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Bezig met laden... The Life She was Given (2017)door Ellen Marie Wiseman
  
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 Meld je aan bij LibraryThing om erachter te komen of je dit boek goed zult vinden. Op dit moment geen Discussie gesprekken over dit boek.  classyhomemaker | Dec 11, 2023 |   I've learned a bit about history in every book by this author. Told from two different eras, Lilly's in the 1930's, and Julia's in the 1950's, the story delves into the struggles both girls face with family secrets and making their way on their own in life. This novel was as heart-wrenching as Ellen's other books but I really struggled with the way Lilly's parents treated her. The poor girl went from being a prisoner in her own home to a prisoner in the circus. I was happy she found love and acceptance there--two things she never received at home. The story will make you think about how we treat people who are "different". The history of circus life was eye-opening for me and I can only hope it has improved over the years. Another great historical fiction book by this author! (  ) JillHannah | Nov 20, 2023 | Two stories are going on here. One is Lilly’s and takes place in the 1930s. She's the one who was sold to the circus after being kept prisoner in an attic all her life. The other is Julia's story in the 1950s. She is solving the mystery of who Lilly was and what happened to her. Julia's story does have a twist near the end, which I probably should have seen coming. So I did like THE LIFE SHE WAS GIVEN, after all, but it left me with too many questions, which I probably would have just accepted if I read it when I was 13. It was saved by breaking up Lilly's story with Julia's. This kept THE LIFE SHE WAS GIVEN interesting enough to keep me up at night. I call that a success. (And, yes, elephants really do cry tears.) (  ) techeditor | Jul 11, 2023 | The writing evokes the two time periods in lush detail. The main characters’ compassion for animals is tenderly written. The characters are well-drawn. It occasionally gets bogged down by delving deeply into the inner thoughts of the characters at the expense of advancing the plot. At the end, the primary mystery is solved, but it left lingering questions in my mind about the motivations of the abusive parents. Themes include parental love (and lack thereof), resilience, coming of age under challenging circumstances, and inner strength. Both characters are trying their best to make their way in an often-cruel world. It is a tragic story with a thread of hope. Content warnings for sensitive readers include religious extremism and graphic depictions of child abuse, violence against women (including rape), and cruelty to animals. If you enjoyed Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants you may enjoy this book. (  ) Castlelass | Oct 30, 2022 |  )1  Citizenjoyce | Sep 2, 2022 | geen besprekingen | voeg een bespreking toe
Fiction.
Literature.
Historical Fiction.
HTML:A GREAT GROUP READS Selection of the Women's National Book Association and National Reading Group Month A GOODREADS Best of the Month Selection "A powerful, poignant novel." â??In Touch, Grade A From the internationally bestselling author of The Orphan Collector comes a beautifully written and moving tale of family secrets and the importance of a mother's loveâ??and how it can shape a lifeâ??even in the most shocking ways. A painful saga of strength and reinvention perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Lisa Wingateâ??set in two different times, as two young women come of age and uncover the mysteries of their families, and find their own ways in the world... On a summer evening in 1931, Lilly Blackwood glimpses circus lights from the grimy window of her attic bedroom. Lilly isn't allowed to explore the meadows around Blackwood Manor. She's never even ventured beyond her narrow room. Momma insists it's for Lilly's own protection, that people would be afraid if they saw her. But on this unforgettable night, Lilly is taken outside for the first timeâ??and sold to the circus sideshow. More than two decades later, nineteen-year-old Julia Blackwood has inherited her parents' estate and horse farm. For Julia, home was an unhappy place full of strict rules and forbidden rooms, and she hopes that returning might erase those painful memories. Instead, she becomes immersed in a mystery involving a hidden attic room and photos of circus scenes featuring a striking young girl. At first, The Barlow Brothers' Circus is just another prison for Lilly. But in this rag-tag, sometimes brutal world, Lilly discovers strength, friendship, and a rare affinity for animals. Soon, thanks to elephants Pepper and JoJo and their handler, Cole, Lilly is no longer a sideshow spectacle but the circus's biggest attraction...until tragedy and cruelty collide. It will fall to Julia to learn the truth about Lilly's fate and her family's shocking betrayal, and find a way to make Blackwood Manor into a place of healing at last. Moving between Julia and Lilly's stories, Ellen Marie Wiseman portrays two extraordinary, very different women in a novel that, while tender and heartbreaking, offers moments of joy and indomitable hope. "Perfect for book clubs and readers who admired Sara Gruen's Like Water for Elephants." â??Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW "A vibrant maze of desires." â??ForeWord Reviews "Seamlessly blends mystery and history with compelling and well-researched details." â??The Historical Novels Review "Vividly drawn and complex...Fans of Karen White and Sara Gruen will be drawn in by the drama and mystery of Wiseman's novel." Geen bibliotheekbeschrijvingen gevonden. |
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 Google Books — Bezig met laden...GenresDewey Decimale Classificatie (DDC)813.6Literature English (North America) American fiction 21st CenturyLC-classificatieWaarderingGemiddelde: (3.79)
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This is literally the most depressing book I've ever read---there is absolutely nothing redeeming about it whatsoever. No positive spins, no lighthearted anything, just depression on top of oppression. Plenty of critics have talked about the sophomoric stupidity of the writing/storyline/character "development" etc., so I'll avoid repeating all that. It's a disgusting story about child abuse and evil-possessed people and I won't even dignify it with details...except for this one that has turned me off this author forever:
At the back of the book, there's an "interview with the author". The second question says, "what looks like a story about child abuse ends up being about animal cruelty too." The author goes on to address the issue of animal abuse. Nowhere in this interview does she ever address child abuse. The discussion questions that come after are flippant about the issue. This book is disgusting and no one wants to talk deeply about it. It's sick that someone could read this and get their kicks.
NEVER will I read or recommend this author. I'm crawling back into my hole---this world disgusts me. (