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faithemt's review
5.0
very compelling and an intriguing look at life in Alaska before it became a state and shortly after.
Full review is here:
https://goldintheclouds-faith.blogspot.com/2023/08/2023-book-review-31-homestead.html
Full review is here:
https://goldintheclouds-faith.blogspot.com/2023/08/2023-book-review-31-homestead.html
s_melly's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ebrichardson55's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Wonderful audiobook but the language is so beautiful, I wish I’d read it instead. Story of Alaskan homesteaders right as Alaska achieves statehood. The story of post war America, a young marriage and wilderness survival. Less physical survival- more interior.
mary00's review
4.0
This quiet, introspective novel set in the remoteness of mid 20th century Alaska has poetic writing and clearly drawn characters. I was taken in by the story and found myself rooting for Marie and Lawrence to make it, both in successfully claiming their land and in their marriage.
This is probably not the right read for people who want a more propulsive plot and less in depth character study, but I really liked it.
This is probably not the right read for people who want a more propulsive plot and less in depth character study, but I really liked it.
bluedijon's review
adventurous
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
I wanted to really love this book, and I really did like it, but it felt like it was just shy of something amazing. Maybe it's because I wanted it to be something it's not.
At its core, this book is a character study of two people, and what brings them together and what motivates them to stay on the land. This is very much from a White settler perspective, and while there are respectful inclusions of some Native characters, there's never really a question of whether the couple should be on the land to begin with. Which wouldn't be something that a homesteader would think of, but it feels like it was a question I wanted to ask a bit about. Particularly in comparison with another novel I read after (Lone Women) it does feel a bit like a gap.
The prose was gorgeous, though, and the character exploration was thoughtful, empathetic, and critical. I just kept having a feeling as I was reading that it was missing one last piece of the puzzle.
At its core, this book is a character study of two people, and what brings them together and what motivates them to stay on the land. This is very much from a White settler perspective, and while there are respectful inclusions of some Native characters, there's never really a question of whether the couple should be on the land to begin with. Which wouldn't be something that a homesteader would think of, but it feels like it was a question I wanted to ask a bit about. Particularly in comparison with another novel I read after (Lone Women) it does feel a bit like a gap.
The prose was gorgeous, though, and the character exploration was thoughtful, empathetic, and critical. I just kept having a feeling as I was reading that it was missing one last piece of the puzzle.
paigedsmith44's review against another edition
challenging
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? Yes
3.0
mohawkm's review
2.25
A frustrating romanticization of life for a new wife of a Korean War veteran on the Alaskan frontier. While her husband betrays her, jeopardizes her health, and generally doesn't put in the work for a marriage, she forgives and hopes and becomes more stoic as time goes on. The writing style is a little difficult to follow, but even with some dramatic wilderness moments, the flat character of the wife in this book left a bad taste in my mouth.
jaminichelle's review against another edition
1.0
I couldn’t finish this book.
I simply couldn’t get into it. The Great Alone made me want to live this book, kind of the same concept, but I just couldn’t.
I hate not finishing books but this felt like a chore to read and made me not want to do it had to go.
I simply couldn’t get into it. The Great Alone made me want to live this book, kind of the same concept, but I just couldn’t.
I hate not finishing books but this felt like a chore to read and made me not want to do it had to go.
libbyhenderson's review
2.0
I wanted to love this book… turns out, the only thing I loved about this book is the setting. Bush Alaska 1956, just as statehood was being considered. The dialog was uninspired and lackluster. Says…. Says…. Says. Creative writing 101 professors everywhere will have much to say! I did learn about the history of Alaska and how statehood came about. 2 1/2 stars