Rating: 
Summary: A BEAUTIFUL BOOK!
Review: When I handled this book I couldn't put it down, but again, why would I? This was a fantastic read, a brilliant work by a talented writer. Intelligent, original, and gripping. Get this book! Linda C. Brown's Secret Waters book is an excellent book to follow this with.
Rating: 
Summary: Gap Creek
Review: I had such high expectations for this book! I have read other selections from Oprah's Book Club and loved them. This was a dissappointment. The book jacket summed up Julie as being a strong, heroic women but I found her sad. I understand that women of her time didn't have a lot of choices or a lot of freedoms, but putting up with a miserable life you have chosen does not make a person strong or heroic. I kept on reading, waiting for something to happen. It never did. This story could probably be told by a thousands of others whose grandmothers actually lived it, and lived it better than Julie. I suggest you go ask one of them.
Rating:
Summary: Gap Creek
Review: I thought this book to be very good at times and boring at other times also heartwrenching. Through the Delivery scene I would have expected a woman writter. In the end I was left wanting to Know more about Hank & Julie. If they make it and if the new babie she is carrying lives.
Rating:
Summary: NOT FOR SILVER SPOONS
Review: If you're not accustomed to hard work and disappointments, you couldn't possibly relate to this story. I anticipated a typical "Oprah" book choice that would include oppression and I was not disappointed. However, combine the captivating writing style of Robert Morgan, his knowledge of the period, and his ability to convey that detail, and you have a book that will keep you turning pages. I found myself becoming Julie's personal cheering section, thinking things just had to get better for her and her husband. She had such a matter-of-fact attitude (work needs done, you do it) and returned to her faith to gain inner peace and happiness. Yes, she lost patience occasionally, but in her place, I would have cracked, not just whined for a short while. Her young husband learned at the patient, gentle hands of Julie, how to grow in stature and faith. I make no comment on his earlier methods of anger management, but it seems by the end of the novel, both parties had matured. Therefore, even though this was a "usual" Oprah pick, it left me glad to have read the book. Julie is a roll model to those who think they have it hard, or have had life deal some hard blows to them.
Rating: 
Summary: Women facing adversity---Good choice Oprah
Review: Like all of her other Book List picks, Oprah has chosen a masterfully written book on the adversity faced by Julie Edwards, a 17 year old bride and mother to be living in the valley of Gap Creek, SC. The book describes the tough life faced by Julie and her husband Hank, as they face poverty (true poverty), floods, death and other trials of Appalachian living. Yes, there is repetition in the description of the meals, in her cleaning, and in her and Hanks daily lives, but that's to reinforce what Julie's reality is: There are no diversions, that is her life! Day after day of cooking, cleaning, working and just existing. You get exhausted and irritated just reading about it, because Julie is exhausted and irritated by living it!
Rating:
Summary: Gap Creek
Review: I Really enjoyed this book and thought it was a wonderful story. I have heard my mother speak of some of these hard times in her families life. I often wonder how America came to be when times were so hard and life was a struggle, and yet our life today is so easy and we really are not thankful enough. Thank you Robert Morgan.
Rating:
Summary: Gap Creek
Review: In my opinion, I feel that some reviewers missed the point. On the surface this is a tale of hardships suffered by a young woman at the turn of the century(1900). I read this book in one "sitting" due mostly to the excellent story telling abilities of Mr. Morgan. The almost sing-song poetic quality of prose to which I connected on so many levels. This is more than a story of a young woman who faces death, hard work, hunger, hard times. It is a story of tolerance, perseverance, strength & determination to continue when others would give in. It is the story of all stong women who face diversity and through love and loyalty and self-pride continue to "prod" on through what life presents. She was the "glue" in her marriage which is so very often the case in even this new turn of the century. Recognizing the faults, immaturity and lack of ambition in her spouse, but pushing him and helping him in a way to save his self-esteem. To gently push him the way he really wanted to go, but was unable to because of his upbringing. This is a wonderful story, not just a story of turn of the century Appalacia but a story with depth and messages of tolerance, love, and the value of loyalty to us "modern" women. Don't misconstrue the grammer of the times to indicate lack of intelligence, because the women of this novel exhibited intelligence on many, many levels. Mr. Morgan has captured us well.
Rating:
Summary: Almost as good as Fair and Tender Ladies by Lee Smith
Review: I enjoyed Gap Creek, almost as much as Lee Smith's books. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: A FANTASTIC READ!
Review: Mr. Morgan has written an excellent work. This book really grabs your attention. It can't be put down, then again, why would you want to put it down? Another great book is Secret Waters by Linda C. Brown. Get both of these books. They are excellent!
Rating:
Summary: Oprah's Book Club
Review: A very good book. I was a interesting book, one I didn't feel the need to keep reading but I couldn't put it down. I would like to see another book (second one) about the some lead person. I really want to know what happened to her and her family.
|
