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At the End of the Line
A wrong number and a cry of desperation at the end of the line sparks a long distance friendship between two women who’ve never met. Through fourteen years of trouble and heartache from a stagnant domestic life, the struggle for civil rights, and the stigma of interracial relationships, a bond forms between the two that changes both of their lives forever.
It’s 1958, a time when women and Negroes are deemed second-class and are being second-guessed, from there arises the perfect storm for change, and the perfect time for an unlikely friendship.
Beatrice “Beanie” Peterson, forced to marry at fifteen and live with two sister wives, six children, and an abusive husband twenty years her senior, is looking for a way out. Adeline “Liddie” Garrison, friend of Jack Kennedy, wife of a prominent Boston business man, and resident of Beacon Hill has already found her way in.
It’s 1958, a time when women and Negroes are deemed second-class and are being second-guessed, from there arises the perfect storm for change, and the perfect time for an unlikely friendship.
Beatrice “Beanie” Peterson, forced to marry at fifteen and live with two sister wives, six children, and an abusive husband twenty years her senior, is looking for a way out. Adeline “Liddie” Garrison, friend of Jack Kennedy, wife of a prominent Boston business man, and resident of Beacon Hill has already found her way in.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 20, 2014
26 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 8, 2015
At the End of the Line by Kathryn Longino
The story starts in 1958 and span fourteen years. Beatrice “Beanie” Peterson is forced to marry at fifteen and live with two sister wives and six children. She is married to an abusive husband twenty years older than her, she is looking for a way out of her horrible situation.
Adeline “Liddie” Garrison, friend of Jack Kennedy, wife of a prominent Boston business man, and resident of Beacon Hill has "the perfect life". When Beannie dials a wrong number and Liddie answers both their lives change forever.
We watch the struggle for civil rights, the stigma of interracial relationships, and two unlikely women form an unbreakable bond. Beanie is very likable, even at a young age.
Liddie is "lost" and needs to find herself to over come her inner demons. She is flawed, yet very likable. Her situation is understandable (for the times).
A well written story with a lot of twists, turns and secrets. Each person has their own obstacles to overcome, which makes them real. The life situations these women are put in could really have happened. Which makes the story compelling, gripping and though-provoking. I highly recommend At the End of the Line to all.
The story starts in 1958 and span fourteen years. Beatrice “Beanie” Peterson is forced to marry at fifteen and live with two sister wives and six children. She is married to an abusive husband twenty years older than her, she is looking for a way out of her horrible situation.
Adeline “Liddie” Garrison, friend of Jack Kennedy, wife of a prominent Boston business man, and resident of Beacon Hill has "the perfect life". When Beannie dials a wrong number and Liddie answers both their lives change forever.
We watch the struggle for civil rights, the stigma of interracial relationships, and two unlikely women form an unbreakable bond. Beanie is very likable, even at a young age.
Liddie is "lost" and needs to find herself to over come her inner demons. She is flawed, yet very likable. Her situation is understandable (for the times).
A well written story with a lot of twists, turns and secrets. Each person has their own obstacles to overcome, which makes them real. The life situations these women are put in could really have happened. Which makes the story compelling, gripping and though-provoking. I highly recommend At the End of the Line to all.
October 8, 2018
The book opens with Beanie, a 15 year old girl, who is being sold into a marriage by her pathetic parents. We find out much later in the book that her parents forced Beanie to marry a much older pedophile who already had 2 wives because he was high up in their so called church and the church threatened to take their land away, so naturally they gave their child up to keep their house -disgusting. Beanie's new "husband" Orson has 2 wives who are almost as horrid to her as he is. She has a miscarriage and is beaten and raped by her husband - and is stupid "first wife" seems to think it's Beanies fault. (I really really had a hard time reading the beginning of the book, and really really really wanted horrible fates to hit all of these horrid people - much worse that what they got!). Early in her "marriage" Beanie is allowed to continue her piano lessons until her teacher moves to Boston. She gives Beanie her number, but her "husband" rips up the sheet music with the telephone number on it. He believes the music Beanie is learning is not religious enough for their nasty little pedophile creep cult.
Beanie attempts to call her piano teacher by guessing the numbers she cannot locate but instead reached Adeline Garrison, a wealthy woman in a loveless marriage who is close to the Kennedy family. The book starts in 1958 and goes through 1972 covering these two women's lives with some flashbacks to the 1930's that didn't make sense until almost the end of the book.
The whole story is highly unlikely, but that is the fun of it. As I said before, there wasn’t enough suffering for all the horrible people in this book. Beanie got a happy ending, so that really helped.
Beanie attempts to call her piano teacher by guessing the numbers she cannot locate but instead reached Adeline Garrison, a wealthy woman in a loveless marriage who is close to the Kennedy family. The book starts in 1958 and goes through 1972 covering these two women's lives with some flashbacks to the 1930's that didn't make sense until almost the end of the book.
The whole story is highly unlikely, but that is the fun of it. As I said before, there wasn’t enough suffering for all the horrible people in this book. Beanie got a happy ending, so that really helped.
April 24, 2021
Great story starts off with major factual errors
Historical fiction should have a factual basis. In this story Beanie is forced into a polygamous marriage in a Mormon temple in 1958. But in fact the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (nicknamed Mormons) discontinued polygamy in 1890, and would not allow a polygamist marriage in their temples after that. If the author referred to a splinter group not affiliated in any way with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints it should be specified. In contrast the authors seem to have been meticulous in getting names, dates and places correct regarding the Civil rights movement. Other than this glaring inconsistency, this is a wonderful, engaging story with a delightful surprise ending.
Historical fiction should have a factual basis. In this story Beanie is forced into a polygamous marriage in a Mormon temple in 1958. But in fact the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (nicknamed Mormons) discontinued polygamy in 1890, and would not allow a polygamist marriage in their temples after that. If the author referred to a splinter group not affiliated in any way with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints it should be specified. In contrast the authors seem to have been meticulous in getting names, dates and places correct regarding the Civil rights movement. Other than this glaring inconsistency, this is a wonderful, engaging story with a delightful surprise ending.
December 16, 2018
Impossible to Put Down
I had this book on my Kindle for a while and happened to notice it last night. I could not remember what it was about, so I opened it and began reading. Wow! It is probably the best book I have read. I grew up in the 60's was barely aware of Civil Rights activities. I have become more aware of them over the last 50+ years. It is amazing how the book came together linking events from the thirties through the sixties.
I had this book on my Kindle for a while and happened to notice it last night. I could not remember what it was about, so I opened it and began reading. Wow! It is probably the best book I have read. I grew up in the 60's was barely aware of Civil Rights activities. I have become more aware of them over the last 50+ years. It is amazing how the book came together linking events from the thirties through the sixties.
March 4, 2018
Interesting but pretty unbelievable premise. Not badly written.
November 21, 2014
I received this book to give an honest review.
This was a good story overall. Though at times I was wondering why we would jump from Beanie to Hattie or Beanie to Adeline before we were finished with finding out what happened in a particular chapter.
Beanie, is a young woman who is married off young. She lives in what I assume is a polygamous lifestyle as she has sister wives. But her life there is like living in hell. Beanie one day decides to try to find an old friend who taught her how to play a piano. But since she didn't have all the numbers she ends up calling the wrong person but that person seems to be closer to her than anyone else in her life.
Beanie learns to live life on her own and we follow Beanie as she fights for the rights of African Americans, goes on a March and demonstrations.
It was very interesting to see how Beanie and Adeline became friends from a simple phone call and eventually meet so many years down the road. The way it kept being played out I figured Beanie and Adeline would never meet.
Adeline lives a lavish life, but she also has a secret lover which we get to learn a bit about. Adeline once I learned who she was I didn't even see it coming. I have to say I enjoyed that hint of surprise towards the end. Adeline tries to help Beanie and offer advice when she believes it is needed.
Now for me there was some confusion as to why Hattie was playing a big part in this story even though she didn't have as many what can I call it, I guess 'chapters'. About I want to say 80% into the book that is when her story came out and I was very surprised.
While I am on the topic of Hattie there is a scene where her son gets injured and is put in the hospital now this is something minor but it bothered me as I wanted to know what had happened to him. It just mentions her grandparents were watching her son then he went to the hospital and Hattie prayed and prayed. But there was never any mention as to what happened. The way it was all written I felt it was something very scary but never ever details.
I can see the story plot being a good one, and I did enjoy how it all came together. I thought some of the things the characters did or said was not right or didn't feel right to me. But overall a good story being told.
This is a story of two women from different walks of life who come together in the end. There is talk of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr., President Kennedy. We learn what some people went through but it all made them stronger in one way or another. We get to watch Beanie grow into a remarkable woman and we get to learn about Adeline's secrets. I would say get this book and give it a try I was glad I received it as it is out of my normal genre.
This was a good story overall. Though at times I was wondering why we would jump from Beanie to Hattie or Beanie to Adeline before we were finished with finding out what happened in a particular chapter.
Beanie, is a young woman who is married off young. She lives in what I assume is a polygamous lifestyle as she has sister wives. But her life there is like living in hell. Beanie one day decides to try to find an old friend who taught her how to play a piano. But since she didn't have all the numbers she ends up calling the wrong person but that person seems to be closer to her than anyone else in her life.
Beanie learns to live life on her own and we follow Beanie as she fights for the rights of African Americans, goes on a March and demonstrations.
It was very interesting to see how Beanie and Adeline became friends from a simple phone call and eventually meet so many years down the road. The way it kept being played out I figured Beanie and Adeline would never meet.
Adeline lives a lavish life, but she also has a secret lover which we get to learn a bit about. Adeline once I learned who she was I didn't even see it coming. I have to say I enjoyed that hint of surprise towards the end. Adeline tries to help Beanie and offer advice when she believes it is needed.
Now for me there was some confusion as to why Hattie was playing a big part in this story even though she didn't have as many what can I call it, I guess 'chapters'. About I want to say 80% into the book that is when her story came out and I was very surprised.
While I am on the topic of Hattie there is a scene where her son gets injured and is put in the hospital now this is something minor but it bothered me as I wanted to know what had happened to him. It just mentions her grandparents were watching her son then he went to the hospital and Hattie prayed and prayed. But there was never any mention as to what happened. The way it was all written I felt it was something very scary but never ever details.
I can see the story plot being a good one, and I did enjoy how it all came together. I thought some of the things the characters did or said was not right or didn't feel right to me. But overall a good story being told.
This is a story of two women from different walks of life who come together in the end. There is talk of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr., President Kennedy. We learn what some people went through but it all made them stronger in one way or another. We get to watch Beanie grow into a remarkable woman and we get to learn about Adeline's secrets. I would say get this book and give it a try I was glad I received it as it is out of my normal genre.
November 2, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Looking at Racism From Both the Inside and the Outside, May 5, 2014
Kathryn Longino has written a riveting look at a difficult subject. What is so unique about Longino's book is how you forced you to look at racism from so many different ways. None of which were comfortable. I am "white". As far as I know, I am all white, but you'd have to dig up a few ancestors to really find out.
I do not consider myself racist.I honestly find it distasteful and am very exhausted with the South being blamed for all of it, although I admit certain areas were just that as this book very directly pointed out. The truth was used. That is a deadly chess move. I must admit if I run into five black men, I get scared, but I get scared if it's five Latinos or even five white guys. It's the possibility of attack that frightens me, not the color. To some, it is simply the color.
Her main characters, Harriet are Beanie and Adeline. The uniqueness of her approach is how she wound the lives of these three women together. Nonetheless, each life was anchored to the subject of racism and yet each of lives reached their own realization of how insidious racism can be.How destructive it can be to the lives of not only the minority but also the racist if they are ever strong enough to admit the discomfort is based in the unwillingess to deal with minorities or whether it is actually based on hate. There are many different levels of racism, but regardless of the level can cost lives, loves and families. This book exposes that in such an in-your-face way, you cannot overlook it. You are forced to take a good hard look at yourself and who you really are.
Being forced to look racism directly in the eye by when these women meet each other leads to an ending you are not going to see coming. Some of it maybe. Go ahead, pat yourself on the back. I did. But, did it I see it all coming? No, hell, no
Kathryn Longino has written a riveting look at a difficult subject. What is so unique about Longino's book is how you forced you to look at racism from so many different ways. None of which were comfortable. I am "white". As far as I know, I am all white, but you'd have to dig up a few ancestors to really find out.
I do not consider myself racist.I honestly find it distasteful and am very exhausted with the South being blamed for all of it, although I admit certain areas were just that as this book very directly pointed out. The truth was used. That is a deadly chess move. I must admit if I run into five black men, I get scared, but I get scared if it's five Latinos or even five white guys. It's the possibility of attack that frightens me, not the color. To some, it is simply the color.
Her main characters, Harriet are Beanie and Adeline. The uniqueness of her approach is how she wound the lives of these three women together. Nonetheless, each life was anchored to the subject of racism and yet each of lives reached their own realization of how insidious racism can be.How destructive it can be to the lives of not only the minority but also the racist if they are ever strong enough to admit the discomfort is based in the unwillingess to deal with minorities or whether it is actually based on hate. There are many different levels of racism, but regardless of the level can cost lives, loves and families. This book exposes that in such an in-your-face way, you cannot overlook it. You are forced to take a good hard look at yourself and who you really are.
Being forced to look racism directly in the eye by when these women meet each other leads to an ending you are not going to see coming. Some of it maybe. Go ahead, pat yourself on the back. I did. But, did it I see it all coming? No, hell, no
June 30, 2014
AT THE END OF THE LINE is an exciting and heartfelt historical novel of two women, linked by coincidence and by fate, and their eventful lives during the turbulent years of the 1960s and the struggle for Civil Rights and equality.
This is such an emotional, suspenseful, and gripping story that I read it in one sitting. I simply couldn't stop turning the pages.
The characters are fresh, all but leaping from the page. Their involvement in the churning social upheaval of those years is seamlessly woven and never feels contrived. Kathryn Longino's two main characters – Beanie, a ruthlessly abused Mormon teenager in Utah, and Liddie, a wealthy, but unhappily married, woman in Boston who moves in the Kennedys' social and political circles – could not seem to be farther apart in every conceivable way. But both have secrets, and they have more in common than either at first realizes. The courage needed to stand up for oneself and for others in the face of oppression and brutality is something both struggle to find. Both learn that following one's heart may be the most courageous act of all.
The historical setting and events of the book are brilliantly portrayed, drawing the reader in, and the secondary characters are well done as well, showing both the best and worst of human nature. Gripping struggles both personal and public weave together as Beanie comes into her own as a Freedom Rider, and Liddie, whose resources far exceed Beanie's, yearns for the courage to live the life she so desperately wants. These two women, their lives intersecting at first by a random mistake and then becoming forever entwined, not only awe and inspire, but also deeply touch the reader's heart. I highly recommend AT THE END OF THE LINE!
This is such an emotional, suspenseful, and gripping story that I read it in one sitting. I simply couldn't stop turning the pages.
The characters are fresh, all but leaping from the page. Their involvement in the churning social upheaval of those years is seamlessly woven and never feels contrived. Kathryn Longino's two main characters – Beanie, a ruthlessly abused Mormon teenager in Utah, and Liddie, a wealthy, but unhappily married, woman in Boston who moves in the Kennedys' social and political circles – could not seem to be farther apart in every conceivable way. But both have secrets, and they have more in common than either at first realizes. The courage needed to stand up for oneself and for others in the face of oppression and brutality is something both struggle to find. Both learn that following one's heart may be the most courageous act of all.
The historical setting and events of the book are brilliantly portrayed, drawing the reader in, and the secondary characters are well done as well, showing both the best and worst of human nature. Gripping struggles both personal and public weave together as Beanie comes into her own as a Freedom Rider, and Liddie, whose resources far exceed Beanie's, yearns for the courage to live the life she so desperately wants. These two women, their lives intersecting at first by a random mistake and then becoming forever entwined, not only awe and inspire, but also deeply touch the reader's heart. I highly recommend AT THE END OF THE LINE!
December 26, 2014
This book is one of those you can't put down. It weaves the stories of two fascinating women. Beanie, at 15 years of age, was made to marry a much older man with two other sister wives and a houseful of children. Her only happy time is piano lessons, where she discovers jazz, but this pursuit is squelched by her domineering husband. When her piano teacher moves away, she has her phone number to call if needed, but her husband rips up the piece of paper. Her abusive husband scares her to the point she fears for her life. One day she finds a shred of that paper with most of the phone number and tries to call, but the person on the other line is a wrong number. This woman becomes her rock and they become very close through phone calls and letters across country. Their stories are set against the period in history of Joe Kennedy's death, John Kennedy's rise to the presidency, and the Civil Rights Movement. Lots of surprises and a few coincidences, this book is one I would definitely recommend.
January 20, 2015
At the End of the Line by Kathryn Longino is a breathtaking story that caught my attention. Well told, I was captivated all the way through. Insightful, touching on some very powerful topics and heart throbbing, to say the least.
There are some recognizable faces that took me by surprise, making this an inviting and curious page turner.
At The End Of The Line is an engaging book that is well-written, easy to get absorbed into and tells a story that feels authentic. Interwoven stories that somehow come together. Great characters and well constructed scenes with great depth. Mesmerizing, emotional and gripping. This is a compelling and entertaining read.
To freedom!
Quote ~
"The cool night air made her shiver as she snuck down the driveway. But the adrenaline pumping through her veins caused her to break out in a sweat as she ran for her life down the dark and deserted street."
There are some recognizable faces that took me by surprise, making this an inviting and curious page turner.
At The End Of The Line is an engaging book that is well-written, easy to get absorbed into and tells a story that feels authentic. Interwoven stories that somehow come together. Great characters and well constructed scenes with great depth. Mesmerizing, emotional and gripping. This is a compelling and entertaining read.
To freedom!
Quote ~
"The cool night air made her shiver as she snuck down the driveway. But the adrenaline pumping through her veins caused her to break out in a sweat as she ran for her life down the dark and deserted street."
May 21, 2014
Wow! I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to be gifted this book for an honest opinion. This books touches bases on several touchy subjects but sadly this is what is was like. Beanie is just about to turn 16 when her world changes and not for the best. Her strength and determination is amazing! Adeline is older and doesn't have the courage to live her dream. This book takes you through decades and two separate lives, filled with all kinds of emotions throughout the whole book! I must say that it was an ending that made me cry! This is an absolute must read!
June 27, 2014
A great story, well-balanced and interwoven, telling the tale of 2 women in the fifties, the subject of racial and gender intolerance. They strike up a surprising, yet heart-touching friendship, and we follow the developments and progress of the times through the lives of these women, as relayed to us by the contact between them. An amazingly original way of telling the story of individuals, and of an epoch. Highly recommended.
December 24, 2014
"The End of the Line" is an engrossing story!
At the end of the day, I could not put "At the End of the Line" down. I enjoyed the history that is presented and the fictional characters were very alive and real to me. This well written book was so good that it was disappointing to get to the last page.
At the end of the day, I could not put "At the End of the Line" down. I enjoyed the history that is presented and the fictional characters were very alive and real to me. This well written book was so good that it was disappointing to get to the last page.
November 22, 2016
At the End of the Line by Kathryn Longino is a really good book. A chanced, mis-dialed phone number brings together a family in tatters. This books spans many years and several generations with seemingly no connection, the *poof* connections mad. I loved everything about this book, including the ending. Very well done.
December 30, 2014
Excellent story.
This is definitely a page Turner. All the adventures Beanie takes the reader on are amazing. The last few chapters.... well I didn't see that coming. This is a must read.
This is definitely a page Turner. All the adventures Beanie takes the reader on are amazing. The last few chapters.... well I didn't see that coming. This is a must read.
January 3, 2015
I couldn't seem to put this book down, I wanted to read and know more. I really enjoyed the story and how the two lives came together. The ending was great! I didn't expect that at all. Great book!!
January 13, 2015
I really liked this book. The surprise twist towards the end was great. I did not see it coming.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews