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kaleenazagrzebski's review against another edition
4.0
Side by Side is a fictional story, based on real life events on the lives of Bonnie and Clyde. Told from the perspective of Bonnie, Side by Side takes place in the early 1930s. Bonnie is waiting for Clyde to return from prison so they can live the American Dream. When Clyde returns, they end up spending their lives a bit differently than they had planned. Clyde promises Bonnie that someday, they will have a farm with a lot of land for just the two of then. To get there, they just need some money, and what better way to get that money than to steal it?
I loved hearing about the adventures of Bonnie and Clyde from the perspective of Bonnie. Bonnie’s character was conflicted between knowing what they were doing was wrong, but trusting the love of her life to give her the life they had dreamed about. Bonnie wouldn’t even think of leaving Clyde, no matter how many times they almost got caught. I highly recommend this book for fans of historical fiction! You do not need to read book one first, they can be read as standalones!
I loved hearing about the adventures of Bonnie and Clyde from the perspective of Bonnie. Bonnie’s character was conflicted between knowing what they were doing was wrong, but trusting the love of her life to give her the life they had dreamed about. Bonnie wouldn’t even think of leaving Clyde, no matter how many times they almost got caught. I highly recommend this book for fans of historical fiction! You do not need to read book one first, they can be read as standalones!
jacieandbooks's review
5.0
Excellent! Definitely a work of fiction but the real and the invented were weaved together exceptionally well. Would definitely reccomend!
leeve_me_alone3217's review
3.0
as a history fanatic: WHAT?!?!?
as a musical fanatic: maybe...
as a reader: yes! (but how do you suck a tooth...?"
i can't with Bonnie. She's so not-right that it was hard to read. but otherwise, i liked it. if i didn't love history so much this review would be higher
as a musical fanatic: maybe...
as a reader: yes! (but how do you suck a tooth...?"
i can't with Bonnie. She's so not-right that it was hard to read. but otherwise, i liked it. if i didn't love history so much this review would be higher
crolovr's review
5.0
Most people know the story of Bonnie and Clyde. They were notorious bank robbers whose lives ended in a fire of bullets. SIDE BY SIDE is part fact and part fiction. What is unique about this book is the story is told by Bonnie's point of view. How she went from sweet Bonnelyn to Bonnie the gangsters moll. The reason for all those robberies, how in love she was with Clyde that she could not leave him, and their dream for a future without constantly running from the law. I loved this story.
raebooknerd's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
mishale1's review
3.0
Picking up where Becoming Bonnie ended, Clyde is being released from prison at the beginning of this book.
Did you read Becoming Bonnie? I highly recommend it. I give that book a bit of an edge over this one because it was happier.
In the first book, we are given a fictionalized background for Bonnie before she met Clyde. It’s only at the end of that book that she’s fallen for Clyde. So, in that story, the storyline is about Bonnie and about them falling in love.
This story is the one with the action. When Clyde gets out of jail, he tries to go back to normal life. He finds that impossible. Bonnie spent two years dreaming of her perfect life with Clyde when he gets out but he returns traumatized by what happened to him in jail. And now he also feels that the police constantly hovering over his shoulder are the reason he can’t go back to normal life.
The new plan is to move away and buy a farm.
That’s the new dream Bonnie starts to cling to.
But the steps that lead to that new life involve a lot, an absolute ton, of robberies and other crimes.
Clyde even plans a prison break for an old acquaintance of his.
Bonnie goes along on the ride because she feels like the only way to get the old Clyde back is to get through all of this bad stuff and get to their farm.
The author really finds a way to give humanity to Bonnie and Clyde. Especially Bonnie. Clyde starts taking innocent lives and that can’t really be justified. But Bonnie keeps clinging to the idea that they will wind up together on that farm, that they will be a happy family.
I don’t think I felt worse for anyone in this book than I did for poor Blanche.
I thought this was well written and I will look for books by this author in the future. I’d never read anything of hers before Becoming Bonnie and I think that was a fantastic one to start with.
My opinion is that you should read both books because the one someone else prefers may vary. If you like the happier story, that’s Becoming Bonnie. If you like the exciting story of Bonnie and Clyde off on their crime spree, that’s definitely Side by Side.
I recommend them both.
I got to read an early edition ebook of this story from NetGalley. Thank you!
Did you read Becoming Bonnie? I highly recommend it. I give that book a bit of an edge over this one because it was happier.
In the first book, we are given a fictionalized background for Bonnie before she met Clyde. It’s only at the end of that book that she’s fallen for Clyde. So, in that story, the storyline is about Bonnie and about them falling in love.
This story is the one with the action. When Clyde gets out of jail, he tries to go back to normal life. He finds that impossible. Bonnie spent two years dreaming of her perfect life with Clyde when he gets out but he returns traumatized by what happened to him in jail. And now he also feels that the police constantly hovering over his shoulder are the reason he can’t go back to normal life.
The new plan is to move away and buy a farm.
That’s the new dream Bonnie starts to cling to.
But the steps that lead to that new life involve a lot, an absolute ton, of robberies and other crimes.
Clyde even plans a prison break for an old acquaintance of his.
Bonnie goes along on the ride because she feels like the only way to get the old Clyde back is to get through all of this bad stuff and get to their farm.
The author really finds a way to give humanity to Bonnie and Clyde. Especially Bonnie. Clyde starts taking innocent lives and that can’t really be justified. But Bonnie keeps clinging to the idea that they will wind up together on that farm, that they will be a happy family.
I don’t think I felt worse for anyone in this book than I did for poor Blanche.
I thought this was well written and I will look for books by this author in the future. I’d never read anything of hers before Becoming Bonnie and I think that was a fantastic one to start with.
My opinion is that you should read both books because the one someone else prefers may vary. If you like the happier story, that’s Becoming Bonnie. If you like the exciting story of Bonnie and Clyde off on their crime spree, that’s definitely Side by Side.
I recommend them both.
I got to read an early edition ebook of this story from NetGalley. Thank you!
kaleenazag's review
4.0
Side by Side is a fictional story, based on real life events on the lives of Bonnie and Clyde. Told from the perspective of Bonnie, Side by Side takes place in the early 1930s. Bonnie is waiting for Clyde to return from prison so they can live the American Dream. When Clyde returns, they end up spending their lives a bit differently than they had planned. Clyde promises Bonnie that someday, they will have a farm with a lot of land for just the two of then. To get there, they just need some money, and what better way to get that money than to steal it?
I loved hearing about the adventures of Bonnie and Clyde from the perspective of Bonnie. Bonnie’s character was conflicted between knowing what they were doing was wrong, but trusting the love of her life to give her the life they had dreamed about. Bonnie wouldn’t even think of leaving Clyde, no matter how many times they almost got caught. I highly recommend this book for fans of historical fiction! You do not need to read book one first, they can be read as standalones!
I loved hearing about the adventures of Bonnie and Clyde from the perspective of Bonnie. Bonnie’s character was conflicted between knowing what they were doing was wrong, but trusting the love of her life to give her the life they had dreamed about. Bonnie wouldn’t even think of leaving Clyde, no matter how many times they almost got caught. I highly recommend this book for fans of historical fiction! You do not need to read book one first, they can be read as standalones!
thoughtsfromapage's review
5.0
4.5 stars
Side by Side tells the story of Bonnie and Clyde as they embark on the path that led them to become the most infamous duo of the 1930’s. Walsh infuses life into their tale providing richly descriptive details that cause the readers to feel like they are accompanying the duo on their path to destruction. Bonnie’s devotion to Clyde ran deep (which was a bit baffling to me) and clearly contributed to the choices they ultimately made and the life they chose to pursue. While most readers will be familiar with their names and their explosive ending, they will still be fascinated with the dramatic, destructive, and tragic lives they lived, and the intriguing and fast-paced way Walsh relays their story.
I have to admit that before I read this book I knew very little about Bonnie and Clyde to the point that I didn’t even know they were from Texas (my own state). While it was a story that had never sparked my interest before, I wholeheartedly enjoyed Walsh’s tale. Side by Side is well written and contains fabulous inserts periodically that provide additional details on various items – such a clever and fun addition to the book.
I highly recommend Side by Side, especially if you love historical fiction or tales about infamous individuals. It is a highly entertaining read!
Side by Side tells the story of Bonnie and Clyde as they embark on the path that led them to become the most infamous duo of the 1930’s. Walsh infuses life into their tale providing richly descriptive details that cause the readers to feel like they are accompanying the duo on their path to destruction. Bonnie’s devotion to Clyde ran deep (which was a bit baffling to me) and clearly contributed to the choices they ultimately made and the life they chose to pursue. While most readers will be familiar with their names and their explosive ending, they will still be fascinated with the dramatic, destructive, and tragic lives they lived, and the intriguing and fast-paced way Walsh relays their story.
I have to admit that before I read this book I knew very little about Bonnie and Clyde to the point that I didn’t even know they were from Texas (my own state). While it was a story that had never sparked my interest before, I wholeheartedly enjoyed Walsh’s tale. Side by Side is well written and contains fabulous inserts periodically that provide additional details on various items – such a clever and fun addition to the book.
I highly recommend Side by Side, especially if you love historical fiction or tales about infamous individuals. It is a highly entertaining read!