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mschrock8's review
4.0
This one took awhile, with a big break in the middle. Once I got back into it, I really enjoyed it. Lidie certainly made an adventure for herself, and I can't imagine her ever settling down.
lauriestein's review
3.0
I finished this book wondering what the point was, which I guess was the point, the basic pointlessness of most of the Kansas-Missouri violence even in a Civil War context...nonetheless it's not exactly an ideal feeling to leave a book having. Lydia was an extraordinarily uncomfortable heroine, and despite her exploits seemed to have no real personality - she was just a canvas for events to be imprinted on. Everyone around her had actual convictions about things which made her lack of them pretty unrealistic.
kmatthe2's review
4.0
After having read many a picaresque novel whose central character is a man, it was refreshing and just plain fun to read a pic-novel whose main character was a smart woman. Smiley's book offers a fresh perspective on both the Civil War and America's westward expansion. It was wonderful to read a book that worked one's mind without sacrificing genuine human emotion.
marie_gg's review
5.0
gritty, independent woman marries an abolitionist and ends up in pre-Civil War Kansas during the conflict with Missouri
samlkg's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this but abandoned it at p175. Too dense, print too small and too much focus on the setting rather than the characters!
ogyogamom's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.75
I read this many years ago and remembered really enjoying it. It did not disappoint on this reread. Jane Smiley’s writing in the character of Lidie Newton is very different from her many other novels. And Lidie is an amazing narrator of her own story.
sssnoo's review
5.0
Jane Smiley won a Pulitzer Prize for her work, [b:A Thousand Acres|41193|A Thousand Acres|Jane Smiley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388197504l/41193._SY75_.jpg|2234336], and this is an equally compelling novel but was a commercial flop. But if you are a fan of US-based historical fiction, this novel should be on your shortlist. Why?
- All-True Travels is set during the turbulent pre-Civil War period referred to as "Bloody Kansas." I can't recall reading any historical fiction focussing on this historical time and place, but it was very important to the build-up to the War.
- The novel is written from the perspective of Lidie Newton and based on many primary source materials. IOW, the history is phenomenal (similar to the rigor of Gwendolyn Brooks or Paulite Jiles) and the female perspective relatively rare.
- So much Civil War literature focuses on the deep south, battles, and large plantations. This book gets into the deep complexity of the issue in the hotly contested Kansas Territory. It delves into cultural differences across regions and groups in the US and makes the reader reflect on the events with new insight.
- In today's hostile political climate, it is interesting to read a book portraying a time and place where people were even more divided, but not yet at full-blown war.
The pace of this book is slow, but I found it engaging from beginning to end. The pacing of the book brought to mind [b:A Gentleman in Moscow|34066798|A Gentleman in Moscow|Amor Towles|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551480896l/34066798._SY75_.jpg|45743836], (but the content is completely different). Slow is the correct pace for this novel, as everything occurring then took longer. Wagons and walking were slow, letters took days to months, clothes were hand sewn. The pace pulls the reader into the time, and especially into a woman's existence.
I fear I am not doing this book justice. I encourage you to read it. In short, if you love historical fiction that gives you a strong sense of time and place, immerses you in the daily hardships of the period you will like this book. If you are interested in understanding more about the role Kansas and Missouri played in the climax of the abolitionist cause, then you will appreciate this book. If you are interested in realistic portrayals of women in history, you will like it. I appreciate all of the above, and loved this book.
- All-True Travels is set during the turbulent pre-Civil War period referred to as "Bloody Kansas." I can't recall reading any historical fiction focussing on this historical time and place, but it was very important to the build-up to the War.
- The novel is written from the perspective of Lidie Newton and based on many primary source materials. IOW, the history is phenomenal (similar to the rigor of Gwendolyn Brooks or Paulite Jiles) and the female perspective relatively rare.
- So much Civil War literature focuses on the deep south, battles, and large plantations. This book gets into the deep complexity of the issue in the hotly contested Kansas Territory. It delves into cultural differences across regions and groups in the US and makes the reader reflect on the events with new insight.
- In today's hostile political climate, it is interesting to read a book portraying a time and place where people were even more divided, but not yet at full-blown war.
The pace of this book is slow, but I found it engaging from beginning to end. The pacing of the book brought to mind [b:A Gentleman in Moscow|34066798|A Gentleman in Moscow|Amor Towles|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551480896l/34066798._SY75_.jpg|45743836], (but the content is completely different). Slow is the correct pace for this novel, as everything occurring then took longer. Wagons and walking were slow, letters took days to months, clothes were hand sewn. The pace pulls the reader into the time, and especially into a woman's existence.
I fear I am not doing this book justice. I encourage you to read it. In short, if you love historical fiction that gives you a strong sense of time and place, immerses you in the daily hardships of the period you will like this book. If you are interested in understanding more about the role Kansas and Missouri played in the climax of the abolitionist cause, then you will appreciate this book. If you are interested in realistic portrayals of women in history, you will like it. I appreciate all of the above, and loved this book.
disasterchick's review
3.0
This was a very slow moving book. The story line was very original and one that I usually enjoy, but the writing wasn't in a style that grabbed me. I really enjoyed the early Bloody Kansas days of the K.T.
marla0505's review
4.0
Good historical fiction. Although the political history of Kansas isn't quite as interesting as the author would try and convince us...
esselleayy's review
3.0
Unfortunately,after a strong start, Lidie Newton's story kind of falls apart. It's set up so that the 2nd half of the book should be the more exciting part, but I found it hard to slog through.
Still, it's a worthy read if you like realistic historical fiction. Abolitionists, ruffians, the uncharted Kansas Territory pre-Civil War. Lots of great descriptions and insights into that world.
Still, it's a worthy read if you like realistic historical fiction. Abolitionists, ruffians, the uncharted Kansas Territory pre-Civil War. Lots of great descriptions and insights into that world.