I found The Frozen River frustrating, so I guess I'm here with a spicy take! I thought Martha felt like a 21st century woman plunked into 18th century New England--her point of view felt too modern to me. I did find the story interesting and the exploration of women's roles enlightening (and infuriating). So I did like it enough to finish, but I have a hard time with historical fiction because of the insertion of a modern perspective.
I think that critique is fair. I was ready to give some of the modernism a pass b/c you gotta think a woman who could read and basically worked a full time job at that time had to be an outlier in LOTS of areas.
Totally makes sense that she would be an outlier in a lot of ways for those reasons. It just felt to me that there was nothing about her that wouldn’t fit into a 21st century attitude and that seemed unrealistic to me.
I’m so I’m glad that many other people enjoyed the book—it just didn’t hit for me.
I also loved Frozen River! However, I thought it jumped the shark a bit with the way the knife was used towards the end of the book (trying for no spoilers in this comment!). I liked so much about the book but felt that aspect made it seem like not as authentic historical fiction.
The entire point of Northanger Abbey is that you cant give up on the novel! Austen's Heroine gives up on the story she is currently reading, lets her imagination run away with her and gets herself in a sticky situation. Austen also lambasts other readers who look down on the gothic novel and those who don't complete them.
Can’t wait to check these out. I just finished The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb. It was a tough content read but worth it, plus I enjoyed observing my own limitations on forgiveness.
Frozen River was such a good read! I immersed myself in Martha Ballard’s world last winter, and it was a page-turner! I also read Ariel’s Lawhorn’s I Was Anastasia in the spring. Highly recommend both!
I finally, FINALLY, am reading Cutting for Stone (one of my dad's favorites). I climb in bed to read for a little bit and next thing I know an hour has flown by.
I've waiting to read Frozen River until it is a little bit colder out. Any thoughts on audio vs. hard copy?
North Woods was amazing. I didn't know much about it when I started it, was startled to realize that it was a ghost story in large part, questioned whether I even liked it, and ended up loving it. What a wild ride! The quote you chose is one that really stuck with me and gives me perspective and some solace in these times.
The Frozen River and North Woods were both book club selections and well received. I am not a big rereader but want to go back to North Woods as I loved it so much - I was actually glad to read it on my Kindle so I could use the dictionary function for the obsecure vocabulary words.
I also just finished and LOVED The Frozen River! It was my book club’s pick for October, and I found myself all wrapped up in the strong female characters and healthy romantic relationship of Martha and Ephraim.
I found The Frozen River frustrating, so I guess I'm here with a spicy take! I thought Martha felt like a 21st century woman plunked into 18th century New England--her point of view felt too modern to me. I did find the story interesting and the exploration of women's roles enlightening (and infuriating). So I did like it enough to finish, but I have a hard time with historical fiction because of the insertion of a modern perspective.
I think that critique is fair. I was ready to give some of the modernism a pass b/c you gotta think a woman who could read and basically worked a full time job at that time had to be an outlier in LOTS of areas.
Totally makes sense that she would be an outlier in a lot of ways for those reasons. It just felt to me that there was nothing about her that wouldn’t fit into a 21st century attitude and that seemed unrealistic to me.
I’m so I’m glad that many other people enjoyed the book—it just didn’t hit for me.
I also loved Frozen River! However, I thought it jumped the shark a bit with the way the knife was used towards the end of the book (trying for no spoilers in this comment!). I liked so much about the book but felt that aspect made it seem like not as authentic historical fiction.
I kind of liked it - what's the point of historical fiction if you can't give a little justice!? It's not a biography after all!
My book club was bummed to read in the epilogue that the knife part was not true -everyone wanted it to be!
I know! But it was pretty "ripped from the headlines" from circa 1993 and I didn't love that. It was a great book overall though!
I read North Woods in September and I STILL think about it sometimes.
NOOOO!
The entire point of Northanger Abbey is that you cant give up on the novel! Austen's Heroine gives up on the story she is currently reading, lets her imagination run away with her and gets herself in a sticky situation. Austen also lambasts other readers who look down on the gothic novel and those who don't complete them.
Sigh, it's been a few years since I read Northanger Abbey but I'll reread that before I pick Udolpho back up ;)
Can’t wait to check these out. I just finished The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb. It was a tough content read but worth it, plus I enjoyed observing my own limitations on forgiveness.
I read Frozen River last January and could not put it down!
Will have to put North Woods on the TBR list
Frozen River was such a good read! I immersed myself in Martha Ballard’s world last winter, and it was a page-turner! I also read Ariel’s Lawhorn’s I Was Anastasia in the spring. Highly recommend both!
Has anyone listed to the Stacks episode on Frankenstein? It released 10/29 and it is so interesting.
I finally, FINALLY, am reading Cutting for Stone (one of my dad's favorites). I climb in bed to read for a little bit and next thing I know an hour has flown by.
I've waiting to read Frozen River until it is a little bit colder out. Any thoughts on audio vs. hard copy?
North Woods was amazing. I didn't know much about it when I started it, was startled to realize that it was a ghost story in large part, questioned whether I even liked it, and ended up loving it. What a wild ride! The quote you chose is one that really stuck with me and gives me perspective and some solace in these times.
Can't speak to the audio! I read it.
The Frozen River and North Woods were both book club selections and well received. I am not a big rereader but want to go back to North Woods as I loved it so much - I was actually glad to read it on my Kindle so I could use the dictionary function for the obsecure vocabulary words.
Ooh, TheFrozen River has been on my list. With this much enthusiasm it’s moving up fast!
Loved Frozen River too! I read Wild Dark Shore in Oct - 4.5/5. Logging North Woods on my to read list now!
I loved The Frozen River too! Probably my favorite read in 2024.
Hey, I'm reading The Frozen River right now! And obvs read Frankenstein.
I also just finished and LOVED The Frozen River! It was my book club’s pick for October, and I found myself all wrapped up in the strong female characters and healthy romantic relationship of Martha and Ephraim.