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A Fall of Marigolds,
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Connie Schuchard
I liked the story and it had a happy ending but the style of writing was more like a novel written for a young teenager. It lacked the depth of some other novels written concerning the subjects of the book.
Cara Michelle Roiz
No. It sounded like a cheesy Hallmark movie on paper.
Ms Lee
Not at all. I agree with you. It was as if I were battling a snow storm, plodding along, just to reach the end.
Michele
Agreed, Marcie. The words 'teenage angst' kept popping into my mind. Only they weren't teenagers. (Barring the horrific PTSD, the main character, on Ellis Island, was super self-absorbed.) I got tired of having to feel her loss/pain at having been in NYC two weeks, never speaking to this man that she imagined she 'loved.' Methinks she had bigger problems and needed to go to a counselor to sort out how she could shipwreck her life over a strong 'maybe!' :)
Aimee Evans
I couldn't believe how much my friends loved this - I just didn't like the main character at all! She was so closed off. It was disappointing, because her story should have pulled me in so much more. I also didn't think one story really needed the other.
Amlloyd
You are not the only one. I found myself reading for a few minutes, shaking my head, questioning why I was using my valuable time reading, but justified continuing on because I skimmed through most and it was my book group's recommended reading. It was a "sweet" story but definitely mediocre.
Roseanne
I agree. In addition, I really did not like the main character that much.
Katie
I thought the first half--specifically depicting Clara's introspection-- was beautifully written to show the complicated, exhausted turmoil of the naïve young woman on the run from her grief.
However, when she starts getting to know the doctor and going into the city, it kinda lost me and got knocked back a star. I wasn't wowed by the scarf connection at all. I kept reading, thinking it was about to get exciting or introspective. It didn't, but at least it tied up neatly.
Overall I really enjoyed the parallels between survivors of 9/11 and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, but I agree that the story read very adolescent once she started processing her grief. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, just not what I expected. Are we really supposed to believe she spent 6 months wallowing in (relatable!) grief that kept her on Ellis Island, and then in a matter of weeks confronts all of her grief & fear, and then spends 3 months in Scotland before moving home to marry a doctor?
However, when she starts getting to know the doctor and going into the city, it kinda lost me and got knocked back a star. I wasn't wowed by the scarf connection at all. I kept reading, thinking it was about to get exciting or introspective. It didn't, but at least it tied up neatly.
Overall I really enjoyed the parallels between survivors of 9/11 and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, but I agree that the story read very adolescent once she started processing her grief. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, just not what I expected. Are we really supposed to believe she spent 6 months wallowing in (relatable!) grief that kept her on Ellis Island, and then in a matter of weeks confronts all of her grief & fear, and then spends 3 months in Scotland before moving home to marry a doctor?
Penina Grossberg
Agree that it is mediocre writing.
Kathy
Agree. Quite silly and corny. Very light on history and heavy on fiction. I would classify it as Historical Romance not Historical Fiction. Romance is a genre I don't usually read because it tends to be silly and corny.
Eileen Denette
I just finished reading this book and found the main character unsympathetic and self absorbed. It could have been a good story if the author didn't spend so much time reiterating Clara's loss for someone she had only just met.
Lauren
You are not the only one. It was terrible.
Sandra Jackson - Alawine
I agree, I found the way she switched back and forth between the two stories annoying and Clara seemed to be an idiot pinning away for a man she didn't really know.
Mary Murray
I disagree completely with all of the negative comments!
Deborah Perkins
Yes, endless handwringing and whining by shallow characters. The scarf was a nice tie in- possibly a good story of unresolved grief.
P
Yes, you're the only one. Who else would say it was "very very average"?
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