grandma_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This book broke my heart. It also filled it with gratitude for so many things that I've take for granted, like the wonderful relationship I have with my children, my amazingly kind and generous husband, my home, my garden, my chickens, the rain, everything. I'm so thankful for everything and so brokenhearted for all the Elsa's in the world.
bibliomaniac33's review against another edition
2.0
Definitely not my favorite. I couldn’t wait for it to be over. I wouldn’t recommend.
I can’t say it better than this reviewer so linking and saying ditto for me:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3713260193
I can’t say it better than this reviewer so linking and saying ditto for me:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3713260193
kp577's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? No
4.5
megansgc's review against another edition
4.0
Kristin Hannah is clearly an excellent writer with the degree of emotion she is able to evoke with her tales. However it’s quite bleak and depressing so be prepared for that. Not one to read if you need a pick me up. Definitely made me feel the experiences though and made me grateful for modernity, safety and security.
katie_fair94's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
nglofile's review against another edition
2.0
Though anyone who crossed my path while I was reading this could justifiably attest I was being a little bratty about it, I did try to enter with an open mind. The truth is that there were elements that captured my attention more than I might have expected, and I did appreciate the tacit commentary of how the migrants' plight has parallels to that of immigrants today.
However, this is an example of an all-too-common flavor of historical fiction in which everything uncovered in research is thrown in the path of a single character, moreover one who has familial or personal trauma as well. In best cases, this strains credibility, but when you combine that with a protagonist who is crafted to be Noble and Stalwart and Selfless, it sacrifices making that character a complex individual. Paragons do not exist in reality, nor are they interesting, at least not as the central force of a story. Even moments when Elsa was granted a 'slip' seemed awkwardly dropped in as plot contrivances rather than serving to give her roundness as a character.
[I kept thinking of stoic Alexandra in Cather's O Pioneers, a heroine who shares quite a few traits with Elsa, but she was balanced by others that gave her softness and texture.]
Loreda as foil was an interesting choice, especially given the author's testimony of how her character came to be; however, she was hardly enjoyable to read and frankly telegraphed a girl much older and with more world experience than was attributed in the story.
All this said, the book provides lots of fodder for discussion. The members just have to be willing to take on a book that is long and heavy. The author characterizes it as "weirdly hopeful" which takes some effort to comprehend...but it is there, and that alone is interesting.
However, this is an example of an all-too-common flavor of historical fiction in which everything uncovered in research is thrown in the path of a single character, moreover one who has familial or personal trauma as well. In best cases, this strains credibility, but when you combine that with a protagonist who is crafted to be Noble and Stalwart and Selfless, it sacrifices making that character a complex individual. Paragons do not exist in reality, nor are they interesting, at least not as the central force of a story. Even moments when Elsa was granted a 'slip' seemed awkwardly dropped in as plot contrivances rather than serving to give her roundness as a character.
[I kept thinking of stoic Alexandra in Cather's O Pioneers, a heroine who shares quite a few traits with Elsa, but she was balanced by others that gave her softness and texture.]
Loreda as foil was an interesting choice, especially given the author's testimony of how her character came to be; however, she was hardly enjoyable to read and frankly telegraphed a girl much older and with more world experience than was attributed in the story.
All this said, the book provides lots of fodder for discussion. The members just have to be willing to take on a book that is long and heavy. The author characterizes it as "weirdly hopeful" which takes some effort to comprehend...but it is there, and that alone is interesting.
cfillion's review against another edition
4.0
Very slow going in the beginning- I had to take a break from it, but I’m glad I ended up coming back. So many parallels can be seen between this story and our present time. As always I enjoyed Kristin Hannah’s depiction of strong women and her great storytelling.
kassimesserly's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 *
I will read anything Kristin Hannah writes. This was amazing!
I will read anything Kristin Hannah writes. This was amazing!
karimorton33's review against another edition
5.0
I really got into this book, Elsa, Loreda and Ant as main characters and all of the other characters too were really interesting to me. I never knew about the dust storms in the US around the same time as the Great Depression, so it was interesting to learn about something new through a family story. I found it beautiful, and also liked the love of books thrown in there!
christinecasey's review against another edition
5.0
Wowza. A poignant read about the grind of life during the dust bowl, the demoralizing hardships of migrant poverty, and the endless, enduring love that a mother has for her children. Be prepared. This is not an easy one.