Since You Went Away (Children of the Promise #2)
by
Dean Hughes
Wally Thomas didn't know how many days and nights he had been marching up the coast of the Bataan Peninsula. He was almost too numb to think, too full of pain. He tried to keep a steady pace, but the guards pressured the prisoners to keep moving, forced them close together, and in their exhaustion the men stumbled and knocked each other off stride. When that happened, the
...moreHardcover, 507 pages
Published
October 13th 1997
by Deseret Book Company
(first published October 1st 1997)
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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
This book was great...I liked it better than the first. Maybe it's because I already knew all the characters so there wasn't much need for character development. Maybe it's because the author just jumped in and got on with the cliff-hanging storyline. Maybe it was because it took place during the bulk of WWII. Probably all of the above. I found the characters' stories to be so fascinating...Wally's in particular as he was a POW of Japan in the Phillipines. The whole time I was reading I kept thi...more
This is the second in the Children of the Promise series that I'm re-reading. I like the characters and the storyline, though the first in the series was more touching for me. I remember having a hard time slogging through all the details of training and battle (one of the characters, Alex, is a paratrooper who invades France on D-Day), and this time around I appreciated the story more, but it still wasn't terribly gripping.
On the flip side, I really connected with a couple of the other storyli...more
On the flip side, I really connected with a couple of the other storyli...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
I absolutely love these books! I can't put them down. The author does a wonderful job with historical fiction (which is my favorite) He does a great job of recreating the WWII era. I have learned so much about that time period and it is explored on all sides. I think mostly people think about Hitler and not the Japanese envolvement and this book does an awesome job of helping you to understand both sides. I also love how you get the whole perspective...Soldier, nurse, POW, the family at home, Ge...more
By the time I began this book (second in a series of five), I was already very familiar with the main characters, the Thomas family of Sugar House, Utah. By this time, four of the children are serving in the military during world war 2. Wally is still in a prison camp in the Philippines, and his brother Alex still struggles with his role as paratrooper over Germany since he served a mission in Germany earlier and feels a strong inner conflict. Bobbi is a nurse in Honolulu and Gene is on his way...more
This is a religious historical fiction. I read the first book in this series a long time ago. I actually enjoyed most of this book. Some parts were a little cheesey but the historical parts that were brought to life, I learned from. The pain of war that affects both sides was addressed in a sensitive manner. War and death are especially hard topics to write about since everyone views them from their own unique situations. I felt safe reading this book, knowing that nothing offensive would sudden...more
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This is book two in the Children of the Promise series, continuing the story of the Thomas family, an LDS family from Salt Lake City. This is a very likeable and interesting book, hard to put down, and a good look at what it was like to live through WWII. You can't help but get caught up in their lives as you read this book and realize there were many real families in the war who had stories similar to these.
My parents got married during WWII and this gives me a little more insight into what it...more
My parents got married during WWII and this gives me a little more insight into what it...more
This book broke my heart! It is written in a very positive light, but the realities of war are brought out. I love "happily-ever-after" books; this teases the reader with a happy ending, but constantly brings in reality. Just when I thought the characters had faced the worst, something else happened. Hughes keeps hope running throughout this novel, but sometimes the hope is at a distance. I love that this novel shows the true ups and downs of life without slipping into a depressing mode.
I have a problem with historical fiction novels---I can't put them down! This one kept me up until the late hours of the night! I'm loving the series though and have already started the next one to find out what happens. I especially like these because they talk about the struggles and war with the Japanese. When I think of World War II, I think more of Hitler and the things that went on in Europe so I appreciate that he made sure to include the other aspect of the war.
I wish everyone under 60 would read this book and realize what their grandparent's generation lived through - whether fighting in the trenches or supporting the war effort from the home front. Can we even imagine the cost paid by every family who lost a loved one (or two or three) so far from home.
The world is fighting another war in this generation. But we aren't rationed food, or tires, or material for clothing. The loss of life, though horrific for their families, is not nearly as devastating...more
The world is fighting another war in this generation. But we aren't rationed food, or tires, or material for clothing. The loss of life, though horrific for their families, is not nearly as devastating...more
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.
It's getting a little too "happily ever after" for me, but at the same time it's totally heartbreaking. How is that possible?
I'm still in love with the families; still fascinated/horrified by the aspects of WWII that I knew nothing about (hello Bataan Death March!); and still dying to find out what happens next. How long can this war last?!?!?!?!
Well done Brother Hughes. Well done.
I'm still in love with the families; still fascinated/horrified by the aspects of WWII that I knew nothing about (hello Bataan Death March!); and still dying to find out what happens next. How long can this war last?!?!?!?!
Well done Brother Hughes. Well done.
I found myself struggling to finish the book finding it to be a little long. What I did like was what happened to Kellerman, and that Alex and Anna finally got to reunite. I really admire Wally for being so strong in the prison camp, being a leader, an example, and friend to many. Some of the descriptions of the cruelties from the Japanese guards are very graphic and hard to take. The book makes me grateful for those who fought for freedom and peace so we can now enjoy it.
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I thought this book was a little more predictable than the first (not sure why), but I still really enjoyed it. I LOVE historical fiction and I do feel like the author really did his homework for this series. I think the most interesting part of this book for me was learning more about the POW's in the Philippines. I'm excited to read the 3rd one.
Still super good. This author is pretty consistent so far. Haven't become sick of all of the back and forth between everyone's story-line. Keeps life interesting. Balled my eyes out toward the end, too. My husband came home from work and thought that something tragic had happened like a death in the family or the cancellation of Good Eats on the Food Network.
I love the history in the books. I am drawn in by the characters' stories and when I finished the last chapter I was surprised to be at the end of the book already. The depth and attachment you get to the characters in the story is refreshing. I find myself crying along with them in the book.
What do I love about this book? Dean Hughes does such a great job of making the characters real and the story believable...there's just nothing that seems contrived or unrealistic. Every one of his characters are well developed and act and feel like you would expect that anyone you know would act and feel. Also, Hughes has really done his research in order to successfully portray WWII for many different people in many different places and circumstances. No sugar coating, no grandstanding, no sen...more
I really love reading these books--So entertaining. The Thomas's remind me a lot of my family growing up. President Thomas reminds me of my Dad in a lot of ways.
I know I like a book when I'm thinking about it long after I've put it down. My only complaint is that sometimes I felt like the situations were "pushing it" and didn't feel real, like that it couldn't happen ( not believable). I don't know. I didn't live through WW II or that era. I think the characters have an awful lot of luck on th...more
I know I like a book when I'm thinking about it long after I've put it down. My only complaint is that sometimes I felt like the situations were "pushing it" and didn't feel real, like that it couldn't happen ( not believable). I don't know. I didn't live through WW II or that era. I think the characters have an awful lot of luck on th...more
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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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Nov 18, 2012 06:27pm