Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan

 

This historical fiction novel tells the story of a family during the ending days of World War II but I wouldn't consider it a war novel.  It tells the story of the Kerrigan family.  Eddie Kerrigan is the father and he makes his living first as a bag man for the Mafia then as an assistant to Dexter Styles, a rich man who owns nightclubs and other businesses and is also connected to the Mob.  His wife Agnes was a dancer until their daughters came along.  Anna is a bright girl who is her father's favorite.  Lydia was born with a neuromuscular disease and doesn't talk, walk as she is stuck at a baby's development stage.  

One day Eddie goes out and doesn't return.  Did he desert the family?  We discover later that he was the target of an attempted assassination and after escaping signed up as a merchant marine shipman.  The family is left to make their way as they can.  When Anna grows up, she goes to work at the naval shipyards, in full production as the war continues.  She has a dream to become a diver and eventually manages to do so.  She meets Dexter Styles in what turns out to be a meaningful encounter for both of them.  

Jennifer Egan has led an adventurous life which shows up in the lives of her characters.  She has written several bestselling books and this one was a New York Times Notable Book. Anna is an interesting character who as a girl and a woman refuses to accept society's notion of what a woman should be and who goes after her dreams with her entire being.  Readers will be interested to read about the contributions women made to the war effort and the insight into the lives of the wealthy and the mob connected at that time.  This book is recommended to historical and literary fiction readers.