georgemay's review
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
eh2018's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. Simple and not much to the plot but the characters were sweet and I definitely feel like I got immersed in the lives of the members of a small coal mining town of the past. Tess even reminded me a bit of Scout of To Kill A Mockingbird...a fav
azu_rikka's review against another edition
4.0
3.75☆
This is a heartwarming book! I loved the nine year old Tess, the story in general, the way it's written and the historical background. It's an easy and fast read.
This is a heartwarming book! I loved the nine year old Tess, the story in general, the way it's written and the historical background. It's an easy and fast read.
bogfinchgirl's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t give five stars often. Three means it was good and i liked it, four means I loved it, five means it is one of my favorites. Some will read this book and think, how could she love this book? There’s no “story,” the hook of the baby in the well wasn’t what I thought it would be. Well, it is a wonderfully written narrative about life...everyday life. One family’s life in 1930s Alabama as a mining family. I just enjoyed the characters and experiencing daily life from their viewpoint. So pleased I picked this book out at our local second hand sale.
sheila_p's review against another edition
3.0
I wish the author had chosen one voice for the book, moving between the characters felt too choppy. There were too many big issues introduced, it wasn't necessary. There is a great story here, it is moving and well-told, the author should have trusted her characters enough to stand on their own. They were rich. I think this would be a good discussion book.
jamieastone's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great story of a family living in a southern mining town during the Great Depression. The story revolves around a myseterious event that happens in the first few pages. Through this mysterious event, the characters in town are developed. The focus is mainly on the Moore family and how the parents of the three children in this family struggle to make a living and a good life for their kids. The mystery is solved in the end after we have had the opportunity to view the lives of the family members and others in town. This is a great snapshot of what life was like during this time period and a great story.
hisdarkmaterials's review against another edition
3.0
Really decent debut. It's hard to classify this book..it's sort of like chick lit but not brainless. I can't really explain..set in 1930s America during the depression..it explores racial divide..poverty..etc but nothing too heavy. It was a enjoyable easy read. Phillips pulled off the different voices telling the story wonderfully, smart move with Jack being able to take us to the future. If you think this will be some great murder mystery, forget it. Just decent writing. I will be certainly looking out for further work in the future.
nicoleja's review against another edition
2.0
Although the author painted a clear picture of life in the South, I had no interest in finishing the book after about 3/4 of the way.
elvenavari's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not very crazy about stories written in dialect. I appreciate author's who use that device but I am not a fan. Overall the story was good but I wasn't a fan of how it was told from all the different character's point of view... it did flow well but... it just felt like a combination of a novel and a play.