Helpful Score: 11
I know that many people must have truly enjoyed this novel, but I found it to be horrible. It was almost impossible to identify with any of the characters, and especially the character of Ada was vapid and shallow. Ruby was great, but not the zelwegger type in my own imagination. Truly this book seemed like a complete waste of time. Very few redeeming qualities in any of the people featured doesn't make much of a story. Just a little too out there, in my opinion, although very historically acurate in terms of Civil War history and the era.
This book is so well written and the research the author did shows in his depiction of life during the Civil War. This is a world turned upside down by war, and the male protagonist is on a journey home after seeing humanity at its worst. Meanwhile the female lead is trying to learn how to maintain a farm after the death of her father leaves her penniless. Everyone these people encounter have stories, myths, and legends to tell. It's a travel tale in the mold of The Odyssey. There is a lot of substance here, I think it deserves a second reading to pick up on some of the themes the author left half-buried in the tale for the reader to find. There are some gruesome sections (usually having to do with hunting or battles) and there is some use of "the 'n' word" (though not in an overly pejorative way), if either of those bother you a great deal be warned.
Helpful Score: 5
Some people may just adore this book. For some reason, I have never been able to get into it. I've attempted to read this book several times, and just lose interest. Perhaps this book will do better in the hands of another reader.
Helpful Score: 4
This is about a man who is making is way home from the Civil War after being injured. (Through the North Carolina Mountains) His drive is behind a woman he barely knows. The story goes back and forth between his journey and what is happening in her life as he is making his way. I enjoyed the depiction of what life was like in the mountains during this time. How hard life was. How hard you had to work to survive. I enjoyed it so much, it made me wants to learn to grow and cook like they did. Just to get the feeling
Helpful Score: 3
This is about a man who is making is way home from the Civil War after being injured. (Through the North Carolina Mountains) His drive is behind a woman he barely knows. The story goes back and forth between his journey and what is happening in her life as he is making his way. I enjoyed the depiction of what life was like in the mountains during this time. How hard life was. How hard you had to work to survive. I enjoyed it so much, it made me wants to learn to grow and cook like they did. Just to get the feeling
