sjchaima's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
missamandamae's review against another edition
3.0
I had high hopes for this title. German POWs in the States is a fascinating topic, and I dove into the book expecting an intriguing story. Well.... I had trouble liking any of the characters. Kate and her mother Charlotte are the two we get to know the most, and I found Kate a little too Mary Sue at times (yes, I will have a rich boy fall in love with my almost-drowned self and my farm girl self will totally fit in with his Fortune 500 life) and Charlotte could have been made a little more interesting with a little more detail. I would have loved to learn more about Thomas, the dad who had to leave college to take care of the farm. His story was more interesting to me. Really I just wanted more background, more information on all the characters. There just wasn't enough for me to really gain sympathy for any of them. And Karl seemed more of a fool than I think was warranted.
This story was worth reading for all the potential, but I just wasn't left satisfied.
This story was worth reading for all the potential, but I just wasn't left satisfied.
mickishell's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars. Finished in 3 days. Set in Door County, Wisconsin during WWII. Did prisoners of war really help bring in the cherry harvest?
skigirl1689's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was beautifully written, with the setting just drawing me in, a setting I am kind of familiar with as I am from the region. I can't remember another novel with such a tragic, but, at the same time, hopeful ending.
bookscatsyarn's review against another edition
2.0
A story with a lot of potential ruined by lazy writing. Meh.
elvenavari's review against another edition
1.0
From the moment I started reading this book I was turned off. Why? The book starts with the main character, Charlotte, butchering one of her daughter's rabbits so she can provide a full meal for her family during hard times. I get why she did it, but it was so descriptive and I was grossed out. That set the stage for the rest of the novel. I never grew to like Charlotte and was actually relieved as I watched her world start to fall apart... what a horrible feeling huh?
The only part I liked about his book was that I learned that they brought German POWs to Wisconsin toward the end of WWII, I had no idea.
The only part I liked about his book was that I learned that they brought German POWs to Wisconsin toward the end of WWII, I had no idea.
alicebeastcat's review against another edition
2.0
I really enjoyed this opportunity to learn about an aspect of American and Wisconsin history that I hadn't known about -- that German POWS stationed nearby were used to work and harvest the farms in northern Wisconsin while America's young men were away in the service or working the shipyards. However, I found the characters of this book to be two-dimensional and their dialogue often childlike in it's simplicity.
leahlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
What an enlightening tale about the prisoners of war put to work on the farms of Door County during WWII. I learned a bit of local history plus the engaging story of one family and their triumphs and failues. Definitely an interesting lead.