Scan barcode
jen_g_r's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
morgob's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me cry. It was such a good story and really made all the pain worthwhile. I love stories where people's lives intertwine. I just kept reading it and being like, "They have to meet again. They have to!!!" And that was eventually satisfied. I really liked how the story came together, so much of it was just sad. The reason it was sad is because it wasn't until the very end of their lives that things turned out alright. It wasn't until much, much later in their lives that everything came together. And the ending gives you a bit of a wondering, since the thing that you most want to happen doesn't happen within the story but is hinted at. I'm being vague because I hope people read this story. It talks a lot about how horrible institutions were in America, and how people with all sorts of different issues were all lopped together in them in the generalization that something was wrong with them. It gave people--families--a place to dump those kids that were born with something wrong with them so they didn't have to deal with them themselves. Horribly heartbreaking, but true. You can tell the author did her research, plus I've read something similar before that also talked about America's institutions. Anyway, it was a great story and I would certainly recommend it to anyone. It is heartbreaking, but the ending is very much worth it. And I love Martha so so so so much!!! Martha was the best part of the story by far!
meganthegryffindor's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.75
jlynn69's review against another edition
3.0
It's kind of like a fairy tale, but I enjoyed reading it. The story is like a fairy tale-but the writing is good & I like the characters.
aquint's review against another edition
2.0
A bit too sappy and too neatly (though unbelievably) wrapped up at the end with pretty ribbons.
booksconnectus's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to this on audio-which I did enjoy-but felt that I was a bit lost at times. I would very much like to read the hard copy. It is a story of loves lost and found families broken and made. It spans generations and touches on historical events through the years. I believe in the acknowledgements the author speaks about the story being based on an actual former institution. These are characters who will touch you and stay with you.
mary00's review against another edition
4.0
For whatever reason, I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did. There were parts of the story that I was hoping for more details on, but overall it was very well-written and engrossing. This was a book that encompassed much sadness, but it felt hopeful rather than depressing. It is hard to capture that as well as this author did.
mschrock8's review against another edition
4.0
I am glad I found this on my shelf after reading "Riding the Bus with my Sister." A long story, over many years, & it really does all come together in the end.
fiireads's review against another edition
The story pace was too slow, and the plot just did not gain traction or pick up. The writing often seemed too descriptive and a little dry.
gwalt118's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was fascinating in its exploration of mental health facilities in the mid 20th century. That's a topic that we don't often discuss, yet one that we definitely should. The characterization in this story was magnificent. I loved watching all of the characters change and become more dynamic throughout the novel. The reader is required to make many inferences along the way, but that makes the book more fun and engaging. I was legitimately sad when this one was over, not because the ending was sad (it's not), but because I wanted an excuse to keep reading about the characters.