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jgraydee's review against another edition
3.0
Set in the fictional Upper Pennisula town of McAllaster, MI this is an adult "coming-of-age" story. Madeline Stone, who was orphaned as a toddler, moves from Chicago to McAllaster to care for an aging family friend. In the process, she discovers a little of her past and finds a sense of peace within the small community town.
Many things are charming about this book. It is filled with endearing characters and the intimacy of a small town community. Lake Superior is a character all its own, and its reference often sets the tone of the novel -- steady, rhythmic, relaxing. The long-time residents of McAllaster understand that life is harsh but to be savored. They are a community that protects one another, gossips about one another, but ulitmately pulls together to support one another. Madeline gradually becomes part of this community, and finds her sense of purpose in the process.
The author uses Madeline's family history as a teaser through out the story, and often implies that there is more to the story to be told. I found it frustrating that we never learn "the rest of the story," in detail. I was also distracted because the majority of the book is written from Madeline's perspective, in the third person. Occassionally, and I thought without warning, the author would begin to tell the story from another character's perspective. This switch is evident within a few paragraphs, but it distracted me more than once.
Many things are charming about this book. It is filled with endearing characters and the intimacy of a small town community. Lake Superior is a character all its own, and its reference often sets the tone of the novel -- steady, rhythmic, relaxing. The long-time residents of McAllaster understand that life is harsh but to be savored. They are a community that protects one another, gossips about one another, but ulitmately pulls together to support one another. Madeline gradually becomes part of this community, and finds her sense of purpose in the process.
The author uses Madeline's family history as a teaser through out the story, and often implies that there is more to the story to be told. I found it frustrating that we never learn "the rest of the story," in detail. I was also distracted because the majority of the book is written from Madeline's perspective, in the third person. Occassionally, and I thought without warning, the author would begin to tell the story from another character's perspective. This switch is evident within a few paragraphs, but it distracted me more than once.
book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
Madeline Stone receives a letter from her late grandfather’s girlfriend Gladys offering her a job as a caregiver. She is at loose ends since her surrogate mother, Emily, passed away. Madeline had been abandoned in Chicago as a toddler and Emily had taken her in and raised her as her own daughter. But Madeline has always felt alone and unwanted because her own grandfather, Joe, turned his back on his daughter and granddaughter after they left town. Gladys, however, has tried to stay in touch and knows that Madeline cared for Emily through her long battle with cancer. Now Gladys and her sister need someone to help them as Arbutus recovers from a fall. In a spur of the moment decision Madeline quits her waitressing job, breaks her engagement to Richard, packs her meager belongings, and heads five hundred miles north to a small town on the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, “to maybe fix what was broken in her, if anything could.”
If that paragraph sounds incoherent and vague, well … that’s how I felt about this entire book. I’m struggling with what to say about it. It’s not terrible, but it’s far from good.
The dust jacket promises: A rich debut novel … [that] celebrates taking joy in the simple things, and the deep reward that comes from caring for others. The characters and the setting are so real and heart-felt that you will be drawn immediately into their world… I didn’t get any sense of joy or deep reward. As for the characters – I got really tired of the irascible Gladys, the sweet Arbutus, the confused Madeline, the stoic Paul, etc.
I heard about this book from a website I frequently use for ideas on what to read next. I like books that deal with personal journeys. I knew this wouldn’t be great literature but was hoping to find a heart-warming story. I was disappointed. If it hadn’t fulfilled a challenge, I would not have finished it.
If that paragraph sounds incoherent and vague, well … that’s how I felt about this entire book. I’m struggling with what to say about it. It’s not terrible, but it’s far from good.
The dust jacket promises: A rich debut novel … [that] celebrates taking joy in the simple things, and the deep reward that comes from caring for others. The characters and the setting are so real and heart-felt that you will be drawn immediately into their world… I didn’t get any sense of joy or deep reward. As for the characters – I got really tired of the irascible Gladys, the sweet Arbutus, the confused Madeline, the stoic Paul, etc.
I heard about this book from a website I frequently use for ideas on what to read next. I like books that deal with personal journeys. I knew this wouldn’t be great literature but was hoping to find a heart-warming story. I was disappointed. If it hadn’t fulfilled a challenge, I would not have finished it.
lavloveslit's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
libwinnie's review against another edition
4.0
Madeline gives up a promising life in Chicago to return to her roots in rural Michigan to care for an ailing friend of her grandfather. This is the kind of book you read when real life gets to be a drag--a woman faces surmountable hurdles to start a new life. And of course it all comes together perfectly (or almost) at the end. Another comfort read to add to my list.
ejenkins1313's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
dhlunique's review
4.0
Great characters learning about themselves, their lives, their neighbours, and living. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Characterisation of the U.P. and the small towns surrounding Superior were excellent.
kategci's review
3.0
I read this as an ARC that i received from the publisher. I would have given it 3 1/2 stars if that was an option. I really enjoyed this small town story of Madeleine who was raised by a family friend who then goes on to care for another family friend. She gradually comes to learn about her family and gains a better understanding of herself and what leads to choices that are made, both by herself and others.
harleybasswood's review against another edition
I don't know why, but I just couldn't get into this. I tried a number of times because I hate giving up on a book, but it wasn't for me. It was really well written, but the story was a little too slow to grab me.
roscoehuxley's review against another edition
3.0
A lovely exploration of characters in a small Michigan town.
wisbeth's review against another edition
5.0
As Madeline Stone is grieving the loss of Emmy, the woman who has raised her from a young girl, she tries to figure out where her life should go next. She is set to marry her well to do boyfriend and live in a nice suburb of Chicago. Madeline is approached by Gladys, old girlfriend of her grandfather's to move to McAllaster, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula to help care for Arbutus, her ailing sister. Madeline who is unsure about anything in life, breaks her engagement and treks off to McAllaster. I was sure she was crazy!
When Madeline arrives in McAllaster, she finds herself in a place much different from Chicago. Time seems to have stood still. People live much simpler and are often struggling. The characters seem very real and are very well developed. I could appreciate their struggles and strengths. Mary was one of my very favorite characters. She lives in a house made from two old tool cribs. She is a proud woman who sells syrup and fish that she catches to survive. There are many more interesting people in the tight knit town that you meet within the pages of the book. You really get the feeling of the community in the book.
As Madeline settles in to life in McAllaster, she discovers the sisters own a defunct hotel. The hotel is in need on renovations but the property on which it sits is very valuable. Someone wishes to buy it and tear the old victorian hotel. Madeline uses the hotel as her refuge when she wants to be alone. She has learn quite a bit about her mother, who abandoned her as a child and her grandfather, who refused to take her in. It is a lot for Madeline to take in and she appreciates the solitude she finds in the old hotel. It takes some time, but as Madeline's love for the hotel grows so does her love for the people of McAllaster. There is a love interest in the story but it is not an overpowering storyline. It is very complimentary and fits in the story nicely.
I enjoyed my visit to McAllaster. When I turned the last page, I felt a little sad, kind of how you feel when you leave your favorite vacation spot. The story moved at a slow pace at times but my interest in the characters and town kept me motivated to read on. I highly recommend this debut novel. Ellen Airgood has created characters that stay with you long after the last page. I look forward to seeing what characters Ellen Airgood comes up with next!
When Madeline arrives in McAllaster, she finds herself in a place much different from Chicago. Time seems to have stood still. People live much simpler and are often struggling. The characters seem very real and are very well developed. I could appreciate their struggles and strengths. Mary was one of my very favorite characters. She lives in a house made from two old tool cribs. She is a proud woman who sells syrup and fish that she catches to survive. There are many more interesting people in the tight knit town that you meet within the pages of the book. You really get the feeling of the community in the book.
As Madeline settles in to life in McAllaster, she discovers the sisters own a defunct hotel. The hotel is in need on renovations but the property on which it sits is very valuable. Someone wishes to buy it and tear the old victorian hotel. Madeline uses the hotel as her refuge when she wants to be alone. She has learn quite a bit about her mother, who abandoned her as a child and her grandfather, who refused to take her in. It is a lot for Madeline to take in and she appreciates the solitude she finds in the old hotel. It takes some time, but as Madeline's love for the hotel grows so does her love for the people of McAllaster. There is a love interest in the story but it is not an overpowering storyline. It is very complimentary and fits in the story nicely.
I enjoyed my visit to McAllaster. When I turned the last page, I felt a little sad, kind of how you feel when you leave your favorite vacation spot. The story moved at a slow pace at times but my interest in the characters and town kept me motivated to read on. I highly recommend this debut novel. Ellen Airgood has created characters that stay with you long after the last page. I look forward to seeing what characters Ellen Airgood comes up with next!