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56th out of 154 books
—
95 voters
Casting Stones
by
G.M. Barlean (Goodreads Author)
1926 - A simple error in judgment leaves James Raven a broken man – his wife dead, and his infant son, motherless. He goes back home seeking solace, only to find more sorrow – and Esther Barton, his father's hired girl – a woman he holds in contempt.
Missteps seal James’s fate. The penance? His child, now in the care of the one he had scorned, suffers abuse and neglect. The...more
Missteps seal James’s fate. The penance? His child, now in the care of the one he had scorned, suffers abuse and neglect. The...more
Kindle Edition, 234 pages
Published
January 23rd 2012
by B00710A0K2
(first published January 22nd 2012)
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A great dramatic read that takes place in Nebraska and Missouri in the 1920s to 1940s. The characters so richly drafted, you half expect to find them down your street. But hopefully, Esther Barton will not be! She is a bitter, vengeful woman and makes for a nasty villain from the start.
This book is well-written and flows from beginning to end. There is plenty of family drama and turmoil, but there are also flashes of goodness and joy. Let’s hope we see more from this author!
This book is well-written and flows from beginning to end. There is plenty of family drama and turmoil, but there are also flashes of goodness and joy. Let’s hope we see more from this author!
I enjoyed reading Casting Stones by G. M. Barlean, very much. It is a taut historical drama, with the emotion played just right and never overwrought.
The book tells the story of James Raven and his family, the tragedy involving his first marriage and the nightmare existence that becomes his second marriage. It takes the reader on a tense ride through his turmoil to the stunning conclusion.
I love good historical fiction and Casting Stones fits the bill. It’s not one of the sweeping epics or histo...more
The book tells the story of James Raven and his family, the tragedy involving his first marriage and the nightmare existence that becomes his second marriage. It takes the reader on a tense ride through his turmoil to the stunning conclusion.
I love good historical fiction and Casting Stones fits the bill. It’s not one of the sweeping epics or histo...more
Wow. This is one of those compelling books that kept me up all night to read it, and when it was over, all I could was think, "Wow. That was one of the most emotionally-charged books I've ever read." After reading the Casting Stones: The Prelude, I was eager to find out what happened to James Raven and Esther. James chose to marry someone else, leaving Esther heartbroken. After his wife dies, he returns, and Esther believes this is her second chance.
It's hard to say what happens in this book wi...more
It's hard to say what happens in this book wi...more
It has been a very long time since I have had an emotional investment in a book. Casting Stones had me in it's grip from the beginning of page 1. There were times when I was reading that I wanted to literally yell and scream at the characters in this book. There where times where I felt sad for some of the characters in the story. There were times when I had to set the book down and come back to it because I couldn't stand to read anymore about what was going on. This book was a masterpiece when...more
Great Trilogy for Book Clubs!
This was a sad situation yet in one aspect delightful as well.
It is sad that some are raised where cruelty abounds.
Some take pieces of the bible to fit their own interpretation then say it is the Lord's will.
Others try to live as the Lord truly wills.
The body of the story portrays how anger and rebellion most often result in critical situations.
Some choices have far-reaching consequences and affects more than just one's life.
The question often asked is if it was wo...more
Ms. Barlean does an exceptional job of detailing each of the characters found in the story. You immediately connect to each of them on a level leaving you either rooting for them and/or hating them. The setting is the early 1920's on a Nebraska farm. James Raven loses his young wife in a tragic swimming accident. He returns to his father's farm in Missouri with the intention of joining his father and working the land together. He never gets the opportunity to do so as his father passes away befo...more
Gina Barlean has created a compelling account of two families whose destiny and misfortune are irrevocably intertwined. The lives of James Raven and his son Jim are molded by circumstance and the manipulation of the Barton zealots. The story is intense in its delivery. The narration is deceptively low key, but Barlean builds both empathy and loathing for her characters to the point that you just wish someone would come and do something about it. Enter Tom Andrews, a good guy who gets pulled into...more
An amazing read! It was an emotional roller-coaster that had me tightly gripping my Nook and later on my hands were up high cheering in the air as the characters lived out there life in Nebraska in the early 1900’s. James was living the perfect life, happily married with an adorable little baby but suddenly his perfect life was about to change. How James dealt with this change would affect his life forever. I would like to tell you more about the book but I am afraid of spoiling it but I could t...more
This book was ... interesting. A decent (if predictable) story and a very quick read, but the pacing was off, the writing was lacking in places, and I didn't feel like I really knew any of the characters well (with the exception of Esther, who I almost felt sorry for at the beginning). If you're into soap opera-type fiction, this book will be right up your alley. For those of you looking for substantial characters and a moving plot, look elsewhere.
Spell binding. The lives of these people are so dramatic and well written I was practically glued to the pages. Because of one small mistake in judgement James Raven has cast his lot to the wind. G.M. Barlean brings you through a whirlwind of emotions the main one is revenge for the father and son. The ending was totally unexpected and as perfectly written as the rest of the book. You will not be disappointed in reading Casting Stones.
This is one of those books where the storyline is so intriguing you'll want to rush through the pages to see what happens next, but you'll find yourself reading slower than normal, truly soaking up the depth of the story, the meaning behind the words, exploring the consequences of each character's action. An excellent read, start to finish. And Esther Barton still gives me nightmares.
This story is heart wrenching, but so well done. I wanted to cry from the first chapter on, but made it through, needing to reach a conclusion so that my mind would not be consumed with the characters so much. I'd stop at a chapter, but have to come back quick since I was engrossed in the characters' woes. Barlean did a superb job. Now I need to finish Part 3--Conclusions.
This was an emotional book for me. It told the story of James and his highs and lows through out his lifetime. Each character was so clear with their emotions through the story. Casting Stones could be the story of any of our lives. The way the book was written it seemed as though a lifetime went by in a few pages. A wonderfully written book.
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The story was pretty interesting, and it kept me moving through it, but it felt a bit underdeveloped. I never got a really good connection with the characters and Esther as the villain never got quite malevolent enough.
Mrs. Barlean has a very twisted imagination, there are quite a few turns in this book and none of them are pretty,but like watching a train wreck, I couldn't pull my eyes away. I will be waiting for her next book.
Ahhhhh. One of the most horribly depressing books... wait...THE MOST horribly depressing books of all time. I almost quit reading it, and if I wasn't stuck on a bus in rush hour traffic I would have. I give it 2 instead of 1 star; however, because it has great character development and definitely gets a reader emotionally charged as others have pointed out. Just when I thought the story could not get worse it DID. Then continued to go downhill more and more nearly to the point of being comical (...more
This was a free Kindle book. I have become a bit discouraged with most of the free books-but this was an exception! It was very good! I recommend it!
Of Mice and Men kept wafting through my brain. The bonds between the members of a dysfunctional family and the justice served up home style!
So Sad. I kept saying, oh my gosh...... Could it get any worse? I wanted to look away but couldn't.
There is a "Prelude" before this one - that I also have.
Tragic at every turn.
I found this story interesting at first but as it went on the action and dialogue became so clichéed and over-the-top that I found it increasingly tedious.
amazing what a person can live with...a slower read...but I liked the ending
Well written and packed full of action but extremely sad. A well worth it quick read. (112 pgs)
A captivating story that grips your heart and attention. The characters are richly constructed and feel as if they have been a part of your life all along. Meer acquaintances that pass by at the grocery store or the post office, however, the disbelief is unbearable as their family skeletons come tumbling out of the closet.
stopped reading about 1/4 through...story doesn't draw me in
May 11, 2013
J
marked it as to-read
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Nexus : Free Books | 1 | 23 | 25 apr. 12:30 | |
| New Price | 1 | 3 | 26 feb. 07:24 | |
| e-book website | 1 | 2 | 24 feb. 06:21 | |
| Book Tour | 1 | 2 | 28 gen. 11:23 |
My life is full, my friends are many. I write, I read and I read about writing. When I'm not doing that, I'm quite probably cooking.
I have a wonderful husband, two grown children busy living their own lives, a silver Schnauzer and a shedding white cat.
More about G.M. Barlean...
I have a wonderful husband, two grown children busy living their own lives, a silver Schnauzer and a shedding white cat.
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