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175th out of 304 books
—
243 voters
Crows Over a Wheatfield
by
Paula Sharp
This extraordinary bestseller, set in small-town Wisconsin and spanning thirty years, is the story of Judge Melanie Klonecki, the daughter of an abusive and brilliant criminal defense lawyer. Returning to the rural landscape of her youth, Melanie befriends the flamboyant Mildred Steck, a woman who leads an insurrectionist movement and creates an underground railroad for mo...more
Paperback, 464 pages
Published
November 1st 1997
by Washington Square Press
(first published August 8th 1996)
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Disappointing What to say about this one? Traditionally, if I abandon a book I give it one star but since I slogged through most of this one (390+ pages) before just flipping to the last three pages to avoid the last 60 pages, I decided it at least warranted 2 stars. The last few pages didn't tell me much but at this point I just didn't care to go any further.
The story showed such promise but could have benefited from some serious editing. One of my fellow GR reviewers'--Smarter Lilac--stated i...more
The story showed such promise but could have benefited from some serious editing. One of my fellow GR reviewers'--Smarter Lilac--stated i...more
Oct 14, 2012
Judy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who reads for both character development and plot
Recommended to Judy by:
Naomi
Shelves:
my-2012-books
This story was densely packed, tons of content, lots of activity, character and plot complexity, politics, religion, family dynamics, and love. I really enjoyed the story, but I can't even begin to understand how the author came up with the story lines and characters. It was essentially a story about families, spousal and child abuse, the law as it related (in the 1970's to 1990's) to abuse situations, and how people who are victims in those situations deal with them. It is also about law as a p...more
While the story took a while to take hold (about mid-point), once the domestic abuse became forefront and the underground Railroad for abuse victims came out, the book was intriguing and thought provoking. The Railroad aimed to free wives and children of batterers, and to fight the useless and obviously prejudicial Wisconsin court system. In many cases, since the courts refused to reverse decisions in favor of the abusive husbands, the Railroad would help the wives and children develop new ident...more
The novel does capture interest, especially in its realistic portrayal of domestic abuse and the failure of the courts to adeqautely defend wives and children from abusive and violent fathers. The central character, Melanie Ratleer is a highly successive defence lawyer in the mould of her father. Yet the overriding paternal influence on the course of hers and her step-brother's life is the scars of physical abuse which overshadow the family home. Her step-brother, Matt, has not coped as well and...more
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"A chilling talke, forth rightly told; higly recommended". - Library Journal
Melanie grows up with a "mean" father and a recluse of a step-mother, who is the mother of her half-brother Matt. Matt is the same age as Melanie, and there the plot begins.
Melanie's father wants Matt to be a lawyer as he is; Matt struggles with the mental torture and suffers a breakdown. Melanie grows up to be a judge, surpassing her abusive fathers wonderful reputation as a defense lawyer.
The book touches on the lega...more
Melanie grows up with a "mean" father and a recluse of a step-mother, who is the mother of her half-brother Matt. Matt is the same age as Melanie, and there the plot begins.
Melanie's father wants Matt to be a lawyer as he is; Matt struggles with the mental torture and suffers a breakdown. Melanie grows up to be a judge, surpassing her abusive fathers wonderful reputation as a defense lawyer.
The book touches on the lega...more
This would be a good book for law students, attorneys or family court judges to read.
Describes the awful options facing mothers who are attempting to protect their children from abusive ex-husbands. They enter an “Underground Railroad” existence. Told from the perspective of a judge, this novel gives the reader plenty to ponder about the state of our own justice system.
Describes the awful options facing mothers who are attempting to protect their children from abusive ex-husbands. They enter an “Underground Railroad” existence. Told from the perspective of a judge, this novel gives the reader plenty to ponder about the state of our own justice system.
Oh dear GOD, what a cumbersome end to this book. I liked it so MUCH and cared SO MUCH about the story until the final part -- and then it really all just crumbled for me. This felt so tiring in so many ways, especially since the first 3/4 of the novel was a really interesting and thoughtful journey.
Overall, I'm glad I read it because I think it related to my job in a lot of ways, but I couldn't wait for it to be over -- thanks to the last part.
Overall, I'm glad I read it because I think it related to my job in a lot of ways, but I couldn't wait for it to be over -- thanks to the last part.
This is the story of Judge Melanie Ratleer, who is the daughter of an abusive criminal defense lawyer, and her friend Mildred Steck. Because of her own experience, Mildred decides to start an underground railroad designed to protect mothers and their children from domestic violence when the court system has failed to do so.
Another book via Mom. It's a little tough--all about domestic violence. But it ends nicely. And it's funny at times.
An overall decent story, however there were parts that were DULL but worth struggling through
Really held my interest, which is saying a lot for the books I pick up these days.
A great story, which is painfully overwritten.
Excellent book! Couldn't put it down!
This is a great story of survival. So many of the characters are fighting for their survival; be it from domestic violence, mental illness or personal demons. The characters come to life off the pages, some to love, some to hate, it is a great mix of both. I did think the story to be a bit wordy at times, it seemed some of the narrative could have been cut out without hurting the story. This would be a very interesting title for a book club as there are many topics to discuss.
I read this while I was away, and it was just what I needed. The characters were all well written and the plot was intriguing. The book made me wonder about early domestic violence cases and whether there was actually anything as far reaching as the Railroad to help victims and families escaping from a violent situation. Almost enough to make me consider law as a career.
I've read this probably a half dozen times or more. It isn't literature of high tone, but I love the characters and where the central women in this novel go. I read it for the first time my senior year of college and wished desperately that (rather than searching for a job) I could work for the underground. . .
I read this book because Paula Sharp was mentioned in something written by Sara Paretsky. The book follows the lives of people who are caught in the stranglehold of a represeive personality. I liked the writing and I liked the story.
In my opinion this book is about 100 pages too long. I got seriously bored towards the end of the book, the outcome was much too obvious.
Story was weak and hard to follow.
eye opening and intense
May 15, 2013
Patrick
marked it as to-read
May 13, 2013
Alissa
is currently reading it
May 07, 2013
Legato Darksummers
added it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
daddy-dark-s-baby-warrior-list
Apr 17, 2013
Lisa Andersen
marked it as to-read
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May 20, 2010 01:34pm