What do readers think of Above the Salt by Katherine Vaz? Write your own review.

John Alves, son of a famous Presbyterian martyr on the Portuguese island of Madeira, spends his childhood in jail and in poverty. When he meets Mary Freitas though the adopted daughter of a master botanist, her true lineage is the subject of dangerous rumor - a speak kindles a lasting bond. But soon their families must confront the rising blood tide of warfare between Catholics and Protestants. Fleeing with only what they can carry, john and Mary are places in a rapidly growing and changing mid nineteenth century Illinois.

The novel is full of rich, vivid descriptions that transport the reader right into the story. The narrative is full of heartwarming moments but also raw tragedies; the contrast between poverty and the dream of one day being middle-class, juxtaposed against the siblings’ increasingly divergent lives, creates a compelling story. The characters are incredibly vivid and believable.

Above the Salt also reveals fascinating insights into Portuguese-American culture and its unique traditions and beliefs. Vaz brings the characters and the culture to life in a way that is intimate and revealing.

Overall, I would highly recommend Above the Salt. It's an amazing story that fully captures the human experience with emotion and clarity. Vaz has crafted a powerful and captivating novel that is sure to leave readers spellbound.

I enjoy reading a book that takes me through a family history of trials and triumphs as this author does. From the Portuguese island of Madeira where Protestants were being persecuted, begins the saga of Serafina Alves and her three children. After escaping the island, they eventually settled in New York City for a brief spell. Then the Portuguese Protestant group was relocated in Jacksonville, Illinois.

This is a story that that the author, Katherine Vaz, makes me want to "dig deeper". There is much history to explore. The author encourages this by her vivid descriptions of cities, farms, wars, Lincoln's home life, and information that begs you to examine.

I recommend this book of lost and found ideals, friends, family and lover.

The story began in the mid-nineteenth century in Madeira, a Portuguese Island, and continued to the early twentieth century in the United States. It was interesting to read about the world during this time span. The story showed the struggles to survive through hardships, religious persecution, poverty, being an immigrant in a new homeland, poverty, and social class injustices.

It is very difficult to understand the conflicts among different branches of Christianity throughout time, especially when a certain population is driven from its homeland. This is the catalyst that brings the main characters to the United States. The portrayal of the Civil War is brutal and a reminder of the senselessness of war. Love is a constant theme throughout the book, including the great love of parents for their birth children and adopted children, romantic love that endures all challenges, and love of religion and native lands.

The story also depicts a strong, capable women who was ahead of her time and how inventions enrich everyday life. It also provided a lesson in botany and horticulture. Although the story began a little slow and moved ahead quickly at times, it pulled at my heart.

I very much enjoyed this book.Vaz writes in lyrical prose and the story is compelling and poignant. Initially it seemed to move a bit slow, but pushing through was worthwhile. I think this would be a good book for book clubs to talk about, especially regarding the historical facts woven into the narrative.The author also covers themes of loss, sacrifice, overcoming obstacles, and true love in a way that pulls on the heartstrings and makes for an engaging read and interesting discussion.

After a slow start, due primarily to the detailed, short and apparently unconnected vignettes, I got into the rhythm of this detailed tale of one family persecuted for beliefs and forced to leave their homeland for America. John, the main character, starves with his mother for her religious beliefs when she is jailed. Although soon released, John is forever scarred by this episode.
John, continues to America where he continues to grow successful gardens (beautiful writing here) meet various people, including Abraham Lincoln, and reconnects with Mary, a former neighbor, in the enduring and endearing love story.
Although a bit too long (where have all the editors gone?) this is a well written, engaging story with real events and persons seamlessly woven in. Well worth the time spent wading through the initial disconnectedness to a classic tale of family, endurance, pride, hard work, serendipity and love.
4 ½ stars

Above the Salt by Katherine Vaz started out quite interesting about Portuguese Protestants being persecuted regarding their beliefs and fleeing and adapting to life in United States. The most intriguing aspects of the book was about the Portuguese immigrant, John Alves and his family. They accomplished so much given their resources and embraced their new home. The other stories were tedious and i couldn't want them to end. I just wanted to skip over these sections. The author did great research on the Portuguese people during the 19th century and their amazing contributions to our culture and land. It started as a 4 but ended up as a 3.

The story begins with a toddler starving in prison in Portugal due to his mother's religious beliefs. John, the toddler, is released, and we follow his story of waiting years for his mother's release, and their migration through New York City to Illinois. A beautiful young girl he had known in Portugal also appears in Springfield, Illinois, and their relationship is the basis for the rest of the novel (based on a true story). Each of them is highly skilled, and their contact with Abraham Lincoln before his election to the presidency produces the title of the book. The Civil War intervenes; they lead separate lives for many years, but ultimately, amazing connections bring them together. The author did an excellent job weaving all the details of the difficulties of life in the 1800s into this interesting book.