Reviews

Storming Heaven by Denise Giardina

mbenzz's review against another edition

5.0

I just loved this book. It was such a real look at what coal miners and their families had to go through in the early 1900s. Set in West Virginia and Kentucky, it follows two families and the struggles they go through trying to free themselves and their friends of the coal company's brutal leadership.

I'm not going to summarize this book, cause I'd be here all day, and it would be one long review, but I can't recommend it enough. I had no idea that this all-out war between miners and company officials even took place. And the brutality of it was absolutely heartbreaking. These people just wanted the freedom to work, get paid fairly for their time, and be able to spend their money wherever they wanted to without being in debt to the company store. They wanted to be able to provide sufficiently for their families (most of which consisted of 5-6 children) and live and work in a safe environment.

Upon finishing this book, I immediately picked up the sequel 'Unquiet Earth', which follows the offspring of the families in this book. Though this was at times very difficult to get through, I'm glad I read it, and I look forward to the continuing story of this very brave and courageous family.

shyster's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rylew's review against another edition

informative 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? Yes

5.0

addyrob's review against another edition

5.0

I knew this book was going to break my heart before I was 100 pages in.

kevinm56's review against another edition

2.0

This was a compelling story. I know little about the labor movement and if this is based on a true story I find it horrible that companies hired their own security and completely mowed over worker's rights under our Bill of Rights. Call me naive - I need to learn more about this history.

I ended up skimming portions of this book though and it's all due to the language. I'm pretty sure the dialect used was authentic from my time in Kentucky, but it was very difficult for me to read and really detracted from enjoying the story.

If you can get past the dialogue, you'll enjoy reading this and it might shock you enough to learn more.

layton93's review against another edition

emotional relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

poorlenore's review against another edition

5.0

This was just an amazing book. Took a minute to get into but was totally worth it in the end. In a word, "powerful". I feel saddened that I had never heard of the massacre/march this book was based on, from Blair Mountain, and glad that it was assigned in my class. Everyone should read this book.

ajordan60's review against another edition

4.0

I almost never give five stars, but I want to give this one four and a half. A beautiful, wrenching tale exquisitely wrought. Reading this novel felt like the mint salve my granny prepared for sweat bee stings. One of those books that holds a mirror to the history that I understand and helps me to understand there is much more to come to know.

amywoolsey_93's review against another edition

emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

hfreedman's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0