I love a good cozy, nostalgic novel. Something set in the countryside, of course, ideally in a cottage with a large garden and a good kitchen, peopled with quite, pleasant folk and perhaps a few local characters to add a bit of colour and excitement. Mr Rosenblum Dreams in English by Natasha Solomons certainly follows that formula but for all its ticking off of the requisite boxes, it never quite clicked for me. I was entertained by the story of Jewish émigré Jack Rosenblum, who, having been rejected by all the golf clubs he applied to, moves to the country and sets out to build his own, but never impressed by it. It lacks both charm and a strong emotional connection to the characters. Everything was just a little too simple – the embarrassingly earnest Jack, his sad, isolated wife Sadie, and, most frustratingly, the simple Dorset country folk whose society the Rosenblums slowly infiltrate. The aged, illiterate country sage is a particularly grating stock character and unfortunately played a large role here.
Though the bulk of the novel is concerned with Jack Rosenblum’s quest to build England’s finest golf course – despite the fact that he has never played the game before – it was the opening chapters of the novel, describing the Rosenblums first years in England after arriving from Germany, that entertained me the most. Jack refers to his “Helpful Information and Friendly Guidance for Every Refugee” pamphlet constantly, depending on it to help him comprehend the strange customs of his new homeland, convinced that by doing so he can become that most desire thing, the English Gentleman. Experience, of course, teaches him that it is not so easy and he quickly finds that brief pamphlet excludes many important lessons. And so he amends it, writing his own list, his own guide for how to be English. The result is delightful, amusing but also a bit sad, each new note the result of all his struggles, all of his embarrassments.
Sadie Rosenblum, unlike her husband, has little desire to blend in with her English neighbours. In London, she happily gossips and visits with other German Jewish women, women with whom she shares a language and a history. Sadie is haunted by the loss of her parents and her beloved brother, all of whom died during the war. In the city, surrounded by friends and with always somewhere to go or someone to see, it was not such a problem. Once the Rosenblums move to the country, Jack begins to build his golf course and Sadie, left alone all day, lives with her ghosts. Her baking is on a truly epic scale (though I’m troubled by the logistics of her baumtortes, which generally seem to stand several feet high) as she recaptures the happy memories of her youth with her mother’s recipes.
While Sadie spends most of the book being rather tragic, Jack just seemed reckless and rather mad, particularly as he neglected his profitable business in favour of pouring his money into the golf course. To be eccentric is one thing but to be irresponsible when others depend on your for their livelihood is quite another. Happily, things do get sorted out in the end but I was never able to warm to Jack because of this recklessness.
For all its minor faults, there was definitely promise here. It is easy to see how with a little more spark and a lighter touch this could have been quite charming. Indeed, it did have its magical moments and those made me hopeful for Solomons’ future books. I’m quite excited to read her second book, The Novel in the Viola.
The Captive Reader 
This one has been on my wishlist for a while now after reading a raving review somewhere. It seemed just the thing for an Anglophile like me. Reading your thought, I think it will be very likely that I’ll feel the same, especially if Solomons goes beyond eccentricity.
It is definitely a cozy, comforting read for any Anglophile – worth reading but maybe not worth buying.
This was a book I read sometime ago. The issue with immigrants sometimes is that you want to assimilate, you do not want to be different but you can never be anything other than what you are (and what you appear to be to others!).
Specially marked where I am right now in Australia (such a multi cultural country.)
Very true, Mystica! I think another part of the problem is the attitudes that so many different countries have towards immigration: some make it easier for immigrants to assimilate while others put up more cultural barriers, making it only natural for those newly arrived to cling to the people and ways they are familiar with.
Thanks for this review. I, like Alex, have been on the hunt for this one for a while and haven’t been able to track it down. You’ve made me think it’s okay if it takes a while longer. 🙂 I found myself getting disgusted with Jack just from reading your summary, and I esp. loved your comment, “To be eccentric is one thing but to be irresponsible when others depend on your for their livelihood is quite another.” So very true!
Ah yes, that would be what my parents call my ‘uncompromising moral standards’ coming out in my judgement of Jack!
Great review! I have this on my TBR pile… a pity that it doesn’t live up to its potential but sounds like it’s worth a go. I have it as Mr Rosenblum’s List – wonder why the different titles?
Yes, I always wonder when books are renamed for North America audiences. Given the way the book progresses beyond Mr Rosenblum’s actual, delightful list, I think I actually prefer the Mr Rosenblum Dreams in English title.
This books seems to appeal to everyone on its title and setting and story alone and then fail to impress everyone as well. I was really hoping to read this soon, but now I’m not so sure if I should bother anymore.
If you ever have a slow, rainy afternoon, this would be the book to pick up then. I wouldn’t rush out to grab a copy though.
I began this but for some reason put it down when something new landed on the doormat … but I shall return to it. Currently reading Natasha’s latest, The Novel in the Viola and am absolutely loving it, such a nice, gentle read and we all need those occasionally. I thought at first it was The Novel in the Vi-ola (the flower) perhaps because of the lavender/mauve coloured cover; then I realized it was The Novel in the Vee-ola (the musical instrument)!
It seems that a lot of people are enjoying The Novel in the Viola more than they did Mr Rosenblum Dreams in English, which certainly gives me hope!
I’m sorry you didn’t like this one more, Claire. I haven’t read it, but it’s in my TBR list. I’ll have to try it for myself to see if it clicks for me.
For a comfort read like you described above, have you tried Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thompson? I’ve gone through the first two books of this series, and I’ve found it to be good comfort reading. Lark Rise was definitely better than Over to Candleford, but it’s been an enjoyable reading experience so far. I would definitely recommend it when you just need something “nice” to read.
It’s definitely worth trying. I may not have loved it but it was still a nice read.
I haven’t read anything by Flora Thompson yet, so thanks for the recommendation!
[…] Mr Rosenblum Dreams in English, by Natasha Solomons […]
Am loving Mr Rosenblum’s List, deliciously funny in that English way and it reminds me that I must dig out my copy of Cold Comfort Farm by Ste!la Gibbons; I have a feeling there’ll be some earthy comparisons.
[…] newest novel, The Song Collector. It is her fourth novel (I read the first two – Mr Rosenblum Dreams in English and The Novel in the Viola – with some enthusiasm but could not make it through her third) […]