lindasdarby's review against another edition
I just couldn't get into this book which is very rare for me.
trankin's review against another edition
3.0
A very pleasantly written story of a family over the span of the parents lifetime. A study of their strengths and weaknesses and how their love for each other draws them back together each summer. I would give it 3.5 stars.
janbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a good book. Though on the surface it does not appear to have much of a plot -or perhaps many sub plots, it all weaves together at the end. It is so well written and has many beautiful passages, and life lessons throughout. Reminds me of lazy summer days at Grandmas, sitting on the porch shelling peas, or under the shade trees with all the aunts drinking the never ending ice tea (no ac)! This is one of my very favorites that I read almost every summer. Highly recommend.
tbsims's review against another edition
4.0
no wonder this was recommended for me...I've read it before and liked it.
Lovely writing. So interesting to tell the tale from so many perspectives.
Makes it clear, the baggage/history that someone has, influences their relationship with you (eg. a daughter) and very well may have nothing to do with you as an individual. And nothing you can do about it.
In the first reading, I really didn't like the father. This reading I have some respect for him.
Lovely writing. So interesting to tell the tale from so many perspectives.
Makes it clear, the baggage/history that someone has, influences their relationship with you (eg. a daughter) and very well may have nothing to do with you as an individual. And nothing you can do about it.
In the first reading, I really didn't like the father. This reading I have some respect for him.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
Harper Perennial is re-releasing this 1963 NYTimes Bestseller, with a foreward by Jane Smiley. Having read it, I'm not sure why: yes, it's a good read, but it's quiet (like [b:Plainsong|77156|Plainsong|Kent Haruf|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170899946s/77156.jpg|1402373] or [b:Gilead|68210|Gilead A Novel|Marilynne Robinson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170687634s/68210.jpg|2481792], and it's very old-fashioned in terms of theme (not to mention setting: the farm doesn't have running water!).
The story takes place mostly during the years between 1900-1930, set within the bounds of a visit by the three Soames girls to their family home during the Korean War. Each gets their own story, told in the third person (except the very first bit, told in Mary Jo's voice), and even the story of Matthew has a decidedly female tinge to it. Lots of description, and a strong backbone of Rectitude on the part of Matthew and Callie, make this a different read than one might otherwise expect from a family saga. While the stories are all about different people, exploring their inner lives and motivations, you don't get that sense from reading the book: it's too much of the same piece.
In Smiley's preface, she says "[n:]ovelists who write a single, excellent novel area a rare breed." I'm sure that for some, this will be that single, excellent novel; just not for me.
The story takes place mostly during the years between 1900-1930, set within the bounds of a visit by the three Soames girls to their family home during the Korean War. Each gets their own story, told in the third person (except the very first bit, told in Mary Jo's voice), and even the story of Matthew has a decidedly female tinge to it. Lots of description, and a strong backbone of Rectitude on the part of Matthew and Callie, make this a different read than one might otherwise expect from a family saga. While the stories are all about different people, exploring their inner lives and motivations, you don't get that sense from reading the book: it's too much of the same piece.
In Smiley's preface, she says "[n:]ovelists who write a single, excellent novel area a rare breed." I'm sure that for some, this will be that single, excellent novel; just not for me.
nadoislandgirl's review against another edition
2.0
I tried. I really did. There were some really glowing reviews here on goodreads, and I gave the book at least 50-100 more pages than I wanted to. But I still can’t get excited about finishing this book. So, why push it?
layton93's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
berylbird's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
First published in 1962, this is the only book that Carleton ever wrote. Focusing on the dynamics of family and romantic love, Carleton writes about a marriage that has lost its flame, the heartache of grief, and the challenges of parenting. Carleton writes from the point of view of four daughters and their parents, dipping into their lives at different points to create a wash of poetic color, submerging the reader in a grand painting of early 20th century Missouri.
The characters are complex and multifaceted. Matthew, the father, is a teacher and school superintendent and goes back and forth to work in town. Callie, the mother, manages their home and their four daughters. Matthew is intelligent, industrious, and a lover of literature and poems. He married Callie when they were young and while they share traditional values, Callie didn’t go far in school and never learned to read. As they reach middle age, this becomes a sticking point in their marriage. However, Callie is the one that gave him a very needed push to obtain his teaching certificate. She provided encouragement and the practical work of running the farm while her husband worked on his studies.
Callie’s nature is sunny. She counterbalances the moodiness of her husband. However, even Callie finds it difficult when Matthew becomes indifferent, inattentive, his head in the clouds, escaping to the barn, coming home late at night. The fire of their marriage seemed to be dying out. How Matthew and Callie navigate the prevailing winds of Matthew’s desire and temptations are intriguing. If Callie had been more self-sufficient, the story might have taken a different turn. However, Callie very well represents the women of that era, totally dependent on their husbands for a livelihood. I don’t always like Matthew but he is self-aware and feels guilty. I appreciate his motivation for education, his work ethic, and his affinity with nature, but all this has to weigh up against a major flaw, which leaves him wanting.
The changing times are represented in the daughters’ lives. <i> “Nowadays, perfectly respectable people went to shows on Sunday, they went dancing and played cards; lots of girls even smoked–and it didn’t mean they were going to hell. Hell had shifted its location; it was farther away than people used to think.” </i> Leonie in particular is the good girl, going by the rules, trying and failing to get her father’s attention. Mathy is a free spirit and Jessica is easygoing while Mary Jo attracts wild-haired men, the last man with a beard and smelling funny. The men they choose are very different from their father. As adults, the daughters leave their established lives and return to the farm for a few weeks during the summer. It is there I find them planning a picnic and the cutting of a bee tree, for work and pleasure often go hand in hand.
A day’s events are timed so that the entire family can participate in the grand showing of the moonflower blossoms that evening. The blooms come for one night and in their brevity, the richness of beauty and life is explored. I shared this book read with the group, ‘On the Southern Literary Trail,’ and it is one that I found enjoyable.
The characters are complex and multifaceted. Matthew, the father, is a teacher and school superintendent and goes back and forth to work in town. Callie, the mother, manages their home and their four daughters. Matthew is intelligent, industrious, and a lover of literature and poems. He married Callie when they were young and while they share traditional values, Callie didn’t go far in school and never learned to read. As they reach middle age, this becomes a sticking point in their marriage. However, Callie is the one that gave him a very needed push to obtain his teaching certificate. She provided encouragement and the practical work of running the farm while her husband worked on his studies.
Callie’s nature is sunny. She counterbalances the moodiness of her husband. However, even Callie finds it difficult when Matthew becomes indifferent, inattentive, his head in the clouds, escaping to the barn, coming home late at night. The fire of their marriage seemed to be dying out. How Matthew and Callie navigate the prevailing winds of Matthew’s desire and temptations are intriguing. If Callie had been more self-sufficient, the story might have taken a different turn. However, Callie very well represents the women of that era, totally dependent on their husbands for a livelihood. I don’t always like Matthew but he is self-aware and feels guilty. I appreciate his motivation for education, his work ethic, and his affinity with nature, but all this has to weigh up against a major flaw, which leaves him wanting.
The changing times are represented in the daughters’ lives. <i> “Nowadays, perfectly respectable people went to shows on Sunday, they went dancing and played cards; lots of girls even smoked–and it didn’t mean they were going to hell. Hell had shifted its location; it was farther away than people used to think.” </i> Leonie in particular is the good girl, going by the rules, trying and failing to get her father’s attention. Mathy is a free spirit and Jessica is easygoing while Mary Jo attracts wild-haired men, the last man with a beard and smelling funny. The men they choose are very different from their father. As adults, the daughters leave their established lives and return to the farm for a few weeks during the summer. It is there I find them planning a picnic and the cutting of a bee tree, for work and pleasure often go hand in hand.
A day’s events are timed so that the entire family can participate in the grand showing of the moonflower blossoms that evening. The blooms come for one night and in their brevity, the richness of beauty and life is explored. I shared this book read with the group, ‘On the Southern Literary Trail,’ and it is one that I found enjoyable.
tashabye's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Audio was well done.
flor2398's review against another edition
5.0
It took me a while to get going with this one, but I love the way the story unfolded. I will be thinking about these characters for a long time.