Rating: 
Summary: "A heart warming story of hard life inearly 1900s
Review: This book has a shock at the start then a general slightly bland middle and the last half of the book is Fantastic! I stayed up until 4am and could not put it down until it was completed. I think it is a fabulous story of real people and true life experiences, I recommend it to adults not for kids.
Rating: 
Summary: Gloomy, Gloomy, Gloomy!
Review: I did not find this book interesting at all. It is very depressing. The couple in the story go from one catastrophe to another. Would not recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Too simplistic, not worth the money
Review: Just because Gap Creek was recommended by Oprah does not mean this is a great work of literature, or anything even close to that. I respect Oprah and occasionally watch her show, and have read some good books she recommended, however, Oprah is NOT a God, contrary to what many people believe. Gap Creek is the very simplistic story of the first year of the marriage between Julie and Hank Richards. Julie, having had a hard youth, seeing her little brother die in her arms and having to take care of her sick father, believes her life will finally change for the better when she meets the "handsome" Hank. (the way she thinks about him and other issues sounds much more like a man trying to write as a woman ) Unfortunately, her new life in Gap Creek brings many hardships. Poverty and several disasters don't make life very easy for Julie. However, a miserable poor life does not guarantee an interesting story as this book shows. Gap Creek reads to me like an attempt at writing from a young uneducated girl's point of view, and that is exactly what it sounds like, an attempt. The fact that the writer is well educated and a man shines through easily. Julie's thoughts reactions and words are not very credible at all. She is very much the stereotypical uneducated farm girl, who is in fact supposed to be very wise. Her husband Hank is supposed to be a big and strong yet insecure man who loves her, yet hits her and tries to make her feel worthless and get into fights, but merely out of his own insecurities. However, Hank is not at all a loveable figure to the reader, he is more a pathetic wife beater type of person instead. Even when something difficult happens and Hank shows his sensitive side, he does not become much more attractive. The story of stereotypical characters who have to deal with some things many people have to deal with and especially had to in those days, just does not make a good book. The book is very mediocre, the characters all either unrealistic or stereotypical, and the story is just a little too simplistic. Unless you are in your 90's and had a similar life and enjoy reminiscing about the hardships of the past, or you are such a big Oprah fan that you insist on reading every book she has read, I would not bothering spending your money on this. Instead, if you want to read one of the good books Oprah recommended, try "She's Come Undone" or "I Know This Much Is True", both by Wally Lamb. If you're interested in more simplistic, but at least heartwarming, realistic stories of families who have to deal with all sorts of issues, try reading the Little House On The Prairie books. They may be for children, but they are a fantastic read, very realistic, and have characters you cannot but sympathize with. These books contain the charm and realism Gap Creek misses.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down.
Review: Anyone who grew up with all the luxuries of the 20th century are beyond compression of Julies trials. I love learning what it must have been like during this time period. Mr. Morgan does a great job describing all of the details of her life. I was very pleased with this book and couldn't put it down. I can't wait to check out any new books by this author.
Rating: 
Summary: Experiential reading
Review: This book had palpable physical and emotional effects on me. The prose is so alive I felt as if I had survived the fire, flooding, starvation and death. This visceral feel is throughout other aspects of the book: I have developed an intense craving for pork tenderloin and greens. The author is such a master of description that I now could probably do a credible job of butchering a hog.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasing to my heart
Review: Gap Creek is the second book I have read by Robert Morgan and I although it isn't my usual style of "pleasure reading" I absolutly enjoyed it. I am a wife and mother myself, and my reading time is just before bed when no one is tugging at me, and during my day I would find my self waiting impatiently for bed time so I could travel back to Gap Creek and visit with Julie and Hank... This book is one of the best. The reader is going through the same emotions as the characters with every turn of the page. I not only felt, but Mr Morgan, with his unique style, allowed me to see this story play out so vividly. I laughed at the town drunk, I hated Ma Richards along with Julie, and mourned the losses and truimphed the gains. Gap Creek is an experience, you will not soon forget. It is such a beautiful true to life story without sugar coating, but mostly it is a triumph about doing what is right.. Gap Creek is pleasing to the heart.
Rating: 
Summary: Short winded
Review: Though the story had quite a bit of charm with it, I think much could have been enhanced in the writing by simply adding more detail and emotion. It seemed so short of what it could have been. The use of language was creative and realistic, seemed to drop us right in the middle of Gap Creek. And the events were touching as well, life and death, love and hate. Its an enjoyable read, but seems to be lacking the emotional depth that would be needed to make this one of my favorites. Don't expect to find yourself feeling overly sympathetic or in touch with the characters lives.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful, Memorable and Tremendously Truthful.....
Review: This novel brought back so many memories that it is really hard for me to forget even after reading it several weeks ago. My Mother and Father endured many of the hardships that occured in this book. To read about those SAD times was really heartbreaking. It makes one appreciate all the things they have today (no matter how small they may be). Read this book and you will have an entirely different OUTLOOK on daily luxuries that you take for granted. A MUST READ FOR ANYONE--MALE OR FEMALE--.
Rating:
Summary: Read with Caution
Review: I am not a baby, nor a prude. I have read all kinds of books, some of which contain very disturbing and upsetting material. I read what the critics had to say about this book and was prepared for a bumpy ride. However, as I settled into a nice hot bath to read the first chapter, I had no idea what was coming. I was so shocked, repulsed, nauseated and disgusted by the description of the little boy's death that I literally threw the book across the room. I sat there, literally shaking. After a few minutes, I tried to pick it up and press on into chapter two, but I was too upset and couldn't read the words. I am sorry to say that I'll be taking the book back to the store ASAP. I am myself a writer, and do not believe in censorship, but I wish to goodness I had known how graphic and horrifying the imagery was going to be in this book. Maybe I'm oversensitive, maybe I haven't been deadened by watching horror films, but I won't be able to get that horrible image out of my mind for some time. Please, please, don't read this book unless you're able to deal with what I have described. I'm truly disappointed that I couldn't.
Rating:
Summary: Gap Creek Review
Review: Through many hardships, Julie Harmon takes charge with great perseverance and strong character. With her brother and Papa extremely ill, Julie is left with many responsibilities and accomplishes what needs to be done for the family. After both her brother and Papa pass away, Julie and her sisters begin to think about marriage and families of their own. Julie does not think for a moment that she would be one of the first to get married because she is not soft and delicate like her sisters, but much to her surprise, a charming and handsome man from church starts paying attention to her. He dazzles her with his allure and appeal. She looks forward to spending the rest of her life with him. Once married, Julie discovers that her expectations of being married with Hank are not entirely met. She realizes that living in the modern world is complex and she must find a way for love to keep the chaos in their lives far away. She finds herself being the rock through difficult times and often too many times, plays the role of both husband and wife. Julie does most of the work that needs to be done and never once complains. She is supportive, admiring, caring, and loyal to Hank, although she does not always agree with his behavior. She always puts others before herself, through good times and in bad. Near the end of the novel, the author changes the attitudes of Julie and Hank. Hank is no longer a bitter and confused individual, who feels sorry for himself because he can't get a job, but is sparked with hope that he can succeed. Julie becomes braver to speak up for what is right and is able to confront Ma Richards, her mother-in-law, whose negative mind-set is abusive to Hank. Both, Hank and Julie, become closer to God and accept the Lord to work in their lives. Their trust that everything will work out enhances as their trust in God heightens. The destitution involved with living at Gap Creek cradles Hank and Julie's relationship in a more secure and loving world. Julie's character would be best described as strong-willed, determined, sincere, loving, and compassionate. Hank's character would be portrayed first as scared, unstable, and tense, then transformed into sensitive, caring, genuine, and trustworthy. The theme of this novel is definitely screaming," You will overcome your troubles!" This book encourages the idea that God is in control of our lives and He does provide for us at all times. We just might need to look extra hard sometimes. I enjoyed the style of this book, as well as the tone and setting. The style, in which this book was written, was very relaxed and the tone is truthful and sincere. The setting is in the beautiful scenery of Appalachia, during the Depression. The book had many strengths and extremely well written points that can relate to many people's daily lives and struggles. It is satisfying to read something that you can relate to and say to yourself, "Oh, I know what that feels like", or "I've been there too!" Another strength that the book includes is that it enforces the feeling of determination and perseverance. You develop a desire within yourself to work hard and succeed. I don't believe there to be any weaknesses in this novel, but full of only strengths right after the other, chapter after chapter. The style of writing was perfect in expressing how common the hard work was for Julie to carry out in that time period and setting. I also don't believe that there is anything that the author did that he shouldn't have done for the benefit of the novel. There is nothing that he didn't do that he should have. The novel is perfect in expressing the hardships of Hank and Julie on Gap Creek. It is a breath-taking book, full of adversities and Julie and Hank always at risk of losing it all.
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