By 
Wow! Samantha Green Woodruff, the Author of “The Trade Off” has written an intriguing, captivating, and powerful novel. The Genres in this well-written and researched novel are Historical Fiction, Family, Romance, Sisterhood and Fiction. The timeline for this story is set in the 1920s, and takes place mostly on Wall Street, and in the New York boroughs. The author discusses how women in the 1920’s were not equal to men, and how society’s and family expectations of women’s roles and careers. There is also the contrast of wealth and poverty and differences in class. There was a big adjustment for immigrants that had been wealthy and now are trying to make a living. There was also anti-semitism.
The author vividly describes her colorful and dramatic characters as complex, complicated, and determined. Some were greedy and had entitlement issues. Bea and Jack Abramovitz are close twins, but extremely different. Bea is short and dark, and Jack is tall, blond and fair. Bea has always shown an aptitude for math and numbers, and Jack has the ability to charm everyone. After college, Bea realizes that she wants to be involved with stocks, bonds, and trading, and realizes that there are few opportunities for her, unless she is creative. Jack is impulsive, and has difficulty making good decisions. Although Bea has helped Jack, their mothers regards Jack as the “Golden Child”. Bea does create her own opportunities, with consequences.
Bea is loyal to one friend, and meets some other girls on Wall Street, and their friendship becomes a sisterhood of support and encouragement. I appreciate that the author discusses the importance of family, friends, sisterhood, self-worth, love and hope. I was intrigued how the author describes the tragedy of the Crash of 1929, and the historical ramifications. The author discusses how capable women had to find the courage and create opportunities in the financial world. I highly recommend this powerful, thought-provoking and memorable story.
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