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22nd out of 113 books
—
70 voters
Far From Home (Children of the Promise #3)
by
Dean Hughes
Far From Home is a moving, powerful novel about the effects of adversity, and about the love of family members for each other. If you''re interested in World War II, or if you simply enjoy a great story, you won't want to miss this third volume of Children of the Promise.
Paperback
Published
May 1st 2005
by Deseret Book Company
(first published September 9th 1998)
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I think one of the best things about Dean Hughes' authorial style is that it's clean and transparent. The story pulls you in, but you're not constantly being reminded that you're *in* a story--that, to me, is a mark of a skilled author.
I had to laugh, a little, when I realised that after reading (well, listening to) several of the "Hearts of the Children" series that I had become engrossed in what essentially amounts to and LDS literary soap opera. But Hughes has definitely done his homework, ma...more
I had to laugh, a little, when I realised that after reading (well, listening to) several of the "Hearts of the Children" series that I had become engrossed in what essentially amounts to and LDS literary soap opera. But Hughes has definitely done his homework, ma...more
American history is my absolute favorite school subject! This is the reason Historical Fiction is my favorite book genre. WWII, however, has always been the part of our history that I only learned what was needed to "pass the tests" this being because of all the things that happened to the Jews. It was always a very hard thing for me to think about. I have owned the Children of the Promise book series for over 5 years now and finally brought myself to read them THANKS to my father in law. This b...more
I think one of the best things about Dean Hughes' authorial style is that it's clean and transparent. The story pulls you in, but you're not constantly being reminded that you're *in* a story--that, to me, is a mark of a skilled author.
I had to laugh, a little, when I realised that after reading (well, listening to) "Far From home," and a few of the sequels, that I had become engrossed in what essentially amounts to and LDS literary soap opera. But Hughes has definitely done his homework, making...more
I had to laugh, a little, when I realised that after reading (well, listening to) "Far From home," and a few of the sequels, that I had become engrossed in what essentially amounts to and LDS literary soap opera. But Hughes has definitely done his homework, making...more
This is my summary of the entire series. I love this series of books. It is a great history of the World War II and how it affected a regular family trying to deal with the changes the war brought. It is LDS historical fiction, so it's about an LDS family living in Salt Lake City during the war. It follows the story of the six children in the family. The four oldest go off to fight the war; Alex in the army, Wally in the Army Air Corps, Bobbi as a nurse in the navy, and Gene in the Marines. It i...more
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I liked this book just as well as the first 2, but I'm finding the longer I spend with the soldiers in their foxholes, the feelings they are having linger with me, and I am a bit weighed down by it. My opinions on war in general haven't ever been favorable, but my dislike for them has at least doubled from these books. I like how the author adds a short list of other books you can read on applicable topics. I do have a very sincere sense of gratitude for things like simple meals, clean water, be...more
So far this is my favorite book in this series. I love how the author made the characters very real and how he was also able to bring World War II to life. I felt I was able to see so many of the changes and various losses this war brought about, but without overly gorey details. I remember my roommate's grandfather was a WWII vet and when Saving Private Ryan came out, he asked that his family not see it. He knew all too well the horrors of that war and felt he fought in it so his family wouldn'...more
In this continuing saga, Hughes once again does not disappoint! I can't help but feel like I know these people personally and that they really exist. Of course they don't, but Hughes once again has done such good research that he seems to clearly understand just exactly how one would think, feel and react in all situations presented. During the time spent with Alex and his buddies in battle and setting in foxholes, I couldn't help but think about my own dad and what it must have been like for hi...more
The book I just finished was Children of the Promise. It was a good book. I liked it because it is interesting to see how they survive. I think that anyone who likes WWII books should read this.
There were lots of different characters that the book referred to so I am going to talk about them and their experiences in the book. I am going to start with Alex. He is in the army right now, fighting for America against Germany. He and his company go to Holland to fight and sort of weaken the borders...more
There were lots of different characters that the book referred to so I am going to talk about them and their experiences in the book. I am going to start with Alex. He is in the army right now, fighting for America against Germany. He and his company go to Holland to fight and sort of weaken the borders...more
I don't think I will ever think about soldiers and war the same after this. I guess I always pictured World War II soldiers as either dying on the beach on D-Day or joyfully liberating concentration camp prisoners. This book gave me a good, albeit sad, feel for the circumstances these soldiers found themselves in on a day to day basis - including physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges. It also dealt a bit with the struggles of the girlfiends, wives, sisters, and mothers waiting back home.
This series is great. I wanted to learn more about WWII and this was an enjoyable way to learn. The author did a great job of giving us all perspectives - American, German, Japanese, Civilian, and Soldier. What a great sacrifice made by all and what a great tragedy that war is. There was so much heartache caused. I miss the Thomas family. I loved the struggle between the parents as the war changed the roles of men and women everywhere.
No I didn't start in the middle of this series...i've read it before but couldn't remember where I stopped. I went back and reread this one. Its an excellent series of course...sometimes I think we are getting so used to short stories with the bare bones...but that's how I've been instructed to write...don't tell the readers how they are feeling allow them to feel it. Dean Hughes is an elegant writer and it shows in his lengthy books.
Actually, I am reading the whole series and I love these books. I love the historical aspect that gives me a really accurate picture of what world war II was like on all fronts. This mixed in with the LDS family aspect of the book that touches on all the real life issues facing most LDS families makes a great story. I can hardly wait to read the next book to see how everything turns out.
What I liked about this book: Bobbi gets some closure about her boyfriend Richard, Alex finds out some happy news at the end of the book that gives him a reason to go on, Wally stands up to two different guards and is rewarded with respect. I also liked that Larue is able to change a little for the better when she sees how much she hurt her boyfriend Ned.
This wasn't my favorite in the series. Parts of it were interesting, but some parts just weren't my cup of tea. I wish more time was spent on Peter and Bro. Stoltz in Germany, Bobbi in Hawaii, and Wally in Japan. I kind of kind tired of reading all the battle info with Alex's adventures (although my grandfather was at the Battle of the Bulge, so that was a bit interesting), and I got so sick of LaRue and her selfish attitude. She drove me nuts with how she was going around with Ned, leading him...more
This is a good series. I learned so much about WWII, particularly the Phillipines which I was pretty ignorant about. I had to look things up just to determine, in advance, how long Wally might be involved there. I felt the book sometimes moved too slowly but still felt very invested in the characters...enough so to read the whole series.
These are really interesting and give you a sense of what people go through in a war. I gave this 3 stars instead of the usual 4 stars as it was hard for me to listen to some parts especially about the prison camps and contains more of the war stuff but I still wanted to find out how things ended so I made it through! A good series.
This book is tittering on the edge of becoming 2 stars. Having just finished this book, I sit and wonder what else can possibly happen to these characters to take up two more books? I started to empathize with the characters when they would complain that the war was never going to end, maybe Hughes meant to drag out all the battles and conflicts so that we could feel the same way...it worked! I really struggled through the last 200 pages and have lost some desire to finish the series. This story...more
I loved it just like the first two but I did find it a little slower to get through. Only because so much of it revolved around the war and went into quite a bit of detail about battles & strategies. Not my favorite subject but it was intertesting enough. The end wrapped up all the characters very well and I can't wait to get my hands on #4!
Officially with the finishing of this book, I'm past the arc of the series (third of five books). This one was much more depressing in its reality of war than had been the others, but I had to appreciate the research and attention to detail the author uses. It may be a work of fiction, but I'm nearly sure the descriptions of war are based on real situations. You can feel the cold, damp despair of a trench in the 'Battle of the Bulge,' and can practically smell the burned rice the prisoners are f...more
This was pretty good, I guess. About as good as the others. I'm glad the next book is supposed to wrap up the war, since I'm ready for that. It feels like the war is dragging on, which I suppose fits, since that's probably how it felt. I'm just ready to move on and see what happens.
Wally remains in the Japanese prison camp, struggling to overcome bitterness & hatred. Bro Stoltz has returned to Germany to hunt for Peter who joined the military to escape the Gestapo. Bobbie is still in Hawaii, and Alex is struggling in Belgium.
The entire series is well researched and in depth. He does a good job of placing characters in many of the important events of the war (sometimes he's even a little too obvious about it). The characters are multi-faceted and develop well as the ser...more
The entire series is well researched and in depth. He does a good job of placing characters in many of the important events of the war (sometimes he's even a little too obvious about it). The characters are multi-faceted and develop well as the ser...more
It was wonderful to see the strength of the family in the book. They all joined the war effort. They also took people in from war torn germany where the main character had served his mission. I guess right now it hits a little too close to home since our county is at war.
I loved this series - couldn't put it down! I love the way the chapters weave through the different family members' lives. It's like reading several novels in one. Despite the length of these books, I was captivated from the start and just kept reading.
I really love the author's writing style.
I really love the author's writing style.
You get a good look into Larue's character and that's real nice because she's a fresh story. Noddy, noddy, little girl but I still LOVE her story! She's an awesome character!
President Thomas does some pretty good changing in this book. He grows a lot- in a good way though.
What can I say? I LOVE Wally! I feel bad for him, especially when he loses a friend!
Alex- he's an interesting story. It's great though. I have to say I like Duncan now.
The Stolz's story its definetly better in this book and mo...more
President Thomas does some pretty good changing in this book. He grows a lot- in a good way though.
What can I say? I LOVE Wally! I feel bad for him, especially when he loses a friend!
Alex- he's an interesting story. It's great though. I have to say I like Duncan now.
The Stolz's story its definetly better in this book and mo...more
For your LDS historical fiction reading, the Children of the Promise books are perfect. It taught me about a new perspective and what the life and trials may have been like for families and individuals during WWII (even behind enemy lines).
Feb 05, 2009
Michele Casper
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
religious
I love all of the Children of the Promise and Hearts of the Fathers series. They are a very easy read, clean, historically interesting, and uplifting. Not great literature by any means, but books I don't want to put down (Thanks, mom)
This book was a little slower than the previous two, but I suspect the purpose was to give the reader a feeling of being bogged down in war. It was still great a book that I couldn't put down and can't wait to get started on the next one.
Still really love the WWII history I'm getting from this series, but I found myself getting a little bored with this particular book. I kept looking ahead to find out how many pages I had left.... I hope the next book picks up again or I might not have the willpower to read the second series. :)
Hughes books are easy to read and enjoyable. This series is a follow-up to his previous series about a Utah family during WWII. This series of books dealt with the children of the previous series (baby boomers).
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Dean Hughes is the author of more than eighty books for young readers, including the popular sports series Angel Park All-Stars, the Scrappers series, the Nutty series, the widely acclaimed companion novels Family Pose and Team Picture, and Search and Destroy. Soldier Boys was selected for the 2001 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age list. Dean Hughes and his wife, Kathleen, have three...more
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“War is the greatest evil Satan has invented to corrupt our hearts and souls. We should honor our soldiers, but we should never honor war.”
—
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Jun 07, 2009 08:21pm