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keimre734's review against another edition
4.0
"When Sarah Brown, daughter of abolitionist John Brown, realizes that her artistic talents may be able to help save the lives of slaves fleeing north, she becomes one of the Underground Railroad's leading mapmakers, taking her cue from the Slave Quilt codes and hiding her maps within her paintings. As the country steers towards civil war, Sarah faces difficult sacrifices that could put all she loves in peril.
A century and a half later, Eden Anderson, reeling from personal disappointment, moves with her husband to an old house in suburban Washington, D.C., a last ditch-effort to save their marriage and start a family. In the house's cellar, she discovers a long-hidden porcelain doll that holds extraordinary secrets from the day of the Underground Railroad. Sarah and Eden's connection soon brides the past with the present, forcing each of them to define courage, family, love, legacy and in a way way, illustrating the ways in which history and destiny are interconnected on one enormous, intricate map. - Quote from the back cover of my copy of [b:The Mapmaker's Children|18490777|The Mapmaker's Children|Sarah McCoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408497783s/18490777.jpg|41938663].
I really enjoyed reading about the lives of both Sarah and Eden. [a:Sarah McCoy|2770941|Sarah McCoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1429916368p2/2770941.jpg] did an excellent job of mixing the past with the present day and making two different stories work together. I also liked how [a:Sarah McCoy|2770941|Sarah McCoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1429916368p2/2770941.jpg] inserted bits and pieces of Biblical teaching into [b:The Mapmaker's Children|18490777|The Mapmaker's Children|Sarah McCoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408497783s/18490777.jpg|41938663] without going over the top with it. [b:The Mapmaker's Children|18490777|The Mapmaker's Children|Sarah McCoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408497783s/18490777.jpg|41938663] is very well written. After reading this book by [a:Sarah McCoy|2770941|Sarah McCoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1429916368p2/2770941.jpg], I think I would enjoy her other books as well.
Overall, I would give [b:The Mapmaker's Children|18490777|The Mapmaker's Children|Sarah McCoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408497783s/18490777.jpg|41938663] a rating of four out of five stars.
A century and a half later, Eden Anderson, reeling from personal disappointment, moves with her husband to an old house in suburban Washington, D.C., a last ditch-effort to save their marriage and start a family. In the house's cellar, she discovers a long-hidden porcelain doll that holds extraordinary secrets from the day of the Underground Railroad. Sarah and Eden's connection soon brides the past with the present, forcing each of them to define courage, family, love, legacy and in a way way, illustrating the ways in which history and destiny are interconnected on one enormous, intricate map. - Quote from the back cover of my copy of [b:The Mapmaker's Children|18490777|The Mapmaker's Children|Sarah McCoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408497783s/18490777.jpg|41938663].
I really enjoyed reading about the lives of both Sarah and Eden. [a:Sarah McCoy|2770941|Sarah McCoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1429916368p2/2770941.jpg] did an excellent job of mixing the past with the present day and making two different stories work together. I also liked how [a:Sarah McCoy|2770941|Sarah McCoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1429916368p2/2770941.jpg] inserted bits and pieces of Biblical teaching into [b:The Mapmaker's Children|18490777|The Mapmaker's Children|Sarah McCoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408497783s/18490777.jpg|41938663] without going over the top with it. [b:The Mapmaker's Children|18490777|The Mapmaker's Children|Sarah McCoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408497783s/18490777.jpg|41938663] is very well written. After reading this book by [a:Sarah McCoy|2770941|Sarah McCoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1429916368p2/2770941.jpg], I think I would enjoy her other books as well.
Overall, I would give [b:The Mapmaker's Children|18490777|The Mapmaker's Children|Sarah McCoy|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408497783s/18490777.jpg|41938663] a rating of four out of five stars.
rascalsmom1031's review against another edition
5.0
This book has been on my to read list for a long time. There was always a long wait to get it at the library and now I know why! What a great book. It pulled all my heart strings. I didn’t know they used dolls to hide maps for the Underground Railroad. Or if I did know I somehow forgot.
hdbblog's review against another edition
5.0
I find it necessary to tell you that I'm an extremely picky reader when it comes to Historical Fiction. As a genre, it just never seems to hold my attention as well as most others. However, once in a while I find a gem. A book that not only captures my imagination, but enfolds me in the rich history that hides inside of it. Sarah McCoy creates this beautiful, lifelike story that just begs you to keep reading. I'm proud to say that I devoured this book, and was eager for more.
The Mapmaker's Children brings to life the story of Sarah Brown, the daughter of abolitionist leader John Brown. While this is fiction, you can tell that there is a hefty amount of fact woven seamlessly in. Sarah's bravery, her artistic ability, her fierce love for her family, were all penned expertly into this story. I felt like I was right beside her, for all the pain and all the joy. She was such a strong woman, and I took an instant liking to her passion for the fight. With every page, I grew to love her more and more. McCoy makes you care, and it's brilliant. Brilliant, and heartbreaking.
Tied up in Sarah's story is the story of another, more modern day, woman named Eden. In fact, The Mapmaker's Children is told in alternating chapters between these two. Generally I'm not a fan of alternating points of view. In this case though, it works just perfectly. See, Eden's home holds secrets. Secrets that, as I soon discovered, directly tied in to Sarah's history as well. I was enamored with this fact. That two women, so similar and yet so different, could be tied together by fate. If Sarah's character wasn't enough to make me love this book, seeing her history slowly uncovered in parallel with Eden's life made it all the more enjoyable. I won't spoil, but trust me when I say that it's well worth the wait.
Truly, I could go on and on about this book. There's so much to it. It has this lushness about it that just makes you fall into the pages and not want to crawl out again. The settings are vivid, the characters are three dimensional, and the entire book has this sense of familial love to it that just made me feel at home. It takes a lot to impress me lately, but this book absolutely did. The Mapmaker's Children definitely deserves a space on your to-be-read pile.
The Mapmaker's Children brings to life the story of Sarah Brown, the daughter of abolitionist leader John Brown. While this is fiction, you can tell that there is a hefty amount of fact woven seamlessly in. Sarah's bravery, her artistic ability, her fierce love for her family, were all penned expertly into this story. I felt like I was right beside her, for all the pain and all the joy. She was such a strong woman, and I took an instant liking to her passion for the fight. With every page, I grew to love her more and more. McCoy makes you care, and it's brilliant. Brilliant, and heartbreaking.
Tied up in Sarah's story is the story of another, more modern day, woman named Eden. In fact, The Mapmaker's Children is told in alternating chapters between these two. Generally I'm not a fan of alternating points of view. In this case though, it works just perfectly. See, Eden's home holds secrets. Secrets that, as I soon discovered, directly tied in to Sarah's history as well. I was enamored with this fact. That two women, so similar and yet so different, could be tied together by fate. If Sarah's character wasn't enough to make me love this book, seeing her history slowly uncovered in parallel with Eden's life made it all the more enjoyable. I won't spoil, but trust me when I say that it's well worth the wait.
Truly, I could go on and on about this book. There's so much to it. It has this lushness about it that just makes you fall into the pages and not want to crawl out again. The settings are vivid, the characters are three dimensional, and the entire book has this sense of familial love to it that just made me feel at home. It takes a lot to impress me lately, but this book absolutely did. The Mapmaker's Children definitely deserves a space on your to-be-read pile.
eeswift62's review against another edition
3.0
Some parts with Eden were infuriating. Overall interesting.
arthur_pendrgn's review against another edition
1.5
A 7-year quest for children v slavery--not the good basis for dual timeline. I kept looking for parallels, but nope, none other than names.
And I suppose we want happy endings, but the happy endings are so hopelessly simplified--the paperwork seeking a historic building designation, the work for the dog food business, "we'll just make a change" idea of saving a marriage, the swift conclusion of documents in the safety deposit box (which--who paid for it all these years?). All of the simplification of these complex issues threw me out of the story.
Either the topic is too heavy for the intent or the intent is too light for the topic.
And I suppose we want happy endings, but the happy endings are so hopelessly simplified--the paperwork seeking a historic building designation, the work for the dog food business, "we'll just make a change" idea of saving a marriage, the swift conclusion of documents in the safety deposit box (which--who paid for it all these years?). All of the simplification of these complex issues threw me out of the story.
Either the topic is too heavy for the intent or the intent is too light for the topic.
novelette's review against another edition
4.0
A bit confusing at times. I’m not a fan of Eden, just because her attitude is so off putting.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
I just finished reading The Mapmaker’s Children by Sarah McCoy. Eden Anderson and her husband, Jack have been trying to have a child for seven years (I am surprised they are still married). Eden has gotten pregnant twice, but she miscarried each time. After the second miscarriage, Eden has retreated into herself and withdrawn from life. They have moved to New Charleston, West Virginia and are living in an old home on Apple Hill Lane. One night Jack brings home a little dog. Eden does not want a dog to be a substitute for a child. But Cricket soon wrangles his way into her heart. Then Eden meets Cleo Bronner. Cleo is the granddaughter of the Mr. Bronner who is the banker. Cleo is being raised by her grandfather. Jack hired Cleo to take care of Cricket while he is out of town on business. Cleo brings home the Holistic Hound cookbook for them to try. One day Eden discovers a trap door in their pantry. When she opens it, she finds small root cellar. Big enough to hold people. Eden discovers a china doll head inside. Cleo and Eden set out to find out more information. Eden also wants to find out if the house can be listed on the historic register.
Sarah Brown is the daughter of abolitionist, Captain John Brown. Sarah has been quietly helping her father by drawing the maps needed. One day Captain Brown led a raid on Harper’s Ferry for which he was arrested and hanged. Sarah and her family went into New Charleston to be nearby when his sentence is carried out. They are staying with George and Priscilla Hill. They have two children: Frederick and Alice. Freddy and Sarah hit it off right away and continued to write each other after Sarah went home and then to school. Sarah continued to help out the abolitionist (after her father’s death) with her maps. She was able to draw accurate maps that the slaves could follow. When they had to come up with a new way to do the maps, she drew them on doll heads. During the Civil War, Sarah and her family move out west to Red Bluff, California (their family was not welcomed in the South or by the Confederate soldiers).
The Mapmaker’s Children tells Sarah’s and Eden’s stories. It is interesting how the author is able to tie the current townspeople back to the past citizens of New Charleston. I give The Mapmaker’s Children 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). It dragged in certain parts and at one point, I wanted to shake Eden. Tell her to grow up and face reality (I got tired of her whining). There is a lot more to the book. I have only given you a brief synopsis. It is well-written and engaging. If the author had cut out the part of Jack “supposed” cheating and Eden’s whining, I would have loved it.
I received a complimentary copy of The Mapmaker’s Children from NetGalley and Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by receiving the book for free.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-mapmakers-children.html
Sarah Brown is the daughter of abolitionist, Captain John Brown. Sarah has been quietly helping her father by drawing the maps needed. One day Captain Brown led a raid on Harper’s Ferry for which he was arrested and hanged. Sarah and her family went into New Charleston to be nearby when his sentence is carried out. They are staying with George and Priscilla Hill. They have two children: Frederick and Alice. Freddy and Sarah hit it off right away and continued to write each other after Sarah went home and then to school. Sarah continued to help out the abolitionist (after her father’s death) with her maps. She was able to draw accurate maps that the slaves could follow. When they had to come up with a new way to do the maps, she drew them on doll heads. During the Civil War, Sarah and her family move out west to Red Bluff, California (their family was not welcomed in the South or by the Confederate soldiers).
The Mapmaker’s Children tells Sarah’s and Eden’s stories. It is interesting how the author is able to tie the current townspeople back to the past citizens of New Charleston. I give The Mapmaker’s Children 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). It dragged in certain parts and at one point, I wanted to shake Eden. Tell her to grow up and face reality (I got tired of her whining). There is a lot more to the book. I have only given you a brief synopsis. It is well-written and engaging. If the author had cut out the part of Jack “supposed” cheating and Eden’s whining, I would have loved it.
I received a complimentary copy of The Mapmaker’s Children from NetGalley and Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by receiving the book for free.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-mapmakers-children.html
raebooknerd's review against another edition
emotional
fast-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
4.0
jenniferstringer's review against another edition
3.0
3.5-4 stars. Historical fiction that weaves 2 timelines together. Often when that happens, I prefer one story line to the other, but in this case, both we're enjoyable. A fairly quick read.
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
It has been a long time since I have read a story that had to do with the Underground Railway. I have always been fascinated by stories related to this event in history. The brave souls that helped these people. So this is the reason that I was draw to check this book out. While I liked this book and the people in it a lot, I felt that I sharded a strong, instant connection with Eden than I did Sarah. This surprised me a bit as I thought due to my love with the past that I would share a quick connection with Sarah. There was something about Eden that made me feel for her. Maybe it was due to her loss and longinf ro a child of her own. Also Cleo, the neighbor girl was a charming addition to this book. As was Cricket, the dog. However as I got futher into the story, I did like Sarah and grew more interested in the past and the events. The switching between the past and the present and visa versa was a smooth transaction. An enjoyable read.