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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I guess I'm a big fan of the Brooks/Horwitz family. I've read two of her books in the past 2 months and am in the midst of one of his.
I liked this book quite a bit, but like his fellow characters in the story, I found Captain March difficult to be around at times. But he is a compelling, moral, conflicted person. His communications with his wife are wonderful and when she enters the book as a full blown character, the book picks up pace.
I liked this book quite a bit, but like his fellow characters in the story, I found Captain March difficult to be around at times. But he is a compelling, moral, conflicted person. His communications with his wife are wonderful and when she enters the book as a full blown character, the book picks up pace.
My favorite part of this book was when the perspective switched near the end, and we got to hear Marmee's perspective, specifically how deeply Mr. March misinterpreted his wife's thoughts and feelings re: his going to serve the Union in the Civil War. It was at this point that the story took a deep, meaningful turn into a fascinating look into a long-term relationship. Or at least one between the holier-than-thou Mr. March and his long-suffering wife, forced to be 'proper' by the era she was unlucky to be born in (and a little bit her jerk of a husband).
Other than this, I did not find Mr. March to be a sympathetic character. For someone supposedly so pious and virtuous, he barreled around the South misunderstanding nearly every situation and circumstance he came across, at best just sticking his foot in his mouth, at worst getting many people killed. To be fair to the author, I'm sure this was more common than not in real life at the time as well.
I appreciate the depth of character provided by this gritty and realistic side shoot of Little Women, but I'd love the same treatment given to Marmee.
Other than this, I did not find Mr. March to be a sympathetic character. For someone supposedly so pious and virtuous, he barreled around the South misunderstanding nearly every situation and circumstance he came across, at best just sticking his foot in his mouth, at worst getting many people killed. To be fair to the author, I'm sure this was more common than not in real life at the time as well.
I appreciate the depth of character provided by this gritty and realistic side shoot of Little Women, but I'd love the same treatment given to Marmee.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For me, this is the antidote to the overblown, Hollywoodized LITTLE WOMEN movie where the "poor" March girls never have a spot of dirt on them and Jo has been married to a #MeToo moment in our history.
Brooks' novel of Mr. March and his terrible suffering during the Civil War is the movie they should have made.
Brooks' novel of Mr. March and his terrible suffering during the Civil War is the movie they should have made.
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a work of fiction based off of the father from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women- this book was an interesting read about religion and the Civil War. Although at times the pastor got a little too "saintly" the story still chronicled and interesting internal struggle about the duties to ones principles, one's family, and one's love.
This book is beautifully written and I enjoyed its complexity. I found Mr. March's views to be preachy and very improbable which knocked it down a star for me. As with most historical fiction, you also have to accept that the (supposedly everyday) narrator will have intimate knowledge of many of the most influential people of the time, which can also be a little tiresome. However, character development was superb and I wept for many of the characters throughout the novel. Would definitely recommend.
So well written. So very well written. Complex characters with situations that make you cheer them and others that make you cringe with second-hand embarrassment. Real people, quoi.
Brought the history of the Civil War into conscious reality. No glory, just gory guts. I appreciated that slap in the face. War is hell no matter what time or place and the mental stress and anguish impacts generations for years to come.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes