Vivid Language, Interesting Characters
The vivid language and interesting characters make this a fast moving drama. Serena grabs a hold of the reader's attention from her first introduction, and her greed and ruthlessness are balanced by Rachel's sweetness.
The author uses beautiful phrasing, and wonderful descriptions. He has developed a taut drama that builds to a speeding climax.
There is a lot of information about the logging business, and this is countered with information about the environmental movement which brings in a good counter balancing perspective.
I enjoyed the book and found it to be thought provoking. I still will find myself thinking about the characters, and wondering what made Serena tick.
All in all, a good read.
Rated of 5
by Elise B. (Macedonia, OH)
Not Black and White
In the book Serena, the lines of good and evil are blurred. The logging camps destroy the earth, but provide employment to the local people; however, as the National Park fights to preserve the land, they ruthlessly take people's homes from them in the process. Good people are pushed into performing/contemplating immoral acts while cruel/corrupt characters perform a few surprising acts of kindness. Serena is one of those books that you can't put down and when you're not reading it, you're thinking about it!
Rated of 5
by Lee M. (Creve Coeur, Missouri)
Serena
Slowly, like a hurricane brewing in the Atlantic, Rash methodically creates a tale of a logging empire in North Carolina. As the storm builds you meet two unforgettable characters, Serena and Rachel. When the winds reach gale force, get ready for the unforgettable ending!
Rated of 5
by Susan F. (Rabun Gap, GA)
Another Wonderful Read by Ron Rash
An excellent book and another wonderful read by Ron Rash. I was hooked from the first page with the colorful description of life in an early 20th Century North Carolina lumber camp, with characters larger than life. All of the elements are there of greed, corruption, murder and mayhem all in the name of power for the Pembertons, owners of the camp. Watch out if you cross them!
Serena Pemberton is a true Lady Macbeth, complete with a rattlesnake killing eagle. Although the Pembertons, Serena and George, control the novel's pace and story, I was impressed by the strength of Rachel, young mother of George's illegitimate son, in her struggle for survival. I highly recommend this fast paced, "can't put it down", book by Ron Rash.
Rated of 5
by Susan R. (Julian, NC)
GOOD vs EVIL
This is the classic story of good vs evil. On the evil side is Serena - she wants to control the environment and nature. She has no remorse for cutting down trees and totally destroying the environment and the people of the NC mountains. Rachel is the good - she understands the land and is in harmony with the environment and can live off the land. One quote from the book sums it all up "Everything in the world has its natural place and if you take something out or put something in that ought not to be out or in, everything gets lopsided and out of sorts."
It was a book that I couldn't put down and I think that this would be a very good book club choice.
Rated of 5
by Cheryl K. (East Aurora, New York)
Rewarding Experience
Serena....intelligent, manipulative, diabolical...She is determined to conquer the North Carolina mountains at any cost, then to rule the the timber empire of the world. The path of destruction she and her husband, George, leave on the land and its people is unconscionable.
I began reading Serena, definitely not expecting to enjoy it. I became a part of 1929 North Carolina and the characters struggling to survive the mountains, the elements, the ghosts and their ruthless employers. Through Ron Rash's beautiful descriptions of the land and his ability to get into the souls of his characters, good and evil, I was truly captivated. What a rewarding experience to read a book you are determined not to like and finish it thinking it is one of the best novels you have ever read!
I would definitely recommend Serena to book clubs, or just as a great reading experience for anyone.
Rated of 5
by Jean N. (New Richmond, OH)
Serena
I love to read. . I'm never without a book or two - and I love to discover new authors. Many times I read a book and enjoy it, (or don't think much about it), then it is lost to my memory.
This is a book that I will never forget.
I was transported to a North Carolina logging camp in the depression era. This was a book of stark contrasts. The beauty of the land vs. it's stripped, harsh ugliness. The violent greed of ambitious people who will not let anybody get in their way. A needy young mother's selfless love. The evil of people who appeared to have everything. Love and hate, beauty and ugliness, greed and benevolence.
A beautifully written, action filled, emotion filled book.
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of 5
by Donna W. (Wauwatosa, WI)
