The Other Mrs. Samson

Wonderfully written narrative and a story that deserves to be shared. A story of enduring love and the bond of friendship beautifully brought to life by the very talented Ralph Webster. Highly recommended.

This book drew me in, from the very first sentence. Themes of Love, Friendship, and Life Experience resonate throughout. The narrator looks back over his close relationships with his grandparents and Mrs Samson, also known as Katie. Katie lost her husband years ago, and he is dearly missed.

In her will Katie leaves the narrator letters between Dr and Mrs Samson about their lives, and reading them he learns that there was an other Mrs Samson, a wife before Katie. We read those letters, learning the lives of Dr Samson and the Other Mrs Samson, and later how he met Katie.

It is a real insight into history, their lives in Berlin, New York, Paris, Naples, San Francisco. It is as if you have stepped into the past and are walking around in the characters shoes. It shows you the relationship of Jews living in their communities, and how they view themselves, and how the community around them views them too. Thought provoking. Also filled with real nostalgia, for elderly relatives and friends, other times and places, and loved shared between individuals of different ages, generations, communities, countries and eras.

A book to remind you of the importance of love and connections with friends and family around us, and the attachments we can form, irrespective of age or background. Also the importance of knowing where we come from, our family history, but also learning to enjoy the minutiae of life wherever we find ourselves.

The Other Mrs. Samson is an intriguing novel until the ending. I enjoyed the history and the plot and all the development of characters. Each person was interesting and had a real need to be within the book. The tension characters felt whether to leave their countries because of the Nazis was real, the fear of being under arrest at any moment felt real, but yet, life almost felt too ideal. The end of the novel, when she finds that her husband had another wife- I just found it ridiculous. How could he have all of those years just with her and not ever go to the former wife or send some real clues as to the other wife? There were two references to some person, but nothing to hint to a “wife”. What about his mother? Did she not know? Why did she not say anything about him being married during all that time she served as her companion? I think the ending was contrived.

I'm a big fan of historical fiction so I knew I would like this one. The narrative was really well written and I really enjoyed this book, but I did find it confusing how she didn't clue in to the other wife? Would recommend to others but still feel like it wasn't realistic in some senses. Curious to check out if Webster has other books I can add to my tbr.

Think of Neapolitan ice cream. Written with such clarity and passion, this captivating story is a history lesson, love story and gripping memoir all in one! I particularly enjoyed Katie's side of the story, as I am in an age gap relationship myself. I completely understood her to need to keep her relationship with Josef a secret at first. Ralph Webster is a writer of immense skill and talent. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.

I really enjoyed this novel. I went into this book with little, honestly no expectation. It was not what I expected, though, I didn't have any expectations. I really enjoyed the style of writing through this book. I loved how there was a story within a story. I loved how there were different perspectives with the break of Josef's perspective in the middle to break it up. It was like reading a diary. It was interesting to read about such a tough time. It was especially interesting to read a book in the time of war, where war was something they were living through but it was not the main focus of the book. I really enjoyed this book and I am glad I got the chance to read it. I would highly recommend this book to my friends and family.

I received an e-ARC through Netgalley.
I found this to be an engaging book that kept my attention as it's told from several different POV during WWI, WWII, and present day pandemic. What do we really know about the people we interact with? This book shows us the abundance of life experiences that we know nothing about from our friends and family. The other sidestep in the book is a bit of plot twist towards the end that was unnecessary and didn't add anything to the book as it's mentioned and dropped pretty quickly. If that had been explored more, it could've changed the entire course of the book. Perhaps the author will write a follow-up book from the POV of that other person in the future.

⭐⭐⭐💫 (rounding up for ratings)

Let's start with, from the blurb listed, that is not the book I expected. Not sure what I did expect, I guess I expected more about the uncovering of the secret. I discovered after reading this book that it was a fictionalized account of actual events. Had I known that going into the story, I might have had a different experience while reading it.

Each wife, Hilda and Katie had about half the book. Actually, 3 generations of Hilda's family had about half of the book. And Katie had the other half.

Before I wrote this review, I took a look at reviews from others on Goodreads. I don't usually. I was just having a difficult time gathering my thoughts. I can honestly say that I was surprised. The handful of reviews I did read enjoyed the 1st half much better than the second. I appear to be opposite of all of them. I felt like the first half of the book didn't have the same animation to the story telling as the second. There were 2 different narrators for most of the book. Maybe that's what the author was shooting for? Two totally different voices for the narration? I'm not sure.

And then there's the surprise. It's cleverly thrown in there. I definitely enjoyed that part.

I want to thank #NetGalley and #BooksGoSocial for the book in exchange for an honest review as always.

A heart warming saga, based on real life events and characters, spanning decades and two wars.
The other Mrs Samson starts when a hidden compartment in a black lacquer cabinet left in an attic reveals the secrets of two incredible women: Hilda, born and raised in one of the wealthiest Jewish families in turn-of-the-century San Francisco, and Katie, whose early life in Germany is marked by tragedy and death. Their lives are forever entwined by their love of the same man, the brilliant and compassionate Dr. Josef Samson.

From the earliest, rough-and-tumble days of San Francisco, through the devastation of the Great War in Berlin and the terrors of Vichy France, and then to a new yet uncertain life in New York City, their stories span the most tumultuous events of the twentieth century. In the end, one of these women will complete the life of the other and make a startling discovery about the husband they share.

Written in the form of letters, discovered years later, the story tugs your heart at the love, hope and human tenacity through years of war and trouble. But a question remains..Can you truly, wholly know a person even if you've been with them for decades? A beautiful read..thanks for the ARC netgalley!!

The Other Mrs. Samson is very interesting and well written historical novel until the ending. I got totally swept up in the narrative and was keen to read what was to happen next. I enjoyed the history, clearly the author has done their research and the development of characters was brilliant. The only issue I had with this was the ending, it felt a bit hurried and honestly didn’t fit in with the rest of an otherwise excellent book. I hope the author has written more, I shall look out for his work.

3.5 Stars

Ralph Webster's The Other Mrs Sampson is an intriguing story. But I definitely have mixed feelings regarding it.

This is the story of letters discovered that follows Josef, Hilda, and Katie. Most of this story is from Hilda and Katie's perspective, told through their letters and journal. This is mostly their stories, as they talk about love, family, and war.

Their story is full of twists and turns. Covering the gold rush in San Francisco, the aftermath of WWI, the Great Depression, WWII, and more, the history jumps off the pages.

And ultimately, the story ends with a surprising revelation. It leaves the reader with a "well darn!" kind of feeling.

I enjoy the story as a whole, and like the ending, but I am left with wanting more. Of what? I don't know. I just know I found myself distracted at times. At some parts, I was completely riveted. Others found me with my thoughts drifting. I can't put my finger on it, but some parts are definitely more interesting than others.

Overall, The Other Mrs Samson is an entertaining read. Ralph Webster includes a huge taste of history in this tale which I definitely appreciate. It's easy to read, but I don't know who I would recommend it to.

I love that this book was inspired by the contents of a Japanese Bureau. Documents had lain untouched, capable of opening up a broad sweep of history through the eyes of two women. Both Hilda and Kate were once married to Mr Samson, a German Jew. Their story takes us across the early 20th Century, and two continents as well as two world wars.
I admired the ambition of the author in knitting together historical fact and fiction. At first we flit across the ‘noughties’ via 1995 and 1970. This was a little bitty, but I felt at ease that all would become clear because the narrative felt confident and self assured. Katie takes up more of the novel and it’s clear how much she loves Mr Sansom and he seems very vivid in her sections of the book. They seem closer as a couple and we learn much more about his daily habits. With Hilda, probably due to the earlier timeline of this relationship, he seems a bit buttoned up, more remote and separate from her. However, Hilda has a self-awareness that’s possibly ahead of its time. She’s frank about the family wealth and her spoiled corner of it and still I admired the determination behind this family’s rise in fortunes. However, we know that Nazi German is on the horizon and our sense of foreboding is heightened. I enjoyed the peripheral characters and the historical details used. The twist was unexpected but shed greater light on the title. This was a sweeping drama covering a turbulent period in history and I enjoyed and appreciated the work that went into it.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
I wish it hadn't taken me so long to getting around to read this one because I would've done it much sooner. I enjoyed the rich friendship crafted by Webster. He really captured the bond between women. The author also did quite a bit of research when it came to the historical elements. I'd recommend this to my historical fiction loving friends. All praise aside, I didn't love the ending. It could've been written with a different outcome.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. What a different type novel. Drama/mystery. Recommend

Ralph Webster's The Other Mrs. Samson intricately weaves a captivating narrative that spans decades and continents, delving into the lives of two remarkable women, Hilda and Katie, whose destinies become entwined by their shared love for the enigmatic Dr. Josef Samson. From the opulence of turn-of-the-century San Francisco to the tumultuous events of the twentieth century, their journeys unfold against the backdrop of history's most pivotal moments.

The novel's rich historical backdrop serves as a compelling canvas for the exploration of themes such as love, resilience, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity. Webster's vivid storytelling captures the essence of each era, transporting readers from the bustling streets of San Francisco to the devastation of war-torn Berlin and the uncertainties of New York City, painting a vivid tapestry of the characters' trials and triumphs.

The author's meticulous attention to detail and intricate character development contribute to a narrative that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth. The complex interplay of relationships and the exploration of shared secrets and enduring connections add depth to the storyline, creating a poignant and engaging reading experience.

While the novel adeptly captures the essence of each era and the intricacies of the characters' lives, a slight deduction from a perfect rating is attributed to certain pacing elements that could have been further streamlined to maintain a consistent narrative flow. Additionally, some aspects of the plot development could have been expanded to provide a more comprehensive exploration of the characters' inner struggles and emotional journeys.

In conclusion, The Other Mrs. Samson is a compelling and emotionally resonant read that delves into the complexities of love, sacrifice, and the enduring bonds that transcend time and circumstance. Ralph Webster's masterful storytelling and the rich tapestry of historical events make this a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating exploration of the human experience and the enduring power of love across generations.