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harriyot's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Slavery and Gun violence
rr_author's review against another edition
This book was really promising, but I stopped reading because there was a sexual scene. It kinda went against everything else we knew about the character so far, and I really don't like that kind of content! Disappointed.
stephaniesteen73's review
4.0
I always enjoy Tracy Chevalier's books and her latest one was no exception. Told from the perspective of a recent British emigrant to 1850s Ohio, it tackles the thorny issue of runaway slaves in the North in the tension-filled, pre-Civil War era. The book explores the difference between those who are opposed to something in principle and those who back up the ideological conviction with concrete actions. I also enjoyed learning about Quaker beliefs and practices and about quilting and the different patterns.
jbabiarz's review
4.0
I think I've read every Tracy Chevalier book. She always writes her protagonist with a strong voice and sense of character.
mullensamy's review
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Pleasantly surprised by this book that I had not heard of before. I read it to cross off "Ohio" on my annual reading challenge. I ended up learning a bit about the Quaker religion, which I had no clue was so different than most churches/religions in the USA. I've known from other books that Quakers helped often along the Underground Railroad but had never read specifics about their religion. I found it enlightening!
pam2375's review
3.0
This is the story of a young English Quaker Woman's journey to America during the time period that Southern Slaves were running away and people were trying to help them.
Here is what I really enjoyed about liked about this book; Honor (our young Quaker) sends detailed letters of what life is like in America. There was so much depth and detail in those writings and I will tell you that those letters kept me going.
Here is what I didn't care for about this book; it is advertised as being a book about the underground railroad and, unfortunately, that simply is not true. I feel a bit duped by the synopsis. I also felt that Honor would not have done many of the things that she did based on what we know about her. Some of Honor's action just did not seem to fit the time period or her background.
Many thanks to net galley and Dutton Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Here is what I really enjoyed about liked about this book; Honor (our young Quaker) sends detailed letters of what life is like in America. There was so much depth and detail in those writings and I will tell you that those letters kept me going.
Here is what I didn't care for about this book; it is advertised as being a book about the underground railroad and, unfortunately, that simply is not true. I feel a bit duped by the synopsis. I also felt that Honor would not have done many of the things that she did based on what we know about her. Some of Honor's action just did not seem to fit the time period or her background.
Many thanks to net galley and Dutton Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
book_concierge's review
2.0
Audiobook performed by Kate Reading
2.5**
In 1850, Honor Bright accompanies her sister to America. Grace is betrothed to a Quaker merchant who has set up shop with his brother in Ohio. Honor is fleeing a failed romance, hoping for a new start. But the “frontier” of Ohio is very different from the long-established English community Honor left, and she feels adrift and unwelcomed, though she has little choice but to rely on these virtual strangers to help her.
I’ve been a fan of Chevalier’s for a long time. I like the way she puts the reader into the time and place of her historical novels, and this is no exception. I felt I was discovering the joys of sweet corn, the marvel of lightning bugs, and the trill of song birds right along with Honor. I was interested in the realities of life in such communities at this time in America’s history, and liked the references to the Underground Railroad and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways in which “Friends” helped the runaways.
But I didn’t really believe in Honor. She seemed way too naïve and trusting, and the whole “on and off” attraction to “bad boy” Donovan seemed way out of character for her. And then there’s the ending … it seemed to me that Chevalier got herself into a corner and didn’t know how to get out, so she used the most convenient way to end things. It was so dissatisfying, to me, that I dropped half a star.
Kate Reading does a fine job performing the audio version, although she never succeeded in giving Honor (or any of the other new arrivals from England) a British accent (something which is commented upon several times).
2.5**
In 1850, Honor Bright accompanies her sister to America. Grace is betrothed to a Quaker merchant who has set up shop with his brother in Ohio. Honor is fleeing a failed romance, hoping for a new start. But the “frontier” of Ohio is very different from the long-established English community Honor left, and she feels adrift and unwelcomed, though she has little choice but to rely on these virtual strangers to help her.
I’ve been a fan of Chevalier’s for a long time. I like the way she puts the reader into the time and place of her historical novels, and this is no exception. I felt I was discovering the joys of sweet corn, the marvel of lightning bugs, and the trill of song birds right along with Honor. I was interested in the realities of life in such communities at this time in America’s history, and liked the references to the Underground Railroad and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways in which “Friends” helped the runaways.
But I didn’t really believe in Honor. She seemed way too naïve and trusting, and the whole “on and off” attraction to “bad boy” Donovan seemed way out of character for her. And then there’s the ending … it seemed to me that Chevalier got herself into a corner and didn’t know how to get out, so she used the most convenient way to end things. It was so dissatisfying, to me, that I dropped half a star.
Kate Reading does a fine job performing the audio version, although she never succeeded in giving Honor (or any of the other new arrivals from England) a British accent (something which is commented upon several times).
joy323's review
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0