This was a profoundly moving and heartbreaking read. The grim and gritty realities of life in early 20th century Canada as families established land and home were well developed in this historical fiction read, bringing a realistic touch to the setting and atmosphere. The tension that builds within this particular family unit and the constant hits to their family dynamics were both tragic and engaging all at the same time.
The heart of this narrative rested in the compelling character growth and dynamics that the story established. The hardships and struggles that you see for William and Louise as Violet grows and struggles with her own problems were tragic to see and would impact any and all parents, and yet the hope and brightness that Violet brought to those around her was so moving, making the events that transpire towards the back half of the book that much more heartbreaking to behold.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2023
Small Reckonings is a historical novel inspired by true-life events with fictional characters. It is set in a small town, Watrous, Saskatchewan, where Williams Burke and others lived and tended to their farms. On his visit to Toronto, Canada, Burke met Louise, and they subsequently got married. Louise soon gave birth to John and Violet, with the help of Dr. Speight and Hanusia. However, Violet was born with special circumstances and had an underlying health condition that made her vulnerable. The book went downhill when Violet's health didn't get better and Louise felt guilty, despite Williams' attempts to reassure her. Yet more tragedy awaits the family of Burke, and this would spur Louise to leave her family members on a lone journey.
Karin’s ability to connect with the emotions of the reader at this point was incredibly awesome. I was almost in tears reading the events that led to the tragedy that befell the Burke family. The next big thing for me here was the ability to develop a weak character into a strong one. Despite the novel’s length, it was a totally engaging read. The tension that came with the climax, the way events were unravelled, the structure of the book, the use of different themes, and the choice of words were excellent. Also, the pictorial illustrations and the use of imagery were well captured. I loved the romantic relationship between Williams and Louise, especially when he visited her in Toronto and how he stood by her. I also adored John’s ability to look out for Violet, his sister, despite her frustrating condition.
On the downside, I found the book’s confusing start disconcerting; I had to read way deeper into the middle of the book before I could relate back to the beginning of the story. Furthermore, I felt that the author drifted away from the storyline several times. The author's excessive focus on certain events and abrupt shifts to unrelated ones made it hard for me to follow the storyline at times. I had to do lots of thinking to reconnect the dots.
Due to my complaints, the novel deserves 4 out of 5 stars. Nonetheless, due to the nature of the events that occurred in the book and its educational and insightful content, it was a worthy read. I recommend it to lovers of historical books rooted in real-life events.
Karin’s ability to connect with the emotions of the reader at this point was incredibly awesome. I was almost in tears reading the events that led to the tragedy that befell the Burke family. The next big thing for me here was the ability to develop a weak character into a strong one. Despite the novel’s length, it was a totally engaging read. The tension that came with the climax, the way events were unravelled, the structure of the book, the use of different themes, and the choice of words were excellent. Also, the pictorial illustrations and the use of imagery were well captured. I loved the romantic relationship between Williams and Louise, especially when he visited her in Toronto and how he stood by her. I also adored John’s ability to look out for Violet, his sister, despite her frustrating condition.
On the downside, I found the book’s confusing start disconcerting; I had to read way deeper into the middle of the book before I could relate back to the beginning of the story. Furthermore, I felt that the author drifted away from the storyline several times. The author's excessive focus on certain events and abrupt shifts to unrelated ones made it hard for me to follow the storyline at times. I had to do lots of thinking to reconnect the dots.
Due to my complaints, the novel deserves 4 out of 5 stars. Nonetheless, due to the nature of the events that occurred in the book and its educational and insightful content, it was a worthy read. I recommend it to lovers of historical books rooted in real-life events.
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