The Emigrants by Vilhelm Moberg

The Emigrants

by

Vilhelm Moberg

 The Emigrants is the first book of a four part book series in which the topic is Swedish immigration to Minnesota. .  It was written in the 1950s.  Its author, Vilhelm Moberg, was criticized at the time the book was released for some of the adult themes he included.  By today's standards it is pretty mild.  This first book in the series begins by covering the time a peasant family lived in Sweden and explains the reasons for immigration people had at that time.  The lack of ability to better their situations and religious persecution were two of the reasons.  It is 1850 when this fictional family boards a ship for the New World.  I have always known that the voyage across the sea for the immigrants was a difficult time but this book really makes the struggles real.  The author is an excellent writer and I certainly intend to finish this four book series.  There is also a movie that was made about the first two novels of these four books back in 1971.  It is in the Swedish language and is on Prime with subtitles so one can read along what they are saying in English.  Apple TV has a version with the English dubbed in. This book will stay with me a long time.  I highly recommend it.  Please click on the links at the book title and author's name above for more information.  And follow the link below to a delightful video about the area in Minnesota where the immigrants are headed.  

Click HERE.  

 

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

Burial Rites

by

Hannah Kent

As soon as I finished this novel I wanted to stop and write the review right away while I still felt the weight of it.  It is the story of a woman condemned to be executed for the murder of the man she worked for.  Burial Rites takes place in the early 1800s in Iceland.  It is a dark story but the historical accuracy is spot on.  I really enjoyed the descriptions of the care of the animals, the housekeeping tasks of the women, the descriptions of harvest, and the clear picture it gave of the way every bit of an animal was used at slaughter.  This book will stay with me and those that don't read it are missing out.  Please click on the author's name and book title above to follow the links to more information.  And follow the link below to a YouTube video where the author discusses the book.  

Click HERE for the video.  

 

Later by Stephen King

 

Later 

by

Stephen King 

I was snuggled down in a cabin near Red River Gorge, Kentucky this week when I finished up Later by Stephen King.  It is a book about a kid who can see dead people.  Eventually one of the dead people does haunt him.   Although it is scary, it is also hilarious.  The protagonist is a very quirky kid and he is just a hoot. I never thought I would belly laugh my way through a Stephen King novel but this one was really funny.  I was entertained and would really recommend it for this time of year. It is suitable for younger readers too.   Please click on the authors name and book title above to follow the links to more information.  And click on the link below to watch a video of the author talking about his book.  

VIDEO.  

Six Years by Harlan Coben

Six Years

by

Harlan Coben 

A complete switch from my normal genre of historical fiction, I flew through Harlan Coben's novel Six Years.  In keeping with his other books, it is mystery genre.  It is also a love story.  As with most mystery books I had a good deal of the ending figured out early on.  But, to this author's credit, I did not put it all together till the  reveal at the end.  I will say the ending to the romance part of the story was a bit trite and I did not feel it was realistic.  But it was a happy ending.  It was a book that sucked me in and kept me reading.  I will definitely read more of this author when I want a historical fiction break and I also want to check out some of  his television series. Be sure to click on the author's name and book title above for more information and the link to the video below to watch the author introduce this novel.  

VIDEO.  

 

At The Edge Of The Orchard by Tracy Chevalier

At The Edge Of The Orchard

by

Tracy Chevalier

Although I enjoyed the premise of this book as it related to the giant sequoias in California and the apple orchards in New England and frontier Ohio, I did not enjoy the descriptions of abuse surrounding the frontier family in the novel.  Sadie Goodenough was a mean woman who was an alcoholic.  She was abusive to her children and to her husband.   James Goodenough was a tragic figure.  Although he had some redeeming qualities,  he also beat his wife and children.  The home they were trying to salvage from the swamps of Northeast Ohio was not a safe refuge.  Neither parent were characters that I could begin to like.   The author does salvage the book by making their son Robert and their daughter Martha very likable characters.  And, as mentioned at the beginning of this review,  the trees made the book something very special.  I am not sure I would recommend the book to others but I did enjoy sections of it.  Please click on the book title and the author's name above to follow the links to more information.  And click on the link below to watch three videos of interesting topics related to the book.  

Click HERE to learn about sequoias. 

Click HERE to learn about the apples cherished by the Goodenough family.  

Click HERE to learn about Johnny Appleseed and the source of Sadie Goodenough's addiction.  

 

A Secret History Of Witches by Louisa Morgan

 

A Secret History Of Witches

by

Louisa Morgan

In keeping with the Halloween season I chose to read this book A Secret History Of Witches by Louisa Morgan.  It is a book about a family linage and a way of life passed down from mother to daughter through several generations.  The time frame of the story begins in the early 1800s and proceeds through the end of WWII.   I would classify this book as historical fantasy.  And I did not feel like it stereotyped the Romani people or the more nomadic Romani people known as gypsies because there were examples in the novel of Romani people who were not fans of fortune telling or casting spells.  I enjoyed the book and it held my interest.  It was not a hard read.  The parts where people were pursued by witch hunters and people held prejudices against groups of women were tragic.  The description of mother/daughter relationships and loyalties were heartwarming at times and pulled at my heartstrings at other times.   I recommend this book as a good choice for the halloween season.  Please click on the book title and author's name above for more information.  And follow the link below for the historical context of the last few chapters of the book.  

VIDEO

The Fifth Of March by Ann Rinaldi

 

The Fifth Of March

by

Ann Rinaldi

 

The Boston Massacre is taught in every American classroom that is studying the American Revolution.  This novel by Ann Rinaldi is the story of the Boston Massacre told through the eyes of a teenaged girl who is an indentured servant for John and Abigail Adams.  The Fifth Of March demonstrates how friendships and family relationships are strained as citizens line up on each side of the issues if that time.  People chose to stay British Americans or become Plain American. This book is a Young Adult novel.  It would be a great book to read aloud as a family, especially if traveling to the eastern part of the United States to visit the various revolutionary historic sites.  It would be an excellent book for a student to do a book report on who is studying the revolutionary war in their classes.  In many ways it is a coming of age story.  The protagonist, Rachel Marsh, grows up a great deal during the novel.  She learns to think of others and not only of herself.  It doesn't have a typical happy ending.  Many things are still not resolved at the end of the book.  It is an easy read and one that every American citizen should read.  It was written in 1993 so was not available when I was in school.  I am glad that I have read it now.  Please click on the book title above to follow the links to more information.  And click on the link below to watch a video.  

VIDEO

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