I read this a while ago, so for that reason my review will be brief. I do want to say that it is one of the most beautifully written stories I've readI read this a while ago, so for that reason my review will be brief. I do want to say that it is one of the most beautifully written stories I've read in a long time. It is dark, but the author uses hope as a foil to the darkness in the story. It isn't always a perfect balance, but then, neither is real life. It's an odd story, a clever story, and a coming of age like none I've read before. A wonderful bildungsroman that will stay with me for a long time. A well-deserved award winner....more
This is the third book I've read by Padgett Gerler. She is a Southern writer and a gifted one at that. I really love her writing style and the pacing This is the third book I've read by Padgett Gerler. She is a Southern writer and a gifted one at that. I really love her writing style and the pacing of her stories. Gerler's most recent one is a bit different than the others in the sense that much of it is based on a true story. She also inserted family photos into the book, which adds a sense of familiarity. When I was reading about certain characters, I kept looking at their photos, and I felt like I was getting to know each one personally. The early 1900s were certainly different than today, especially when it came to children and their experiences. So many were forced to be independent at a young age, for whatever the reason. The Girl Who Feared Trains makes me think of my parents, and their parents, and theirs before, who grew up quickly, and often died young. While the story does portray some sad situations, it is anything but depressing. It is a story of childhood, growing up, figuring things out, finding independence, loving family no matter how it is put back together after being broken, and of living the best life possible. If you like historical fiction with a memoir feel, this is definitely the one to read....more
So this one was very different than any other book I've read in a long time. I'm going to offer this review in positives and negatives to keep it simpSo this one was very different than any other book I've read in a long time. I'm going to offer this review in positives and negatives to keep it simple and to avoid spoilers: The Good: Fantastic writing style Unusual characters. Unusual story line and structure. Made me curious throughout to see where it would go, and had nice twists along the way. Loved the use of omniscient narrators so we got to go inside all characters' perspectives--even the dog's! I appreciated the "science vs religion" theme (though some may not). It was a fun and totally outside the box novel.
The Not So Good: Should be touted as literary fiction/fantasy, or at the very least, should let the readers know in advance the extreme use of hyperbole in the story--though keep in mind this is up to the publisher and NOT the author. Madeline, an important child character in the story, is WAY too intelligent. And finally, it wasn't super easy to love the main character Elizabeth, but she did sort of grow on me.
If you know out the gate this story is way out there, that it digs deep into themes such as feminism and religion, and it has some scenes through the dog's perspective, you will enter the book with an open mind. Seriously, you will need to suspend your disbelief to read it. But if you do, you will probably enjoy the ride as I did.
I have soooo many books to read!! But my mother-in-law recommended this book to me, and, well, I felt sort of obligated. Luckily, I ended up really enI have soooo many books to read!! But my mother-in-law recommended this book to me, and, well, I felt sort of obligated. Luckily, I ended up really enjoying this historical fiction novel. It is based on the true story of a steamship that was supposed to take wealthy patrons and their families, along with their servants and slaves, on a trip from Savannah, Georgia to Baltimore, Maryland. However, the ship never made it, and obviously many lives were lost. I like this story for many reasons. The author is a sharp and talented writer, and really goes deep into research, so the reader feels like they are there when the boat begins to sink, and the passengers need to survive. If you take the time to read the author's notes at the end of the book (there are many!) you will appreciate the story even more. I fell in love with the setting descriptions in the book, and felt my heart pound along with the characters trapped at sea. The author seamlessly goes back and forth from present day perspective to the past, and in first-person. Some reviewers did not like this aspect, but I did. I like seeing how the present day is affected by a tragedy that occurred long ago. It makes me feel like we are all connected. And I may be biased, because I was born in Baltimore, am in love with Savannah, and live in North Carolina, only an hour from where the ship sank off the coast. So there are many reasons for me to have enjoyed this book. So why not five stars then? The dialogue. Honestly, I am not much of a romance reader, and the book has a modern day romance in it. I'm fine with that if it comes across realistically. And most of the time, it works in this story. But the modern-day dialogue... it goes way over the top; way too dramatic much of the time. I found myself rolling my eyes sometimes, and reading the lines out loud just to see what it would sound like if I ever spoke that way. I totally appreciated the relationship, and the whys of certain things, but I really didn't need the lesson of the story to be so evident, because it was clear enough without having to be said. HOWEVER, even though some of the conversations weren't for me, other readers may find them to be romantic and beautiful. I guess I'm not as sentimental as I once was. If you decide to read this book, keep those things in mind, and do what I did: Enjoy it for the incredibly hard work the author put into it, and the two amazingly balanced story lines that hold the book together. I will definitely purchase other books by Patti Callahan....more
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