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curlypip's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Sometimes, having absolutely no expectations whatsoever results in a much more enjoyable read!
I love the respect for nature and appreciation of the power of Niagara that really came through. The story was told so vividly that I could really imagine I was there
I love the respect for nature and appreciation of the power of Niagara that really came through. The story was told so vividly that I could really imagine I was there
24marsha's review
4.0
Great book. Great setting. Great Canadian author. Great history. I really liked it all around. Loved the romance and the love story that grows over the years between Bess and Tom. They supported each other and truly gave up what they wanted to make the other happier. After spending time in the tourist trap, ritz and glitz that Niagara Falls is now it is nice to read about its history.
kathieboucher's review
2.0
Clearly, Niagara Falls is the main character of this novel. Being familiar with the Falls area, I enjoyed all the detail about the Niagara River, the rapids, the whirlpool, and how it's been adversely affected by man's attempts to harness the power of the Falls.
And so that's how that scow came to be stuck on the rocks! I want to be there the day it comes loose and hurtles over the Falls.
And so that's how that scow came to be stuck on the rocks! I want to be there the day it comes loose and hurtles over the Falls.
smalltownbookmom's review
2.0
Not bad for a first effort. Had some good parts, but I didn't think it was anything that special.
barbsaj's review
2.0
I was really drawn to this book based on the brief cover description, the setting and era and the beautiful design. However, I had a really hard time with it the whole way through. For a historical novel, I felt the author could have been a little more careful about using dialogue consistent with the time frame, particularly for the two sisters who would have been well-educated.
This was a book I felt like I had to slog through. The plot was sloppy, the character development poor and the relationships between the characters mere cliched sketches. I am still wondering if there was a plot. Further, despite all the references to faith and the interconnectivity of life, I had such a sense of dread going through this. It just seemed like there was no way this poor woman, Bess, would ever catch a break. Sense of faith or not, that is just depressing and left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe the whole faith thing wasn't emphasized enough; I feel like if it stood out more to me, maybe I would feel better about the story. But it seemed to make little sense. It's too bad - I really thought I would like this book, but it was not up to snuff. It's a good reminder not to judge a book by its cover.
This was a book I felt like I had to slog through. The plot was sloppy, the character development poor and the relationships between the characters mere cliched sketches. I am still wondering if there was a plot. Further, despite all the references to faith and the interconnectivity of life, I had such a sense of dread going through this. It just seemed like there was no way this poor woman, Bess, would ever catch a break. Sense of faith or not, that is just depressing and left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe the whole faith thing wasn't emphasized enough; I feel like if it stood out more to me, maybe I would feel better about the story. But it seemed to make little sense. It's too bad - I really thought I would like this book, but it was not up to snuff. It's a good reminder not to judge a book by its cover.
kategci's review
3.0
This is an interesting historical novel about Niagara Falls in the early 20th century, from a Canadian point of view. The main character has had her life turned upside down by the power companies who have begun to harvest the power of the falls to generate electricity. Her father has lost his job, and she must begin her adult life sooner than planned. She becomes a talented seamstress and cares for her family during World War I and after as her husband returns from the war. Sad things happen, but she remains strong for those who rely on her. This book touches on a part of history unknown to most of us on the United States side of the Falls and was a quick, enjoyable, read.
retiredbookaholic's review
3.0
I thought this book would have more action, more conflict after reading the book flap, but it really is a love story, coming of age book. Even so, I did enjoy the story. It was easy to put the book down and not pick it up, yet it was also easy to keep reading. This is not a romantic story but a love realistic relationship story with all the ups and downs that almost every relationship encounters. It is a story about faith. Not just religious faith, but faith in your fellow human beings. Faith in your loved ones: parents, spouse, children. Believing in them regardless of how difficult. For you emotional/sensitive readers, i cried at the end. Have some tissue ready!
aunt13soc1al's review
4.0
I loved this book.
Quite surprising as the author's first book, it was well written and intriguing. Buchanan takes a love story between two young people, the 17 year old Bess, and a river man named Tom, who is loosely based on an historical figure. Buchanan draws you into the lives of these two and their life as they struggle with the beginning of the Hydro-Electric powerhouse that wants to divert the water (all of it if they could) from the Niagara to create electricity to make life better for all. Tom knows the river and like his ancestor, he's saved a fair number from accidents at the falls.
Tom can read the river and while it is good for the town when it saves people, it puts him at odds with them when it comes to the powerhouse which will deplete the river and all the bounty it offers.
Tom and Bess are faced with not only the everyday life struggles of making ends meet and maintaining their lifestyle (which is not grand in any sense), but with the onset of war in addition to everything else. Tom goes off to war and Bess is left to raise their son while working as a dressmaker.
I cannot continue too much with the story without dropping spoilers, but in the end, this story while sad at times, has you hoping for the best for these characters. Will Tom make it home from the War? What happens with the powerhouse? The Niagara? Buchanan reveals all with an ability to make you want to cry and yet even in those hard times, the characters grow and change in a way you can respect.
If you love historical fiction or even a good love story, this is truly a wonderful read and well worth curling up with it for a weekend.
Quite surprising as the author's first book, it was well written and intriguing. Buchanan takes a love story between two young people, the 17 year old Bess, and a river man named Tom, who is loosely based on an historical figure. Buchanan draws you into the lives of these two and their life as they struggle with the beginning of the Hydro-Electric powerhouse that wants to divert the water (all of it if they could) from the Niagara to create electricity to make life better for all. Tom knows the river and like his ancestor, he's saved a fair number from accidents at the falls.
Tom can read the river and while it is good for the town when it saves people, it puts him at odds with them when it comes to the powerhouse which will deplete the river and all the bounty it offers.
Tom and Bess are faced with not only the everyday life struggles of making ends meet and maintaining their lifestyle (which is not grand in any sense), but with the onset of war in addition to everything else. Tom goes off to war and Bess is left to raise their son while working as a dressmaker.
I cannot continue too much with the story without dropping spoilers, but in the end, this story while sad at times, has you hoping for the best for these characters. Will Tom make it home from the War? What happens with the powerhouse? The Niagara? Buchanan reveals all with an ability to make you want to cry and yet even in those hard times, the characters grow and change in a way you can respect.
If you love historical fiction or even a good love story, this is truly a wonderful read and well worth curling up with it for a weekend.