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Reviews by Chari Burdick

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The Prisoner's Wife
by Maggie Brookes
Disappointing (3/3/2020)
I enjoy any book that is based on a true story during this period of history. This one misses the mark for me. While there were highlights, well researched areas in the middle of the story, the beginning and ending were weak. A missed opportunity to have a very good book from a different view.
Falling
by Jane Green
Not my favorite (8/3/2016)
The story line was good, but the whole book felt shallow. I would have liked to see a little more depth given to characters, everything was a little too easily solved.
If you are looking for a beach read that is fast and quick, this would be your book, I do think the author has written better books than this one.
The Art of Baking Blind
by Sarah Vaughan
Good Read (4/8/2015)
I enjoyed this book and so will you if you are not looking for anything of real depth. I found myself constantly looking to the jacket to remind myself who each character was, as they seemed to run together in their sameness. It was only towards the end of the book, did they take on their own distinction. It was a good storyline but wish there would have been more 'meatiness' to it.
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah
Great - Loved it (3/4/2015)
Kristin Hannah is great at writing this kind of book. She is a great writer and storyteller. This book is set in the WWII era in France. It's about the hardships, terror, brutality of the period, but also the bravery, kindness and humanity. I couldn't put it down, and you won't be able to either. The story stayed with me long after finishing and I still would like to go back and be with the characters again.
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah
Hannah at her best (2/18/2015)
I loved this book. It is Hannah at her best. If you read Winter Garden you will love this one as well. I found myself wanting to go back to the characters lives long after I had finished the book. If you enjoy stories from the war and all the struggles that entailed...the bravery of the innocent. you will enjoy this book!
Forgotten Country
by Catherine Chung
Family (3/22/2012)
This was a very well written story of family interaction and the relationships between the members.
After moving to Michigan from Korea many years earlier we join the sisters Janie striving to always to do the right thing and and her younger sister Hannah who is resistant to tradition.
Their father is diagnosed with cancer, at which time her parents make it clear once again she is responsible for her younger sister who has left with no word to anyone.
This begins the wonderful story of understanding the past, her own and her parents, the struggle to be the good daughter while fulfilling her own needs. Resentment with her sister for appearing to lead her life in own way.
The author draws you into this family as they return to Korea for her fathers final days. We watch Janie works through understanding of her history and of who she is.
You will not be disappointed reading this book.
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