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maecave15's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content warnings for a couple instances of death and gun violence. Moderate scenes of basic sex scenes and runaway slaves.
To preface, I loved the other books by Chevalier that I have read, Girl with the Pearl Earring and Lady and the Unicorn, but this book just did not have the same quality of characters or story.
I was interested enough to finish the book but it wasn't great. The characters were kind of interesting but I didn't have strong emotions about any of them. That being said each character was different enough that you wouldn't confuse them, except maybe Adam and Jack, but there was no depth of character for most of them.
The main character, Honor Bright, I did like enough but that was mainly due to the narrator. She ended up making some choices that I would not have expected of her. My dislikes of the book started with her first poor choice, in husband. Then she made a weird choice at 8 months pregnant that led to an outcome she could have arrived at in a safer manner.
The plot itself was kind of slow to medium paced but relied heavily on Honor, and the inclusion of runaway slaves was really just there as a moral wedge between Honor and her husband's family, it had little bearing on the plot.
I wasn't sure how the book was going to end but what happened was both dramatic and boring at the same time. I half expected Honor to end up with the slave catcher, but his ending was.... unexpected to say the least.
The only reason this book received 3.5 stars instead of 2.5 was the narrator. I listened to this as an audiobook and the narration was on point. If I had been reading a physical copy, then I am not sure I would have finished the book.
3.5/5⭐⭐⭐✨
To preface, I loved the other books by Chevalier that I have read, Girl with the Pearl Earring and Lady and the Unicorn, but this book just did not have the same quality of characters or story.
I was interested enough to finish the book but it wasn't great. The characters were kind of interesting but I didn't have strong emotions about any of them. That being said each character was different enough that you wouldn't confuse them, except maybe Adam and Jack, but there was no depth of character for most of them.
The main character, Honor Bright, I did like enough but that was mainly due to the narrator. She ended up making some choices that I would not have expected of her. My dislikes of the book started with her first poor choice, in husband. Then she made a weird choice at 8 months pregnant that led to an outcome she could have arrived at in a safer manner.
The plot itself was kind of slow to medium paced but relied heavily on Honor, and the inclusion of runaway slaves was really just there as a moral wedge between Honor and her husband's family, it had little bearing on the plot.
I wasn't sure how the book was going to end but what happened was both dramatic and boring at the same time. I half expected Honor to end up with the slave catcher, but his ending was.... unexpected to say the least.
The only reason this book received 3.5 stars instead of 2.5 was the narrator. I listened to this as an audiobook and the narration was on point. If I had been reading a physical copy, then I am not sure I would have finished the book.
3.5/5⭐⭐⭐✨
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Slavery
Minor: Death and Gun violence
abbruzzese's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Things change before those affected are fully aware.
even though i usually do not go for (in fact, i actively avoid) books set in any century later than the late 20th, i read girl with a pearl earring a few months ago. though that was also out of my comfort zone, i was so delighted by it i thought that if anyone could make me tolerate reading about 1850s quakers—in ohio, nonetheless—it would be tracy chevalier.
it breaks my heart to give three measly stars to a book written with such undeniable talent. my dull rating comes not as criticism for the quality of chevalier's writing, nor as a reflection of the novel's quality, but as a commentary on my personal enjoyment of the story. i simply do not enjoy books like this one. i have little patience for farms and dirt roads and houses without plumbing. others who have tastes unlike mine, who find joy in rural tales, will enjoy this book.
it is well-written, with a compelling plot, though it felt a tad white saviour-y at times. honor bright and mrs. reed are strong characters, but the rest feel a bit unfinished. dorcas haymaker shows some hints of growth near the end. however, others—jack haymaker, belle mills—are underwhelming, despite their vitality to the story.
if i could speak with chevalier, after supplying a generous amount of praise, my only request would be that perhaps she could try her hand at writing female characters who actually like their husbands. i understand this is more common now than in the time periods her stories take place in, but i think it would be nice to see. i have no doubt she could do a loving relationship justice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Death
Moderate: Slavery, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Racism
Minor: Gun violence
words_and_dreams's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A coming of age story set in 1850s America.
Honor Bright is a sheltered Quaker who emigrates to America with her sister. Her sister passes on the journey so Honor is left alone.
She is very passive for much of the story, not really knowing what she wants or what she is going to do. Around two thirds into the book she begins to make decisions for herself and I enjoyed seeing her strength grow.
She begins to help runaway slaves in small ways despite her new husband and her family being against it. However, fortunately it doesn't fall into the 'white savior' trope.
'Honor, you think you single handedly savin all the runaways? You think that one meal you give em or the sleep they get in your barn is goin to make all the difference? They already come hundreds o'miles by the time they get to you. They been through some terrible times. You jes one small link in a big chain. Sure, we grateful for what you done, but we managed before you come along last year, and we'll manage without you...'
Honor Bright is a sheltered Quaker who emigrates to America with her sister. Her sister passes on the journey so Honor is left alone.
She is very passive for much of the story, not really knowing what she wants or what she is going to do. Around two thirds into the book she begins to make decisions for herself and I enjoyed seeing her strength grow.
She begins to help runaway slaves in small ways despite her new husband and her family being against it. However, fortunately it doesn't fall into the 'white savior' trope.
'Honor, you think you single handedly savin all the runaways? You think that one meal you give em or the sleep they get in your barn is goin to make all the difference? They already come hundreds o'miles by the time they get to you. They been through some terrible times. You jes one small link in a big chain. Sure, we grateful for what you done, but we managed before you come along last year, and we'll manage without you...'
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Slavery, and Death
Minor: Sexual content
lauconn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
Minor: Gun violence
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