This is a fantastic debut novel that has met with rave reviews. The story is beautifully told and the characters vivid and sympathetic. The real story is the relationship between the two wives, which is as complex as it is heartwarming. A must read, already on its second printing before its release! This will definetly be made into a movie, the story is so compelling.
Helpful Score: 3
I found this story to be refressingly novel. Not a repeat of so many story lines from the past. The characters are well developed and realistic. It's historical perspective kept me interested. Everytime I came to the end of a chapter and thought, ok, time for a break, the story line would grab me and I had to read on.
Helpful Score: 3
It's a good selection for a woman's book club--with discussions about what the two wives should have done, did they make the best possible choices, the social mores they were constrained by, the husband's love for each woman, in turn, and his children.
This book has a gripping premise, fascinating characters, --and it's all based on a true story!
This book has a gripping premise, fascinating characters, --and it's all based on a true story!
Helpful Score: 2
This was a first novel for the author with an interesting story line. I'm not sure how I feel about it. The beginning was intriguing but when Henry Oades leaves New Zealand for America and marries another woman whom he loves I felt sorry for Margaret who had suffered so much. Is this premise realistic as the author depicts it? I just don't know. I marked it three stars because some people may really like the story. Me? As I said, I don't know.
It was an amazzing story of Faith, couage and love that kept a Mother and her children stong as they were taken away from there home by Island tribe while the Father was away helping others.
I had waited a lone time to find this book that was recommended to me by another book club. I think I shall read it again this time more slowly.
I had waited a lone time to find this book that was recommended to me by another book club. I think I shall read it again this time more slowly.
