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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I learned a lot from reading this book. I listened to the audiobook and I thought it was read beautifully. The telling from more current times (the 80’s) and back to Haddie’s time was a creative way to share the story and weave it together masterfully! Parts of the story were so heartbreaking…soul crushing! I will recommend it to others…in fact I already have!
A white woman writing characters of enslaved people was a turn off and felt very icky, no desire to read.
This book wasn’t bad, it just didn’t grab my attention. I would say it’s more of a 3.5 star read.
This book was incredibly slow to start. I had to scour the internet to see if I could find a free version of the audiobook to help me through it - and then surprisingly my audiobook hold from the library came up with availability the day after I placed the hold - even though it advised a two-week wait! Anyway, I digress - I needed the audio to immerse me in this.
When it picked up, it really picked up. That climax! GAH!
Keeping this at 4 stars for a few reasons.
1. That sluggish, sluggish beginning
2. Clumsiness of the symmetry between the two stories - sometimes the mirroring worked well, but connecting past and present characters was left to the end and I would have liked a little more from that
3. Some weird tone was coming through that felt very boomer - the "work hard" attitude, the "go to college" attitude - all in the 1987 story. Multiple times I was rubbed the wrong way by something that felt vaguely preachy
4. 1987 didn't feel much like 1987 to me. THE YEAR OF MY BLESSED BIRTH - and then the 1870s story at times felt over-detailed
5. Waning interest in either story - sometimes one grabbed my attention more than the other
A couple other things. But OMG once I was in, I was in. I was listening to the audiobook while reading all day. And at times, Wingate just writes so, so beautifully. I even cried a bit at one part.
When it picked up, it really picked up. That climax! GAH!
Keeping this at 4 stars for a few reasons.
1. That sluggish, sluggish beginning
2. Clumsiness of the symmetry between the two stories - sometimes the mirroring worked well, but connecting past and present characters was left to the end and I would have liked a little more from that
3. Some weird tone was coming through that felt very boomer - the "work hard" attitude, the "go to college" attitude - all in the 1987 story. Multiple times I was rubbed the wrong way by something that felt vaguely preachy
4. 1987 didn't feel much like 1987 to me. THE YEAR OF MY BLESSED BIRTH - and then the 1870s story at times felt over-detailed
5. Waning interest in either story - sometimes one grabbed my attention more than the other
A couple other things. But OMG once I was in, I was in. I was listening to the audiobook while reading all day. And at times, Wingate just writes so, so beautifully. I even cried a bit at one part.
This book is much better than a 4 star book, but not totally a 5. I LOVED this story. It was heartbreaking, but full of hope. I just felt like the end wrapped up too fast and needed the elaboration and attention to detail that the rest of the beautifully written story had. But I would DEFINITELY recommend this book...
Wingate has written another novel that pulls the heartstrings, with strong characters in a story steeped with historical fact.
I enjoyed this one. When slavery ended it never occurred to me about families trying to find each other. Freed slaves would post in the paper looking for their loved ones. It is always fascinating to learn more about our history. The good and the bad. There is a kidnapping in this book and I do not like thrillers so I had to put it down for a little bit because I was anxious about it. This book goes back and forth between the 1870s and 1987. I'm not a fan of that but it was good. I did tear up at the end. This book made me wonder about my ancestors and what stories they could have told.
"Sad thing when stories die for the lack of listenin' ears."
"I am momentarily struck silent. Clean that junk out? What kind of a Neanderthal talks about books that way?"
"Augustine has taught me that the past travels with you. Its whether you run from it or learn from it that makes all the difference."
"We die once when the last breath leaves our bodies. We die a second time when the last person speaks our name. The first death is beyond our control, but the second one we can strive to prevent."
"Sad thing when stories die for the lack of listenin' ears."
"I am momentarily struck silent. Clean that junk out? What kind of a Neanderthal talks about books that way?"
"Augustine has taught me that the past travels with you. Its whether you run from it or learn from it that makes all the difference."
"We die once when the last breath leaves our bodies. We die a second time when the last person speaks our name. The first death is beyond our control, but the second one we can strive to prevent."
So good! Took me a while to get into it, but I think that had more to do with seasons than anything!
Wow.wow.wow.wow.wow.
A dual narrative told in alternating parts had me riveted. A lover of history brought characters to life through this story in some chapters and through living narratives in and out of a classroom setting decades later. I do wish there was some vindication spelled out for some loathed school board members, but I shall settle knowing the power of a wonderful teacher making her mark.
A dual narrative told in alternating parts had me riveted. A lover of history brought characters to life through this story in some chapters and through living narratives in and out of a classroom setting decades later. I do wish there was some vindication spelled out for some loathed school board members, but I shall settle knowing the power of a wonderful teacher making her mark.