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bookishblond's review against another edition
3.0
The first half of this novel was so good! I was absolutely absorbed in Bess's story. However, the second half of the novel was incredibly dull. Still, I love the time period and loved learning about the Canadian side of Niagara in the early twentieth century. Definitely a great read for historical fiction junkies.
beth_diiorio's review against another edition
4.0
I found Niagara Falls to be a wonderfully interesting setting for this story and its characters. Of course, having never been there, I want to go to both the Canadian and American sides of the river and falls, and check out the spots mentioned in the book.
clds86's review against another edition
4.0
For the first time in all my years of reading, I threw a book out of anger. For a librarian and lover of books, that is huge.
Ms. Buchanan is a wonderful writer; she made the characters come alive with such a vividness, that the ending infuriated me and made me cry. It is a very good read, and after I get over being angry, I'll remove the book from its landing spot on the floor, and place it back on my bookshelf, probably never to be read again.
Ms. Buchanan is a wonderful writer; she made the characters come alive with such a vividness, that the ending infuriated me and made me cry. It is a very good read, and after I get over being angry, I'll remove the book from its landing spot on the floor, and place it back on my bookshelf, probably never to be read again.
marie_gg's review against another edition
4.0
Bess is seventeen, finishing up her junior year at a Catholic school overlooking Niagara Falls. She has grown up the pampered daughter of a man who heads the hydroelectric company. When her father gets sacked and becomes unemployed, her life changes dramatically. She returns home to find that nothing is the same.
Her beloved sister is terribly depressed, her dad is gone drinking all day long, and her mother takes in sewing to keep the family afloat. Bess meets Tom, a rough-and-ready river man. Tom makes his living by working in a bar and fishing dead bodies out of the river.
Having visited Niagara Falls last August, I loved reading about life in the region in the early part of this century. Much Buchanan writes about the river I did not always follow, but I enjoyed her storytelling.
Bess was a spirited, strong young woman, and she and Tom were able to find some happiness in the midst of great hardship. Tom is concerned about the hydroelectric companies tapping so much from the river, and he fights this push toward "progress" with his whole being, even when he makes a deep personal sacrifice for his own family.
Here's the spoiler: This book is very sad in a couple of places. This is the second sad novel I've read in a row--time for a happy book! But I enjoyed it nevertheless.
Her beloved sister is terribly depressed, her dad is gone drinking all day long, and her mother takes in sewing to keep the family afloat. Bess meets Tom, a rough-and-ready river man. Tom makes his living by working in a bar and fishing dead bodies out of the river.
Having visited Niagara Falls last August, I loved reading about life in the region in the early part of this century. Much Buchanan writes about the river I did not always follow, but I enjoyed her storytelling.
Bess was a spirited, strong young woman, and she and Tom were able to find some happiness in the midst of great hardship. Tom is concerned about the hydroelectric companies tapping so much from the river, and he fights this push toward "progress" with his whole being, even when he makes a deep personal sacrifice for his own family.
Here's the spoiler: This book is very sad in a couple of places. This is the second sad novel I've read in a row--time for a happy book! But I enjoyed it nevertheless.
wisbeth's review against another edition
5.0
Interesting and intriguing novel set in Niagara Falls. Bess Heath's life takes a drastic turn as her father loses his prestigious job at the power plant. As a result her schooling comes to a halt, her older sister is no longer engaged, and her mother has to resort to dress making for her high society friends. Bess meets Tom Cole on the trolley platform and is instantly drawn to him much to the dismay of her family. Tom is a river man and knows the Falls like the back of his hand. There are many trials and tribulations the two go through together as they fall in love. The story flows quite well and to make it even more interesting there are old photographs and articles dispursed throughout the novel. The story is a great love story but yet tells the story of the Falls at the same time. It was a hard book to put down.
ldv's review against another edition
2.0
What a snivelling self-centred wuss. The protagonist is a caricature of what must be the stereotypical teenager of the late 1910s and she never grows out of it. Her story is also so predictable that it lacks imagination. It feels like little more than a vehicle to tell some fictional versions of Niagara Falls history. Which are interesting, but not in this trite novel that encapsulates every cliche about that time period. Of the story had been of the male protagonist of the story, that might have been more interesting. Recommended for teen girls who have not read much about that time period. Everyone else should take a pass.
jellokites's review against another edition
4.0
I was surprised that this book kept me reading. I am not one to read books that are historical based (or takes place in the past/around historical events). I enjoyed the book and found myself wanting Bes and Tom to be happy from beginning to end.
lornarei's review against another edition
4.0
What a great read! I loved the time period and the history involved -- geekily typing "Niagara Falls History" into wikipedia...
I especially enjoyed Bess' faith journey. Even though she was Methodist, she found peace in the rosary she had been exposed to at the Catholic academy. Until events caused her to lose her faith, that is. Anchorless for most of the book, you see the glimmers of faith returning at the end.
I really enjoyed this book.
I especially enjoyed Bess' faith journey. Even though she was Methodist, she found peace in the rosary she had been exposed to at the Catholic academy. Until events caused her to lose her faith, that is. Anchorless for most of the book, you see the glimmers of faith returning at the end.
I really enjoyed this book.