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vavavoom's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I didn't dislike it, I just probably won't remember I ever read it come a few months. I did like the Appalachia setting, the place and time felt well researched.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Misogyny
linesiunderline's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is the kind of book you want to settle in with, perhaps swinging in a hammock, or curled up in a cozy spot. For me it was one of those stories where I felt quickly immersed and invested in the lives of the women at its centre. Because it really is in great part a story of female friendship and work and resilience. All of the central characters were well realized and memorable, as was the setting. The pages more or less turned themselves. My only real complaint was that the villains felt a little over the top and bordered on caricature at times. Still, the drama made for fun reading and I was a happy reader from start to finish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Pregnancy, and Gun violence
literarypenguin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book pays homage to the hardworking, strong, and independent women of the Packhorse Librarians and their never-ending mission to deliver knowledge and wisdom to families who didn't have access to such things in the 1930's.
The story follows Alice Wright, a newlywed who left her home country of England to move to a rural county of Kentucky so she may be with her new handsome and well to do husband Bennett. Soon though her newly martial bliss wears thin, so to bring some excitement into her life she gets a job at the newly established library delivering books to needy families all over the county. She meets Margery O Hare, a strong, independent, confident woman who lets nobody man or woman tell her what she can and can't do. Along the way they are joined by Beth, A strong and slightly foul mouthed farmer's daughter who dreams of seeing the world, Izzy, A daughter of wealthy parents who wants to show others that she is more then just her Polio and limp and Sophia, A African American woman who is trying to get by in a world that doesn't want her to succeed. Together these women go from being hated and distrusted to valued and beloved, not without having to go through some rough terrain first.
The friendship and eventually sisterhood these women have is so beautifully told. I loved how they went from a group of strangers working together to a group of people that would do anything and sacrifice anything for one another. I loved how the author wrote these women forming a fierce and loyal bond with one another despite them having to face such challenges in 1930's America. They had to face misogynic treatment from men, racism toward one of their own, disbelief and distrust from people in the town, a corrupt mining business who valued dollars over their own employees wellbeing's, even a murder. They won over the hearts of some of the people who didn't trust them in the beginning and more families, especially children, grew excited for their visits with knowledge and stories of all sorts.
The writing was smooth and beautiful. The research put into how the people talked and behaved back then really got you sucked in and connected with the story even more. Her attention to detail, even a trip on horseback into the mountains or a trip into one of the towns markets, was beautifully described and told in such great detail that you really believed you were there.
As a person who loves History and stories set in different era's and locations, I very much appreciate learning about the actual Packhorse Librarians and their mission to deliver books to families in need even if it was placed into a fictional setting. Everything written in this book could have happened back in the 1930's from how men and women courted one another to how certain people were treated and judged because of one thing that other people did not care for. You got to really see how people in a rural community treated one another and how one person needed help they were always there to provide a helping hand.
This novel really shows how much books played a role in our society and how we must try to prevent the written word from disappearing completely as more and more bookstores are under constant threat. If you want a book that makes you feel good inside and gives you a new appreciation for library's and librarians everywhere then give this one a try. I think you will like it I know I did.
The story follows Alice Wright, a newlywed who left her home country of England to move to a rural county of Kentucky so she may be with her new handsome and well to do husband Bennett. Soon though her newly martial bliss wears thin, so to bring some excitement into her life she gets a job at the newly established library delivering books to needy families all over the county. She meets Margery O Hare, a strong, independent, confident woman who lets nobody man or woman tell her what she can and can't do. Along the way they are joined by Beth, A strong and slightly foul mouthed farmer's daughter who dreams of seeing the world, Izzy, A daughter of wealthy parents who wants to show others that she is more then just her Polio and limp and Sophia, A African American woman who is trying to get by in a world that doesn't want her to succeed. Together these women go from being hated and distrusted to valued and beloved, not without having to go through some rough terrain first.
The friendship and eventually sisterhood these women have is so beautifully told. I loved how they went from a group of strangers working together to a group of people that would do anything and sacrifice anything for one another. I loved how the author wrote these women forming a fierce and loyal bond with one another despite them having to face such challenges in 1930's America. They had to face misogynic treatment from men, racism toward one of their own, disbelief and distrust from people in the town, a corrupt mining business who valued dollars over their own employees wellbeing's, even a murder. They won over the hearts of some of the people who didn't trust them in the beginning and more families, especially children, grew excited for their visits with knowledge and stories of all sorts.
The writing was smooth and beautiful. The research put into how the people talked and behaved back then really got you sucked in and connected with the story even more. Her attention to detail, even a trip on horseback into the mountains or a trip into one of the towns markets, was beautifully described and told in such great detail that you really believed you were there.
As a person who loves History and stories set in different era's and locations, I very much appreciate learning about the actual Packhorse Librarians and their mission to deliver books to families in need even if it was placed into a fictional setting. Everything written in this book could have happened back in the 1930's from how men and women courted one another to how certain people were treated and judged because of one thing that other people did not care for. You got to really see how people in a rural community treated one another and how one person needed help they were always there to provide a helping hand.
This novel really shows how much books played a role in our society and how we must try to prevent the written word from disappearing completely as more and more bookstores are under constant threat. If you want a book that makes you feel good inside and gives you a new appreciation for library's and librarians everywhere then give this one a try. I think you will like it I know I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Animal death
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Incest
madsmcw_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
There are so many things to say about this book, the first being I absolutely loved it. Having a book centered around strong women in the 1930s brought me so much joy. The group of librarians working together, accepting one another for who they are, never asking for more was so much fun to be immersed in. Their strength and bravery oozed out of the pages and I just wanted to be a part of their group.
Geoffrey Van Cleave may go down as one of my most hated characters of 2021. He is horrible to everyone around him and cares for no one but himself and it was disgusting. I enjoyed Bennet's brief moments of rebellion against his dad, and those were honestly the only things that made him a redeemable character.
I so loved that infidelity was not a part of this storyline. From the moment Fred was introduced I was concerned that was going to happen, but I ended up being so happy with how his and Alice's story came together.
I was SO not expecting the element of a murder trial here. It added another layer of depth and intrigue. I was so tense that entire section of the story and loved how it concluded. Definitely did not see that one coming.
The ending of this story felt so hopeful, and I loved how everything was tied up.
The only reason I'm taking away half a star is because of the pacing. The middle of the story felt kind of slow and disjointed but it all came together in the end very nicely.
Geoffrey Van Cleave may go down as one of my most hated characters of 2021. He is horrible to everyone around him and cares for no one but himself and it was disgusting. I enjoyed Bennet's brief moments of rebellion against his dad, and those were honestly the only things that made him a redeemable character.
I so loved that infidelity was not a part of this storyline. From the moment Fred was introduced I was concerned that was going to happen, but I ended up being so happy with how his and Alice's story came together.
I was SO not expecting the element of a murder trial here. It added another layer of depth and intrigue. I was so tense that entire section of the story and loved how it concluded. Definitely did not see that one coming.
The ending of this story felt so hopeful, and I loved how everything was tied up.
The only reason I'm taking away half a star is because of the pacing. The middle of the story felt kind of slow and disjointed but it all came together in the end very nicely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Racism
neridan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Sexism, Misogyny, Racism, and Alcoholism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Incest
anny_reads's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Racism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Incest, Infidelity, Violence, and Vomit
readerette's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It was a little long for my taste, and didn't really grab me fully until halfway through. It is also a thorough telling of life for packhorse librarians, women in America in the early 20th century, and rural Kentuckians.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Grief, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, and Violence
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