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There are currently 53 member reviews
for Sweeping Up Glass
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Diane (Aurora CO)
Debut novel promising
I found the book suspenseful and entertaining. The characters are well developed, the descriptions are particularly well done--I could easily visualize the story. After I finished the book, rethinking the story, I realized that there are too many holes and implausibilities in the plot. The ending comes very fast and I was left feeling that the resolution was too implausible. Still, it was a good read and the book has stayed in my mind--a good sign.
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Stan (Columbus OH)
Sweeping Up Glass
The story is rich in character development and overall very compelling reading. Although the story takes place in the 1930's, it deals with contemporary issues that are significant in today's world. I enjoyed the story and would recommend it.
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Ray (Selden NY)
Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn D. Wall
Carolyn D. Wall has put together a novel that has every appearance of Southern Gothic but ends up crossing genres into mystery, thriller as well as Gothic romance. The central character, Olivia, is well-drawn out and is forced to deal with unpredictable relationships in addition to unearthing mysteries and secrets that overwhelm her.
The story was definitely not predictable and I feel Wall has a voice that will appeal to a wide audience. I hope she gets that chance!
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Elinor (Roswell NM)
Kentucky Mountain Immersion
Sweeping Up Glass is just a mite slow starting, which I attribute to the introduction of, and meeting, the myriad characters; however, the story soon picks up speed and never slows down. The author's descriptive writing thoroughly immersed me in the Kentucky mountain civilization of the early 1900s and the strong protagonist earned my utmost respect. I cannot help but wonder how much of that life still exists today.
This would be an ideal book club choice, sparking much discussion.
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Beverly (Waldorf MD)
More Than A Mystery
In the first chapter the "body" is that of wolves that Olivia and her grandson Will'm feel responsible for. The "mystery" is who is killing the wolves and why? But to me this book was much more than the mystery but about the lives of Olivia and others in the town of Aurora in the late 1930's in Kentucky. As you start reading you are drawn in the story and before you know it you are hooked on Olivia and her life - why she and her mother Ida are at odds with each other, why is a father buried by the outhouse, and other questions. You feel the pain of living in Kentucky during the depression and the life struggles, the class and race differences.
I did think the story was a little "rushed" at the end as it works towards the conclusion and some of the "secrets" that were withheld from Olivia did not quite seem believable to me, especially those around the race relations.
I think this book was much more than a "mystery" and was more of a historical or womanist novel with a mystery element.
And oh - what a wonderful book club selection this would be to discuss all of the mystery and relationship elements in this story.
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Karen E. (Salt Lake City, UT)
Unique and Enjoyable Characters
There were things I enjoyed about this book. The flavor of the writing and the uniqueness of the characters were very enjoyable. But it didn't quite live up to expectations as the story progressed. There seemed to be holes in the plot. One minor aspect that bothered me was that there was never a date given. I guess some things are assumed, but I like to know in what time period a story is set, especially when it covers several decades. I think this writer will grow - I would read another book from her to see if that has happened.
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Sandra S. (Kula, HI)
Sweeping Up Glass
Carolyn Wall has a lot of talent. She is very good with words but needs to hone her story telling skills. She rambled through most of the novel then bombarded the reader with huge happenings at the end.
I found the generational repetition of the detached mother syndrome very interesting and think she could have developed a good novel based on that. She tried to tell too many stories at once.
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