Rating: 
Summary: Liddie, slow moving but a good read
Review: This historical fiction was loaded with interesting twists and characters; however, it was a little slow moving. Yet, I still enjoyed reading about Liddie and the cast of New Englander struggling in the KT. The ever present theme of preventing slavery from moving into the KT and the challenges of life on the prairie kept my interest.
Rating:
Summary: Lidie, slow moving but a good read
Review: This historical fiction was loaded with interesting twists and characters; however, it was a little slow moving. Yet, I still enjoyed reading about Lidie and the cast of New Englander struggling in the KT. The ever present theme of preventing slavery from moving into the KT and the challenges of life on the prairie kept my interest.
Rating: 
Summary: Something rare - an accurate historical novel
Review: This is a great book, with excellent writing and grasp of details. I fear it won't get the acclaim it deserves, because the True History woven into this story is, even after 130 years, too hard to accept by most Americans. And while Lidie's love story is sweet, I was fascinated by the way Ms Smiley explores the roots of Southern incalcitrance regarding slavery, the Civil War, and Civil Rights. If you wonder why it is that so many otherwise decent people remain so intractable over Civil Rights and issues of Race, this book does an excellent job of explaining some of it. Yes, it's a bit slow at times, but you know, our culture is too bloated on things like fast food and simple movies and short books. This is a nice one to savor and enjoy. If you find something that you really want to learn more about while you're reading it, it's ok to jump up and grab the encyclopedia or do some online research on it. Honest.
Rating:
Summary: A Fun, Interesting Read
Review: This is my first Jane Smiley book and I loved her characters, the fluidity of the writing, and the story line. Never a dull moment! It takes place during a historical period that I deeply enjoy--around the Civil War. The characters are easy to like, if not believable, and I found myself anxious to get home and read the book when I was away from it! Best of all, Smiley is realistic in how she ends the book. They don't always have to end "happily ever after..."
Rating:
Summary: A Picture of Our History
Review: This is the first book I've read about the Kansas Territory and the struggle to keep it a Free State. It's a good book, though difficult to read at times--it really requires concentration through sometimes dull narrative. I liked that the heroine, Lidie Newton, was a plain, less-than-extraordinary-looking young woman. Not the beautiful, chaste, virginal character dependant upon a man to solve life's problems. Quite the opposite. In fact, Lidie displays incredible strength when she poses as a man in an attempt to find her husband's murderer. There are times when this story drags, but stick with it...we need to be reminded of the struggles against oppression that most of us have never experienced.
Rating: 
Summary: A great read--I couldn't put it down!
Review: This is the first book that I've read by Jane Smiley. I loved it! Smiley obviously spent a lot of time researching the conflict between the abolitionists and the pro-slavers in 1855 Kansas Territory. Lidie's action-packed adventures kept me reading till the wee hours. Lidie is a strong female role model, not content to stay in the kitchen. Though it is set in the 19th century, this novel parallels contemporary idealogical issues in which each side cites the Bible to defend their position. I can't wait to read more from Smiley.
Rating: 
Summary: Historical fiction?
Review: This is the only novel by Jane Smiley that has taken me 6 months to get through. It was hard to pick up the book and continue on because nothing was grasping my curiousity or interest. This novel is an attempt to tell U.S. history through the eyes of a ficticious character, but it does not work. The characters are shallow - you never know anything useful about any of them. Smiley attempts to dig deeper into Liddie's psyche after the death of Thomas, but it is a little too late. You find out about what she thinks of everyone else, but you never know what she is thinking. Too bad, Liddie could be a very like-able character. And as for Thomas Newton, we knew so little of him the novel probably could have succeeded without him. And how much of the history in this novel are we to believe? Are we inclined to go to the public library and research the Civil War because of this novel? - I think not. A book like "Cold Mountain" made me want to research the Civil War because it was captivating. Smiley did so well in "A Thousand Acres" with her Shakespearean motif, and did well with "Moo" - in both novels you could relate to the characters, sympathize with them. Both of those continue to be two of my favorite novels, but "The True Adventures...." is one that will sit on my bookshelf and never be read again. Smiley should take a little more time to write something unique and imaginative, not a history essay. She is a great author when she doesn't try to write something that is out of her league. She is no James Michener.
Rating:
Summary: Historical fiction?
Review: This is the only novel by Jane Smiley that has taken me 6 months to get through. It was hard to pick up the book and continue on because nothing was grasping my curiousity or interest. This novel is an attempt to tell U.S. history through the eyes of a ficticious character, but it does not work. The characters are shallow - you never know anything useful about any of them. Smiley attempts to dig deeper into Liddie's psyche after the death of Thomas, but it is a little too late. You find out about what she thinks of everyone else, but you never know what she is thinking. Too bad, Liddie could be a very like-able character. And as for Thomas Newton, we knew so little of him the novel probably could have succeeded without him. And how much of the history in this novel are we to believe? Are we inclined to go to the public library and research the Civil War because of this novel? - I think not. A book like "Cold Mountain" made me want to research the Civil War because it was captivating. Smiley did so well in "A Thousand Acres" with her Shakespearean motif, and did well with "Moo" - in both novels you could relate to the characters, sympathize with them. Both of those continue to be two of my favorite novels, but "The True Adventures...." is one that will sit on my bookshelf and never be read again. Smiley should take a little more time to write something unique and imaginative, not a history essay. She is a great author when she doesn't try to write something that is out of her league. She is no James Michener.
Rating:
Summary: Lost my interest after awhile...
Review: This was a very absorbing book at the beginning. But by the middle I was bored. The characters were no longer interesting at all. Even Lidie who was, after all, the focus of the story and, thus, the most well-developed character became frustrating to me. I was no longer rooting for her, even though I wanted to. The beginning of the book was great; maybe that's why I expected more out of it.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding & entertaining!
Review: This was the first Jane Smiley book I had ever read. Part of what attracted me was the settings for the book. I have lived in both Quincy, IL and Lawrence, KS. The historical context was greatly researched. The best part though was Lidie Newton. I loved seeing her grow as a person and come into her own. Well worth reading!
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