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lindsayaunderwood's review
3.0
The first 150 pages or so were mostly background, but I felt myself still being interested in that piece of the story. Definitely enjoyed the action in the last 200 pages or so. Also really liked the way some pieces of the story were told. It was almost like a play, where a scene with the main characters would end and a few of the side characters would come into the picture during the next act, to describe what came of the actions of the main characters. Cool way to get the information across.
kcrouth's review against another edition
4.0
Serena is another excellent story by Ron Rash. It details through historical fiction the forces working against each other in the Depression era mountain forests of North Carolina, later to become the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Showing clearly that today's fight between big business, their lobbyists and the advocates for our environment and our planet has been going on for over a century. Ron Rash includes much history in this tale, filling in the missing details with fictional, but realistic characters. The story telling is rich and compelling, and makes it difficult to put the book down, especially in the second half when the true character of the players emerges and the plot vectors toward a certain, yet unknown outcome. Empathy is evoked for many of the characters, both major and "minor". The devastating nature of the timber barons and their logging "machine" was deadly for both the environment and for the people consumed in the process. We are lucky to have recovered so much of their devastated land to preserve and enjoy today.
elizabethquinn's review
5.0
This book was amazing and opened me up to a whole new love for Ron Rash and others of the like. I read it for the first time over a year ago and I'm reading it again now and love it just as much. Such a satisfying ending.
betseyboo's review
4.0
A movie version of this book is available, but so far reviews are rather poor. Skip the movie and just read the book.
xoxoharlow's review
3.0
The book started off great, but somewhere along the line it got slow. However, as the book progress I felt as though I got a better understanding of the writing. At first I had a few issues with the minor characters but considering that they allowed the reader to get a bigger picture of the story. I do feel as though every character was necessary for the book, but I can't imagine the movie playing out the same way and wonder what will change between the book and movie. But, back to the book. I had a major conflict with Serena a part of me couldn't decide on how I should view her so I settled on simply complex which made the book an even better read. I can't say that everything was always interesting, but for the most part I enjoyed the book and its characters and the ending certainly was worth reading until the end.
book_concierge's review
5.0
Audiobook performed by Phil Gigante.
In 1929 George Pemberton brings his new wife, Serena, back from Boston to North Carolina, where they plan to make their fortune in timber. George has worked in the lumber camp before, but Serena is new to the mountains. She soon proves herself to be the savy, determined business partner George needs.
Wow … Lady MacBeth has nothing on Serena. I can’t remember when I loved reading a book about a character I disliked so much. Serena is fascinating. From the cool demeanor when confronted with George’s past love life, to her taming an eagle, to turning a wounded man into her faithful servant, to orchestrating the elimination of those who get in her way, she is a woman who demands the reader’s attention. While I was sometimes horrified by her behavior, I could not help but marvel at her strength, and wonder if ANYONE would step forward to stop her.
The other characters are equally well-drawn. George is an ambitious man who had brought home the perfect companion and business partner; Serena will make him the man he wants to be. But he slowly realizes that he may have overlooked a fatal flaw. Rachel, the young woman in George’s past, proves herself to be strong and resourceful. Sheriff McDowell is a man of integrity, intelligent and steadfast; he will NOT be bought by the Pembertons, no matter the cost to him personally or professionally. Galloway is the perfect faithful sidekick to Serena; he keeps her hands (mostly) clean, while doing her dirty work.
I liked how Rash incorporated the history of the era. The push to set aside land for the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the difficulties brought about by the Great Depression, and the move West by many people who had lost everything. These elements gave the novel a great sense of time and place.
Phil Gigante does a wonderful job performing the audio book. His pacing is good, and he gives each character a unique voice.
In 1929 George Pemberton brings his new wife, Serena, back from Boston to North Carolina, where they plan to make their fortune in timber. George has worked in the lumber camp before, but Serena is new to the mountains. She soon proves herself to be the savy, determined business partner George needs.
Wow … Lady MacBeth has nothing on Serena. I can’t remember when I loved reading a book about a character I disliked so much. Serena is fascinating. From the cool demeanor when confronted with George’s past love life, to her taming an eagle, to turning a wounded man into her faithful servant, to orchestrating the elimination of those who get in her way, she is a woman who demands the reader’s attention. While I was sometimes horrified by her behavior, I could not help but marvel at her strength, and wonder if ANYONE would step forward to stop her.
The other characters are equally well-drawn. George is an ambitious man who had brought home the perfect companion and business partner; Serena will make him the man he wants to be. But he slowly realizes that he may have overlooked a fatal flaw. Rachel, the young woman in George’s past, proves herself to be strong and resourceful. Sheriff McDowell is a man of integrity, intelligent and steadfast; he will NOT be bought by the Pembertons, no matter the cost to him personally or professionally. Galloway is the perfect faithful sidekick to Serena; he keeps her hands (mostly) clean, while doing her dirty work.
I liked how Rash incorporated the history of the era. The push to set aside land for the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the difficulties brought about by the Great Depression, and the move West by many people who had lost everything. These elements gave the novel a great sense of time and place.
Phil Gigante does a wonderful job performing the audio book. His pacing is good, and he gives each character a unique voice.
myriadreads's review
5.0
I've been trying to be stingier with the 5-star ratings, but I had to give this book its due. Rash is a fantastic, descriptive, artful writer. It was so hard to put this book down, and I kept wondering what was going to happen in between readings. It's thoughtful and deep and would make an excellent discussion read.
The ending surprised me! In retrospect, though, I should have seen it coming.
I will likely read this again, so that I can slow down and admire the craft even more now that I know the story.
The ending surprised me! In retrospect, though, I should have seen it coming.
I will likely read this again, so that I can slow down and admire the craft even more now that I know the story.
caitlinhonard's review
1.0
I couldn't even finish it. I was bored and found it too hard to pick up and too easy to put down.
colleengeedrumm's review
4.0
What made losing someone you loved bearable was not remembering but forgetting.
The mind is it's own place, as the poet tells us, and has its own peculiar reality. What one feels one feels.
Only the present being real.
They's a feeling about a place where men dies and the land dies with them.
The mind is it's own place, as the poet tells us, and has its own peculiar reality. What one feels one feels.
Only the present being real.
They's a feeling about a place where men dies and the land dies with them.