Helpful Score: 4
I keep reading reviews that contrast Roses with Gone With The Wind. In my mind, the only thing similiar is that both were set in the south and concerned plantations.
Roses is intriging from the start. It tells the story of several of generations of families that share a history. It drew me in, at the beginning and never let me go until the last word. I would think I knew the story, when another twist would take it in another direction.
Roses gets 5 stars from me. I highly recommend this marvelous read.
Roses is intriging from the start. It tells the story of several of generations of families that share a history. It drew me in, at the beginning and never let me go until the last word. I would think I knew the story, when another twist would take it in another direction.
Roses gets 5 stars from me. I highly recommend this marvelous read.
Helpful Score: 3
I loved, loved, loved this book! So many reviewers and even the dust jacket compared it to GWTW. Not I. It is nothing like it really. This is a multi-generational saga that spans from 1914-nearly the present. It is many love stories in one book.
As many of you know who have read my reviews, I don't retell the plot. Enough reviewers do that. I just say what I think about it. I LOVED THIS BOOK!! I loved every minute of it. I loved the romance, the sadness and the suspense of what in the world these characters would do next.
Don't hesitate. This one is good! I will be thinking about all the characters for a long, long time!
As many of you know who have read my reviews, I don't retell the plot. Enough reviewers do that. I just say what I think about it. I LOVED THIS BOOK!! I loved every minute of it. I loved the romance, the sadness and the suspense of what in the world these characters would do next.
Don't hesitate. This one is good! I will be thinking about all the characters for a long, long time!
Helpful Score: 2
I found Roses to be an extemely well written book with a wonderful story line. The characters were extremely well developed and the story was told from several different viewpoints giving the reader great insite into each character. It spans the life of three gernerations in the farm lands of Texas. It is definitely one of those hard to put down books that keeps the reader wanting to know, what next.
Helpful Score: 2
I am on my second read of this fantastic book. I love books that carry certain families through several generations and the author does this beautifully. Even though I've read this book I still cry at the sadness and 'bad timing' of situations in this story. You can't go wrong reading this incredible story!
Helpful Score: 1
The title "Roses", by Leila Meacham, originates from the symbolism of the heritage of the founding families of the fictional town of Howbukter, Texas. Descendants from England's white rose of York and the red rose of the house of Lancaster, were young men immigrated from South Carolina to Texas in the 1800's. Taking with them from New Orleans was Henri DuMont. Thus begins the town of Howbukter, and Mary Toliver, a descendant from one of these founding families, widow to Ollie DuMont, is age 85 and dying.. many many years later as our novel begins. She worked her whole life on the plantation of Somerset, and poured her blood, sweat and tears into it. So why, after all of this back breaking and sacrificial work so her great-niece can carry on the tradition, why does Mary decide to throw it all away with a puzzling codicil to her will?
The novel's point of view changes from Mary, to her niece Rachel, and jumps back and forth in time as the reader begins to put together the puzzle that forms Mary's reasons for wanting the plantation of Somerset to finally be taken out of the Toliver's hands. After generations of work and production on the cotton farm, it is a decision that stuns the family and causes serious rifts between the surviving family members and friends. There are secrets about Mary's past and the other families, and the climax comes when Rachel is forced to discover the truth behind Mary's final decisions which threatens to tear asunder all bonds that have formed after years of friendship, especially between the Warwick family. Percy and Mary have secrets and a hidden love that doesn't come out to the family members until after Mary dies. Before we even get to that point, we are treated to the tears and triumphs of Mary Toliver's life, her romances, marriage, her child, and her friends. But first and foremost, there was Somerset. The one thing that everyone knew that defined Mary Toliver was one word: "Somerset", dismissing the love that Percy held for her. And that is what Rachel had groomed herself to emulate, yet Mary at age 85 changes her mind about leaving the land to Rachel and dies before she has a chance to explain about the Toliver Curse.
Focusing on Mary's life, using flashbacks taking us from 1985 to the roaring twenties and further, the story blends the lives of the three original families that founded Howbukter: The Dumonts, Tolivers, and the Warwicks. Each family focused their businesses on different areas but were still close through the many years as their families grew. This novel features everything you could want in a good historical saga; from broken hearts to death and rebirth and faith in humanity, and there were plenty of roses in this story. The rose was now symbolic of friendship and forgiveness between the families, and the theme was dominant throughout the story.
I was swept away to another time, to a time where the car was called a horseless carriage, and where women were bred to run a houseful of servants. There were men going off to war, some men going more than once.. some men sending their boys to war and it was so sad to think of my ancestors and our heritage, the way the author portrayed the hopelessness for the families as they watched the boys come and go.. those that returned were broken, those that didn't return broke their families. And this was the reality of America back then, and yet, this is still the reality of today. As the author trapped me into this story I began to feel caught up within the family saga of it all as if it were my own family. I sobbed throughout the chapters as I plodded through, I still needed to know more. But it wasn't the fact of slowly becoming familiar with the story as it slowly touched my heart. That's not the case at all. My heart was gripped at page ten, as I was tearing up already. I cried at several points in the book. I am not going to tell you where.. or who or what.. because you just need to get this book and see for yourself.
We are knee deep in the story at page 15. The history, the blend of humanity, the description of the changes of society as Mary witnessed it in her hometown, everything is a perfect blend of a family saga that haunts your soul, sets it on fire, blows it out, and does it all over again. There is love and passion, sorrow and grief all in the American pursuit of happiness. After the page flipping frenzy that the novel absorbed me in, I was a bit underwhelmed at the ending, but it could have just been the disappointment that I had finished it. But it wasn't fireworks and rainbows like I think the author wanted it to be, though I still obviously enjoyed the journey that Leila Meacham took me on. I also loved the fact that the story is set in Texas, probably pretty darn close to my home at that. My town subsisted on cotton farming and its beginnings mirror that of what Leila describes for her town of Howbukter. All in all, this novel was the epitome of an epic family saga that is unforgettable; the emotions that you go through reading it will cause this book to be engraved in your memory.
Already compared to epic sagas such as Gone With the Wind (which the author hadn't read yet) and The Thorn Birds, this is definitely going to be an author to watch. If you enjoy the sweeping style of these sagas, you will definitely enjoy the story of Roses. I also must mention that the packaging of the hardcover was a sight to behold.. the inside covers are also bedecked in vines of roses which was a beautiful touch.
The novel's point of view changes from Mary, to her niece Rachel, and jumps back and forth in time as the reader begins to put together the puzzle that forms Mary's reasons for wanting the plantation of Somerset to finally be taken out of the Toliver's hands. After generations of work and production on the cotton farm, it is a decision that stuns the family and causes serious rifts between the surviving family members and friends. There are secrets about Mary's past and the other families, and the climax comes when Rachel is forced to discover the truth behind Mary's final decisions which threatens to tear asunder all bonds that have formed after years of friendship, especially between the Warwick family. Percy and Mary have secrets and a hidden love that doesn't come out to the family members until after Mary dies. Before we even get to that point, we are treated to the tears and triumphs of Mary Toliver's life, her romances, marriage, her child, and her friends. But first and foremost, there was Somerset. The one thing that everyone knew that defined Mary Toliver was one word: "Somerset", dismissing the love that Percy held for her. And that is what Rachel had groomed herself to emulate, yet Mary at age 85 changes her mind about leaving the land to Rachel and dies before she has a chance to explain about the Toliver Curse.
Focusing on Mary's life, using flashbacks taking us from 1985 to the roaring twenties and further, the story blends the lives of the three original families that founded Howbukter: The Dumonts, Tolivers, and the Warwicks. Each family focused their businesses on different areas but were still close through the many years as their families grew. This novel features everything you could want in a good historical saga; from broken hearts to death and rebirth and faith in humanity, and there were plenty of roses in this story. The rose was now symbolic of friendship and forgiveness between the families, and the theme was dominant throughout the story.
I was swept away to another time, to a time where the car was called a horseless carriage, and where women were bred to run a houseful of servants. There were men going off to war, some men going more than once.. some men sending their boys to war and it was so sad to think of my ancestors and our heritage, the way the author portrayed the hopelessness for the families as they watched the boys come and go.. those that returned were broken, those that didn't return broke their families. And this was the reality of America back then, and yet, this is still the reality of today. As the author trapped me into this story I began to feel caught up within the family saga of it all as if it were my own family. I sobbed throughout the chapters as I plodded through, I still needed to know more. But it wasn't the fact of slowly becoming familiar with the story as it slowly touched my heart. That's not the case at all. My heart was gripped at page ten, as I was tearing up already. I cried at several points in the book. I am not going to tell you where.. or who or what.. because you just need to get this book and see for yourself.
We are knee deep in the story at page 15. The history, the blend of humanity, the description of the changes of society as Mary witnessed it in her hometown, everything is a perfect blend of a family saga that haunts your soul, sets it on fire, blows it out, and does it all over again. There is love and passion, sorrow and grief all in the American pursuit of happiness. After the page flipping frenzy that the novel absorbed me in, I was a bit underwhelmed at the ending, but it could have just been the disappointment that I had finished it. But it wasn't fireworks and rainbows like I think the author wanted it to be, though I still obviously enjoyed the journey that Leila Meacham took me on. I also loved the fact that the story is set in Texas, probably pretty darn close to my home at that. My town subsisted on cotton farming and its beginnings mirror that of what Leila describes for her town of Howbukter. All in all, this novel was the epitome of an epic family saga that is unforgettable; the emotions that you go through reading it will cause this book to be engraved in your memory.
Already compared to epic sagas such as Gone With the Wind (which the author hadn't read yet) and The Thorn Birds, this is definitely going to be an author to watch. If you enjoy the sweeping style of these sagas, you will definitely enjoy the story of Roses. I also must mention that the packaging of the hardcover was a sight to behold.. the inside covers are also bedecked in vines of roses which was a beautiful touch.
Helpful Score: 1
I haven't read a book this long in awhile and I enjoyed it. I learned a few things about a cotton farm. I liked how the story flowed and the twists to the story. I would actually be happy if the story continued into a second book.
Helpful Score: 1
One of the best stories I have read in along time. It is up there with Gone with the Wind. Absolutely a fantastic book.
For anyone who liked Gone With the Wind, this is a great book.
Helpful Score: 1
While reading the book, I kept thinking it was no "Gone with the Wind" or "Giant." However, I finished it in a few days as I wanted to know how the story turned out. If you like a good "higher quality" romance, this is a book for you.
I have mixed feelings about this story. Some could say this book tells a story of romance, but I find it tells more of a story of stubbornness. I find myself angry with a character or two, which means the writer did well with character development. However, I felt some of the writing was too directional and didn't' leave me to make easy connections. Sometimes too much dialogue irks me. It was an enjoyable read, but not something I feel everyone needs to go read
I couldn't put this book down. It was the best book I have read in a long time.
Lovely story of the South and Cotton heritage
I read ROSES with a few buddies in my online book club, The Reading Cove and it came highly recommended.
While this multi-generational, sweeping epic family saga had great emotional depth, the writing was repetitiveand at times even cheesymuch like the Harlequin novels I read as a teen. And the other thing that kept this ambitious story from being as well written as it could've been, was the way it was told...
The book opens when Mary Toliver and Percy Warwick are elderly and the reader learns a lot about how things turned out before the narrative takes you back 60+ years into the past to show exactly how things got that way. Since there is so much information given in the beginning, this technique basically neutralized ANY tension or mystery about the characters and the plotthe very elements that could've made for some dynamite, page-turning reading! But when you go into the story knowing whom ends up with whom, etc. it gives a reader very little reason to be interested in a rather lengthy stroll down memory lane. Wouldn't you agree?
However, on the bright side, I must say that the most powerful relationship in the entire book was between Percy Warwick and his son Wyatt. The author did SUCH a wonderful job of illustrating emotional truth in this very heartbreaking father-son relationship. It actually brought tears to my eyes. Likewise, Percy's wife demonstrates her love for him in a very profound and memorable scene that I'll never forget. In these instances, the author's writing shines and hints at marvelous potential for future stories.
Now the last third really tests the reader's stamina! By the time I got to Rachel Toliver's story I was thoroughly bored and not really interested in the events concerning the Somerset plantation at. all. For me, the subject had been wrung completely dry and the story ended up feeling a good 100 pages too long.
But overall, I enjoyed ROSES, although not enough to invest time in reading the prequel, SOMERSET; but I am open to reading more from Leila Meacham in the future. B-
★
(¯`·.·´¯) (¯`·.·´¯)
`·.¸(¯`·.·´¯)¸ .·
×°× ` ·.¸.·´ ×°×
While this multi-generational, sweeping epic family saga had great emotional depth, the writing was repetitiveand at times even cheesymuch like the Harlequin novels I read as a teen. And the other thing that kept this ambitious story from being as well written as it could've been, was the way it was told...
The book opens when Mary Toliver and Percy Warwick are elderly and the reader learns a lot about how things turned out before the narrative takes you back 60+ years into the past to show exactly how things got that way. Since there is so much information given in the beginning, this technique basically neutralized ANY tension or mystery about the characters and the plotthe very elements that could've made for some dynamite, page-turning reading! But when you go into the story knowing whom ends up with whom, etc. it gives a reader very little reason to be interested in a rather lengthy stroll down memory lane. Wouldn't you agree?
However, on the bright side, I must say that the most powerful relationship in the entire book was between Percy Warwick and his son Wyatt. The author did SUCH a wonderful job of illustrating emotional truth in this very heartbreaking father-son relationship. It actually brought tears to my eyes. Likewise, Percy's wife demonstrates her love for him in a very profound and memorable scene that I'll never forget. In these instances, the author's writing shines and hints at marvelous potential for future stories.
Now the last third really tests the reader's stamina! By the time I got to Rachel Toliver's story I was thoroughly bored and not really interested in the events concerning the Somerset plantation at. all. For me, the subject had been wrung completely dry and the story ended up feeling a good 100 pages too long.
But overall, I enjoyed ROSES, although not enough to invest time in reading the prequel, SOMERSET; but I am open to reading more from Leila Meacham in the future. B-
★
(¯`·.·´¯) (¯`·.·´¯)
`·.¸(¯`·.·´¯)¸ .·
×°× ` ·.¸.·´ ×°×
This is a good summertime read. It is a little overdrawn. The book is over 600 pages. Hence, if you go on vacation take this one book. The story is a good one. I wouldn't say it is the second Gone with the Wind. I think Gone with the wind was better. Roses is about the obsession with land and how it can destroy you and those around you. Don't get stuck on physical things. Love is more important.
