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heykellyjensen's review against another edition
This was overwritten. The writing in terms of description reminded me a lot of what Saundra Mitchell does, but here it never actually added to the story and instead, took me completely out of the story and frustrated me.
The book is first person, but Kula refers to herself in third person for no real reason. And the passage of time is bizarre. The first three chapters are over the course of two days, but chapter four suddenly covers 6 months of time.
I had no connection nor investment here at all. Kind of sad because this is a time period I love and the idea is one I love but the execution just never happened.
The book is first person, but Kula refers to herself in third person for no real reason. And the passage of time is bizarre. The first three chapters are over the course of two days, but chapter four suddenly covers 6 months of time.
I had no connection nor investment here at all. Kind of sad because this is a time period I love and the idea is one I love but the execution just never happened.
foreveryoungadult's review against another edition
Graded By: Meghan
Cover Story: Brown Bag It
BFF Charm: Thanks, But No Thanks
Swoonworthy Scale: 2
Talky Talk: No Surprises
Bonus Factor: San Franscisco
Relationship Status: Second Date Fizzle
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Brown Bag It
BFF Charm: Thanks, But No Thanks
Swoonworthy Scale: 2
Talky Talk: No Surprises
Bonus Factor: San Franscisco
Relationship Status: Second Date Fizzle
Read the full book report here.
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Great book, and historical, great characters, though I didn't like how she kept referring to herself as her full name in 3rd person, it was annoying, but yeah, good book!
theresidentbookworm's review
2.0
Janet Fox, how you disappoint me. I loved Faithful, absolutely loved it, but you have yet to impressive me with your other novels. Sirens was good but not great, a safe choice in plot and time area, but Forgiven commits a bigger sin. It tried to imitate all the intrigue and beauty of Faithful without packing any of the same punch. It is just so flawed as a novel.
Forgiven could've been great. It could've matched Faithful in quality. The setting of San Francisco right before the fire is fascinating in its own right, but not enough time is spent describing and being in it. Kula, from what I saw of her in Faithful, was a character with a lot of potential. She could've been wild and independent and fragile and interesting. Instead, Kula Baker comes off as a whiny spoiled brat with her only goal being to secure a comfortable life for herself, which isn't bad in itself but the way she believed only marriage could do that when she had so many examples of independent finically secure women was annoying. Kula is sent to San Francisco to help her father, but most of the novel she is more of a hindrance. I mean, your father could be hung for murder and you think, 'My, it's time for me to get involved in a completely unnecessary love triangle with two men I barely know'. Also, the way she constantly refers to herself in third person is irritating.
Many of my problems with Forgiven lie in the characterization of Kula, but some are in other places. Kula's relationship with David doesn't feel developed enough to experience the kind of grief she does. I was disappointed almost nothing was mentioned about Maggie. I would've enjoyed seeing elaboration of that relationship. I think that was one of the reason most fans picked this up. I did like the subplot of the Chinese childhood slavery and exploration on San Francisco and some of the supporting characters, earning Forgiven its two stars.
For me, Janet Fox has yet to write a novel that lives up to Faithful, but I'll keep reading and hoping she will. I hope you do the same.
Forgiven could've been great. It could've matched Faithful in quality. The setting of San Francisco right before the fire is fascinating in its own right, but not enough time is spent describing and being in it. Kula, from what I saw of her in Faithful, was a character with a lot of potential. She could've been wild and independent and fragile and interesting. Instead, Kula Baker comes off as a whiny spoiled brat with her only goal being to secure a comfortable life for herself, which isn't bad in itself but the way she believed only marriage could do that when she had so many examples of independent finically secure women was annoying. Kula is sent to San Francisco to help her father, but most of the novel she is more of a hindrance. I mean, your father could be hung for murder and you think, 'My, it's time for me to get involved in a completely unnecessary love triangle with two men I barely know'. Also, the way she constantly refers to herself in third person is irritating.
Many of my problems with Forgiven lie in the characterization of Kula, but some are in other places. Kula's relationship with David doesn't feel developed enough to experience the kind of grief she does. I was disappointed almost nothing was mentioned about Maggie. I would've enjoyed seeing elaboration of that relationship. I think that was one of the reason most fans picked this up. I did like the subplot of the Chinese childhood slavery and exploration on San Francisco and some of the supporting characters, earning Forgiven its two stars.
For me, Janet Fox has yet to write a novel that lives up to Faithful, but I'll keep reading and hoping she will. I hope you do the same.
bookmaddie's review
4.0
Lets see, what did I think of this book.
Well, it had a great story, and Kula definitely changed throughout the book. There were many secrets, but not too much, if any, drama, which I enjoyed. Kula changed greatly over the span of this book. She became more sure of herself, and finally, in the end, realized she could be free and be herself without the company of a man. I was so proud of her at the end of this novel. I really got to connect with Kula, about the way she wanted to figure out the truth, and her determined spirit. I really admired Kula when she would look out and care for the Chinese girls in this book, it really hit a soft spot within me and made me smile.
Kula truly learned to forgive herself, like the title suggests. She learned to put the past in the past, and the need to move on into the future. She learned so much through this book, I loved it.
The 1906 earthquake in San Francisco had a great description, and I really loved reading about it, if not only for my love of natural disasters and the power of mother nature (I don't love the part where people die, but the power of nature is really awe-inspiring to me). It was so interesting to see the after-effects, and I've never really known a lot about it, so it was a great learning experience for me as well. I think Fox did a great job of describing it, pulling the negative and positive effects it had out into the open for the reader to see.
The ending of this book made me cry, I must admit. It was so sad, yet it was so perfect to the story and Kula's realizations. I might have to re-read it sometime, just for the ending.
The one thing I didn't really like about this book was Fox's writing style. It was great with getting inside the main characters head, but you can't really visualize the settings as much as I'd have liked. Also, at some times it seemed very simple, but at other times that simple writing really fit with what was happening.
Overall, I'll give this book 4 out of 5 stars! I'd definitely recommend this book, as well as it's companion novel, Faithful.
Also, check out my blog to see more book reviews and random updates: queentaco.tumblr.com.
Well, it had a great story, and Kula definitely changed throughout the book. There were many secrets, but not too much, if any, drama, which I enjoyed. Kula changed greatly over the span of this book. She became more sure of herself, and finally, in the end, realized she could be free and be herself without the company of a man. I was so proud of her at the end of this novel. I really got to connect with Kula, about the way she wanted to figure out the truth, and her determined spirit. I really admired Kula when she would look out and care for the Chinese girls in this book, it really hit a soft spot within me and made me smile.
Kula truly learned to forgive herself, like the title suggests. She learned to put the past in the past, and the need to move on into the future. She learned so much through this book, I loved it.
The 1906 earthquake in San Francisco had a great description, and I really loved reading about it, if not only for my love of natural disasters and the power of mother nature (I don't love the part where people die, but the power of nature is really awe-inspiring to me). It was so interesting to see the after-effects, and I've never really known a lot about it, so it was a great learning experience for me as well. I think Fox did a great job of describing it, pulling the negative and positive effects it had out into the open for the reader to see.
The ending of this book made me cry, I must admit. It was so sad, yet it was so perfect to the story and Kula's realizations. I might have to re-read it sometime, just for the ending.
The one thing I didn't really like about this book was Fox's writing style. It was great with getting inside the main characters head, but you can't really visualize the settings as much as I'd have liked. Also, at some times it seemed very simple, but at other times that simple writing really fit with what was happening.
Overall, I'll give this book 4 out of 5 stars! I'd definitely recommend this book, as well as it's companion novel, Faithful.
Also, check out my blog to see more book reviews and random updates: queentaco.tumblr.com.
yungdaikon's review
3.0
This book was meh. One thing that really, really, REALLY irked me was how the main character Kula kept refering to herself in third person to express how she was feeling. For example, it was all like "Kula Baker does not get scared" and "Kula Baker is in love" and all that. I mean, it's okay if it's once every few chapters, but she says it at least twice in one chapter.
miavernon's review
3.0
This was the first historical fiction book I've read in a while and it was an interesting read. The author writes beautiful descriptions but I found Kula to be too self-absorbed to emphasize with. Phrases, like "Kula Baker does not show fear," were hokey in my opinion. Min and Mei Lien are simply there to be rescued by the likes by the protagonist, never becoming fully fleshed-out as characters.
prationality's review
4.0
Prelim Review: Much like Faithful, the companion novel to this in which we are first introduced to Kula and her...unique ideas about life and behavior, I was drawn in by the story and the characters. Though I had some disagreements with Kula in Faithful I found that I understood her better and her motivations in that book thanks to this one.
Full review to be posted at Poisoned Rationality
Full review to be posted at Poisoned Rationality
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