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mbenzz's review against another edition
5.0
I am a HUGE fan of family saga's, especially when they're done right. I too was a bit leery of the 600+ pages, but you just can't rush a good saga. I won't summarize this book since it's already been done here, and I don't have all day to type out the many reasons why I loved it, but I did...and I absolutely recommend it to anyone interested.
If you're a fan of southern reading, family saga's, strong women, and/or love stories, then this is a book for you! The story spans the years of 1916 to 1985 and follows the lives, loves, and heartbreak of three prominent families. It's broken into four parts which helps to break the story up. I honestly FLEW through these 624 pages.
Overall, I just can't say enough about this book. However, I do want to point out...DO NOT go into this expecting a carbon copy of 'Gone With The Wind', cause you're not gonna get it. While they have a few similarities, they are two completely different books which focus on two completely different things. GWTW is a great book in its own right, and so is 'Roses'. I can't wait to read more from this very talented author, and am anxiously awaiting her next novel.
If you're a fan of southern reading, family saga's, strong women, and/or love stories, then this is a book for you! The story spans the years of 1916 to 1985 and follows the lives, loves, and heartbreak of three prominent families. It's broken into four parts which helps to break the story up. I honestly FLEW through these 624 pages.
Overall, I just can't say enough about this book. However, I do want to point out...DO NOT go into this expecting a carbon copy of 'Gone With The Wind', cause you're not gonna get it. While they have a few similarities, they are two completely different books which focus on two completely different things. GWTW is a great book in its own right, and so is 'Roses'. I can't wait to read more from this very talented author, and am anxiously awaiting her next novel.
linzthebookworm's review against another edition
5.0
It was kind of slow paced, but every detail was so well thought out. There were a lot of different views from different characters, which was nice because you got so many sides to the story out of it.
hew0303's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mzokiegolfer's review against another edition
4.0
Multi-generational saga of three East Texas families ~ the Tolivers (cotton plantation), the Warwicks (lumber) and the DuMonts (department store). This was similar to books by Barbara Taylor Bradford, who I also enjoy. Mary Tolliver has been left her family's cotton plantation, Somerset, by her father, which starts a chain of events among the three families. I was immediately drawn into the story, never losing interest. The title comes from using roses for the following: asking forgiveness (red), granting forgiveness (white) and withholding forgiveness (pink) and she weaves this theme throughout, although sparingly. Enjoyable read.
jwilliams1284's review against another edition
5.0
My review of Roses - this book was AMAZING. Please check it out!
http://booksandbarrels.blogspot.com/2015/08/roses-leila-meacham.html
http://booksandbarrels.blogspot.com/2015/08/roses-leila-meacham.html
ilonaiva's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.75
rachel482's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
llama_lord's review
4.0
3.5 stars
I picked this book up because the cover told me that it was like Gone With The Wind, and I suppose it is sort of like a soap opera-y GWTW. Really this book reminded me much more of The Thorn Birds than it did GWTW.
Some parts were better than others, but overall it was a pretty good book. I didn't quite understand Mary's attachment to Somerset - which is the force that practically drives the whole story. Somerset brings her nothing but unhappiness and yet she hung onto it like a dog with a bone. It just didn't make much sense to me.
The characters were okay. Mary and Percy were kind of dull as far as romantic leads go. My favorite character was Lucy, because despite her nastiness I was sympathetic to her situation.
I really liked the first two parts of the book - Mary's and Percy's stories - but the story seriously lagged for the last third of the book which was told from the perspective of Mary's great-niece, Rachel. Up until that point I was planning on going out and buying the Roses prequel, Somerset - but the flatness of Rachel's story left kind of a bad taste in my mouth and made me change my mind.
I picked this book up because the cover told me that it was like Gone With The Wind, and I suppose it is sort of like a soap opera-y GWTW. Really this book reminded me much more of The Thorn Birds than it did GWTW.
Some parts were better than others, but overall it was a pretty good book. I didn't quite understand Mary's attachment to Somerset - which is the force that practically drives the whole story. Somerset brings her nothing but unhappiness and yet she hung onto it like a dog with a bone. It just didn't make much sense to me.
The characters were okay. Mary and Percy were kind of dull as far as romantic leads go. My favorite character was Lucy, because despite her nastiness I was sympathetic to her situation.
I really liked the first two parts of the book - Mary's and Percy's stories - but the story seriously lagged for the last third of the book which was told from the perspective of Mary's great-niece, Rachel. Up until that point I was planning on going out and buying the Roses prequel, Somerset - but the flatness of Rachel's story left kind of a bad taste in my mouth and made me change my mind.
paigehammer's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
mmc6661's review against another edition
5.0
After having several patrons tell me that I must read Roses I finally picked it up. I had a slow start getting into it but once I invested some time on the story I was totally hooked. A sprawling novel that takes you through several generations of the Tolliver and Warwick families. It was filled with bigger than life characters and stories of love, regrets and the way deeds can change so much in ones life and alter others forever. I will say I'm glad I read this epic novel and look forward to reading Somerset.