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mandyc1977's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. My favorite kind of books are ones that settle into a place where you begin to feel part of the town, the community. You get to know people from when they were young and you see them in all phases of life. You know the history of this town and people and the ways their stories connect.
I found myself sighing repeatedly throughout the last 100 pages - sometimes because I was so sad and other times because I thought HOW PERFECT.
There's not much that happens in terms of exciting twists and turns, rather it's more of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary - which is my favorite. I'm excited to read more from this author.
I found myself sighing repeatedly throughout the last 100 pages - sometimes because I was so sad and other times because I thought HOW PERFECT.
There's not much that happens in terms of exciting twists and turns, rather it's more of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary - which is my favorite. I'm excited to read more from this author.
wisbeth's review against another edition
5.0
This book captured my eye when it was first published. I love covers that have a nostalgic vibe to them. The colors on the cover are muted and somewhat drab which gives a clue to the atmosphere of the story. I don't mean that in bad way.
The story of the Novak family is not bright and cheery by any means. It is the story of a family who doesn't have an easy life. The Novaks live in a home owned by the company mine where Stanley Novak is a coal miner. The book begins with the death of Stanley. The story then focuses on the family and their survival. Life is not always pretty for them.
There are five Novak children. They all struggle in the way most blue collar families struggle. Some will do whatever it takes to leave the coal mining community and not end up like their father. The story meanders through all five children's lives as they become adults. Their saga is still on my mind long after I have finished the book.
The story is a quiet one. It doesn't move at break neck speeds, but at a slow pace, which reflects the time the story is set in. The story kept me captivated, even though it moves quietly and carefully.
Jennifer Haigh writes beautifully and her storytelling is wonderful. Her descriptions paint vivid pictures that I won't soon forget. Her glimpse into life in Baker Towers is both haunting and intriguing. I would love to see a second book so I could spend more time with the Novak family. This was my first Jennifer Haigh novel and certainly won't be my last.
The story of the Novak family is not bright and cheery by any means. It is the story of a family who doesn't have an easy life. The Novaks live in a home owned by the company mine where Stanley Novak is a coal miner. The book begins with the death of Stanley. The story then focuses on the family and their survival. Life is not always pretty for them.
There are five Novak children. They all struggle in the way most blue collar families struggle. Some will do whatever it takes to leave the coal mining community and not end up like their father. The story meanders through all five children's lives as they become adults. Their saga is still on my mind long after I have finished the book.
The story is a quiet one. It doesn't move at break neck speeds, but at a slow pace, which reflects the time the story is set in. The story kept me captivated, even though it moves quietly and carefully.
Jennifer Haigh writes beautifully and her storytelling is wonderful. Her descriptions paint vivid pictures that I won't soon forget. Her glimpse into life in Baker Towers is both haunting and intriguing. I would love to see a second book so I could spend more time with the Novak family. This was my first Jennifer Haigh novel and certainly won't be my last.
cjyh's review against another edition
3.0
A good historical fiction book. Traces the lives of a family in a small coal town in western Pennsylvania through the 40s, 50s, and 60s as the young people find their various paths in the world
novelesque_life's review against another edition
5.0
2022 - 5 STARS
I reread this novel as we are reading the lasted book in the series for my book club. It has been years since I first read it so I wanted to get back into the Bakerton and it's people. I also rated it 5 stars and recommend this book, so I should finally do a reread lol. I knew I would like this book, rating it so high before, but I still wowed on my second reading. Haigh is a master at writing characters and bringing them all to life. I still cried as I read this novel, even knowing what was coming this time. I am so happy I read this one again, as I can keep recommending it.
2009 - 5 STARS
Just a lovely novel! Haigh is fabulous at giving each character a voice and personality. This novel aspires every emotion and makes you feel like you are looking into a family's personal life.
I reread this novel as we are reading the lasted book in the series for my book club. It has been years since I first read it so I wanted to get back into the Bakerton and it's people. I also rated it 5 stars and recommend this book, so I should finally do a reread lol. I knew I would like this book, rating it so high before, but I still wowed on my second reading. Haigh is a master at writing characters and bringing them all to life. I still cried as I read this novel, even knowing what was coming this time. I am so happy I read this one again, as I can keep recommending it.
2009 - 5 STARS
Just a lovely novel! Haigh is fabulous at giving each character a voice and personality. This novel aspires every emotion and makes you feel like you are looking into a family's personal life.
rlk7m's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Characters were enjoyable, if not relatable, and the cultural notes resonated with my coal-miner's-daughter-formerly-religious-self. The last two pages weren't needed to bring everyone's stories to a close.
Characters were enjoyable, if not relatable, and the cultural notes resonated with my coal-miner's-daughter-formerly-religious-self. The last two pages weren't needed to bring everyone's stories to a close.
dpgibbons's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
kellyroberson's review against another edition
4.0
A completely unexpected and thoroughly beguiling work of fiction.
wayfaring_witch's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed following the lives of the Novaks through several decades and generations. At first, the large amount of characters and switching who the book was written from was a little overwhelming. By the end I couldn't imagine taking anyone out of the story, and I began to enjoy the flow. There is some interesting information about coal mine towns, but not weighed down by tidbits and facts the author was trying to squeeze in.
cozylittlebrownhouse's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed Mrs. Kimble a lot, so I had high hopes for this book. I liked the first half, but then quickly found myself losing interest in the characters and what happened to them. Maybe it just didn't make for a good audiobook, or maybe it just wasn't that good. I am glad I read Mrs. Kimble first or I might not have read anything else by Haigh. I will give her the benefit of the doubt and read a third to see what happens.
Kind of boring. Would recommend many books over this one.
Kind of boring. Would recommend many books over this one.