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booksdogsandjess's review
1.0
I dont even know what the hell this was. If you asked me any question about this book I think the answer would be :I don't know
Who was the main character? I don't know
Was there an antagonist? I don't know
Was there a hero? I don't know
What was the message the book was trying to say? I don't know
Did you like any of the characters? I don't know
This could go on for hours, 20 pages left in the book I still did not get where this sucker was heading or what it all ment. It is set at the start of the 20th century in Saskatewan,Canada in a village of mainly German and Russian settlers. We go through 3 different generations of families, but not the same family there are workers and step kids I don't know(there it is again) a whole host of characters that have very little depth and seriously if there was some hidden meaning to Lathias and Elisabeth or to Leo, please someone let me know. At the back of this edition there is an "about the book" with the author,Jacqueline Baker,who is little to no help.In it she says she used subtlety and subtext. Yes I agree, but maybe she got carried away with it cause it is finished and I have nothing to offer in the way of what it was about.
I gave it an extra star cause I liked the cover
Who was the main character? I don't know
Was there an antagonist? I don't know
Was there a hero? I don't know
What was the message the book was trying to say? I don't know
Did you like any of the characters? I don't know
This could go on for hours, 20 pages left in the book I still did not get where this sucker was heading or what it all ment. It is set at the start of the 20th century in Saskatewan,Canada in a village of mainly German and Russian settlers. We go through 3 different generations of families, but not the same family there are workers and step kids I don't know(there it is again) a whole host of characters that have very little depth and seriously if there was some hidden meaning to Lathias and Elisabeth or to Leo, please someone let me know. At the back of this edition there is an "about the book" with the author,Jacqueline Baker,who is little to no help.In it she says she used subtlety and subtext. Yes I agree, but maybe she got carried away with it cause it is finished and I have nothing to offer in the way of what it was about.
I gave it an extra star cause I liked the cover
canadianbookworm's review
5.0
This novel is set in the rural area of the Sand Hills on the border between Saskatchewan and Alberta. Most of the members of the community are Russian-German and the church is a part of their lives, but farming is what their lives are about. Some of the community has brought prejudices and myths from the old country and that determines how they feel about some of their neighbours.
The Krauss family is one that was known as being mean in the old country and retains that designation in their new home. Their nearest neighbours, the Schoffs, were at first patient, but had less and less to do with the Krauss's as time went on. By the time the next generation had taken over the farms, they didn't talk to each unless necessary. When tragedy visits the Schoffs, culminating in the terrible accident marking their son, the Schoffs withdraw further from the community. The Schoff's hired hand, Lathias, becomes unofficial guardian of the boy, telling him the myths of the new land, and watching out for his welfare. When a young woman, Elizabeth, joins the Krauss household both Lathias and the boy are drawn to her and the three spend time together until another tragedy occurs, this time to Elizabeth. This destructs the Schoff's even further and affects the community as a whole.
A fascinating tale, with strong and deep characters marked by their surroundings.
The Krauss family is one that was known as being mean in the old country and retains that designation in their new home. Their nearest neighbours, the Schoffs, were at first patient, but had less and less to do with the Krauss's as time went on. By the time the next generation had taken over the farms, they didn't talk to each unless necessary. When tragedy visits the Schoffs, culminating in the terrible accident marking their son, the Schoffs withdraw further from the community. The Schoff's hired hand, Lathias, becomes unofficial guardian of the boy, telling him the myths of the new land, and watching out for his welfare. When a young woman, Elizabeth, joins the Krauss household both Lathias and the boy are drawn to her and the three spend time together until another tragedy occurs, this time to Elizabeth. This destructs the Schoff's even further and affects the community as a whole.
A fascinating tale, with strong and deep characters marked by their surroundings.
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