Claudia Schmidt

Not what I expected

Revisado: 11-27-18

Having read both The Yellow Crocus and Mustard Seed, which I both enjoyed, I was looking forward to this book but truly had to force myself to finish it. I think the story idea was good and well intentioned but the writing was absolutely awful. I can’t believe this is one and the same author. There were so many repetitions. The strangest thing was the filled in lines for all English spoken sentences. Why not write out what was said?
Sad to say it was a disappointment.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 23 personas

Beautiful story of finding oneself

Revisado: 09-02-18

Beautiful story. No matter how many books I read that in one way or another revolve around WWII as the subject matter, they’re never the same. And even if they recount alike events or situations, they’re never boring and I always learn more. The author wove together a beautiful story that came full circle of a woman finding herself in the story of another woman some 70-ish years ago. Through the horrors of the war, everyday life and love, we learned that no matter what we have to walk head up with courage.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Nostalgic read

Revisado: 09-01-18

Though there were times that I got a little lost and disoriented with the happenings and who’s who of their art group, I overall enjoyed this book. Just imagine if more people would refuse to fight and rather live in harmonious community (not saying at all though that we should remain bystanders in the light of cruelty against others).
It was beautiful as a reader to be witness to Emma’s & Patrick’s deeply committed love for each other.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Insightful

Revisado: 08-28-18

With every book I read about America’s history of slavery one would think the stories become redundant boring. Instead, I keep finding myself over and over shaking my head and disparaged how humankind could ever do such things. There’s so much to say on this topic but mostly I just can’t find the words in disbelief.
Insightful look into slavery from true accounts.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Hoped for more

Revisado: 08-01-18

Reading through the beginning was ire agony. The narrator’s voice is painful to listen too. I have a 16 year old and the voice reminded me more of a whinny toddler. I listened to the book at times without headphones and even my children and a friend thought that the performance was so bad, we had to turn it off. I literally forced myself to keep going because I was hoping for a good story somewhere but overall felt disappointed. Although part 2 was better than part 1, and the performance improved, the abrupt ending left me confused, just as much as how/ what happened. I’ve read a lot of really good books on the history of slaves in this country but this book just didn’t do it for me. Sad to say.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Wow!!! What a page-turner

Revisado: 07-18-18

I selected the book because I liked the previous book a read by the same author and after a few failed attempts/ recent books I didn’t like but thought I would, I figured I’ll give this a shot. I typically will not seek out a “thriller” but wow, did this have me up to the wee hours! Absolutely amazing story. And while I wished for a happier outcome, I guess it had to end the way it did. How enthralling! What beauty of words. I found myself highlighting section after section totally intrigued by the authors choice of words. The story drew me in like so many others do, standing in the places where the characters stand, almost like a figure that’s not quite there watching them. But this had me at the edge of my seat. I’ve read lots of good stories lately but none kept me up to the hours past midnight, having to force myself to put the book away, to avoid super sleepiness at work the next day.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Alright but not captivating

Revisado: 07-14-18

To be honest, I expected more from this book. At times I had to force myself to stick with it, especially since I didn’t finish the last 2 books I started. Just didn’t find them captivating. I think I stayed with this book because I was hoping/ waiting for more but it never came. At times it felt that the stories of these women kept on going and going about the same thing. I did enjoy learning about Chile. I enjoyed the pronunciation of names and places by the reader.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

True eye opener

Revisado: 07-07-18

Growing up in a communist country myself, it was quite interesting to read someone’s story growing up in another communist place half around the world. While there were certainly many similarities, I feel so fortunate to have lived so much better. It is horrid how nations turn a blind eye to people withering away in places such as North Korea. This book is far from a great literary contribution but I appreciate his honesty and for sharing his story with the world to wake us up even if it’s just a prayer we can say for them.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 19 personas

Heart wrenching

Revisado: 07-04-18

Equally to reading books about the Holocaust, especially as a German, I want to know about the history of “Black America”. Living in the 21st century, in an interracial marriage with 2 beautiful bi-racial daughters, I cannot imagine the horror of slavery. But what is even more painful is the current racial climate in America. To me it is imperative to educate myself and understand the history of any culture to better understand its people. Racism is an ugly thing of American history that sadly still exists. This story so beautifully told despite the pain also gives us a glimpse for hope, love, and respect for one another.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Rippling effect of the decision we make

Revisado: 06-30-18

Not exactly the type of book I would typically read or search out for but an interesting read nevertheless. I have to confess that I do judge a book by its cover. I love book covers. And I liked this one. I really enjoyed the choice of words to describe the characters and their surroundings. It took me a minute to catch on that she’s hearing the voice of her dead daughter and not really talking to her but I guess that’s what gives the story a mysterious beginning. Getting towards the end, I liked how the author wrapped the entire story around everyday decision we make in life and their consequences. How one act, not much thought about at the given time can ripple to change the very life we will be living.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona