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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
This is my second Kristin Hannah book and I did not enjoy it as much as I did the first (The Women).
Unfortunately I felt like the entire book is just struggle after struggle for the main character and I kept waiting for her find some happiness that never arrived. This story felt hopeless from beginning to end.
I also felt the main character’s daughter was too old her age, which is something that always bothers me in books and other media. If she had been aged up by even just two or three years, I think her storyline would have been more impactful. Her actions, in my opinion, didn’t reflect her age well.
The ending of this book didn’t give me any emotional payoff for all the hardships the characters endured. The fact that they wind up back at the farm, sans Elsa, made the rest of the story feel almost pointless. She didn’t become a martyr to me because she didn’t even agree with the cause she gave her life for until the last 10% of the book.
Unfortunately I felt like the entire book is just struggle after struggle for the main character and I kept waiting for her find some happiness that never arrived. This story felt hopeless from beginning to end.
I also felt the main character’s daughter was too old her age, which is something that always bothers me in books and other media. If she had been aged up by even just two or three years, I think her storyline would have been more impactful. Her actions, in my opinion, didn’t reflect her age well.
The ending of this book didn’t give me any emotional payoff for all the hardships the characters endured. The fact that they wind up back at the farm, sans Elsa, made the rest of the story feel almost pointless. She didn’t become a martyr to me because she didn’t even agree with the cause she gave her life for until the last 10% of the book.
This book got me through three days of being ill with COVID. It transported me to a different time and place, got me curious about this era in history in the Western US, and distracted me from my own feelings of loneliness! The biggest part that stood out to me was the development of the main character’s self image. The author really hit the nail on the head describing the way a woman with low self esteem thinks and acts. At times, there were symbols that the author didn’t need to reference as directly or as often- the grandfather, not wanting a mirror, etc. but I understood the reasoning for them- just felt a little hit over the head with the constant reminders of these details. Overall, amazing book and didn’t disappoint! My mom used to rave about Kristin Hannah and I rolled my eyes but look at me now folks…
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was not my favorite Kristin Hannah book, but so far there is no bad Kristin Hannah book. This one was slower to pick up - first was when the Martinellis made it to California, and then even more when the labor rights storyline started up. I mean this was more than halfway into the book, but you’re in for the long haul with these books. The long, slow pace feels true to how historical events/eras progress. I do fear I did it a disservice by listening on audio, so I will probably need to reread this one at some point.
Very good story about dust bowl and depression. I learned a ton and was engaged! Once again, felt very similar to her other books
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated