The Moon in the Mango Tree

by Pamela Binnings Ewen

Can she have it all--or does she have to choose? And when you choose between two things you love Must one be forever lose? It is the dazzling decade, the 1920’s, and a beautiful young singer is torn between her fierce desire for independence--to create something of her own, for meaning and purpose--and a deep abiding love for her husband, a medical missionary who will become royal physician to the court of Siam. Based on a true story, one young woman will travel from Philadelphia of the Roaring Twenties to the jungles of the Orient, to pre-war Paris and Rome, in the struggle to find her place in the world. WINNER OF THE EUDORA WELTY AWARD FOR FICTION National League of American Pen Women “This rich, enveloping novel draws the reader in and won’t let go. For an all too brief time readers will find themselves living in another time, another place. Like Harvey’s healing medicine, Barbara’s inspiring music, this fiction is a kind of gift as well.” Susan Larson. Book Editor, New Orleans Times Picayune. “…deeply moving…” Romantic Times - Four Stars “Rich and heartfelt…” Publishers Weekly “You will have to read this one to see just how far one sometimes has to go to discover what it really is that they want in life, what will make them feel complete. A MUST READ!” --Beyond Her Book Blog--PublishersWeekly.com. “A thought provoking enjoyable story, difficult to put down. Highly recommended.” Editor’s Historical Novels Review. Historical Novel Society.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Travel

410 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

After practicing law for many in Houston, Texas, Pamela Binnings Ewen turned to writing. She lives in Mandeville, Louisiana near New Orleans. She is the author of The Moon in the Mango Tree, and five other books. Based on a true story, The Moon in the Mango tree was awarded the 2012 Eudora Welty Memorial Award by the National League of American Pen Women.

Pamela's newest novel, The Queen of Paris, will be released April 7, 2020 by Blackstone Publications. This electrifying story, based on the real life of Coco Chanel during WWII as the Nazi's occupied Paris, reveals the underside of the celebrated icon, as has never before been fully told. The Queen of Paris is available for Pre-order now.

Pamela's other novels are Dancing on Glass (a Single Titles Reviewer's Choice award), Chasing the Wind (a Top Pick for RT Reviewers), An Accidental Life, and Secret of the Shroud. She also wrote the non-fiction best-seller Faith on Trial, now in second edition.

Pamela has served on the board of directors of Inprint (Houston, Texas), The Tennessee Williams Festival (New Orleans, Louisiana) and on the advisory board of the Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society (New Orleans). She is President of the Northshore Literary Society located in St. Tammany Paris, Louisiana. In 2009 Pamela received the President’s Arts Award from the Cultural Commission of St. Tammany Parish as Literary Artist of the Year.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moon in the Mango Tree is based on the author’s grandmother’s story.

In 1919, newly wed Perkins arrive in Siam. Barbara puts her dream of singing in opera aside for her husband’s work as a missionary doctor. In Nan Valley, north of Siam, she quickly finds out that her singing is not appreciated on the mission as some see it as something inappropriate.

Her journey has no clear path as she is meant to follow her husband. That is the custom during her time. She quickly recognizes monks of Buddhist temples as something spiritual and nurturing. What her husband is part of is meant to have a good purpose, but she notices that the way of the natives may not be necessarily the bad way as they’re being portrayed by missionaries.

The main protagonist journey has no clear path once she decides to follow her husband and when she realizes that her singing voice in a remote place is not needed. She struggles with her faith, and finding her voice. For quite some time, she finds living in Nan Valley as wasted years of her life. Then, she searches for meaning and purpose in her life.

The story brings a fascinating character of a woman who grows on a personal level and despite following her husband; she has her own mind and her own voice.

This story is written with elegant prose, exploring the remote corner of the world and known places of Europe, with a character that fascinates.

This self-grow journey, I find more spiritual than Christian as it’s listed under one of the genres.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 1 out of 5]

by Andrea Renee Cox

After waiting several years to read The Moon in the Mango Tree (my to-be-read piles seem to expand all the time!), I had hoped it would be a great adventure story that would sweep me away to a far-off place. However, once I got a few chapters into it, I realized it was not the journey I had anticipated.

The point-of-view character had no clear goal throughout the majority of the book, which was quite a surprise and very off-putting. The main theme seemed to be how fabulous Buddhism is, which I was shocked to see, considering this book is touted to be Christian fiction. Perhaps the most upsetting of all was how anti-family most of the story turned out to be.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew! What a long book! It was a good one, though; a sweeping historical novel that had plenty of old-school charm. Touching at times, heartbreaking at others, this one kept me gripped until the end. We need more Christian fiction like this.

[Devin Engle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really touched me in a way that is hard to explain. It doesn't have the strongest plot, but that's because it's a story about life, it's not a romance novel or an action book. And while occasionally distracting, I loved the beautiful detail that really transported me to all of the places - Siam, Bangkok, Rome, Paris, etc. Most important to me though was the premise about choice. For the importance of this book to my life, I give it 5 stars.

I can see where this book would be less exciting to someone who hasn't struggled in quite the same way with religion, love, marriage and independence. However, for me personally, I felt like I could really understand the main character, who I was delighted to find out was a real person, and the paths she followed. I also loved the author's incorporation of the main character's struggles with religion. Her comparisons were interesting and forced some deeper thought on my part. I was later shocked to find out though that this book was classified as a Christian novel. I found the book to have an interesting spiritual debate within it, but I didn't think it was Christian, so much as it was about personal beliefs and faith, regardless of religion.

I do agree with some other reviewers that the Epilogue was a bit strange. Yet at the same time, I could understand where the author was coming from and how her personal views were written into this final chapter of the book.

Any book that makes you think long and hard about love, marriage, independence, world history, religion and politics is a great novel! This is a story that will sweep you off your feet, carry you to far-away places, and yet will strike you close to home. Well written and beautiful! Thank you to the author for sharing this enlightening story about her grandmother!

[Shantelle]

I was really excited to read this book ... It sounded to be an exciting story of young missionary couple living during the 1920s. But I regret to say that it wasn't what I expected, and ultimately, was a disappointment for me.

Not to say that it wasn't a well-written book. And I appreciated the fact that it's based on the life of the author's grandmother. Also, the exciting detail of exotic countries and the Roaring 20s was great.

But, with a book about missionaries, I expect authentic faith content. The Moon in the Mango Tree didn't really deliver. Barbara, our main character, didn't seem to be a Christian at all. She was intrigued by Buddhism, and at one point said she didn't believe in anything at all. Her husband didn't seem to have a strong faith in Christ either, and often neglected to cherish and protect Barbara. The other missionaries were horrid. No one seemed to care anything about Jesus Christ and love, but only for converting people to a strict, proper, controlled religion. It was awful.
Even in the end, where some characters embrace love and faith ... I wonder ... If we don't know WHO Love is, and who we actually put our faith in, then I fear we still don't get it and are still wandering from our Creator God.

This book never mentioned Christ Jesus, and Jesus Himself said that if you don't know Him, then you don't know God. (John 14:6 & John 8:19)

This was a frustrating and extremely sad read for me. Watching selfish, harsh people who had no desire to share Christ's love try to be missionaries. How can they spread the gospel when they don't know it? How can they reach the lost when they are equally lost?
People need Jesus Christ, not man-made ideas masquerading as authentic religion, peace, and love.

Ah...

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

So...I have to pretty much agree with Brittany's review of this book. There are some parts that deserve a high rating, and some that deserve a low one. For example, I felt that the main character was...in some ways...selfishly blind. It's not like I hated her, but I just couldn't admire her. For THE main character, I thought she was a pretty lousy character.
The story is a good one...has a good lesson, I suppose. But a lot happened in the course of the novel--over ten years of the characters' lives passed. So I'm not really sure what the main plot was...
The author did a marvelous job with describing Asian landscapes and European cities. I mean, sometimes you could almost see the setting. That part deserves a high rating.
Only at the end did I even get a sense that God had much of anything to do with the characters' lives--even the missionary characters seemed rather far from the truth. So I wouldn't say this (apparently "Christian") novel is very faith-building, but then again, most of the Christian historical-fiction novels aren't.
Overall, I guess you could say I liked the book. I'm not sorry I read it, but I wouldn't read it again. In many ways, aspects of the story simply frustrated me. And while the ending was a happy one, I felt like it was too rushed and sudden to make up for the depressing, aggravating aspects of the book.
Oh, oh, just one more thing (sorry, this is a long review!). I felt that I "learned" quite a bit about the Buddhist religion from this novel. However, in many passages, if I hadn't known that the author is a Christian, I would have almost thought she was trying to portray the Buddhist religion in a good light. True, the author did portray Buddhism as what it is--a false religion--in the end, but to be completely honest, I think some of the passages concerning the religion kind of caused a "spiritual battle" within me. Which is weird, since I know that the author didn't intend for that to happen. And I don't think it does very often, but just personally for me it was a little shaky.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an well plotted and compelling book, vivid historical background and a cast of fleshed out characters.
I was a bit perplexed because I discovered later that it was classified as cristian fiction but I found it spiritual and liked the reflection of the MC.
Well done and full of food for thought
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize, when I added this to my "to read" list, that it was based on a real person. Suffragette Babs came to adulthood just before women had a lot of the rights they have today - the right to vote being one. At her parents' urging, it was pretty much marry Harvey, be a dutiful wife, have babies. She gave up a prospective opera career to do so, but it nagged at her for many years. I felt conflicted about her decision years later to leave Harvey, dump the girls in boarding school, and Europe-trot in order to see if she could fulfill her dream. When she gave up opera for the second time, at least she felt it was own decision.

The author spends the first 268 pages on Barbara and Harvey's courtship, wedding, and years in the Nan Valley of Siam. The ensuing chapters are brief in comparison (10 pages on Philadelphia, 58 pages on Bangkok, 18 pages on Paris, 11 pages on Lausanne, and 76 pages on Rome). The section on Nan went on much, much too long. I was so tired of the weather reports and the Breedens that I was beginning to think I should've scratched this book from my list. The rest of the book moved along quickly and was much more interesting.

I thought the author should've changed tone in the epilogue. It sounded much too adult to be the words of an eight-year-old.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of this book, until the letdown of the ending. It's about a suffragette/opera singer in '20s Philadelphia (Barbara), who marries a doctor (Harvey) and sacrifices her own singing career to travel with him to Siam as missionaries. It's based on the author's grandmother's own experiences.

I loved the descriptions of Barbara's life in a northern village in Siam (now Thailand) and in Bangkok, and her travels in Rome and Paris. The author made those places come alive for me.

The relationship between Barbara and Harvey was somewhat flat, though. One of the central messages of the story was Barbara's internal struggles between her desire to pursue music and her commitment to her husband. She sacrifices her singing career to move to the Far East with her husband and always wonders what could have been.

I will not give away the ending of the book, but suffice it to say that I was disappointed with the way it ended. I would have preferred more of a compromise than a sacrifice. In addition, the book's "Christian" label really came out at the ending, when it became preachy and patriotic. Ugh. I would have given it four stars until the ending!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. The stories were so real and the descriptions so vivid, I was actually relieved to find out that it was based on a real person and real events in her life. It just seemed impossible for this to have been completely dreamed up.

I was a little frustrated with 'our heroine', as it seemed she couldn't get past herself in order to truly appreciate her life, and I was a little concerned about what the final conclusion would be. But, in the end, she figured it out :) And that was the whole point.

The final chapter, from her granddaughter's perspective, and then finding out that her granddaughter IS the author, was a great touch.

I loved every minute of this book, and feel like I FELT, right along with many of the characters. Those lingering emotions are still with me days later. Now that's a good book.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story, The Moon in the Mango Tree is a fascinating glimpse into the lives of missionaries in Siam in the 1920s, in particular Barbara and her husband Harvey. Barbara is a trained opera singer who leaves her voice in many ways to follow her doctor husband into rural Siam. She tries to teach music to locals but doesn't do a good job at integrating and she is shunned by others who feel her music doesn't glorify God. She struggles with her faith and life in general in a far different country. As an expat myself I can relate on some levels. But Barbara is often determined to serve Barbara, not traditional missionary material. This is billed as a Christian Fiction book but I would classify it as Historical Fiction and Women's Fiction.

The writing is lovely with beautiful echoes of history, vividly described. One hundred years ago women often forsook their passions for the sake of their husbands. This story really illustrated the many challenges brilliantly. I really like the uniqueness of the story and would love to read more on the topic.

If you seek a Historical Fiction originally set with a different slant than usual, do read this.

My sincere thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this engrossing novel.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pamela Binnings Ewen brings readers to the early twentieth century in her latest book, which is another historical fiction masterpiece. Following Barbara Bond from her singing days through her marriage, readers travel from Roaring Twenties America to the tropical rainforests of colonial Thailand and across the world to pre-World War II Europe. Readers experience Barbara’s highs and lows of marriage, notably the growth of her family and the losses of her singing and her identity, which has been subsumed under her husband’s name. Ewen has done a fantastic job with bringing so many different settings and characters to life, and she has brought Barbara, glittery and tragic, out of the pages into the world. The novel spans decades of Barbara’s life, and Ewen brings the distinct qualities and events of the different decades to the pages of The Moon in the Mango Tree. Ewen once again lives up to her reputation as one of the top historical fiction writers, and this book is no exception, acting as a fantastic, fascinating gateway to twentieth century Thailand, 1920s America, and pre-World War II Europe, settings which all represent different stages in Barbara’s life and carry different meanings for her. Ewen’s latest book is a fascinating, compelling must-read for historical fiction fans!

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the advance copy.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book at the library when looking for a good fiction read. It was about a woman who left behind a promising music career to follow her husband overseas as he served as a medical missionary.

I was intrigued at the development of the character and her motivations for her choices. She had great internal conflict which shadowed her ability to view her life accurately. I was anxious the entire time about what course she would ultimately choose for her life and the ending did not disappoint.

[Lareesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. Barbara was a brilliant main character. I sympathized with her at times and was angry at her at times for her actions during her missionary stay in Siam and her explorations in Europe. She felt like an old friend that called you to debate her life choices. I loved the plot, the characters and the ending. Beautiful book.

Also--people call this Christian fiction? Don't let that turn you off...I completely missed any Christian undertones and in fact felt that it was quite critical of missionaries and Christian charity work.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara is a promising music student with a chance for a career in opera when she marries Harvey in 1919. When he finishes his medical training, the young couple moves to Siam where he begins his career as a medical missionary. While his days are filled with meaningful activities, she struggles to adapt to the restrictions of being missionary wife in remote northern Siam. Can she fit in? What about her music? This historical novel is based on a real person's experiences in that situation.

[Deber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book I was totally surprised. I thought in would be similar to the painted Vail but it definitely followed it's own path.A wonderful story about marriage,family,spirituality and deciding what is important in life.

[Judith]

I’m barely into this book, but I’ve found a quote I must share:
“ The past is gone, closed up behind you now, warned my inner voice with a note of alarm. Turn your thoughts to the future, to action. Actions have power. Smile at the inevitable. A smile can turn regret to anticipation, to pleasure.”

[Mary Pauline M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful to my Mom for pointing this book out to me. Never once was it slow or boring. This story will stay with me for a long time to come.

[Camilla Liberatore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Moon In The Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Eden
A novel that is set in the 1920's, with a mix of cultures, customs, traditions, and across 3 continents. America, Asia and Europe.

The story begins in 1916, when Dr Harvey Perkins meets his future wife Barabara Bond a suffragette and an aspiring opera singer, they met during the Vote for Women Now in Philadelphia. They marry and begin a life together when Harvey enlists to go to war in the military medical unit as as army doctor. Barbara holds on to hope during this time for his return As continues her studies in singing opera and music lessons.

The story continues when Dr Perkins returns from the War and is offered an assignment as a Local Doctor in the missionaries located in Jungle City of Nan Valley, Gulf of Siam Bangkok Thailand near the border of Loas. He immediately accepted the offer with such excitement and enthusiasm.

At the same time Barbara is offered an opportunity of a lifetime to continue her studies in music with a top and leading singing instructor with the Chicago Operatic Theatre.

When Barbara finds out that her future plans are now set in place for Thailand, she is forced to give up her own dreams and plans for a future in Opera. It was how things were done then.

In 1919, Harvey and Barbara move to the missionary in Siam. They live in a lovely house with a balcony looking over a garden full Mango Trees, that at night the moon reflects in these trees. Hence the title of the book. This house is located near the hospital where Harvey works.

Harvey meets Dr Putters and his Wife, the current local doctor along with other interesting characters all who live and work in the Missionary. Life in the Missionary make Harvey happy and eager to work, assisting the locals and his patients with their health needs including viruses, malaria and typhoid.

However for Barbara life in the Missionary was difficult. She felt that she could not fit in. Was restricted with her singing and what she was allowed to sing. The customs and traditions fascinated her, but she felt uncomfortable and disheartened because she didn't know how to spend her days.

She was happy and very much in love with Harvey. They had two children, girls. She loves them all. Doesn't want to loose them. She struggles with her next decision does she give up her life in Siam and potentially loose her loving family in order to return to her old lifelong dream of being an Opera Singer.

Eventually, she decides to follow her dreams goes to Europe. Whist there she was recommended to go to see a Opera Singing teacher. His name was Ferrati. He taught Enrico Caruso to sing in Trastevere in Rome. She soon started singing lessons with the dream to peruse her Opera Career.

Was it to late to make this dream a reality, or should she return to her family before she looses them forever.

Will she make the wrong choice or will she have the happy ever after she dreams of.

Such an interesting and thought provoking novel. Based on the story of the Authors Grandparents.

I rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

[Camilla Liberatore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Moon In The Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Eden

A novel that is set in the 1920's, with a mix of cultures, customs, traditions, and across 3 continents. America, Asia and Europe.

The story begins in 1916, when Dr Harvey Perkins meets his future wife Barbara Bond a suffragette and an aspiring opera singer, they met during the Vote for Women Now in Philadelphia. They marry and begin a life together when Harvey enlists to go to war in the military medical unit as as army doctor. Barbara holds on to hope during this time for his safe return and continues her studies in singing opera and music lessons.

The story continues when Dr Perkins returns from the War and is offered an assignment as a Local Doctor in the missionaries located in Jungle City of Nan Valley, Gulf of Siam Bangkok Thailand near the border of Loas. He immediately accepted the offer with such excitement and enthusiasm.

At the same time Barbara is offered an opportunity of a lifetime to continue her studies in music with a top and leading singing instructor with the Chicago Opera Theatre.

When Barbara finds out that her future plans are now set in place for Thailand, she is forced to give up her own dreams and plans for a future in Opera. It was how things were done then.

In 1919, Harvey and Barbara move to the missionary in Siam. They live in a lovely house with a balcony looking over a garden full Mango Trees, that at night the moon reflects in these trees. Hence the title of the book. This house is located near the hospital where Harvey works.

Harvey meets Dr Pitters and his Wife, the current local doctor along with other interesting characters all who live and work in the Missionary. Life in the Missionary make Harvey happy and eager to work, assisting the locals and his patients with their health needs including viruses, malaria and typhoid.

However for Barbara life in the Missionary was difficult. She felt that she could not fit in. Was restricted with her singing and what she was allowed to sing. The customs and traditions of the area of Siam fascinated her, but she felt uncomfortable and disheartened because she didn't know how to spend her days.

She was happy and very much in love with Harvey. They had two children, girls. She loves them all. She doesn’t want to loose them. She struggles with her next decision, does she give up her life in Siam and potentially loose her loving family in order to return to her old lifelong dream of being an Opera Singer.

Eventually, she decides to follow her dreams goes to Europe. Whist there she was recommended to go to see a Opera Singing teacher. His name was Ferrati. He taught Enrico Caruso to sing in Trastevere in Rome. She soon started singing lessons with the dream to peruse her Opera Career.

Was it to late to make this dream a reality, or should she return to her family before she looses them forever.

Will she make the wrong choice or will she have the happy ever after she dreams of.

Such an interesting and thought provoking novel. Based on the story of the Authors Grandparents.

I rate this book a 4 out of 5. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the book for my review and recommendation.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we first meet them in 1919. the newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Perkins are on their way to Siam to work on the mission field. Barbara gives up her ambition to become an opera singer in order to support her husband's work. Barbara soon discovers that the people in Nan Valley, which is located north of Siam, do not appreciate her singing talent or her love of music. She is turned down when she offers to teach the kids how to sing, play music, and other musical things.

I liked that the majority of the tale takes place in Thailand's jungles. Barbara soon becomes a working mother who is attempting to strike a balance between work and her family. Despite being in the mission field, this couple does not enjoy their work. They face a test of faith, which is covered in more detail near the book's conclusion.

I like how the writer takes readers to places like Bangkok, Rome, Paris, Thailand, etc. This story is loosely based on the author's mother. The main character didn't appear to be close to God. but is fascinated by Buddhism. The husband does not have a strong faith and rarely demonstrates to Barbara how much he loves her, appreciates her, and goes out of his way to safeguard her. The plot of the book includes scenes involving drinking, smoking, and extramarital flirtations. Barbara is a fascinating figure who follows her husband’s calling to Siam, develops her own identity and voice in the end.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moon in the Mango Tree
by Pamela Binnings Ewen
Pub DateOct 17 2023
Blackstone Publishing
Christian| General Fiction \(Adult\)| Historical Fiction



Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley provided me with a copy of The Moon in the Mango Tree for review:


In The Moon and the Mango Tree, we travel from Siam (now Thailand) to Paris and Rome, where Barbara Bond, a beautiful young singer, must make some difficult choices.


The decade is dazzling, and Barbara Bond is a beautiful young singer torn between her fierce desire for independence and her deep, abiding love for her husband, a brilliant doctor. Soon after she marries Harvey Perkins, she learns that he has accepted an assignment as a medical missionary in the country of Siam. In an instant, Barbara is forced to become a "good wife"—to support her husband's career instead of her own. She travels with Harvey to the jungles of Siam, then to Bangkok, where he is now the court physician. 


The secrets straining their marriage lead Barbara to wonder if she made the right choice. Finally, after leaving her husband in Bangkok, she flees to Paris, then Rome, where she can sing on stage. It's worth the risk if Harvey loves her, so she can have it all-her husband and her career. Why should she be forced to make a choice?


And, if she chooses, must the other be lost forever?


I give The Moon in the Mango Tree five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

[M Williamson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book traces the journey of a woman who lets life happen to her. She constantly thinks about her husband and their marriage, but rather than talking to her husband, she imagines problems and then runs away from them.

The main character is insufferable. I kept waiting for her to grow a backbone, to stop whining, to actually invest in her marriage, to make wise choices, but that would be too much to ask. The conclusion is happy, but you have to suffer through four hundred pages of ennui to reach it.

I was surprised by the spiritual themes. Since it starts as a book about a missionary's wife, I thought she might be a Christian. Instead, she's a nominal Christian who is increasingly attracted to Buddhism during her time in Siam. Especially in the first half of the book, Christianity is represented as extremely legalistic and Calvinistic. I found it rather annoying to read about a missionary's wife who doesn't seem to value her faith or understand basic doctrines. In the final pages of the book, she goes through a vague spiritual awakening that rejuvenates her love for her husband and daughters, but it isn't developed well. Life simply happens to the main character, even during this spiritual awakening, and her indecision irked me to the final page.

[Barbara Dougherty Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an advance eCopy copy of this book in return for my honest opinions.

Pub Date: 17 Oct 2023

The book is portrayed as a Christian novel but it is more of one person's personal struggle becoming to terms with their owns religious beliefs and faith. It also focuses on a woman's struggle during this time period to be true to herself and not bend to family and the social pressures of the time.

There descriptions of Nan Valley of Siam. Philadelphia, Bangkok, Paris, Lausanne, and Rome during this point in history which I enjoyed. They were vividly described and I could see them clearly in my mind.

Barbara's sacrifice to travel as a missionary with her husband, Harvey is portrayed as something specific to the time period, but I feel women today are still expected to give up many of their own dreams so their husbands can persue their own. Men still typically make more than women and we may have come a long way, but most marriage are still not 50/50. Women birth, raise, care for the children and still do most of the household chores.

The story plot needed a bit more and I feel a bit of word chopping could be made, but overall I enjoyed the story.

Four stars for me

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Moon in the Mango Tree" is an intimate telling of grandmother's life by a granddaughter.
Spanning the 20s and 30s in the USA, Thailand and Europe, Barbara tries to find who she really is. A wife? A missionary? A mother? An opera singer? Sacrifices must be made because you seemingly can't have it all. In a time of womens suffrage forging the way for freedoms, emotions come into play...loyalty, love, obligation, hopes and dreams.
While the 20s are roaring in Philadelphia, Paris and Rome, life in remote Thailand is often savage and definately backwards. Missionaries strive to convert the locals and Barbara's husband is a doctor treating and teaching these same poor villagers. Barbara is a fish out of water and the missionary folk make her know it.
In a time when you can check your children into boarding school and move to Europe to follow your life's dream...why wouldn't you give it a try? I love how she took chances...
I found some of the missionary blah blah abit tiresome and definitely enjoyed the moments of action in Thailand, becoming totally engaged in the European section of "The Moon in the Mango Tree".
Overall a privilege to share in Pamela Binnings Ewen's family history.
Thanks to NetGalley Blackstone Publishing and the author for my copy.

[Ellen Gonzales · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but I found it just okay.

Initially, the exotic setting and time period piqued my interest. A young couple were assigned to a remote location in Siam as missionaries in the 1920s. The beginning of the novel explores Barbara's experience of living in the jungle and learning about the local customs and culture. Her passion is singing and she longs for a return to civilization. However, her husband, Harvey, is a doctor who is devoted to the mission and his patients. Barbara and Harvey were sort of flat so I expected them to develop throughout the story. But by the end of the novel, they didn't. I was frustrated by the fact that after 10 years of marriage and two children they weren't able to simply compromise and find a city that had both a hospital and an opera house!

Also, I couldn't bear to read another sentence about Barbara smoking cigarettes, drinking booze, and naively flirting with men. The author repeatedly describes those scenes. By the end, I really disliked Barbara.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 3 out of 5]

This read is a classic example of a "slow burn/build" read--in a good way. :) I don't usually go for that type of book--like "something please happen already!"--but Ewen has a way with words that kept me interested for that element alone. (I also might have channeled "Anna and the King" a taaaaad bit ... lol!)

I will note, I set the book aside and didn't ultimately finish it; the book is also an example of not being as marketed. Presented (to me, anyway) as Christian fiction, that element really didn't come through aside from--as another reviewer describes it--"joyless missionaries", though I understand faith comes into play more near the end, the epilogue in particular. But the MC's constant "what might have been" wonderings, along with drinking, smoking, and extramarital flirtations, were off putting after a while and felt disproportionately over-described.

I am still moony over that cover, though. :) Beautiful!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting, well-written book. The author did such a good job in describing Bangkok, Nan, Paris, and Rome I felt like I was there. Barbara and her husband were living in a very, small missionary village in the middle of Siam. No electricity, running water, or contact with the world in the middle of the jungle. Getting there required trains, ponies,and boats through dangerous areas. Though in love with her husband, Babs wanted more. More fun, more meaning, more love. While her husband was constantly busy as the only Dr. in such a remote area, she was left alone most of the time. While she had always been told a woman's job is to support her husband, she began to wonder what might give her life meaning. More unusual in the 1920s, but in some places things were starting to change, and maybe she could have it all. Full of stories of that period in their lives, kings and princes, tigers and elephants, pain and disease, the author kept me engaged. Amazing the story was her own grandmother's story! Definitely recommend!

[Nicole McCrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is whirlwind as we travel 10 years with Barbara and Harvey. Barbara is flawed in a way she cannot see and makes for an interesting and frustrating read. She is an exasperating character. Her flaws, however, are deeply relatable and in much of the book I could see myself - the struggle for self-identity, searching for fulfillment, and questioning your existence.

I nearly didn't read this because of its Christian angle. I am not religious and the Christian books I have read in the past are too self-righteous for my taste. Many of the complaints, that this novel isn't Christian enough, surprised me. That a woman as weak as Barbara is struggling with her faith strikes me as the most Christian theme of all. That she admires Buddhism in this story makes sense - people simply want to be treated with kindness.

[Kw · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the descriptions of Thailand nearly 100 years ago, of travel and communication in those days, and of the suffragette movement and other topics of the period. The story is charming and engaging for a while, but Barbara gets pretty tiresome as the pages turn. Dumping her children, chasing a dream, drinking and smoking (what do those do to an operatic voice?) and partying and flirting, and toying with her marriage were all were turn-offs for me. She should have insisted on discussing things with her husband, but this was just a bit much.
So I found her immature, selfish and spoiled. The book was good, but I think it could have been so much better.