pregnant. On the other hand, Dottie thinks of Rose
as hopelessly old fashioned. She considers herself more modern
with her clothing, jobs, and publicly speaking English. Yet,
she took an old fashioned solution to her pregnancy. “
She also gave a heads up about future projects, “My
next book is about an immigrant whose children ended up in
an orphanage asylum. After that I am playing with some ideas
about continuing these characters’ stories.”
In reading Modern Girls, people will question their
own value system. Beyond that they will get a deeper understanding
of Jewish culture that can be applied to any immigrant background.
Those seeking insight into the day-to-day lives of women from
the last century will find themselves fully involved in the
agonizing struggles Rose and Dottie endure as they ponder
their choice. |