Scan barcode
emileod4974's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
notrachel's review
5.0
I chose this because one of my Etsy friend’s name is Minerva and she’s awesome. :)
So it’s set in the 1920s for most of the story. But little is said or done that couldn’t have made it set today, which is a little sad…I’ll explain in a minute. It takes place in Minerva Minnesota and tells the story of a mother and daughter, a mother and daughter, and mother and daughter: Barbara and Penny, Cora and Phoebe, and to a lesser but no less tragic degree, Hazel and Irene. Barbara and Penny live with Irene and her family as hired help.
Cora is staying at her grandfather’s farm on the edge of town. Hazel is locked away in a mental institution, suffering from a malady that doesn’t allow her to fully wake up or fully sleep. Their paths further intersect when Penny runs away from her mother, angry that she, Barbara, and Irene’s father, their employer, are having an affair. She ends up 21 miles away, at the Maagdenbergh farm just after Cora has given birth to her baby girl. Penny stays on as a hired hand, helping Cora care for the baby and the house. She vows in her heart to protect them as she learns, first secretly and then more openly, of Cora’s past. On the other side of town, Barbara’s story continues with her falling in love with Mr. Hamilton and Irene seeing that as the ultimate affront to her sick mother memory so she…well, I won’t give away the ending.
The part that saddens me is the way the town looks down on Barbara and Cora is pretty much the same as it would be now, only people may be less vocal about it. Progress, where art thou? I’m sure someone could give this a more political literary analysis. I chose to take it as it is, not looking for hidden meanings or inferences. It’s beautiful and a little haunting. I enjoyed it.
So it’s set in the 1920s for most of the story. But little is said or done that couldn’t have made it set today, which is a little sad…I’ll explain in a minute. It takes place in Minerva Minnesota and tells the story of a mother and daughter, a mother and daughter, and mother and daughter: Barbara and Penny, Cora and Phoebe, and to a lesser but no less tragic degree, Hazel and Irene. Barbara and Penny live with Irene and her family as hired help.
Cora is staying at her grandfather’s farm on the edge of town. Hazel is locked away in a mental institution, suffering from a malady that doesn’t allow her to fully wake up or fully sleep. Their paths further intersect when Penny runs away from her mother, angry that she, Barbara, and Irene’s father, their employer, are having an affair. She ends up 21 miles away, at the Maagdenbergh farm just after Cora has given birth to her baby girl. Penny stays on as a hired hand, helping Cora care for the baby and the house. She vows in her heart to protect them as she learns, first secretly and then more openly, of Cora’s past. On the other side of town, Barbara’s story continues with her falling in love with Mr. Hamilton and Irene seeing that as the ultimate affront to her sick mother memory so she…well, I won’t give away the ending.
The part that saddens me is the way the town looks down on Barbara and Cora is pretty much the same as it would be now, only people may be less vocal about it. Progress, where art thou? I’m sure someone could give this a more political literary analysis. I chose to take it as it is, not looking for hidden meanings or inferences. It’s beautiful and a little haunting. I enjoyed it.
jcheidel's review
5.0
I don't very often read an entire book in a day, but I started the new year by reading the entire The Real Minerva. I was completely drawn in by the flawed, heroic, tragic figures of the three women who are the centerpiece of this book. The writing was wonderful in the way that good writing often it is... it carried me along with the story, painted pictures, provided glimpses into the different perspectives, and didn't get in the way. If you're looking for a great read this new year, try it!
kathleenitpdx's review against another edition
4.0
A good story of strong women overcoming incest, abuse and small town prejudice set in Minnesota during the 20's.
More...