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rachel_edna's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this story of generations of mother and daughter relationships. It really showed the importance of a mother's love and how it can affect each and every part of your life. It was very moving and made me want to call my mother to tell her how much I love her.
kybena16's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put this book down. The writing was beautiful and the story gripped my heart. I would give this book 10 stars if I could. Definitely recommend it!!
hsegdash's review against another edition
3.0
Almost didnt want to finish the book because you knew something bad happened to such a kind person. It was revealed well though.
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
I have read many books by this author. Karen does a good job of spinning a good tale about strong women. This is why I like reading her books. I have to say though that in the beginning, I had some trouble really getting into this book. The connection with Vivian was not a good one. I connected better with her her grandmother and mother's stories then I did the present and Vivian. However as the story moved along, I did warm up to Vivian. She grew as a person and became more interesting and thus did her story. So the middle and last half of the book was really good. The first third was alright. Again the past is what made the beginning story. The flow from past to present was smooth.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
Karen White’s A LONG TIME GONE, a poignant multi-generational novel—takes readers back to the southern Walker home roots, in the Mississippi Delta. Dark family secrets surface, with three generations of Walker women, all fighting their own demons, and past in this poignant mother-daughter family saga.
“But whatever drove them away was never stronger than the pull of what brought them back.”
It's been nine years since Vivien Walker Moise moved to California without looking back. Unfortunately, due to a failed marriage, divorce, and a miscarriage, she finds herself back at home—where she swore she would never return. Where else does she have to go?
She now is depending on pills to get her through the day and night. She longs to see her grandmother, and misses her step-daughter, Chloe—realizing she is fighting a losing battle trying to get her away from her biological dad.
Vivien is shocked when she finds her beloved grandmother Bootsie, who raised her, has died and her estranged mother is suffering from early stages of Alzheimer's. Now she has to assume the role of caretaker (just what she wants, right)?
After a storm, a body is discovered, Vivien’s goal is to solve the mystery of the past and uncover the secrets which have haunted these woman. In the meantime, Vivien begins to discover more about herself, and what is important to her.
Flash backs from the 1920s, to 2013 in diary entries, and recounts from older close friend, Mathilda, this contemporary historical novel uncovers dark family secrets which were taken to the grave—racial tension, prohibition, addiction, bigotry, KKK, abandonment, betrayal, and murder.
Vivien knows she has to give up the pills if she stands a chance at getting to spend time with Chloe. (The relationship between these two were quite funny and endearing). Can Vivian find her way in this small town which grounds her, working on the land and her garden, will she find romance with an old flame, conquer her addiction, and be able to renew a mother daughter relationship with her step-daughter? Can she and her mother find their way back to one another before it is too late?
A moving story of forgiveness and redemption. Readers who enjoy southern fiction and a multi-generational family saga, will appreciate.
I listened to the audio version and narrators Pilar Witherspoon, Jennifer Ikeda, and Susan Bennett, did a good job--voices blending with the time.
http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/903686/a-long-time-gone
“But whatever drove them away was never stronger than the pull of what brought them back.”
It's been nine years since Vivien Walker Moise moved to California without looking back. Unfortunately, due to a failed marriage, divorce, and a miscarriage, she finds herself back at home—where she swore she would never return. Where else does she have to go?
She now is depending on pills to get her through the day and night. She longs to see her grandmother, and misses her step-daughter, Chloe—realizing she is fighting a losing battle trying to get her away from her biological dad.
Vivien is shocked when she finds her beloved grandmother Bootsie, who raised her, has died and her estranged mother is suffering from early stages of Alzheimer's. Now she has to assume the role of caretaker (just what she wants, right)?
After a storm, a body is discovered, Vivien’s goal is to solve the mystery of the past and uncover the secrets which have haunted these woman. In the meantime, Vivien begins to discover more about herself, and what is important to her.
Flash backs from the 1920s, to 2013 in diary entries, and recounts from older close friend, Mathilda, this contemporary historical novel uncovers dark family secrets which were taken to the grave—racial tension, prohibition, addiction, bigotry, KKK, abandonment, betrayal, and murder.
Vivien knows she has to give up the pills if she stands a chance at getting to spend time with Chloe. (The relationship between these two were quite funny and endearing). Can Vivian find her way in this small town which grounds her, working on the land and her garden, will she find romance with an old flame, conquer her addiction, and be able to renew a mother daughter relationship with her step-daughter? Can she and her mother find their way back to one another before it is too late?
A moving story of forgiveness and redemption. Readers who enjoy southern fiction and a multi-generational family saga, will appreciate.
I listened to the audio version and narrators Pilar Witherspoon, Jennifer Ikeda, and Susan Bennett, did a good job--voices blending with the time.
http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/903686/a-long-time-gone
mellabella's review against another edition
4.0
Told between three generations of women in a family (Adeline in the 1920's, Carol Lynne in the 1960's and Vivien in 2013), I couldn't put A Long Time Gone down. It opens as Vivien is driving back to her childhood home in Mississippi from Los Angeles. She is fleeing a miscarriage in her 7th month and, a marriage with a horrible man that ended in divorce. It's the first time she has been back home in 9 years. She craves the comfort of her grandmother Bootsie. But learns that Bootsie has passed away. Vivien has not remained in contact with her brother Tommy or childhood friend (and love interest) Tripp in the years she's been gone. She didn't know her beloved grandmother passed away or, that her mother Carol Lynne is now suffering from early onset dementia. Carol Lynne's parts of the book are told through her diary. How she was in and out and her kids lives. How she resented, yet loved her mother Bootsie. How she left her kids periodically because she loved them. There is also a character named Mathilde. A Black woman who knew Adeline, Bootsie, Carol Lynne, and Vivien and played a friend, sister, mother role for one or each of them. When Vivien gets home the remains of a young woman have been unearthed after a storm. Amongst everything else going on in her life (an addiction to prescription pills, her 12 year old stepdaughter coming to see her against her ex husbands wishes and orders) Vivien sets out to solve the mystery of who this woman was. The only thing that stopped me from giving this book 5 stars was that we never heard Bootsie's side of things. Also, I have never been abandoned by my mother. But, maybe Vivien could have cut Carol Lynne some slack seeing how she had dementia. All that anger was warranted. But, it seemed a little... Pointless to direct it at a woman who is losing her memory. All in all, a really good read. I read one other book by this author. But this one made a fan.
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I really like Karen White. She manages to weave great stories that combine several generations. This story is a bittersweet story of three women across generations. Vivian returns home to Indian Mound Mississippi after being gone for 9 years. She is fleeing a broken marriage and long time regrets. She is hoping to find solace with her grandmother but discovers she has died and unexplained bones have been unearthed on her grandmother's property. The mystery of the bones unravels as the stories of three Walker women are told. We get Adelaide's story from the 1920's, Carol Lynne's story from the 1960's-70's and Vivian's story from present day.
I liked the depth of the characters. Their stories were interesting and tragic at the same time. The narrator of the audio book did a great job bring each character to life.
I liked the depth of the characters. Their stories were interesting and tragic at the same time. The narrator of the audio book did a great job bring each character to life.
reneesmith's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful writing. Compelling mystery. Powerful story of mother/daughter reconciliation & healing. Sweet romantic thread. Needed tissues to finish it!
shiloniz's review against another edition
4.0
This wonderful and timeless story follows the journey of four Walker woman through generations, difficulties, the fear of being trapped along with a deep-seeded fear of becoming who they thought the woman before them were, only to find their assumptions turned on their heads. I really enjoyed this piece of Southern fiction. Great to read on those late nights.
amibunk's review against another edition
4.0
Karen White's multigenerational novel, with its themes of abandonment and maternal love, was a delight to read. As always, Ms. White's characters felt very real and multifaceted. Additionally, her careful pacing in the beginning and middle of the book was exceptionally well done. Here, the plot was a carefully constructed revelation of dark secrets and forgotten meaning. Despite the changing point of view and date in history, the book read smoothly and quickly.
Towards the end, I felt the author was in a bit of a rush to reach the somewhat predictable conclusion. In fact, Adelaide's narration seemed to be choked off a little prematurely. I think the story could have greatly benefitted by hearing from her one more time, rather than depending on a last minute confession from a 104 year old woman who did not have all the facts.
Still, A Long Time Gone is a good read that provides entertainment and a few moments of pondering and thought.
Towards the end, I felt the author was in a bit of a rush to reach the somewhat predictable conclusion. In fact, Adelaide's narration seemed to be choked off a little prematurely. I think the story could have greatly benefitted by hearing from her one more time, rather than depending on a last minute confession from a 104 year old woman who did not have all the facts.
Still, A Long Time Gone is a good read that provides entertainment and a few moments of pondering and thought.