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Caleb's Window
by
Born in the village of Easkey, Ireland just before World War II, Cara Brannan dreams of becoming a nurse and starting a new life in America. Her mother, an Irish suffragette, encourages Cara to set goals and be fiercely independent. She moves to Dublin and begins nurses training at Saint John’s Hospital, forging friendships and encountering obstacles as a young single w
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Paperback, 274 pages
Published
February 12th 2018
by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
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I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Going into this, I had no idea what to expect since it was a self published book and this type of book can go either way. But luckily I ended up really enjoying it.
I loved the characters. Cara’s strength, determination, and compassion for others was inspiring. I loved how cheeky Caleb was as a teenager.
I liked how the story was woven together and started at one point in time but went backwards to show how they got ...more
Going into this, I had no idea what to expect since it was a self published book and this type of book can go either way. But luckily I ended up really enjoying it.
I loved the characters. Cara’s strength, determination, and compassion for others was inspiring. I loved how cheeky Caleb was as a teenager.
I liked how the story was woven together and started at one point in time but went backwards to show how they got ...more
A story of family, new beginnings, perseverance and for the joy of life.
Caleb, the son that never knew his father and lost his mother when he was just coming of age.
The memory of his mother stayed with him, giving him inspiration.
This book was a gift from the author for my honest review.
I loved the story.
Caleb, the son that never knew his father and lost his mother when he was just coming of age.
The memory of his mother stayed with him, giving him inspiration.
This book was a gift from the author for my honest review.
I loved the story.
I want to thank the author for providing me with an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.
I didn't know anything about this book going into it besides what the synopsis says so I didn't know what to expect. Luckily though I ended up really enjoying it.
This book is basically broken up into 2 parts. The first 19 chapters are all about Cara Brannan from the day she is born and onwards and the last 8 chapter's are about Calab Brannan-Whyte.
When I first started this book I got through the first 38% ...more
I didn't know anything about this book going into it besides what the synopsis says so I didn't know what to expect. Luckily though I ended up really enjoying it.
This book is basically broken up into 2 parts. The first 19 chapters are all about Cara Brannan from the day she is born and onwards and the last 8 chapter's are about Calab Brannan-Whyte.
When I first started this book I got through the first 38% ...more
Kept my attention from the first page to the last
Apr 05, 2019
Stephanie Tenney
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
5-star-reads,
giveaways-or-arcs
Highly recommended
This is a well written story. I love how the story was about the life of Caleb and at the end he wrote his memoir Caleb's window. Definitely a great a quick read. Once I started reading it captured me from the very beginning and held my attention throughout ...more
This is a well written story. I love how the story was about the life of Caleb and at the end he wrote his memoir Caleb's window. Definitely a great a quick read. Once I started reading it captured me from the very beginning and held my attention throughout ...more
Caleb's Window is the second novel by John J. Siefring, author of An Important Day. I was so taken with An Important Day, that I've been waiting for Siefring's second offering. It does not disappoint!
Caleb's Window is a generational saga about young Cara Brannan, an Irish girl who grew up during WWII, wants to become a nurse and ultimately move to America. As in Mr. Siefring's first book, his phrasing and both his physical and emotional descriptions are so rich and full that the characters and h ...more
Caleb's Window is a generational saga about young Cara Brannan, an Irish girl who grew up during WWII, wants to become a nurse and ultimately move to America. As in Mr. Siefring's first book, his phrasing and both his physical and emotional descriptions are so rich and full that the characters and h ...more
I had a little difficulty adjusting to the Irish sentence structure, but, that aside, I found this to be an enchanting tale. I did feel like I fell off a cliff when an unexpected event happened and the focus switched from on character to another. All in all, an enjoyable tale. Thank you Goodread Giveaways.
Awesome book
I loved this book. You felt like you were talking with friends. Good character development and a good flow. Couldn't put this book down. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a conversation with a good friend. ...more
I loved this book. You felt like you were talking with friends. Good character development and a good flow. Couldn't put this book down. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a conversation with a good friend. ...more
I absolutely loved this book
I won this book on Goodreads.
This is a really good book, with very likeable characters. And good character development. I couldn't put it down ...more
I won this book on Goodreads.
This is a really good book, with very likeable characters. And good character development. I couldn't put it down ...more
Caleb's Window
Young and full of hope, a young woman leaves the shores of Ireland to find work in England. Cara Brannon learns that she is quite skilled in nursing, ever inquisitive, she follows her dreams and meets an unexpected bump in her journey, a Weshman on a stretcher. Later as his wife she discovers her pregnancy and his untimely death will be another journey farther away from home. As a respite from the everyday life Cara stares out from her window, the world a play passing in the person ...more
Young and full of hope, a young woman leaves the shores of Ireland to find work in England. Cara Brannon learns that she is quite skilled in nursing, ever inquisitive, she follows her dreams and meets an unexpected bump in her journey, a Weshman on a stretcher. Later as his wife she discovers her pregnancy and his untimely death will be another journey farther away from home. As a respite from the everyday life Cara stares out from her window, the world a play passing in the person ...more
A beautiful story which moves backward in time as Cara Brannan’s life unfolds, from a small village in Ireland to the bustle of New York City.
Cara has a happy childhood in Ireland and her dreams of America are inspired by the many books she reads. Her father’s love of literature is instilled in her and she writes stories in her journal constantly. Cara eventually goes to Dublin where she trains to be a nurse. Her independent spirit and caring heart make her a wonderful nurse, who is admired by ...more
Cara has a happy childhood in Ireland and her dreams of America are inspired by the many books she reads. Her father’s love of literature is instilled in her and she writes stories in her journal constantly. Cara eventually goes to Dublin where she trains to be a nurse. Her independent spirit and caring heart make her a wonderful nurse, who is admired by ...more
This is a story that touched me deeply. It was extremely well written with some really descriptive passages that made the flow 'real'; it moved at a smooth and even pace; the two characters (Cara and Caleb) were so well defined they become like friends to me. There really wasn't much of a 'plot' to this book but that was fine. There was enough of a background story to hold my interest to the very end.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review. ...more
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review. ...more
I received this book in a giveaway and found it a lovely surprise. Very moving, the story was so intriguing and the characters really struck a chord with me. Although filled with a sadness that weighed on me I truly enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend it to others in search of historical fiction with a whirl of emotions, trials and triumphs, and a bittersweet love from start to finish.
“Caleb’s Window” by John Siefring, is a well-written story of a mother and son, their lives, joys and struggles. I very much enjoyed this book and loved the characters. It held my interest from beginning to end.
This is the first time I’ve read anything by Siefring, but will be watching for future books. I thank the author for the ebook I received from Goodreads Giveaways.
This is the first time I’ve read anything by Siefring, but will be watching for future books. I thank the author for the ebook I received from Goodreads Giveaways.
Thanks for making me a lucky winner of this book through the First Reads program and I look forward to reading and reviewing.
I won a kindle version in the good reads giveaways. Caleb is the son of Cara and Irish woman who was a nurse and came to the states with her husband. When Cara's spouse dies in work related accident Cara raises Caleb alone. Tragedy strikes when Caleb is only 14. Sent to live with his aunt and uncle he does his best to grow up and make his mother proud. Although the title is called "Caleb's Window", Caleb is only in about one third of this book. The first two thirds focuses on Cara. Becoming a nu
...more
I received a kindle copy of this through a Goodreads giveaway. I was intrigued by the book description and couldn't wait to start reading. The story sucked me in and I had a really hard time putting it down!! I loved the characters and how they developed as the book progressed. The writing was beautiful and really made me feel I was a part of the story! Loved it and highly recommend!!
...more
Great read. I know these characters. I can hear their voices. Feels like I am in Dublin & New York City.
Not sure if I won this or not, but I had a hard time keeping involved. The story just went on and on, and I was not a fan of the writing style . It felt rushed and crammed
* I received this book from the author for free in exchange for an honest review.*
What I Liked
The first thing I really noticed about the this book was the characters. His characters are so strong and really drive the narrative. First we have Cara who is strong, brave, and just a very great character. She really is is stubborn when it comes to what she wants and I admire that about her. Later on we meet Caleb and he too is a very definitive character. I really wanted to have even more time explor ...more
What I Liked
The first thing I really noticed about the this book was the characters. His characters are so strong and really drive the narrative. First we have Cara who is strong, brave, and just a very great character. She really is is stubborn when it comes to what she wants and I admire that about her. Later on we meet Caleb and he too is a very definitive character. I really wanted to have even more time explor ...more
I want to thank the author for providing me with an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.
All the while I was reading this book I was wondering when Caleb was going to show up. The book was all about his mother, Cara and her life. It was easy to keep reading because the story was very interesting and I liked the characters as well as the story line. So, why did he put Caleb's name on the title? It is at the end that you understand the meaning of it all.
The book is a easy read and the author pu ...more
All the while I was reading this book I was wondering when Caleb was going to show up. The book was all about his mother, Cara and her life. It was easy to keep reading because the story was very interesting and I liked the characters as well as the story line. So, why did he put Caleb's name on the title? It is at the end that you understand the meaning of it all.
The book is a easy read and the author pu ...more
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
It is a saga of a young Irish nurse who fell in love and ended up in America. But her husband dies unexpected and she then finds out she’s pregnant. How she ends up surviving and making a future for her and her son. Then she tragically dies early leaving him to live with his aunt and uncle.
He finds his mother’s writings as it then gives him new insight towards his mother as it draws him to his career in English. It showcases the ups and downs in life and the perseverance ...more
It is a saga of a young Irish nurse who fell in love and ended up in America. But her husband dies unexpected and she then finds out she’s pregnant. How she ends up surviving and making a future for her and her son. Then she tragically dies early leaving him to live with his aunt and uncle.
He finds his mother’s writings as it then gives him new insight towards his mother as it draws him to his career in English. It showcases the ups and downs in life and the perseverance ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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May 05, 2020
Denise Levendoski
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
electronic,
won-on-goodreads-2020-thank-you
Thank you to John J. Siefring and Goodreads.com I won this book in a Giveaway.
While the characters put this book in to perspective for us, it's the way that that book is delivered to us. I kept on trying to put the title of it with the book, and then finally it made sense. Sometimes you should be doing this to honor those before and not for yourself as long as you truly enjoy it. And sometimes by doing these things for yourself and honor not everyone will be blessed with the chance to see what y ...more
While the characters put this book in to perspective for us, it's the way that that book is delivered to us. I kept on trying to put the title of it with the book, and then finally it made sense. Sometimes you should be doing this to honor those before and not for yourself as long as you truly enjoy it. And sometimes by doing these things for yourself and honor not everyone will be blessed with the chance to see what y ...more
This was a Goodreads giveaway. This isn’t a book with much in the way of actual plot, more of a coming of age times two story. Very character driven, and you either like the characters or you don’t. My biggest issue with this book is the writing style, which I did not like. It is very dense, lots of words to describe something when fewer would definitely do. Just ok.
Review
This was an interesting story. I liked the way it traveled between Ireland and America. It covered a lot of events Wii historical significance. I thought the use of 9/11 was a little trite.
This was an interesting story. I liked the way it traveled between Ireland and America. It covered a lot of events Wii historical significance. I thought the use of 9/11 was a little trite.
I received this book "Caleb's Window" from goodreads and all opinions expressed are my own. I didn't like this book at all - I didn't even finish it. I didn't like the writing style or the characters. I was trying to "get to the story" but it was too hard to get interested.
...more
A lovely circle of life story revolving around a very strong woman. The glimpses into Irish families make it a must read!
Received a copy of book in exchange for honest review from GoodReads.
Very detailed and interesting.
Very detailed and interesting.
I won this Kindle edition book in a GoodReads
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
I really enjoyed this book. Well written with
Great characters!!
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
I really enjoyed this book. Well written with
Great characters!!
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John J. Siefring is the author of the novels CALEB'S WINDOW and AN IMPORTANT DAY. A collection of short stories entitled THE PARTICULARS is in progress. His work has appeared in the literary journals Gravel and The Ravens Perch. He lives in Manhattan and Long Island.
Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the Bronx, John has worn a number of career hats, including Wall Street, NYC cab driver, col ...more
Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the Bronx, John has worn a number of career hats, including Wall Street, NYC cab driver, col ...more
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