Scan barcode
katierobertsonshaddix's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Murder, Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Hate crime, Gun violence, Medical content, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Rape
mondovertigo's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Slavery, Confinement, Torture, Death, and Sexual assault
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, Terminal illness, and Infertility
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The Saints of Swallow Hill is historical fiction set in the American South during the Great Depression. Much of the story is set in a turpentine camp in Georgia. I had no idea the turpentine industry existed so was fascinated to learn about it via this book.
Delwood and Rae Lynn arrive at the camp around the same time. Both are trying to escape from their pasts, and manage to get on the wrong side of Crow, a racist, bullying foreman and also Otis, owner of the camp’s commissary. This novel is told from their alternating points of view as they try to survive and make better futures for themselves and others.
I got off to a rocky start with the book. The opening chapter included too many of Del’s sexual exploits for my taste. Thankfully the section isn’t lengthy and it does play an important role in setting the plot in motion.
I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the book. I was soon absorbed in the plot and rooting for Del, Rae Lynn and later Cordelia, all gritty characters with interesting backstories who were presented in a nuanced way. The villains of the story were portrayed in a more one-dimensional manner, but I cared not a jot, being content to rail against their bullying and cruelty. The North Carolina pine forest and the workings of the turpentine camp were really well drawn. All my senses were engaged and it was easy to imagine myself transported there, to picture events unfolding around me.
One aspect of this story that particularly caught my attention was the working conditions in the turpentine camp and elsewhere. The lack of care paid to workers’s safety was startling. It was impossible not to notice the connections between slavery, the sharecropping system and the operation of the turpentine camps - foremen with whips, cruel inhumane punishments, payment in scrip which could only be spent at the camp commissary, which of course carried overpriced goods meaning workers were always in debt to the company and thus unable to leave its employment.
Highly recommended for historical fiction fans who love a unique setting, an absorbing storyline, and characters they can root for.
Many thanks to @netgalley for the audio ARC.
Delwood and Rae Lynn arrive at the camp around the same time. Both are trying to escape from their pasts, and manage to get on the wrong side of Crow, a racist, bullying foreman and also Otis, owner of the camp’s commissary. This novel is told from their alternating points of view as they try to survive and make better futures for themselves and others.
I got off to a rocky start with the book. The opening chapter included too many of Del’s sexual exploits for my taste. Thankfully the section isn’t lengthy and it does play an important role in setting the plot in motion.
I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the book. I was soon absorbed in the plot and rooting for Del, Rae Lynn and later Cordelia, all gritty characters with interesting backstories who were presented in a nuanced way. The villains of the story were portrayed in a more one-dimensional manner, but I cared not a jot, being content to rail against their bullying and cruelty. The North Carolina pine forest and the workings of the turpentine camp were really well drawn. All my senses were engaged and it was easy to imagine myself transported there, to picture events unfolding around me.
One aspect of this story that particularly caught my attention was the working conditions in the turpentine camp and elsewhere. The lack of care paid to workers’s safety was startling. It was impossible not to notice the connections between slavery, the sharecropping system and the operation of the turpentine camps - foremen with whips, cruel inhumane punishments, payment in scrip which could only be spent at the camp commissary, which of course carried overpriced goods meaning workers were always in debt to the company and thus unable to leave its employment.
Highly recommended for historical fiction fans who love a unique setting, an absorbing storyline, and characters they can root for.
Many thanks to @netgalley for the audio ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Confinement, and Racism
More...