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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
Especially poignant given current events and what feels like a shift in the thread of history.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The subject of this book is fascinating, but I had a hard time connecting to the plot (or maybe the characters), so it ended up being a more difficult read than it should have been. Eventually it clicked with me, but by that point it was at the climax.
medium-paced
This book is not what I expected it to be, but then again, I'm not sure what I expected from it in the first place. It's a book that's entirely devoted to telling the truth of one group and pointing out the flaws in another and how both are connected.
The compelling storytelling jumping between two different characters a century apart every chapter can be jarring; the flow of the story is told in such a way that the payoff, I think, at least, is worth it. You're able to follow Hannie on her adventure through times that I don't envy living through, and Benny through times that are unfortunately all still too relevant for only have been placed 30-40 years ago. It's fascinating to see how everything is connected, how by acknowledging the past, you can begin to understand and appreciate the present (and the future).
There's definitely themes here are will ruminate in my head over time. I think this book is one that will stay with me for a while.
The compelling storytelling jumping between two different characters a century apart every chapter can be jarring; the flow of the story is told in such a way that the payoff, I think, at least, is worth it. You're able to follow Hannie on her adventure through times that I don't envy living through, and Benny through times that are unfortunately all still too relevant for only have been placed 30-40 years ago. It's fascinating to see how everything is connected, how by acknowledging the past, you can begin to understand and appreciate the present (and the future).
There's definitely themes here are will ruminate in my head over time. I think this book is one that will stay with me for a while.
This was really good as an audiobook. I felt like you could really hear each character come through, telling their story.
I'd say this is a pretty typical novel of it's kind, so if you've read something similar, you know what you're getting into with this one. The historical tidbit that inspired this is super interesting and the story is well built around the idea of finding lost loved ones. The characters are compelling and the two timelines aren't at all parallel stories which keeps the story lines compelling as well. The writing is very descriptive and it's definitely more of a 'tell' not 'show' kind of narrative but that worked fine here. There are some important themes touched on lightly but not in a way that will make a lasting impact (though I wouldn't expect that anyways from a book like this).
Overall I got warm fuzzies reading this novel and sometimes that's all I can ask for. The ending is particularly sweet, though I think it focuses on tying up ends I didn't care about and doesn't really touch on the things I did want to hear more about:
I do think Benny's backstory should have been left out entirely. It only vaguely motivates her throughout the story in a way that could easily be attributed to her being a caring teacher rather than someone with a sad story pushing her. Since her story was only hinted at in the main plot (and even then, I only realized those were hints upon finishing the novel), I wasn't ever that interested in it and didn't really need the more detailed explanation found at the end of the book. I didn't dislike that portion of the epilogue, I just feel like it was this big hidden secret that didn't even need to be a thing for Benny's character to work. This didn't really bother me that much though and I don't have any major issues with this novel.
I do very much want to move to Louisiana now, if only for the scenery, so honestly that might be the biggest bone I have to pick here!
Overall I got warm fuzzies reading this novel and sometimes that's all I can ask for. The ending is particularly sweet, though I think it focuses on tying up ends I didn't care about and doesn't really touch on the things I did want to hear more about:
Spoiler
I didn't care about Benny's backstory (see below) but I did want to know more about Nathan's relationship with his uncles and how things were resolving politically in town with the school board and the such. I know it shouldn't have all been magically solved, but at least a bit more info on that front would have been appreciated.I do think Benny's backstory should have been left out entirely. It only vaguely motivates her throughout the story in a way that could easily be attributed to her being a caring teacher rather than someone with a sad story pushing her. Since her story was only hinted at in the main plot (and even then, I only realized those were hints upon finishing the novel), I wasn't ever that interested in it and didn't really need the more detailed explanation found at the end of the book. I didn't dislike that portion of the epilogue, I just feel like it was this big hidden secret that didn't even need to be a thing for Benny's character to work. This didn't really bother me that much though and I don't have any major issues with this novel.
I do very much want to move to Louisiana now, if only for the scenery, so honestly that might be the biggest bone I have to pick here!
Started off a little slow, but it was well worth it. The dual storylines were really nicely woven together and by the middle of the book I loved both characters so much that I was sad every time it was time to switch back to the other one. The writing was also excellent, which I always appreciate.
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
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:
N/A
Really liked hearing the history of the time even though this one was fiction I’m sure similar stories had occurred. Loved how this one came together at the end!