50 pages • 1 hour read
Alice HoffmanThe Marriage Of Opposites
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman is a historical fiction novel set in the early 1800s on the island of St. Thomas, following three generations of a Jewish family. The narrative centers on Rachel Pomié, who dreams of leaving the island, and her son, artist Camille Pissarro, who struggles with his creative aspirations and societal norms. The novel explores themes of family, love, and societal constraints. Sensitive topics such as racial discrimination and enslavement are depicted.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Alice Hoffman's The Marriage of Opposites has been praised for its lyrical prose, vivid historical detail, and compelling characters. Reviewers admire the richly woven narrative and Hoffman's evocative depiction of 19th-century Saint Thomas. However, some find the pacing uneven and the plot occasionally predictable. Despite these minor critiques, the novel's strengths shine brightly.
Who Should Read The Marriage Of Opposites?
Readers captivated by richly woven historical fiction and intricate character studies, similar to those found in The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, will appreciate Alice Hoffman's The Marriage of Opposites. Fans of lush, evocative storytelling rooted in real events are an ideal audience.