A Land Remembered: A Novel

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Summary: fascinating portrait of old Florida
Review: A Land Remembered in on my top ten list of all time greatest novels, which is interesting because I don't often read or enjoy historical fiction. This moving and epic novel tells the story of three generations of Florida settlers fighting to survive in old Florida. These settlers not only survive but prosper as well. However, with this prosperity comes a human and environmental price.

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Summary: Unforgettable generational tale of settling Florida...
Review: A Land Remembered is an amazing book that tells the story of three generations of the MacIvey family. The novel takes place in Central Florida, starting before the Civil War. The first generation arrives in Central Florida with literally nothing but their determination, desperation and their love for each other.
Patrick Smith paints a clear and detailed picture of the endurance and sacrifice made by a young couple in order to even just barely get by. The stark reality he portray is extremely vivid.
The hardships that are experienced by the different generations range from natures fury in fires, ice storms, insect swarms covering miles and miles of the grasslands, hurricanes to the emotional hardships of sacrifice, lost love, doubt and loneliness. The MacIvey family looses their footing in several business ventures through the natural disasters and also through the greed of others. The one thing they never loose is their love and caring and determination to take care of their family and to see each other through the difficult times that they are faced with. Each generation must come to terms with what is is truely important in their lives and the simple values that the family began with always seem to come clearly into focus.
The visions of Florida as a raw, unsettled land that tolerates but never encourages those daring enough to challenge her have a unique clarity to them.
Through everything that occurs, this wonderful family pulls together, creating a history that Patrick Smith has crafted into an unforgettable novel.

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Summary: a page turner
Review: Being a 4th generation floridian, I found this book fascinating, and captivating. Most people coming to florida have no idea of floridas rich and wild history. Patrick Smith brings this out in vivid detail. When the west was won, Florida was not close to being tamed. Those of us who live here reconize the places in the story which adds to the reality of the book.

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Summary: A Wonderful History of Florida
Review: I read anything and everything that hits the shelves. History is one of my favorites. One out of every 100 books that I read make me want more and this is one. Awesome book, great history facts within the story and a truly delightful story it was. Tearjerkers and all. You just have to read it, I'll be keeping my copy.

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Summary: A Floridian's History Book
Review: I'm a fifth generation Floridian. This book made me feel as if I knew the McIvey family, it was as if I was reading about my family's past. This book shows the reader the beauty of old Florida. We should respect this lovely state and try to preserve it for the future. The author has a meaningful environmental message. I recommend it to anyone--especially Floridians...

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Summary: You'll feel as if transported to to a young Florida!
Review: I'm a student in 9th Grade at a high school in Miami, Florida, and we were told to read A Land Remembered. At first, I was thinking "a book about Florida in the 1800's, who wants to read this!". I was totally surprised of how good this book was once I started reading it! It's about a fictional family, the MacIvey's, that are struggling to survive in early Florida. The story is filled with passion, love, suspense, it has some poignant sections, and it has a dash of humor one in a while. I recommend it to anyone who wants to be entertained and at the same time wants to learn about the history of Florida. You won't be able to put it down!

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Summary: A Land Remembered truly takes you back in time
Review: My husband and I have been enjoying the audio version of A Land Remembered, which we picked up - - luckily - - at our local library. It's the kind of story you just can't stop reading. My goodness! What those people went through. It truly makes me appreciate the quality of life we have today vs. yesterday but at the same time, you long to know what it must have been like back then - - A Land Remembered takes you there. We've laughed, we've cried and we've grown to love the MacIveys as if they were kinfolk. It has truly enriched our lives and given us a new appreciation for the settlers who came before us.

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Summary: A Wonderful History of Florida
Review: This book was a truly wonderful read. It mixed the history of Florida, with the fictional tale of a family that came, settled the land and endured hardship after hardship, before establishing them selves. The book is well researched and the characterizations and plot are both very well developed. I cannot think any who likes to read that would not enjoy this book.

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Summary: A Land Remembered....A Book You Won't Forget!
Review: You might think that Patrick D. Smith IS Sol MacIvey reincarnated in this tale of Old Florida. How else can you explain his vivid, captivating description of life in early Florida? I am a native Floridian and when I grab my cherished pictures and family mementos to evacuate for a hurricane, you can bet my copies of ALR will be with me! This book is a timeless treasure and not a one-time-read. I had read this book several times and when it became assigned reading for my daughter, we each grabbed a copy and read it 'together'. During each of the pivotal points in the lives of the MacIveys, we would make eye contact and either smile or wipe away tears. No words were exchanged because the book is filled with emotion and you really 'feel' the characters as real people with real pain and sorrow. This book should be required reading as you cross the state line into Florida. It is truly a rite of passage for Floridians and any one who loves history. We are blessed to have this account of pioneer life in wild Florida. If I could sit around a campfire and listen to stories told by anyone.....it would be Patrick D. Smith.