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rebecca_isreading's review
4.0
Thank you to the publisher (via Netgalley) for an advance e-galley in exchange for an honest review!
3.5, rounded up. Jenni Walsh continues (and completes) the story of Bonnie and Clyde in this story, which focuses this time on the later part of their relationship, spent evading law enforcement as they made their way through the central part of the country, robbing what they could, when they could to get by. Walsh's story is told from the perspective of Bonnie, and it's a very sympathetic portrayal- Bonnie comes across as a woman who had the misfortune to fall in love with a man who couldn't stay away from criminal activity, and she was helpless in her devotion to him to stop him or not assist him. Her youth is evident, and her naivete, though it wanes throughout the story as she experiences more with Clyde, is heartbreaking. Bonnie, in this story, really did seem to hold out hope that there would be a happier ending for her and Clyde. It's a clearly well researched story, and while there isn't more left to tell of Bonnie's story, I would love to see what Walsh writes next.
3.5, rounded up. Jenni Walsh continues (and completes) the story of Bonnie and Clyde in this story, which focuses this time on the later part of their relationship, spent evading law enforcement as they made their way through the central part of the country, robbing what they could, when they could to get by. Walsh's story is told from the perspective of Bonnie, and it's a very sympathetic portrayal- Bonnie comes across as a woman who had the misfortune to fall in love with a man who couldn't stay away from criminal activity, and she was helpless in her devotion to him to stop him or not assist him. Her youth is evident, and her naivete, though it wanes throughout the story as she experiences more with Clyde, is heartbreaking. Bonnie, in this story, really did seem to hold out hope that there would be a happier ending for her and Clyde. It's a clearly well researched story, and while there isn't more left to tell of Bonnie's story, I would love to see what Walsh writes next.
haileyp3217'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
sanadw's review
5.0
Fantastic. I even bumped up Becoming Bonnie another star based on the entire series. Reading Side by Side led me to listen to interviews with Marie Barrow and Billie Jean Parker. Walsh's take seemed sympathetic, yet did not ignore the violence committed by Clyde and co. I feel that the depression and dust bowl shaped their lives and led them to a cycle of crime they couldn't find their way out of. They were guilty of terrible things, yet their story has struck a romantic chord in our history for almost 90 years!
Even though they were not heroes, I found myself rooting for them (mostly Bonnie). And I almost cried at the end.
Even though they were not heroes, I found myself rooting for them (mostly Bonnie). And I almost cried at the end.
happiestwhenreading's review
4.0
Thank you to the author, @jennilwalsh , for the free, signed copy to review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve always heard references to the infamous duo, Bonnie and Clyde, but I didn’t know much about their crime spree. This was a fun and entertaining account of their 27-months on the run from the law. Occurring just after the Great Depression, Bonnie and Clyde robbed, stole, killed, and eluded the law all over the middle part of the United States. In their wake, they hurt many people and changed a lot of lives.
Side By Side is told from Bonnie’s perspective. From her point of view, this is a great love story; Bonnie and Clyde will do anything for each other - including die. While it’s reported that Bonnie was from a good upbringing, I was constantly struck by how quickly she became a criminal, all in the name of love. I enjoyed learning about their great escapades. This was an entertaining book!
I’ve always heard references to the infamous duo, Bonnie and Clyde, but I didn’t know much about their crime spree. This was a fun and entertaining account of their 27-months on the run from the law. Occurring just after the Great Depression, Bonnie and Clyde robbed, stole, killed, and eluded the law all over the middle part of the United States. In their wake, they hurt many people and changed a lot of lives.
Side By Side is told from Bonnie’s perspective. From her point of view, this is a great love story; Bonnie and Clyde will do anything for each other - including die. While it’s reported that Bonnie was from a good upbringing, I was constantly struck by how quickly she became a criminal, all in the name of love. I enjoyed learning about their great escapades. This was an entertaining book!
abookishaffair's review
4.0
In "Side by Side," Jenni L. Walsh dives into the story that we are all probably more familiar with when it comes to "Bonnie and Clyde." Two young lovers who captivated the country with their crimes of robbing banks and shaking up towns all over the country. They kept law enforcement on their toes before dying in an ambush. As Walsh breathes life into the story, it gets a little more complex. This is a great historical fiction ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat, no matter if you know how it ends or not.
This is the second book in Walsh's duology and while you don't need to have read "Becoming Bonnie" in order to enjoy "Side by Side," it's so interesting to see how Bonnie got to where she is in "Side by Side" that I highly suggest reading the first book first. In this book, we see Bonnie as she is about to go down in infamy. She is still the same girl that dreams of a farm and a white picket fence and she sees the hijinks and crimes that she is involved in as a means to an end. She doesn't like what she and the Barrow Gang are doing but she loves Clyde and will follow him anywhere and do anything for him.
I loved the historical detail in the book. It is easy to see that while who Bonnie and Clyde were as people is largely lost to history, why there is still so much fascination about their crimes. The country was riveted as the crimes were happening and about the hide and seek game that followed. Even with so much else going on in the country at the time, Bonnie and Clyde made headlines over and over again.
The book is well-written. I especially liked how the dialogue was written. Walsh has a great hand for writing realistic sounding dialogue with so much of the fun slang from the era. It really helped bring me into the book. The book is nicely paced and very exciting as Bonnie and Clyde's cat and mouse game with the police transpires!
This is the second book in Walsh's duology and while you don't need to have read "Becoming Bonnie" in order to enjoy "Side by Side," it's so interesting to see how Bonnie got to where she is in "Side by Side" that I highly suggest reading the first book first. In this book, we see Bonnie as she is about to go down in infamy. She is still the same girl that dreams of a farm and a white picket fence and she sees the hijinks and crimes that she is involved in as a means to an end. She doesn't like what she and the Barrow Gang are doing but she loves Clyde and will follow him anywhere and do anything for him.
I loved the historical detail in the book. It is easy to see that while who Bonnie and Clyde were as people is largely lost to history, why there is still so much fascination about their crimes. The country was riveted as the crimes were happening and about the hide and seek game that followed. Even with so much else going on in the country at the time, Bonnie and Clyde made headlines over and over again.
The book is well-written. I especially liked how the dialogue was written. Walsh has a great hand for writing realistic sounding dialogue with so much of the fun slang from the era. It really helped bring me into the book. The book is nicely paced and very exciting as Bonnie and Clyde's cat and mouse game with the police transpires!
crystallyn's review
5.0
Side by Side is a followup novel to Walsh's debut, [b:Becoming Bonnie|29743029|Becoming Bonnie|Jenni L. Walsh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1489653323s/29743029.jpg|50096934], but if you haven't picked that one up yet, never fear, this action-packed novel about Bonnie and Clyde stands on its own quite well. The story spans the two years that the infamous duo and their gang were on the run, following them across the states as they robbed banks, stole cars and tried to find a place where no one knew who they were. Bonnie and Clyde's love was a dangerous, treacherous but true one and Walsh captures the tender side of their romance amidst the chaos that was their lives. You'll read it fast, wanting to know what will happen next!
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