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Amy S. (Tucson, AZ)
Enjoyable, yet lacking
First of all, I absolutely love the setting and historical aspects of this novel. The author's description of the community and ranching lifestyle are what kept me engaged. In spite of those descriptions, however, many of the characters seemed flat or one-dimensional to me. Not one of them "jumped" off of the page and "grabbed" me like I really wanted them to. I felt very little emotional attachment to any of them. I'm still trying to figure out the author's purpose for adding the 1985 crime. It didn't add to the story in any way for me; rather I found it distracting, unconnected, and unnecessary.
Susan P. (Boston, MA)
Home Sweet Home
HOME SWEET HOME is a bit of an ironic title because Rapid City, South Dakota, where a young NYC couple move, seems anything but sweet. The intelligent young couple and their two small children take immediately (really, immediately?) to 1950s South Dakota ranching life, making some friends. The depictions of ranching life, the harshness and mercurial nature of weather, and heartbreak of animal husbandry seem very authentic (to a non-rancher anyway). However, some outcomes seemed too good to be true, and the answer to the initial murder mystery seemed contrived and suddenly made up. The best writing was about the
…more local people. The young couple left NYC and its constraints but found different constraints in the wide open spaces. (less)This book retells a very sad part of history here in the United States; the era of
McCarthyism. The author covers this time of fear and panic as it effects one family in a small town in South Dakota with excellent descriptive writing.
As the book proceeds, this same writing bogs down the flow of the story. I felt a strong connection to Cal and Betsy but that is about all. The story drug along through a good bit causing me to loose interest. The ending of the story was rushed and felt very contrived. I did enjoy parts of the story which is why I gave it the rating of three stars.
Laurie W. (Fredonia, NY)
Needs more suspense
Home Sweet Home was an enjoyable read. The references to McCarthyism were enlightening and touched on a topic I haven't read much about. The characters were well developed and easy to like or dislike. There were a few I was not crazy about, but that is true of the people we encounter in our lives on a daily basis; so it was right on target.
The landscape of South Dakota came to life. I could imagine the dry earth and the snow; the smells from the cattle ranch and the many hardships the Kusek family endured living in a rural town.
I struggled to be swept away by the book. I enjoyed the plot, but everything moved a
…more little too slow. There were many, many references to cattle ranching, but not about the trial or the McCarthyism of the time. I would like to have had more clues to the assault on Lance and his family through out the book. Keep the suspense building until the end. The conclusion of the Kusek families trial and Lances attack seemed rushed. Everything ended abruptly for me. It was too slow in the first three quarters of the book and too much was thrown in at the end. (less)If I had picked up this book on my own, I would have stopped reading it half way through. Since I was reviewing it, I kept reading and was glad I did. I knew a little about McCarthyism but this really showed me how gullible and fearful people were (and still are). It is amazing to me how many people believe what they are told and don't question or assess the information. My book club could not discuss this book; we have strong conservatives and strong liberals. It was not unusual for idealistic young people to join the Communist party at that time. Almost all of them dropped out very quickly. I also think it was
…more a little far fetched to kill the second generation for the "sins" of the first. This book is timely as to the 2016 election. It is sad so many people are motivated by threat of fear instead of common sense. (less)I began reading the book thinking it would be enjoyable but as it went on I found it unrealistic. At times the writing seemed cheesy and uninspired. A couple moves from New York to South Dakota and become cattle people. Hum it just didn't have the ring of truth.
The ending was the hardest part to believe. It seemed to come out of no where.
Not sure who this book would appeal to. I don't think the book group I'm a member of would enjoy it.
Marie A. (Warner, NH)
Revisiting History
April Smith is retelling the true story of John and Sally Goldmark and paralleling them through her own characters the Kusaks. The author shows how misunderstandings, interpretations, accusations, and fears during a particular period in history can affect the lives of present and future generations.
Reading this prompted me to revisit this period in our history and to further research various viewpoints regarding McCarthy, McCarthyism and the Cold War.
This is an interesting presentation that I would recommend to book clubs whose members readily engage in political discourse.
Kathleen W. (Appleton, WI)
Home Sweet Home
I would actually rate this book at 3.5 in that it was better than average but not quite 4 stars. As I read Home Sweet Home, I felt like I was reading a screenplay rather than a novel. The writing tended to be utilitarian rather than literary and many of the characters seemed like caricatures with a specific role to play. I realize that I was reading an uncorrected proof, but was frequently tempted to pull out my red pen. Hopefully a good editor will fix my biggest annoyances.
The story itself is a good one. It felt well researched and believable. I learned a lot about South Dakota, ranching, and the Joe McCathy
…more era. The book's strengths in my opinion are the descriptions of ranching life and the quality of the dialogue.
Perhaps reviewers who like reading screenplays will rate this book more favorably than I did. That being said, I found it a satisfying and edifying read despite not being especially enjoyable. (less)
