Reviews

To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey

nwfalens's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

kgottwald's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

angelamichelle's review against another edition

5.0

I was a little slow to warm, but I first enjoyed, then loved this book. It's a travelogue (explorer leading expedition through Alaskan interior ca 1885), which often isn't my cup of tea. And it's told through a series of documents--journal entries from multiple characters, letters, newspaper articles, government documents--which can be a stilted narrative form. Here, it isn't. In fact, one of my favorite things is the deft handling of the points of view. The wife at home and the explorer husband end up actually telling parts of the same story. So it's not "while he does x, meanwhile she does y"; although they're apart and largely unaware of each other's experiences, they are both pursuing a single story. The "white men don't get nature" theme isn't overdone and the "wifey finds a vocation" theme isn't condescending.

rampaginglibrarian's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.25

candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars
This is a rich and lovely book, which reveals more and more layers the more you read.
It is a novel of discovery, both in Alaska and at the Ft. Vancouver barracks where Sophie awaits the return of her explorer husband Allen Forrester. At first this seems pretty standard, if a little slow, but Ivey adds characters, both in the future and in the past, that build the story and add to its power.

I look forward to reading her earlier novel which everyone seems to love!

librarianmorgan's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring reflective slow-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

This was so beautifully written that I feel like I’ve just gotten back from my own Alaskan journey! I won’t lie and say it didn’t drag in the middle there (probably on purpose, just as Allen’s journey was dragging) but the ending was so lovely and perfect. I just adored it.

I loved the multiple storylines; you have Allen, Sophie, and then the correspondence in the modern times. I loved Walt and Josh’s letters so much more than I was expecting to!

alexrutski's review against another edition

adventurous emotional

5.0

chambem19's review against another edition

4.0

As with The Snow Child, this book makes me want to visit Alaska even more than I do already! A great blend of history and mysticism, and a love story throughout. It was a bit of a slow pick up for me, but it was a great story and it was told in an interesting way.

hanjsanchez's review

adventurous informative 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

4.0

pixiegael's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

I love a good exploration novel. I enjoyed both the Colonal's trek into the wilds of Alaska and Sophie's journey into photography. 
I want to go to Alaska now!