15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Master Storyteller, Feb 21 2012
By Lori Caswell "dollycas" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Sonoma Rose (Hardcover)
What a Beautiful Cover!
In previous editions we were reminded that some of Sylvia Berstrom's relatives had migrated to California. Sonoma Rose starts with a little of that history, picking up where The Quilter's Homecoming, that was published in 2007 left off.
We meet Elizabeth Bergstrom Nelson's friend, Rosa Diaz as the country is coping with all the restrictions of Prohibition. Mother to eight children, Rosa mourns the loss of four who succumbed to the mysterious wasting disease currently afflicting young Ana and Miguel. Her abusive husband refuses to take them into the city so the children can see a doctor. His mind is clearly on other things, like his fancy car and keeping secrets about his business dealings from his wife. When an act of violence shatters Rosa's resolve to maintain her increasingly dangerous existence, she flees with the children and her precious heirloom quilts to the mesa where she last saw her beloved mother alive.
Dollycas's Thoughts
This is the Jennifer Chiaverini I love to read. I think she lost her way a little bit wrapping up the current characters in The Wedding Quilt. This story shines a brilliant light on her masterful storytelling talent.
This is Rosa's story. She is yet another strong female heroine created by Chiaverini that has you engaged from the moment we step back into her life. You will feel a wide range of emotions during her story, anger, fear, hope and joy. The bonds of friendship are as strong as all the other books in this series. The power of love from a mother's love for her children to the enduring love between a man and a woman are woven wondrously through these pages. This story was absolutely amazing. I couldn't put it down.
Jennifer Chiaverini has created some very memorable fiction characters and has allowed us to go along with them on the journeys not only in current time but into the past and into the future. I am really wondering what is next in this series. I have loved all of these characters and will miss them if this is where the journey ends. I sincerely hope she has some more Elm Creek Quilts stories in that big sewing basket of hers.
23 of 27 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I expected, Mar 10 2012
By Wicked - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Sonoma Rose (Hardcover)
This book has been the 3rd disappointment from the Elm Creek Quilts series. I no longer buy the books but sit on the waiting list at the local library. The story was not uplifting. It deals with abuse and darkness. Ms. Chiaverini seems to have drifted into a different genre. I don't expect to have a book that is supposed to be "An Elm Creek Quilters Novel" be a history lesson. Any quilting in the book was so secondary that it wasn't even worth putting in the book. She seems to dwell in dark areas and dark times. In this day and age I want to read something like her first novels, there were problems but not abuse and murder and rape. I don't care that she wants to write this type of book but, don't try to pass it off as one of the series. And by the way, if you don't agree with my review of the book, please write your own review. Do not send me snide comments about my opinion of the book.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating epic set during the time of Prohibition, Feb 21 2012
By History and Women - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Sonoma Rose (Hardcover)
Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini is fascinating novel set during Prohibition in the southern United States. I loved the retro cover. It reminded me of many classic novels that I enjoyed so many years ago, or finding an old dusty classic hidden at the back of a library's bookshelf. This novel weaves through time as it follows the trials Rosa and Lars face as they attempt to escape their past and avoid treachery in their new life. One immediately feels sympathy for poor Rose who is trapped in a loveless marriage with an embittered man who refuses to provide the necessary care for her ill children and regularly abuses her.
This is an epic story that weaves itself over several years and takes the reader into the heart of wine country during the era of Prohibition. The author gave us an in-depth look at the struggle of vineyard owners at a time when wine-making was severely and how they struggled to survive. Insight was also given as to how celiac disease was first diagnosed and treated.
The novel was easy to read. Its characters, both protagonist and antagonist, were well written and realistic. It is nice to learn about lesser known eras in unusual settings, and this novel certainly made that mark. Beautiful prose, rich descriptions, and an endearing story of courage and hope make this an awesome read.