The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman - Summary & Analysis

Please note: This is a summary and analysis of the book and not the original book.

The unusual family of French Impressionist master Jacob Abraham Camille Pizzarro takes center stage in The Marriage of Opposites. The book is set in the early to late 1800s, focusing on the artist and his equally strong-willed mother, Rachel Monsanto Pomié Petit Pizzarro. Rachel longs for Paris, although her grandparents long ago fled France for St. Thomas, an island in what is now the US Virgin Islands, where Jews could be citizens. Her grandparents brought only an apple tree to remind them of the orchards they once owned. Her father, Moses Monsanto Pomié, tells Rachel stories of Paris often despite the fact he has never been there. Although no one is persecuting them at the moment, the rapidly growing Jewish community on St. Thomas tries to keep a low profile to ensure that things stay that way. Rachel, however, is determined not to be a mouse. She wants to soar like a hawk....

Inside this Instaread summary & analysis of The Marriage of Opposites:

• Summary of the book
• Introduction to the important people in the book
• Analysis of the themes and author's style