Gap Creek (Oprah book of the month)

Rating:
Summary: Message of Hope
Review: This story of a young couple's hardships in the turn-of-the-century Appalachians gave me appreciation for our modern conveniences. I found myself yearning, however, for the honest hard work and satisfaction of living off the land. Morgan's style was crude at times--maybe intentionally--but I've read other novels that captured that same gritty character with a bit more passion. When Julie's newlywed sister comes to visit, for example, Morgan describes their laughter in every other paragraph. I got the point after the first two times. He could have plumbed the emotion and history with more feeling and depth...or maybe just more writing elbow-grease. But let's face it: this book works its way under your skin, demanding attention, or at least a reaction. Julie and Hank's relationship seems devoted, but more guarded than modern relationships. In the end, I enjoyed the coming together of the family, even through tragedy. The story had a message of hope, asking us to love others more than ourselves. Through its simple beauty and spartan writing, Gap Creek eventually made its way into my heart.

Rating:
Summary: Descriptive but not enough
Review: While the author was able to describe the scenery and the actions going on, he was unable to describe the relationship between Julie and Hank. After Julie gave birth to their first child I wanted to know the emotions involved between the couple. After the death I also wanted to know the reactions from both sides towards each other. The author need to share the emotions of these two characters in order to grip my attention and make me think about the book long after putting it down. Oprah has made some wrong choices in books, but Gap Creek can not even compare to the emotions expressed in A Map of the World. I was expecting a similar book to Map of the World, feeling every emotion of the character, instead I was able to vision the scenery and work more than anything. I was very disappointed in this book. If you want a quick read without getting involved with the characters then you might enjoy the book, otherwise I would pick something else.

Rating:
Summary: No identification with characters
Review: I was more disappointed in retrospect than when reading this book. I was certain that all the hardships endured by Julie would lead to a more insightful view of her true character, which never happened with her or any of the other characters. I would recommend it to others with reservations since it is more a recounting of the hardships of that life than how strength evolved from dealing with hardship. I had no more idea at the end of the book what kind of a person the husband was than I did at the beginning. It is a quick, but not a memorable, read.

Rating:
Summary: This book is a real eye-opener!
Review: Although this book had so many unfortunate incidents for these two young people, it makes you sit back and appreciate life. It teaches you not to take anything for granted. I would definately recommend it to anyone!

Rating:
Summary: Great, quick read
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book-didn't want it to end. Actually, I'm hoping for a sequel so we can see how life unfolds for Julie and Hank. If they lived through everything they did in such a short period of time, I have a feeling that nothing will keep them down, especially since it seemed that Hank matured quite a lot toward the end of the book. Almost made me feel quilty for using my microwave to heat a cup of tea......

Rating:
Summary: i had to keep reading it
Review: I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Even though I wish there was more happiness and good luck in this young couples life - I was completely engrossed!

Rating:
Summary: Captivating But No Story
Review: I have to say that I read this book in two days. I was captivated by it but at the end, I really didn't feel like it was a storyline worth pursuing. I think the author was a good story teller because he did keep my interest, but I think he could have made the book more eventful. I wouldn't particularly recommend this book to anyone else. Sorry!

Rating:
Summary: NOT a rewarding read!
Review: I had expected a story relating the changes in a woman over a long period of marriage and her growth despite great hardships. It covered such a brief period, but oh! the hardships! The book was a litany of all the things that could possibly go wrong for a very young and naive woman living a terrible life, and ended with her no better off than when the story began. I couldn't reconcile them having fresh lemons to squeeze to treat the young brother in his illness during a winter with nothing but corn meal to eat for the next several months? All in all, a real downer of a story. Sorry.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad for a weekend read
Review: The title is a bit deceptive...the story of a marriage. It's more like the first year and a half of a marriage. I am starting to get a bit leery of Oprah's choices. Tara Road and now this...hmmmmm. I think I will stick with my book club recommendations. This month it's The Book Borrowers.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, Strong Story
Review: I was disappointed that this book came to an end. A wonderfully strong story about love and marrage. I felt full of energy everytime I picked this book up -- Julie is such a strong character -- she made me feel guilty for not having as much passion for my work. A wonderful read!