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susanp's review
2.0
Really didn't like this much, even though I did finish it. Everything was so dark and much was unrealistic. The ten-year-olds spoke like college graduates, and the adults didn't seem to fit the time period.
clds86's review against another edition
5.0
There are so many twists and turns, going from the prairie to the daughter's house, then back again. If you like historical fiction, you'll want to add this to you 'to read' list.
bhunsberger's review
2.0
This was a cheap/free Kindle download for me and was a struggle to get through, but I managed to finish it.
bookish20's review
2.0
The story dragged too much for my liking. It was very repetitive too. I got the fact she hated her husband and there were letters that were written. I didn’t need to be told over and over and over again. I’ve never read a book set on the prairie and I still don’t think I have.
I don’t recommend this book
I don’t recommend this book
jsparks08's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good read. At times I felt it dragging, but all in all the story was good. The ending was a good wrap up and helped tie up so many ends.
sheilasamuelson's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
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
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to Books Forward for sending me this FREE Audio Arc Copy to review for them earlier this month!!
This was my first time reading a book by Kathleen so i wasnt sure what to expect but MAN i didnt expect it to be such an emotional rollercoaster.
The Characters were so interesting to read about. I felt bad for Katherine's mom tho i could see why Katherine was the way she was to her mom cause Yale should of told Katherine about that letter before she did.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in 1800s Des Moines Iowa especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Phenomenal Historical Fiction Book that i will definately read more by Kathleen in the future!!
Review:
Thank you to Books Forward for sending me this FREE Audio Arc Copy to review for them earlier this month!!
This was my first time reading a book by Kathleen so i wasnt sure what to expect but MAN i didnt expect it to be such an emotional rollercoaster.
The Characters were so interesting to read about. I felt bad for Katherine's mom tho i could see why Katherine was the way she was to her mom cause Yale should of told Katherine about that letter before she did.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in 1800s Des Moines Iowa especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Phenomenal Historical Fiction Book that i will definately read more by Kathleen in the future!!
reyesreadingreview's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
faithfulgirl4's review against another edition
3.0
After reading all the raving reviews about this book, I really thought I would enjoy it. The book is loosely based on the author's great great grandparents and the letters they wrote back and forth. It is set in the 1800's and talks of the horrible way of prairie life.
Jeannie and Frank have to move. They can no longer be the upstanding socialites of Des Moines after what Frank and Daddy did. They decide to give homesteading a go. Tragedy after tragedy leads these characters down depressing roads. Can love be recovered? Can forgiveness be given?
This book was so tragic that it became boring to me. I almost put it down but I just had to know so I kept reading. The book is written so that Katherine is having flashbacks to the family's time on the prairie. I have never really enjoyed books that are written in this manner. Jeannie's character is forced to the point that I have no sympathy for her whatsoever. The only character I really enjoyed was James.
I will say that the ending somewhat surprised me and I'm glad I finished this one. Others may have more of an appreciation for this but it just wasn't for me.
Thank you to Jessica Hickam for providing a review copy.
Jeannie and Frank have to move. They can no longer be the upstanding socialites of Des Moines after what Frank and Daddy did. They decide to give homesteading a go. Tragedy after tragedy leads these characters down depressing roads. Can love be recovered? Can forgiveness be given?
This book was so tragic that it became boring to me. I almost put it down but I just had to know so I kept reading. The book is written so that Katherine is having flashbacks to the family's time on the prairie. I have never really enjoyed books that are written in this manner. Jeannie's character is forced to the point that I have no sympathy for her whatsoever. The only character I really enjoyed was James.
I will say that the ending somewhat surprised me and I'm glad I finished this one. Others may have more of an appreciation for this but it just wasn't for me.
Thank you to Jessica Hickam for providing a review copy.
booksuperpower's review
3.0
The Last Letter by Kathleen Shoop is a 2011 Independently published novel. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Usually historical fiction is a no brainer for me. Unfortunately, this one didn't work out. The writing has a literary prose and the story has some basis in fact as it pertains to the author's family. The complaint I had with the book was that it was just so darned depressing. I read a lot of dark literature and fiction but unless it's a horror novel, I prefer the ending to have a little bit of a positive tone. It doesn't have to be uplifting or inspirational or HEA etc, but I like to feel some satisfaction from having spent my time reading the book. In this case the book started off on a somber note and just went downhill from there.
Frank and Jeanie married young and against her family's wishes. Things were fine until they fell on hard times financially. They ended up living in a dug out on undeveloped prairie land. Jeanne was pregnant and already had a couple of kids to care for. This development was a real shock to Jeannie's system. While not outright rich or wealthy, Jeanne had a comfortable life with some success writing about being the perfect homemaker. Now she doesn't even live in a house. The situation also opens Jeanne's eyes to the kind of man Frank really is. Not that she didn't already have an idea or two about his way with women and “dark moods”, but until she found herself with out the comforts she was accustomed to she had always found of way of turning a blind eye to Frank's issues. Now every single day that passes makes Jeanne more and more resentful of Frank, and his flirtations, his drug use, his laziness and constant dreaming and rainbow chasing.
Prairie life is stark, difficult and back breaking at times. There was little or no joy in life for Jeanne and as time advances things just go from bad to worse. Eventually, Jeanne must make a very difficult decision and in doing so drives a wedge between herself and her children .
Flashing forward to the future, Jeanne's daughter is now caring for her mother who is terminally ill. As Jeanne surely realizes she is dying she attempts to reconcile with her daughter and explain why she had to do what she did. Initially, Katherine is not interested in hearing what Jeanne has to say, but after remembering her mother and father's letters to one another while they were courting, Katherine goes in search of her parents past.
The only good thing to happen in all this is that Jeanne will be able to make peace with her children. Buy there is so little time left for her to make up for all the years of estrangements, bitterness, and misunderstandings that I was left with a bad taste in my mouth. So, while the writing redeems the story and it is very clear the author has talent for literary fiction, this one just wasn't my kind of book.
This one gets 3 stars
Usually historical fiction is a no brainer for me. Unfortunately, this one didn't work out. The writing has a literary prose and the story has some basis in fact as it pertains to the author's family. The complaint I had with the book was that it was just so darned depressing. I read a lot of dark literature and fiction but unless it's a horror novel, I prefer the ending to have a little bit of a positive tone. It doesn't have to be uplifting or inspirational or HEA etc, but I like to feel some satisfaction from having spent my time reading the book. In this case the book started off on a somber note and just went downhill from there.
Frank and Jeanie married young and against her family's wishes. Things were fine until they fell on hard times financially. They ended up living in a dug out on undeveloped prairie land. Jeanne was pregnant and already had a couple of kids to care for. This development was a real shock to Jeannie's system. While not outright rich or wealthy, Jeanne had a comfortable life with some success writing about being the perfect homemaker. Now she doesn't even live in a house. The situation also opens Jeanne's eyes to the kind of man Frank really is. Not that she didn't already have an idea or two about his way with women and “dark moods”, but until she found herself with out the comforts she was accustomed to she had always found of way of turning a blind eye to Frank's issues. Now every single day that passes makes Jeanne more and more resentful of Frank, and his flirtations, his drug use, his laziness and constant dreaming and rainbow chasing.
Prairie life is stark, difficult and back breaking at times. There was little or no joy in life for Jeanne and as time advances things just go from bad to worse. Eventually, Jeanne must make a very difficult decision and in doing so drives a wedge between herself and her children .
Flashing forward to the future, Jeanne's daughter is now caring for her mother who is terminally ill. As Jeanne surely realizes she is dying she attempts to reconcile with her daughter and explain why she had to do what she did. Initially, Katherine is not interested in hearing what Jeanne has to say, but after remembering her mother and father's letters to one another while they were courting, Katherine goes in search of her parents past.
The only good thing to happen in all this is that Jeanne will be able to make peace with her children. Buy there is so little time left for her to make up for all the years of estrangements, bitterness, and misunderstandings that I was left with a bad taste in my mouth. So, while the writing redeems the story and it is very clear the author has talent for literary fiction, this one just wasn't my kind of book.
This one gets 3 stars
aprice12's review
5.0
Every time I think I have read the best book by Kathleen Shoop, I read another one and am happily surprised. Her writing seems to just keep getting better. Her stories never fail to draw me in and make me lose myself for a while.
This book is, so far, my favorite of her books. The characters are so well written that you feel like you could just cross the street and sit with them for a bit. I really came to care for Jeanie and her family while reading this engaging story.
The only thing I didn't love about the book was that it jumped back and forth throughout the story from 1887 to 1905. While I found both parts of the story, Jeanie's and Katherine's, very interesting, it was distracting at first. Every time I felt like I was really getting into the book, it would shift again. This was only a small matter and doesn't change the fact that the story was wonderful.
Katherine is, at first, a cold seeming character. She has obviously been hurt by her mother and isn't willing to forgive her or even listen to her. Jeanie is dying and needs her forgiveness. We get to see what Jeanie was like when she was still a young mother and Katherine was little, as well as what Katherine is like when she is grown and caring for her ailing mother.
The story kept me very engaged. I loved reading about the family settling in, making a home, making friends. I really liked the first time Jeanie met Greta and they instantly became friends. I have a hard time meeting new people and making friends, but I have had that instant connection and they are the best and often the longest lasting ones.
I also really emotionally responded to Katherine and her reluctance to hear her mother out. Most of us can understand the feeling of betrayal and the difficulties of forgiving a loved one. Kathleen Shoop really knows how to write a story that draws on our emotions and makes us feel.
I recommend this to anyone that loves a well written book that has wonderfully real characters, interesting environments, and a great emotional story.
Disclosure: I received the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I was not required to leave a positive review.
This book is, so far, my favorite of her books. The characters are so well written that you feel like you could just cross the street and sit with them for a bit. I really came to care for Jeanie and her family while reading this engaging story.
The only thing I didn't love about the book was that it jumped back and forth throughout the story from 1887 to 1905. While I found both parts of the story, Jeanie's and Katherine's, very interesting, it was distracting at first. Every time I felt like I was really getting into the book, it would shift again. This was only a small matter and doesn't change the fact that the story was wonderful.
Katherine is, at first, a cold seeming character. She has obviously been hurt by her mother and isn't willing to forgive her or even listen to her. Jeanie is dying and needs her forgiveness. We get to see what Jeanie was like when she was still a young mother and Katherine was little, as well as what Katherine is like when she is grown and caring for her ailing mother.
The story kept me very engaged. I loved reading about the family settling in, making a home, making friends. I really liked the first time Jeanie met Greta and they instantly became friends. I have a hard time meeting new people and making friends, but I have had that instant connection and they are the best and often the longest lasting ones.
I also really emotionally responded to Katherine and her reluctance to hear her mother out. Most of us can understand the feeling of betrayal and the difficulties of forgiving a loved one. Kathleen Shoop really knows how to write a story that draws on our emotions and makes us feel.
I recommend this to anyone that loves a well written book that has wonderfully real characters, interesting environments, and a great emotional story.
Disclosure: I received the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I was not required to leave a positive review.