Rating: 
Summary: Too much, but yet not enough
Review: This book had too many..I said, she said, he said, mama said...and so on. Is this an established writer? I got through this book by just skipping all the "saids" and just reading what was said by the character. I feel sorry for the people who had to hear it on audio. How did you get through it???
Rating: 
Summary: Gap Creek
Review: I felt every feeling, and pictured every detail in this story. I felt as though I had experienced the tragedies & the small triumph's along with Hank & Julie. I read this book in 5 days, I literally couldn't put it down.
Rating: 
Summary: I loved this book!
Review: I think this book .. the way it was written was simple and easy which keeps the story moving and keeps my interest. Nothing is in the way of a good story. The story made me see what families went through 100 years ago. I appreciate what I have more now that I read this book. Also .. this book made me laugh and cry and just simply try harder as a wife in my marriage because of what Julie had to go through in hers. I find myself thinking about the story long after I finished reading it. That is a story in my eyes worth 5 stars and then some!
Rating: 
Summary: Ups and Downs, but overall worthwhile...
Review: I thought "Gap Creek" had a lot of good points, as well as a lot of bad ones. First, I have to compliment Morgan's style of writing. He truly has a gift for making words in a story flow. However, I thought parts of "Gap Creek" was more or less a typical story of early Appalachia. When Julie is a teenager, she makes Hank, who is only a teenager himself. They marry young and move from the only town both of them has ever known. There, they learn that life isn't always peachy and sometimes the people who work hard don't always finish first.As I said, the story is fairly typical, but the characters and writing style are not. Julie is a hard worker and very honest. I found myself hoping with each turn of the page things would work out. Hank is more mysterious to the reader, as he is to Julie, which only adds to his character. Even though some of this story is mundane, it still will keep you turning pages.
Rating:
Summary: Gap Creek
Review: I'm afraid I agree with the review of September 10, 2001 "Reviewer: p.burton from Chesapeake, VA". I bought the CD version and kept hearing "I said", "mama said", "papa said", "Hank said", "Mrs. Richards said", etc. At some point I forgot about the story and began waiting for the the next "said" to clomp down like a heavy boot. Eventually they became irritating and I had to finish listening to it in small bits over a few days.
The problem was compounded by the reader's same monotone reading of the "I/he/she said" words. They were almost detached from the rest of the words. I also had a little trouble relating to or believing Julie's description of her feelings, etc. I think the problem might be a male author trying to write from a female perspective. I saw the author during a television interview and was really looking forward to the book. I think he has some interesting tales to tell but I was disappointed in this one.
Rating: 
Summary: AH Spare Me
Review: I really had to force myself to finish this book, was waiting for something good to happen to this couple. I was waiting for a portion of the story that didn't seem forced or too unbelievable to happen and it never did. Not worth the time.
Rating:
Summary: Boring and long
Review: This book was not one I was eager to read from the beginning, but I was in a hurry, stuck for a book, and thought an Oprah pick might be uplifting, or at the very least, interesting. I got through the first few chapters all right, and even though the main character displays the utmost determination, I just could not get into the story. It was depressing, however realistic seeming, incredibly uninspiring, and, did I already say depressing? Okay, so it is well written, and it brings the reader to the world of despair and poverty, not to mention, starvation. If you are looking for a book that is not uplifting or fast-paced, this might interest you. It truly is a book about survival. If you, like myself, read for compelling stories, captivating characters, and a book you will not want to put down -- I would recommend looking elsewhere. This author surely has potential -- this was just too heartbreaking for me.
Rating:
Summary: Good book
Review: I just finished the book and I would give it 4 1/2 stars, but they don't have it on here, so I rounded down. I enjoyed the beginning, and the end, but grew tired of the book during the middle section. I hated the way Hank made everything out to be Julie's fault. We was a very spoiled, and unlikable man. I think he felt threatend when Julie tried to help or would speak her mind. When Caroline was visiting, the feeling that something was going to happen between her and Hank stuck with me. Which is another thing I held against Hank. He didn't have to like her attentions so much. It wasn't till after they joined the church that Hank became a better man. The most emotional part of the book was when Julie lost the baby. I felt so sorry after all that Hank and Ma Richard was doing to try and save Delia. When they were being kicked out of their home, I kept thinking this can't be happening, but I was happy with the ending. And I think that it was a good beginning for the new life they were embarking on. I would recommend this book as a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Gap Creek
Review: Can't deny that this has a good story line, but can't understand how an editor could let a writer get away with the numerous "I said, he said, she said, Hank said" which continues throughout the story. I am listening to an unabridged reading by Kate Forbes which is excellent except for the use of these "I said, he said, etc." Hasn't anyone else picked up on this? Will continue listening to the recording, but even my husband admits that the writing is terrible. Would appreciate other comments regarding this annoying repetition.
Rating:
Summary: How Much Can One Endure?
Review: I have a high tolerance for suffering in books, but Gap Creek will test anyone's limit for pain and hardship. Set in North and then South Carolina, it tells the story of 17 year old Julie Harmon's first year of marriage to 18 year old Hank Richards at the turn of the 20th century. Poverty, hardship, and austerity prevail over their lives. The hardship doesn't subside until they've been victims of fire, flood, malnutrition, and deceit. I kept hoping the tide would turn for them, but there would be no tangible positive changes to their lives; if anything, Julie and Hank grow to accept their fate. Their decision to become members of the local church, where they find kindness and support from the Preacher Gibbs and fellow members, figures strongly in their ability to cope with their hardscrabble life. Hank, who at first shows less mettle than Julie, gains maturity and responsibilty after the couple suffers a devastating loss. Julie finds redemption in the catharsis of hard physical labor. That child could clean her way to heaven! While it's a well written book, Gap Creek tested my tolerance for pain and suffering and left me emotionally devastated. Warning: Do not read this book while you are the least bit depressed; it'll have little to give in the way of hope.
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