nickymarie's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. I found that it helped to put my life into perspective. I haven't learned much about the Great Depression outside of the short unit we spent on it in my 11 grade history class, and Ms. Jiles sparked my interest with her beautiful langauge and bittersweet characters.
charityjohnson's review against another edition
2.0
Sometimes you keep reading a book because you have nothing else to read. For fiction, it was poorly written. The author stressed the details--she'd be a better historian. (Or is it called antiquarian?)
dlberglund's review against another edition
2.0
"It was okay" about covers it. I don't have much of a connection to Texas during the Dust Bowl/Depression years, nor to the oil industry, and this book didn't pull me in. The main character and her struggles were interesting, but I didn't really care too much which guy she ended up with at the end, mostly because it didn't strike me that SHE cared much. I learned more about the Great Depression, but I think I would have rather read an actual memoir or non-fiction piece.
radioisasoundsalvation's review against another edition
4.0
This book is lilting yet tough; it's a modern girl's Scarlett O'Hara battling the 1930s Dust Bowl for the sake of her two sisters and widowed mother. Through bad investments, dire poverty, and loneliness, this book reminds us that bad economies and personal loss can be overcome with hard work and family togetherness.
I won't say that this is the most cleverly constructed novel; it's heartfelt and poetic at times, but the metaphors (Smoky Joe the racehorse) felt a tad weak. I don't think novels like this need to be anything more than good stories, though. The middle sibling, Jeanine, is a determined, lonely young woman trying to make best for her family. The characterizations may feel quite simple at first, but this novel develops its characters through their struggles slowly, like aging and weathering a person... through a violent storm. Yah, that might be the most cliche comment I've ever made in a review. Jiles does this well, though.
I thoroughly enjoyed that Jiles included information about the social welfare organizations that attempted to serve the farm families afflicted by drought during the Depression. I also enjoyed reading the subtle exploration of changing gender-roles during this era. The time period didn't make for a lot of comments such as "women wouldn't have been doing jobs like that;" Jeanine's farming, roofing, and race horse antics wouldn't have been questioned much amidst such sad circumstances as the Depression. Her strength rises up and rarely falters; she's an excellent heroine. A drama queen like Scarlett should take lessons!
There were a handful of chapters and segments in this novel that came from the other characters' perspectives, too. I liked that the novel was fleshed out from all the Stoddard's viewpoints, and later on even Everett's and the neighbors! You see it all coming together as a family struggle that way.
I highly recommend this novel. It's a simple, genuine story of determination and endurance; one that should probably speak to many people during our own economic hardships.
I won't say that this is the most cleverly constructed novel; it's heartfelt and poetic at times, but the metaphors (Smoky Joe the racehorse) felt a tad weak. I don't think novels like this need to be anything more than good stories, though. The middle sibling, Jeanine, is a determined, lonely young woman trying to make best for her family. The characterizations may feel quite simple at first, but this novel develops its characters through their struggles slowly, like aging and weathering a person... through a violent storm. Yah, that might be the most cliche comment I've ever made in a review. Jiles does this well, though.
I thoroughly enjoyed that Jiles included information about the social welfare organizations that attempted to serve the farm families afflicted by drought during the Depression. I also enjoyed reading the subtle exploration of changing gender-roles during this era. The time period didn't make for a lot of comments such as "women wouldn't have been doing jobs like that;" Jeanine's farming, roofing, and race horse antics wouldn't have been questioned much amidst such sad circumstances as the Depression. Her strength rises up and rarely falters; she's an excellent heroine. A drama queen like Scarlett should take lessons!
There were a handful of chapters and segments in this novel that came from the other characters' perspectives, too. I liked that the novel was fleshed out from all the Stoddard's viewpoints, and later on even Everett's and the neighbors! You see it all coming together as a family struggle that way.
I highly recommend this novel. It's a simple, genuine story of determination and endurance; one that should probably speak to many people during our own economic hardships.
bundy23's review against another edition
3.0
I couldn't get into the romance part of the book and, other than the lead, all the characters were incredibly bland but the writing was nice and I actually learned a few things. I also think that a good editor could've easily shaved 150 pages off and it would've almost bumped the book up an extra star.
juicecrew's review against another edition
4.0
Good book. Starts a bit slow, but is really thoughtful throughout. Great read.
jojojgb's review against another edition
2.0
I don’t like this author very much. I find her writing to be very uneven. Sometimes she goes into great detail about inconsequential parts of the story and then other times I feel like she skins over big moments that push the story forward.
nobookendinsight's review against another edition
4.0
Paulette Jiles has become one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. She has a very distinct writing style and her attention to detail and historical accuracy is apparent. Stormy Weather takes place in Texas in the 1930s during the depression. Jiles very succinctly tells us what it was like, what happened, and how folks survived and assisted one another. The book follows a family with 3 daughters moving all around the state as their father chases jobs at various oil fields. There are several twists and turns that change the course of their lives and future. It is a story of hardship, perseverance, determination, love of family, and holding onto hope. I’m definitely adding more of her books to my tbr list!