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mbkarapcik's review
4.0
I think the author could have gone a little deeper into some of the characters' back stories. Liked the way it was resolved. Loved the descriptions of time gone by and the different time periods. Felt that two of the characters were a little too whiny, and I actually didn't empathize with them too much, and they happened to be very similar. I really think she's an excellent writer (I've read all of her books), and the ending was fulfilling. I could easily envision the scenery and would have loved to see a mock-up of the house and tree because it sounded idyllic.
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review
5.0
A gorgeous novel, difficult to put down but a pleasure to pick up again.
mcearl12's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance e-copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review!
I love Ann Packer's style, have enjoyed all of her books to date, and this one was no exception. The title is brilliant, and apt.
While reading, I was able to feel empathy for ALL of the characters, even those who were less than sympathetic, at times. Each child's story is told in the fullness of time, the parent's stories are a bit less fully fleshed out, but you do still get the sense of what it felt like to be in this family, in this place, in this time. It is a story told with heartbreaking subtlety...what goes on behind closed doors, not in a murder/abusive/mysterious way, but in an 'ordinary' way. Who we are and how we came to be the way we are, and all the mysteries that can't be explained within those questions (nature or nurture? both/and?).
I would happily read a continuation of this family. I felt the mingled pain and sense of relief at the penultimate final stage of the adult children's lives as they let go (as much as possible) of the physical manifestation of their childhoods (some happy, some mediocre, some miserable).
I love Ann Packer's style, have enjoyed all of her books to date, and this one was no exception. The title is brilliant, and apt.
While reading, I was able to feel empathy for ALL of the characters, even those who were less than sympathetic, at times. Each child's story is told in the fullness of time, the parent's stories are a bit less fully fleshed out, but you do still get the sense of what it felt like to be in this family, in this place, in this time. It is a story told with heartbreaking subtlety...what goes on behind closed doors, not in a murder/abusive/mysterious way, but in an 'ordinary' way. Who we are and how we came to be the way we are, and all the mysteries that can't be explained within those questions (nature or nurture? both/and?).
I would happily read a continuation of this family. I felt the mingled pain and sense of relief at the penultimate final stage of the adult children's lives as they let go (as much as possible) of the physical manifestation of their childhoods (some happy, some mediocre, some miserable).
angelackrueger's review
emotional
reflective
medium-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
shirleytupperfreeman's review
Since I remember liking The Dive From Clausen's Pier, I had high expectations for The Children's Crusade. Somehow, it didn't grab me. This is the story of a California family, told mainly by the four children, over several decades. The children's characters are well developed but I had a hard time sympathizing with any of them. I especially couldn't relate to Penny, the mother, a self-centered unhappy woman who needed to be an artist and not a mom. Her life decisions caused more than one train-wreck in the family. I found myself just wanting to finish the book rather than savoring it. I read the ARC - this will be published in April.
anniewill's review
4.0
I love domestic literary fiction (my term, not sure if it's an actual type of fiction). I loved this book- especially the parts that dealt specifically with the children, both as adults and as children. I despised the mother, despite never fully understanding her character or the character of the father. Why was she such a despicable person? Why did she hate being a mother so much? Why was she so overwhelmed? She seemed to have a lot of help from her spouse, which was unusual for that time. As for the father, why did he even marry her? Was it just to have children? Was he so damaged from the war that he was unable to connect to adults?
I also thought the character of Robert was not fully formed. Why was he so miserable? Are we to blame all the characters' unhappiness in their current lives back to their mother (easy to do seeing as how awful she was)? I wanted to know more about his malaise and the reasons behind it.
I did love Ryan and James and their relationship. My heart hurt for the kids in the scenes from their childhood. I couldn't help but think that Penny had it pretty easy despite her constant whining and complaining- she had kids that were remarkably self-sufficient and helpful with their younger siblings, a husband who did most, if not all the child rearing and the lifestyle that allowed for her constant physical and emotional absence due to her selfishness to be tolerated and with very little complaint. I doubt many women could afford the same self indulgence. Maybe that's another reason I disliked her so much- her constant self pity without the least bit of guilt or remorse at her nonexistent parenting and her lack of interest or involvement in her children's lives.
If Goodreads had half stars (why not?!), I would probably give this three stars for the lack of character development. I thought the writing was beautiful and the narrative flowed wonderfully. I thought about the story frequently while I was reading it- even dreaming about the characters! I just didn't get the full sense of who they were and think that maybe another 100-150 pages to flesh everything out would have help immensely.
I also thought the character of Robert was not fully formed. Why was he so miserable? Are we to blame all the characters' unhappiness in their current lives back to their mother (easy to do seeing as how awful she was)? I wanted to know more about his malaise and the reasons behind it.
I did love Ryan and James and their relationship. My heart hurt for the kids in the scenes from their childhood. I couldn't help but think that Penny had it pretty easy despite her constant whining and complaining- she had kids that were remarkably self-sufficient and helpful with their younger siblings, a husband who did most, if not all the child rearing and the lifestyle that allowed for her constant physical and emotional absence due to her selfishness to be tolerated and with very little complaint. I doubt many women could afford the same self indulgence. Maybe that's another reason I disliked her so much- her constant self pity without the least bit of guilt or remorse at her nonexistent parenting and her lack of interest or involvement in her children's lives.
If Goodreads had half stars (why not?!), I would probably give this three stars for the lack of character development. I thought the writing was beautiful and the narrative flowed wonderfully. I thought about the story frequently while I was reading it- even dreaming about the characters! I just didn't get the full sense of who they were and think that maybe another 100-150 pages to flesh everything out would have help immensely.
mjess's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
krobart's review
4.0
See my review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/01/08/day-639-the-childrens-crusade/
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/01/08/day-639-the-childrens-crusade/
pange13's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
henskm's review
4.0
I enjoyed the way that each chapter focused on a pivotal portion of a different character's life. This structure provided a shifting perspective on each member of the family, ultimately creating a rich picture of each of them---their strengths, struggles, fears, hopes, motivations. I felt a connection with each (with the possible exception of the mother) and invested in what happened to them. This book raises interesting questions about families, parenthood, and sibling relationships.