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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
This book almost got a 4, but then it just ended. Abruptly. I did the really feel the closure I wanted. I wanted more after the journey we had been on. So this gets a 3. It’s a good story, I just needed more!
emotional
medium-paced
Ah historical Fiction you have my heart. I just don’t know how authors do it, write books such as these.
THE BOOK OF LOST FRIENDS was a striking, powerful novel of justice, humanity, survival, and remembrance. The writing, the history, it was all so rich here and I loved how the different pieces of the story ebbed and flowed in a subtle way throughout, eventually coming together in the end.
This is a dual-timeline story and I was pleased to find I enjoyed both equally. I got so caught up in the more modern 1980’s timeline, coming alongside an out of place schoolteacher in her fight for her underprivileged students. Maybe it was the relevance of that storyline even today, but everything about it from the characters (what is it about middle/high school aged kids in books that always steal my heart!?) to the message it got across really struck me. On the flip side, I appreciated the past 1870’s storyline and the portrayal of the slavery/post-slavery era that we become immersed in with the surprising journey of the three young women we meet. It was so atmospheric and had me turning pages, feeling haunted and disgusted at the evil that was rampant but also hopeful in the strength of the brave people separated from their families who were being poorly treated and worse, young and old alike. Also, I loved seeing the actual Lost Friends advertisements that were placed between chapters, which helped root me to the story all the more and was a really great touch. Literally the only thing I struggled with here was the pacing. The story took a while to really pick up and then was still slow moving to me at times.
This book has a lot to offer and especially for you HF lovers, I think you’d be missing out if you didn’t pick this one up!
THE BOOK OF LOST FRIENDS was a striking, powerful novel of justice, humanity, survival, and remembrance. The writing, the history, it was all so rich here and I loved how the different pieces of the story ebbed and flowed in a subtle way throughout, eventually coming together in the end.
This is a dual-timeline story and I was pleased to find I enjoyed both equally. I got so caught up in the more modern 1980’s timeline, coming alongside an out of place schoolteacher in her fight for her underprivileged students. Maybe it was the relevance of that storyline even today, but everything about it from the characters (what is it about middle/high school aged kids in books that always steal my heart!?) to the message it got across really struck me. On the flip side, I appreciated the past 1870’s storyline and the portrayal of the slavery/post-slavery era that we become immersed in with the surprising journey of the three young women we meet. It was so atmospheric and had me turning pages, feeling haunted and disgusted at the evil that was rampant but also hopeful in the strength of the brave people separated from their families who were being poorly treated and worse, young and old alike. Also, I loved seeing the actual Lost Friends advertisements that were placed between chapters, which helped root me to the story all the more and was a really great touch. Literally the only thing I struggled with here was the pacing. The story took a while to really pick up and then was still slow moving to me at times.
This book has a lot to offer and especially for you HF lovers, I think you’d be missing out if you didn’t pick this one up!
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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:
No
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
Beautifully written and moving story that weaves together two timelines.
The characters are well-written, especially Hannie, whose journey in 1875 is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. In the modern timeline, teacher Benny’s dedication to uncovering local history creates a wonderful connection to the past and highlights the importance of storytelling in a classroom and community.
The dual timelines are skillfully interwoven.
A must-read for fans of historical fiction.
The characters are well-written, especially Hannie, whose journey in 1875 is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. In the modern timeline, teacher Benny’s dedication to uncovering local history creates a wonderful connection to the past and highlights the importance of storytelling in a classroom and community.
The dual timelines are skillfully interwoven.
A must-read for fans of historical fiction.
adventurous
informative
reflective
sad
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
The 1980s story was dull, and the 1870s didn't engage me