I was given an advanced copy of "The Silver Shoes" by Jill G. Hall in exchange for an honest review. The Silver Shoes is Hall’s latest novel, set in modern times and the 1920’s, the book takes on a unique style shifting the reader back and forth between the artist Anne, and the dancer Clair, both women trying to figure out just where they belong in life.
While Anne lives in modern day San Francisco, while visiting her boyfriend in New York she purchases some silver dancing shoes. While she is using the shoes to become reinvigorated in her art, the reader is enticed into the past to recall the original owner of the shoes, Clair and her good friend Winnie.
Both women are interesting, although I think I found it easier and more enjoyable to read about the past than the present. Clair’s life seemed to touch me more than Anne’s. I was invested in knowing more about her then I wanted to know about Anne. Right away I didn’t like Anne’s boyfriend.
Sergio, while he plays an important part in the story, he came across to me as someone who wasn’t likable. That is awesome though, how often do you pick up a book and the characters are flat. They are neither likable or dislikable. With Sergio, I didn’t like him, and that made me happy. He seemed realistic, and just because he didn’t appeal to me doesn’t mean he won’t appeal to other readers, I just didn’t like his personality.
Anne, in many of the same ways, didn’t appeal to me. She was realistic. She might even appeal to other readers, but her personality wasn’t one that I got along with. On the other hand, Clair was someone I thought I could hang out with if I lived during the 1920’s. She was fun, funny, and enjoyable. The kind of person that you would want to get to know.
All of this tells me one important thing about Jill G. Hall, she develops wonderful, amazing characters. Her story was interesting. I wish she had spent more time in the 1920’s and less time in the present, but that is probably because I thoroughly enjoy historical novels, it definitely wasn’t because her storytelling was lacking.
All I know is that when I got to the modern parts I wanted to get through them as quick as possible, so I could read more about Clair and the Speakeasy time. I would love to see Hall write another book and spend some more time in the 20’s and 30’s.
