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autumn_dannay's review against another edition
2.0
This book was OK. The plot was rich, but the characters were flat. If the characters were more dimensional, I feel that this book would have been truly excellent.
colls's review against another edition
4.0
While I didn't like the main character, there were enough other characters to like that it made up for it. The main character does become slightly more like-able as the book nears its close, but it doesn't really make up for her self-centeredness and sense of entitlement that we see early on.
I liked the unraveling of the family history quite a bit. It's a trope that I've always enjoyed reading and having it be about strong female characters from the past made it even more enjoyable. Some of the story is predictable, but predictable in a way that is comfortable and familiar - making it a kind of cozy read. While I feel the author could've expanded more on the developers vs. conservationists before wrapping a neat bow on the resolution; if the ending had been any different, I think I would've felt betrayed.
I liked the unraveling of the family history quite a bit. It's a trope that I've always enjoyed reading and having it be about strong female characters from the past made it even more enjoyable. Some of the story is predictable, but predictable in a way that is comfortable and familiar - making it a kind of cozy read. While I feel the author could've expanded more on the developers vs. conservationists before wrapping a neat bow on the resolution; if the ending had been any different, I think I would've felt betrayed.
hollylynna's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely slow read about the importance family and finding your roots, no matte how tangled they may be.
bunnyovani's review against another edition
2.0
Blah, I didn't really like this book. Lucy the main character was all sorts of annoying. I only finished it because I listened to it in my car so I couldn't toss the book across the room when I got annoyed.
charlottet21's review against another edition
2.0
It's never took me so long to read a book before. The reason I've only just finished this book is because it disappointed me. I was expecting an exciting mystery but I soon got bored with it. Don't get me wrong, it's beautifully written, but the story itself was weak. I hate feeling this way about a book, but I can't help it. It's not one I would recommend. Plus, the main character is annoying and I read the book all the while being angry with her. All I can say is I'm glad I finished it :/
mountie9's review against another edition
4.0
The Good Stuff
Wonderful realistic characters
Author really understands the inner workings of a family and its dynamics
I really understood Lucy's need to understand about her family history
Fascinating information and history and the portrayal of women in organized religion
Loved the character of the priest Suzi and her conversations with Keegan. If she was real, I would actually go to church
I was totally engrossed in the mystery of Rose and Iris and I think I wanted to find out the truth as much as Lucy did.
A truly fascinating tale and history lesson all in one
Beautifully written, author has some serious talent. Must go get me a copy of The Memory Keepers Daughter
I really enjoyed all the information about the suffragette movement and realized even more how grateful all of us women should be for what those women fought for
I could definitely see this one being made into a movie
The Not so Good Stuff
It was hard to get into at first. I struggled at first, but am glad I did, as it ends up being a fantastic book
Would have liked a family tree or a who's who at the front of the book for my mommy addled brain to remember who was who and where they fit into the family
Honestly I would have taken out some of the dream sequences but dammit I am a Mom I need things to pick up the pace more -- that's just me though -- nothing against the author -- it was just one of those irritating things to me.
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"In those days God seemed as silent as my father, as angry as my uncle, as distant as the portrait of my great-grandfather in the hall; when I closed my eyes, those were the gazes I felt, and I was always nervous."
"This history, told through Rose's eyes, didn't seem very far away, and it made me wonder how my own life would have unfolded if I hadn't been abler to study or work or even know the most basic facts about my body. A difficult history was hidden beneath my independence, like the ruins of the factories beneath the tranquil surface of this water. The rights I took for granted seemed suddenly very new, measured against the centuries."
"Close-up , their lives were as complex and chaotic as my own, full of mistakes and disappointments and good intentions gone awry."
What I Learned
A crap load of information on the history of women and their portrayal in organized religion -- truly fascinating stuff
Tons of facts and history about the suffragette movement -- and how glad I didn't grow up in that era. I would totally have been jailed too!!
That I would love to know more about my ancestors and how they lived and their emotions. Damn why couldn't either side of my family been good at keeping journals!
Who should/shouldn't read
Those who need plenty of excitement and romance might not get into this one
Anyone interested in the suffragette movement or the portrayal of women in religion will love this
Really almost anyone will enjoy this as long as they give it a chance
This is not a light read so if you are looking for something on the light and fluffy side, this ain't it. Not that their is anything wrong with light and fluffy - since I also enjoy those types of books, just more of an FYI
4 Dewey's
I received this from Penguin in exchange for an honest review
Wonderful realistic characters
Author really understands the inner workings of a family and its dynamics
I really understood Lucy's need to understand about her family history
Fascinating information and history and the portrayal of women in organized religion
Loved the character of the priest Suzi and her conversations with Keegan. If she was real, I would actually go to church
I was totally engrossed in the mystery of Rose and Iris and I think I wanted to find out the truth as much as Lucy did.
A truly fascinating tale and history lesson all in one
Beautifully written, author has some serious talent. Must go get me a copy of The Memory Keepers Daughter
I really enjoyed all the information about the suffragette movement and realized even more how grateful all of us women should be for what those women fought for
I could definitely see this one being made into a movie
The Not so Good Stuff
It was hard to get into at first. I struggled at first, but am glad I did, as it ends up being a fantastic book
Would have liked a family tree or a who's who at the front of the book for my mommy addled brain to remember who was who and where they fit into the family
Honestly I would have taken out some of the dream sequences but dammit I am a Mom I need things to pick up the pace more -- that's just me though -- nothing against the author -- it was just one of those irritating things to me.
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"In those days God seemed as silent as my father, as angry as my uncle, as distant as the portrait of my great-grandfather in the hall; when I closed my eyes, those were the gazes I felt, and I was always nervous."
"This history, told through Rose's eyes, didn't seem very far away, and it made me wonder how my own life would have unfolded if I hadn't been abler to study or work or even know the most basic facts about my body. A difficult history was hidden beneath my independence, like the ruins of the factories beneath the tranquil surface of this water. The rights I took for granted seemed suddenly very new, measured against the centuries."
"Close-up , their lives were as complex and chaotic as my own, full of mistakes and disappointments and good intentions gone awry."
What I Learned
A crap load of information on the history of women and their portrayal in organized religion -- truly fascinating stuff
Tons of facts and history about the suffragette movement -- and how glad I didn't grow up in that era. I would totally have been jailed too!!
That I would love to know more about my ancestors and how they lived and their emotions. Damn why couldn't either side of my family been good at keeping journals!
Who should/shouldn't read
Those who need plenty of excitement and romance might not get into this one
Anyone interested in the suffragette movement or the portrayal of women in religion will love this
Really almost anyone will enjoy this as long as they give it a chance
This is not a light read so if you are looking for something on the light and fluffy side, this ain't it. Not that their is anything wrong with light and fluffy - since I also enjoy those types of books, just more of an FYI
4 Dewey's
I received this from Penguin in exchange for an honest review
arkansas_equestrian's review against another edition
1.0
The first half of he book was not enjoyable. I love Edwards writing, but the story was boring and I was tempted several times to quit the book. He only thing that kept me going was the mystery behind Lucy's findings. I was expecting something dramatic to happen. Unfortunately the ending was lacking a spark.
ataterhead2's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book - the language was beautiful. The storyline is engaging, in a quiet way...not action-packed, but it was definitely enough to keep me intrigued. I'm a sucker for books about long-buried family secrets!