I had put the book A Hundred Crickets Singing by Cathy Gohlke on my waitlist with the online library. Every so often when my list empties I go online and fill it. I wait so long for books, oftentimes 6 months, that I forget what is even on the list. By the time it comes, I have no idea what inspired me to pick the book…I likely just picked the book by its cover. Yes, I admit to doing that quite often.
So…How was the book? GOOD!! I would classify this as Christian Fiction. It was preachy. It was just about people who regularly attended church and kept God at the forefront of their lives. Even if you don’t like Christian Fiction, you could easily work around that aspect of the book.
The book takes place during two different time periods, the Civil War and WWII. Those are both favorite time periods for me to read about. Both stories are interesting and both kept my attention.
This story focuses much of the storyline on the treatment of African Americans during these time periods. That for me was sad. What is even sadder is that the two storylines are 80 years apart…and we are now 80 years away from that and still people aren’t treated equally. SAD.
Here is what Amazon has to say…
“In wars eighty years apart, two young women living on the same Appalachian estate determine to aid soldiers dear to them and fight for justice, no matter the cost.
1944. When a violent storm rips through the Belvidere attic in No Creek, North Carolina, exposing a hidden room and trunk long forgotten, secrets dating back to the Civil War are revealed. Celia Percy, whose family lives and works in the home, suspects the truth could transform the future for her friend Marshall, now fighting overseas, whose ancestors were once enslaved by the Belvidere family. When Marshall’s Army friend, Joe, returns to No Creek with shocking news for Marshall’s family, Celia determines to right a long-standing wrong, whether or not the town is ready for it.
1861. After her mother’s death, Minnie Belvidere works desperately to keep her household running and her family together as North Carolina secedes. Her beloved older brother clings to his Union loyalties, despite grave danger, while her hotheaded younger brother entangles himself and the family’s finances within the Confederacy. As the country and her own home are torn in two, Minnie risks her life and her future in a desperate fight to gain liberty and land for those her parents intended to free, before it’s too late.”
Amazon readers gave the book 4.7 stars. I’m going to go with 4.5. I enjoyed the book. I like the parallel stories showing how the past can affect the future…and how slowly things change. It kept my attention and kept me wanting to do things so I could listen. That always means I found a good book!
You can find the book HERE if you are interested.
I’m reading a rare print book – usually I read on my Kindle – but a friend sent it to me. Even Blue Birds Sing by Karen Buyno. It is the story of an abused/battered mother and what she goes through to protect her son. Not super detailed on the abuse, but enough to know she went through hell. It is a true story. Opens my eyes.
Hi Jo. Thank you for the recommendation to read “The Second Life Of Mirielle West”.
This was a very interesting story about which I knew nothing about-the Carville Leper Colony in Louisiana.
I could not put this book down, and hated to see it end!
I continually think of the events that occurred to those poor people and Mirielle.