Review: "Wings Like a Dove" by Camille Eide

A few years ago, one of my favorite authors blogged about a new book that she loved: The Memoir of Johnny Devine. Though I'd never heard of author Camille Eide before, I took a chance on the book and loved it. So when I heard about her new novel, Wings Like a Dove, I didn't hesitate—I knew it would be a great reading experience!

---

Can the invisible walls that separate people ever come down?

In 1933, Anna Leibowicz is convinced that the American dream that brought her Jewish family here from Poland is nothing but an illusion. Her father has vanished. Her dreams of college can’t make it past the sweat-shop door. And when she discovers to her shame and horror that she’s with child, her mother gives her little choice but to leave her family. Deciding her best course of action is to try to find her father, she strikes out…hoping against hope to somehow redeem them both.

When Anna stumbles upon a house full of orphan boys in rural Indiana who are in desperate need of a tutor, she agrees to postpone her journey. But she knows from the moment she meets their contemplative, deep-hearted caretaker, Thomas Chandler, that she doesn’t dare risk staying too long. She can’t afford to open her heart to them, to him. She can’t risk letting her secrets out.

All too soon, the townspeople realize she’s not like them and treat her with the same disdain they give the Sisters of Mercy—the nuns who help Thomas and the boys—and Samuel, the quiet colored boy Thomas has taken in. With the Klan presence in the town growing ever stronger and the danger to this family increasing the longer she stays, Anna is torn between fleeing to keep them safe…and staying to fight beside them.

Oh, that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest…

---

What a story! Set in 1930's New York City and small town Indiana, Wings Like a Dove shines a light on the racism and xenophobia that we like to pretend doesn't exist. (Seriously, I'm positive I never learned about the rampant antisemitism that was present in America's heartland prior to World War II.)

Anna's story is maddening, heartbreaking, and inspiring. The prejudice she faced made me so mad, but I cheered her spine and resiliency. Also, I loved her relationship with the boys she tutored, especially Samuel (and I really appreciated the glimpse into Samuel's future at the end).

All people are worthy of love and respect, and a person's past shouldn't define his present--just two of the things I was left thinking about as I closed the last page. Also, I appreciated that Eide didn't tie everything up into a neat bow at the end, though there was quite a bit of resolution.

Wings Like a Dove is a wonderful story that is absolutely worth your time. And, though it's set in the 1930's, it is very much applicable today. 5 stars.

Buy the book. (affiliate link)
Read my review of Eide's The Memoir of Johnny Devine (4-1/2 stars)

---

Camille Eide writes poignant, inspirational love stories some call “more than a romance.” She lives in Oregon with her husband and is a mom, grandma, office admin, lead foot, cinnamon roll baker, and a bass guitarist. She’s a fan of muscle cars, tender romance, and Peanut M&Ms.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in this post are affiliate links; this means if you click the link and purchase an item, I will receive a small commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."