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nathanstrem's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
readingwithsammi's review against another edition
1.0
I read this book on a train through the country which was fairly appropriate for the story. I bought it from the dollar store, so I did not have very high expectations for it. It is indeed a simple book, and to me it was nothing special.
It was a book that left me feeling "empty" but not in a strong emotionally "empty" way, but a bland just no emotion towards it way. However, I can see how people could be moved by it if they identify with Aloma's emotions.
It was a book that left me feeling "empty" but not in a strong emotionally "empty" way, but a bland just no emotion towards it way. However, I can see how people could be moved by it if they identify with Aloma's emotions.
katealane's review against another edition
4.0
A very quiet book - wonderfully written. Some will probably dislike it because it's emphasis is not in the plot but in the descriptions and the overall feeling portrayed. I really enjoyed it.
robinhigdon's review against another edition
5.0
First Time Kentucky writer produces a wonderfully written book about a young couple's struggles on a rural tobacco farm. The book has excellent prose, vivid characterization and descriptions. It reminded me in style to John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath. There is a lot of depth to this book
candority's review against another edition
2.0
I found this book... forgettable? It tells the story of Aloma, a young women who finds herself living on an isolated tobacco farm with her lover, Orren, who recently inherited the farm following his family’s death in a tragic accident. Aloma struggles to come to terms with her new life, her relationship with Orren (who is distant at best), and her friendship with the young preacher at the church she plays piano for.
While it was well-written, I found the story too slow and lacking in any driving plot and events. Ask me in a week what it was about, and I doubt I’ll be able to tell you...
While it was well-written, I found the story too slow and lacking in any driving plot and events. Ask me in a week what it was about, and I doubt I’ll be able to tell you...
williamc's review against another edition
5.0
Lyric and moving without reaching for sympathy, "All the Living" is a brief, starkly poetic novel that explores the longing, hopes, and hard-won endurance of unmarried couple, Alona and Orren, as they struggle on an inherited Kentucky tobacco farm. Because the themes of grasping ambition and whetstone labor are presented with crystalline authenticity, the few scenes of naked hope and incautious love arrive like revelations -- as unexpectedly joyful as Alona's hands at the piano. This is a wonderful first novel that never drops a note.
liloud0626's review against another edition
5.0
Gorgeous writing and sense of place. Where does one belong when one has never belonged anywhere before?
reading_ladies_blog's review against another edition
3.0
Character driven with a distinct sense of place, this is one sad story of two young people who are living their lives in quiet desperation on an isolated tobacco farm in rural Kentucky. Aloma was raised in a less than nurturing home by her aunt and uncle after her parents died when she was three. Orren is a quiet loner who is grieving over the loss of his family. After they marry, their days are filled with hard work on the farm and they face isolation because of the rural setting and also because they have no family or friends. Aloma has her music, but she struggles with feeling a lack of partnership with her non communicative, controlling husband. As the story concludes there is little hope of a better future for them. One hopes that Aloma’s music will bring some happiness and meaning into her life. She has a bit of spunk to pull that off.
The isolation that Aloma faces in this story reminds me of the isolation that Laura Ingalls Wilder describes prairie wives facing in the biography “Prairie Fires.”
This is a book that follows a current trend of not using quotation marks for dialogue which makes the reading more difficult than it needs to be. I am not a fan of this trend!
For more reviews visit my blog readingladies.com
The isolation that Aloma faces in this story reminds me of the isolation that Laura Ingalls Wilder describes prairie wives facing in the biography “Prairie Fires.”
This is a book that follows a current trend of not using quotation marks for dialogue which makes the reading more difficult than it needs to be. I am not a fan of this trend!
For more reviews visit my blog readingladies.com
superdhebz's review against another edition
3.0
All The Living is a novel written by C.E. Morgan. It is a romantic story told in a very descriptive way. The writing style is new to me because it is somehow lyrical but the author did not fail to paint her words into a fine visual in which I enjoyed very much. The story started with Aloma being introduced as a girl who grew up with her aunt and uncle. She doesn't know what it feels to have a family. So over the years, she has always wished to have more than a family, friendship, and love. She is always longing for more.
Things have changed when she met Orren who is a frequent in Aloma's working place. They started to exchange jokes, tell stories, and talk about personal matters. It was clear that both of them love each other. In fact, they always make love in the dark.
Something happened with Orren's family. Driving him to go back to their house and take over what was left. In which a garden of tobacco, a barn, lots of animals, and a home. He was alone. Aloma decided to live with him.
Everything was dense. It was a little bit happy but sad. Their relationship got a bit more complicated leaving both of them frustrated with life in general. But both of them has their own way of keeping themselves sane. They fight, make love, talk and, most of the time, are silent. Aloma wants more attention from Orren who is busy farming and working for them. She wants interaction and something more.
"More like... when I have you, when I have you like that even, it's not enough and I still want some more of you. When you say something, I want to hear you say more and when you go someplace, any place, I want you to come back more than anything. That's pretty much been true for forever. That's what I mean. Well, that's the whole truth."
What I like about this story is Aloma and Orren got to understand what love is by going through difficulties. Love in their relationship, family, friendship, religion, and even farming. It is in this story where the characters seem to be uncomfortable and always in search of something.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, most especially when you are in a state where you can't figure out what is best for you. If you are searching something in life but you can't even say what you want.
This somehow helps.
Things have changed when she met Orren who is a frequent in Aloma's working place. They started to exchange jokes, tell stories, and talk about personal matters. It was clear that both of them love each other. In fact, they always make love in the dark.
Something happened with Orren's family. Driving him to go back to their house and take over what was left. In which a garden of tobacco, a barn, lots of animals, and a home. He was alone. Aloma decided to live with him.
Everything was dense. It was a little bit happy but sad. Their relationship got a bit more complicated leaving both of them frustrated with life in general. But both of them has their own way of keeping themselves sane. They fight, make love, talk and, most of the time, are silent. Aloma wants more attention from Orren who is busy farming and working for them. She wants interaction and something more.
"More like... when I have you, when I have you like that even, it's not enough and I still want some more of you. When you say something, I want to hear you say more and when you go someplace, any place, I want you to come back more than anything. That's pretty much been true for forever. That's what I mean. Well, that's the whole truth."
What I like about this story is Aloma and Orren got to understand what love is by going through difficulties. Love in their relationship, family, friendship, religion, and even farming. It is in this story where the characters seem to be uncomfortable and always in search of something.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, most especially when you are in a state where you can't figure out what is best for you. If you are searching something in life but you can't even say what you want.
This somehow helps.