Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This went from “Where the Crawdads sing” to historical darkness in a flash. It feels unbalanced drawing out so much detail in the beginning and then ending in a relatively anticlimactic finish. I enjoyed it as a read, but it left more to be desired.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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:
Yes
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book is about hardship. A young girl named Leah lives with her father who is a lumberjack and one day is killed on his dangerous job. She goes to live with a family who uses her as a servant, and the mother seems to have a vendetta against her. The book also deals with eugenics. I didn’t know much about it, but this and the book I read before it (Only the Beautiful), both deal with this topic, of forcing sterilizations on women who were “promiscuous” or “simple-minded” or who had health issues (seizures in this case)
This book was a quick read for me though, and showcases the feeling of being in the south and the beauty of nature against the harsh world of bitterness and meanness of some adults.
“But part of her surviving was finding family. She had chosen me, but right then I had nothing for her. And in that regard, the two of us became kindred spirits, two strays without a place to call home.” Ch 4
“grief’s the love we carry with us. Ignoring it only makes it hurt more.” Ch 8
“Mrs. Griffin had ideals for everyone in her family. She had a picture of what she wanted, and she did her best to mold them into the picture she had in mind. Trouble is, molding yourself is hard enough; molding others is even harder.” Ch 17
“Adults always try to tell them to grow up, act their age, that there’s no sense in crying. But kids know that sometimes the only thing to do is let the tears wash out of you. Sometimes tears are the only words worth sharing.” Ch21
This book was a quick read for me though, and showcases the feeling of being in the south and the beauty of nature against the harsh world of bitterness and meanness of some adults.
“But part of her surviving was finding family. She had chosen me, but right then I had nothing for her. And in that regard, the two of us became kindred spirits, two strays without a place to call home.” Ch 4
“grief’s the love we carry with us. Ignoring it only makes it hurt more.” Ch 8
“Mrs. Griffin had ideals for everyone in her family. She had a picture of what she wanted, and she did her best to mold them into the picture she had in mind. Trouble is, molding yourself is hard enough; molding others is even harder.” Ch 17
“Adults always try to tell them to grow up, act their age, that there’s no sense in crying. But kids know that sometimes the only thing to do is let the tears wash out of you. Sometimes tears are the only words worth sharing.” Ch21
Leah is raised by her father in a sparse cabin and while not luxurious she’s happy. Then her father dies and she’s sent to a new home where she’s more servant than family. Reminds me of several other books which set the bar high and unfortunately this didn’t live up.
Leah Payne is a sweet 14-year-old girl with one dream - to live in a house on the beach when she grows up. Her mother passed away and Leah and her father live in a small cabin on a wealthy family's land. Her father works hard as a lumberjack until a fateful day involving big trees and bigger winds.
As Leah is thrust into being an orphan, her fate changes. Gone are her days of going to school and exploring the beautiful North Carolina beach and nearby forests and farms with her friend. She is sent away to live with a family, she believed as a foster child, but turns out to be a "helpmate," forced to clean and cook while the other children in the home attend school and balls.
The historical timeline of 1935 plays a large role in the story, as the process of sterilization becomes popular with the introduction of the state eugenics board. The author's note reveals Church's family history as it connects with this North Carolina history, making the story all the more touching. A heartbreaking tale of losses and inequities.
As Leah is thrust into being an orphan, her fate changes. Gone are her days of going to school and exploring the beautiful North Carolina beach and nearby forests and farms with her friend. She is sent away to live with a family, she believed as a foster child, but turns out to be a "helpmate," forced to clean and cook while the other children in the home attend school and balls.
The historical timeline of 1935 plays a large role in the story, as the process of sterilization becomes popular with the introduction of the state eugenics board. The author's note reveals Church's family history as it connects with this North Carolina history, making the story all the more touching. A heartbreaking tale of losses and inequities.
emotional
reflective
fast-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:
No
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a heartbreaking and heartwarming book about who your family truly is and staying true to yourself.
Many thanks to my friends at @sourcebooks for the #gifted copy of this book.
“But sometimes yuh gotta love even when it don’t make sense.”
Tender and absorbing. Church’s debut is a beautifully written coming of age story with a thought-provoking message.
Leah’s life was tinged with a bit of sorrow at birth. And yet to her, that simple life in a rudimentary shack alongside her father never seemed lacking. Brimming with love, her world felt full even as her father longed to give her more. It wasn’t until disaster struck a second time, taking her father from her, that she was met with loneliness, longing, and the most unexpected life-altering tragedy.
Some characters come along and simply steal your heart right out of your chest without warning. With dirt between her toes and an old quilt wrapped around her shoulders, Leah was the embodiment of a free spirit, most at ease in nature.
There was a specialness… a measure of whimsy... to her that first drew me in. But it was Leah’s strength of spirit forged in hardship and atrocity that fully endeared me. She’s not a character I will easily forget.
I love going into books blind…letting the surprises of the story unfold organically rather than spoiled by a synopsis or review. But I think that worked against this book.
I was wholly devoted to Leah and her coming of age journey. Then suddenly, as though an ear-piercing scratch in a record, eugenics was introduced.
After reading the author’s note (which I wish I’d done prior to starting the book), I fully understand and support her desire to point out atrocities of the past. But I do wish it had been introduced much sooner in the read, allowing it a full-fledged development rather than seeming an afterthought to the story.
Therefore, I highly recommend starting out with the author’s note so that you can enjoy the book with a fullness to its messaging.
As I closed the book, I was left pondering how Leah’s daddy always wanted to give her “more.” I think Leah learned that sometimes “more” is as simple as togetherness and acceptance.
Grab a glass of sweet iced tea and a pimento cheese sandwich. (Like Mrs. Griffin, I also have a secret pimento cheese recipe.) This book is a quick read that you won’t want interrupted.