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molly_dettmann's review against another edition
2.0
This book was so boring and slow and had a hard to read dialect that was probably easier for young readers in 1964 to follow than one would be. Lots of exposition. It does skirt around the “no side was right” and “the reasons for the war were complicated” especially with one brother becoming a Confederate sympathizer but for when it was written it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be in terms of glossing over the reason for the way being slavery and all that. Lots of Lincoln love towards the end. Mostly this was just so terribly boring I woke up early to read it and am now lulled back to sleep the rest of my morning.
ladyzbyrd's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I’m not well-versed in civil war history, but this was a rather slow read for me, though the family relationships were sweet. I do love that the this was built on historical research as well as the author’s own family stories.
penguin_horowitz's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't think this book was even remotely interesting. I fell asleep when I tried to read it. I have patience for books. But my patience for this book didn't pay off. Boring lack of plot tumbled through a multitude of Aprils and left nothing worthwhile in the end. There were glimmers of hope throughout, but they never lead to anything at all.
jcarsrud's review against another edition
4.0
This book has a very slow to start, but I did like the narrator’s voice. I also enjoyed that it was set in southern Illinois. Is an interesting perspective of the Civil War.
pirate_jesus's review against another edition
5.0
Compiled from familial history and personal newspaper/letter collections, among other things, this ranks among the most accurate works of historical fiction surrounding the American Civil War. It’s beautifully written and often brought me to tears. This book is as relevant to today’s sociopolitical climate, and the hands needing extended herein, as it is to the era it pays homage. Sadly, those belonging to younger generations can’t seem to agree so Across Five Aprils’ rating now suffers at the hands of their misunderstanding, or that which their parents have bestowed upon them.
sweetvireo's review against another edition
1.0
I couldn't stand the southern regional diction in this book.
bigwhitefarmhouse's review against another edition
Pre-reading for M's fifth grade history
catladylover94's review against another edition
5.0
good story, loved he history of the civil war, and the main character Jethro