Rating:  Summary: true feminist Review: This story was superb. The main character Julie was a true feminist. She never quit or gave up on anything,whether it was "fair" or not, hard or easy. She rarely worried about the opinions of others. She did what needed to be done. Instead of running back home to momma or just running off to look for an easier life, she kept her commitments. She actually understood what commitment meant and was willing to give whatever it took, no limits. She was a truly grounded woman and always approached situations with her faith, her heart and a big dose of reality. She spent little time worrying on things that she couldn't change. She had seen life and death and knew that life continued on no matter what happened, and there was no sense in just giving up and quitting. Julie was a person who lived in the present moment and did the very best she could each day. She never had her head in the clouds dreaming, but she enjoyed and experienced life to it's absolute totality. She was a truly inspiring, strong, Southern woman, and I loved her story.
Rating:  Summary: A touching exploration of emotional need .... Review: ... and I could care less. I learned everything I needed to know about being a man from Louis Lamour, not twig-curling, whimpering pap like this.And let's face facts: life was hard for everyone at the turn of the century. We just like this stuff because we think life is hard for us NOW. Ha! What an joke that is. Gap Creek? How about Pap Creek.
Rating:  Summary: An Unexpected Pleasure Review: Honestly, I was prepared to be disappointed by GAP CREEK. In my opinion, most of Oprah's recent picks have been misses. But this one grabbed me right off and kept me reading. No, it is not a wonderful, happy story. Rural life at the turn of the 20th century rarely was. But Julie was to be admired. She was strong, determined and honest. Hank was a spoiled, but charming little boy at the beginning of the book, but grew into a loving man at the end. It was a pleasure to read about their first year of marriage - how they went from being a "he" and a "she" to being an "US." Mr. Morgan, will we have the pleasure of looking in on Julie and Hank's marriage again?
Rating:  Summary: My Kind Of Book! Review: Gap Creek was one of those hard to put down books and certainly one that left me wanting to know more about Hank and Julie. The strength and ability displayed by Julie through such hard work and tragic events made me appreciate what my ancestors endured. I only hope that Mr. Morgan continues the story of Hank and Julie's journey.
Rating:  Summary: Disappointed Review: I am sorry for all the authors who have written really GOOD books but have not been chosen by Oprah as a recommended read. I found Gap Creek to be a thin story and inconsistently written. I found references to the Millenium, lipstick and foil to be out of place in a story taking place in 1899. Facts the editor should have noticed. Also, the grammatically incorrect speech patterns use in their everyday life were never used in the many prayers in this story. Mr. Morgan would wax-on with very detailed descriptions of the colors Julie was seeing during semi-dream/sexual sequences but never described Julie physically to his readers. A description I found myself wanting throughout the entire book. I was 3/4 through the book before I had that feeling of wanting to know what was going to happen next, but nothing really did. A lost opportunity to write something really special. Written on the reading level of a sixth grader.
Rating:  Summary: Gap Creek Review: My experience of this book was marred by the reference to "calling the law" (page 168). How would this be done by a couple in an emergency situation who obviously had no phone and whose nearest neighbor (no doubt also sans phone) was over a mile away? I think more attention to historical accuracy was called for here. It makes me question the validity of the rest of the book.
Rating:  Summary: Almost a tour de force Review: This novel was riveting right from the get go. I loved the vivid imagery the author used to describe the characters; it was almost as if I were right there experiencing thier personal struggles with them. However, I was unsatisfied by the way in which the novel concluded. I do not wish to reveal the ending to potential readers but suffice it to say, the build up was so great that I could not helped but be let down by the novel's coclusion.
Rating:  Summary: A fantastically descriptive story Review: I read this book because it was recommended by Oprah and I really enjoyed it. It was a quick and easy read and didn't go into any real depth, but the descriptions of daily life at the turn of the century in Gap Creek were awesome. The author did a wonderful job of transporting me back to a place and time I can't even imagine ever existed. I was exhausted after spending a day with Julie and Hank, and all I did was READ about it. Now, after reading this, I will never complain again about how tired I am after a long day of work/school. This story will make you very thankful for electricity, indoor plumbing, telephones, supermarkets, microwaves, etc.!
Rating:  Summary: A touching exploration of emotional need ... Review: ... and I could care less. Louis Lamour taught me to be the man that I am, not twig-curling goofball silliness like this. Come on: who's life wasn't hard at the turn of the century? Just about no one's. This pap makes me want to puke.
Rating:  Summary: A Sequel Please! Review: I really loved this novel. I hurt for them and all their hardships but was so thrilled with the ending. But I want more and think a sequel about the next phase of their life would be terrific.
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