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Where the Light Enters


An enthralling epic about two trailblazing female doctors in 19th century New ...
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Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

Created: 10/01/20

Replies: 29

Posted Oct. 01, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)


Posted Oct. 02, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
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rosannes

Join Date: 01/29/13

Posts: 45

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

So I have read the previous book, The Gilded Age and therefore I was familiar with the storyline and characters. While I enjoyed this book I also felt it had too many subplots and characters. The story went on way too long . Since there will be yet another book following this story I felt a lot could have been divided and saved for the future books.


Posted Oct. 02, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
wincheryl

Join Date: 01/01/18

Posts: 7

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I always cringe when I see genealogy at the beginning of the book. Overall, I enjoyed the book and the story she was portraying. Too many characters and too many plots.


Posted Oct. 02, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
nancyh

Join Date: 06/25/13

Posts: 347

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I enjoyed the book, however, I wish I had read The Glided age first. I had to look up information on it because i could not get a grasp of the story. While the book was interesting and I enjoyed it, I thought it was too long. It had too much of things that I left did not pertain to the story.


Posted Oct. 02, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
robertaw

Join Date: 04/20/16

Posts: 83

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I liked the book. I did not know that there was a previous book and wish that I had read it prior to this one. I think I would have learned more about the characters' back stories. I was somewhat surprised that this gap wasn't filled in by the author in this book.

The author's research is impressive and she succeeds in creating a believable world and characters of that time. Well written!

I agree that the book is too long and I'm always "worried" about reading a book that has a key to the characters. I ended up looking at the key any number of times just to try to keep track of the characters and even as far as page 478 I was still looking at the key. Not good.

Criticisms aside, I would give the book a 4 star rating and I plan to read more from this author.


Posted Oct. 02, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
vickys

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 70

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I loved this book - I think it was over 600 pages but I read it in less than 2 weeks, though I allowed myself over a month to read it before this discussion opened. As I was reading I kept thinking the author could write a prequel to the book with all of the backstories - duh! there was a previous book which I may go back to read. I'm looking forward to the next book. I appreciated the variety of characters - in age, gender, class, background. I expect some of the side characters to reappear in a future book. I did find the family relationships to be confusing but then decided that the exact relationship didn't really matter.


Posted Oct. 02, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
shirleyl

Join Date: 06/01/11

Posts: 73

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I loved it. I love accurate historical fiction. Since there were so many characters and story lines, even though this was a long book
I never was bored. Although this phase is terribly overused, it truly was a page turner.


Posted Oct. 02, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulak

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 264

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I was excited to see "Where the Light Enters" as a selection since I really enjoyed the first book in the Waverly Place series, "The Gilded Hour." It was helpful but not necessary to have that character knowledge before reading "Where the Light Enters." I liked many of the same characteristics that were part of the first book. The time period is fascinating as are the characters: strong women working against convention to make their place in the world. Now the less appealing. Donati makes liberal use and in my opinion too liberal of pseudo articles and exhibits to advance the story. So rather than the book narrative itself advancing the story she provides us with newspaper articles, letters, police reports, etc. I understand some of this is to establish period and tone but I found it distracting and a little boring. But on the whole, I love this series and hope there is a third book.


Posted Oct. 02, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Deb

Join Date: 09/17/18

Posts: 13

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I liked the strong women characters, the descriptions of the various Manhattan neighborhoods ranging from rich to poor, and the information about the medical practices of the time. But overall I agree with those who say there were too many characters and plot lines. While it might have seemed like a good idea to combine a detective/ police / murder story with that of a medical mystery, it did indeed make the book go on for too long. It may have been a "fast" read but it still had too much going on. Where are today's editors?


Posted Oct. 03, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
loisb

Join Date: 01/22/19

Posts: 9

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I had read the previous book so was looking forward to the continuing storyline. I enjoy the two main women characters because they are portrayed as strong women with careers but at the same time they experience the pull of family and trying to balance those two lives every day. I did find myself trying to understand the family lineage better even though there was an outline in the front of the book. I've read the Wilderness series so it distracted me a bit trying to remember who was related to who. Plus the middle dragged just a little but overall looking forward to her next installment.


Posted Oct. 03, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
LWReads

Join Date: 08/09/18

Posts: 41

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

As others have mentioned, it was hard to keep track of all the characters and plots. I would have liked a few less people to keep track of and s’more follow up on some of the subplots. That being said, the book held my attention and kept me interested through all 650 pages. This is the first book by Donati that I have read, and it made me want to read the previous book.


Posted Oct. 03, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
reneet

Join Date: 10/03/20

Posts: 5

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I liked the book very much. It was on my to be read list, so I was glad to be able to read it finally. Like others have mentioned, I didn't know about The Gilded Hours until I received this book, but then read it first so I would be more familiar with the characters. I'm glad I did. I think I would have been lost and perhaps not enjoyed Where the Light Enters if I hadn't met the characters and read the beginnings of all the plot lines in the first book.
I enjoyed Donati's writing style - she's very good at evoking the time period, I think. I also liked the many strong female family members Sophie and Anna have for support and as role models. I have recommended the book to several people as I think it's an excellent read.


Posted Oct. 04, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
katherinep

Join Date: 07/16/14

Posts: 374

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I'm still struggling to finish the book. Did not realize it is a sequel and don't know if having read the first book would have helped, but I'm having a terrible time keeping the characters straight. The family tree at the front does not help with the relationships either. Some relatives are not even listed--don't know why Sophie is black but Anna is not--not sure it matters but it is confusing. I like the relationships among family and servants but don't know how realistic this is, given the time. The book is much too long with too many themes to keep straight. I like the characters a great deal and wish the subplots could have been developed in other books with the focus of this one on just a few of the characters at a time


Posted Oct. 04, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ccmbdavis

Join Date: 08/11/12

Posts: 4

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I wish I read first book. I was overwhelmed with different story lines. I was in a reading funk hoping Book Browse would bring me out. It worked!


Posted Oct. 04, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
momo

Join Date: 04/03/19

Posts: 49

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I did read the "Gilded Hour" prior to reading "Where the light Enters". There were a lot of characters, but I feel like that was true to that time period, the people that outlived disease, poverty and war helped each other and became family. The amount of characters reminded me of Charles Dicken's "The curiosity shop". I do feel like the end was rushed. The author writes about intelligent characters and it seems like in the end, it was all left to chance.


Posted Oct. 05, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
GrandmaMary

Join Date: 04/21/15

Posts: 14

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I always enjoy Sara Donati's books but the early ones are my favorite ones. Being in the wilderness there weren't so many characters to follow. I also am not a fan of the newspaper articles and exhibits used to move the plot. I prefer a traditional narrative.


Posted Oct. 06, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mtnluvr

Join Date: 10/03/20

Posts: 33

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I did enjoy Where the Light Enters. Like many others I did not know this was second in a series and usually prefer to read a series in order. I don’t know if I will go back and read the first but will probably read the next. It took a while to sort out all the characters and the subplots but by the end I could follow most of them. That being said I don’t think that all those subplots added to the story. This is the first book I have read by this author but won’t be the last.


Posted Oct. 06, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
susiej

Join Date: 10/15/14

Posts: 363

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

As many above, I was also unaware of a first book and had I known, I would have read it first. Initially I had some difficulty keeping all the people and places straight in my mind. The author's inclusion of a list of primary characters, maps, letters, etc., made the reading a bit easier, but when I first opened the book to find those, I was overwhelmed. The deeper I read into the novel, the more I enjoyed it. I think the historical aspect of this book is simply amazing. Donati's ability to create images allows us as readers to literally see the times - by this I mean architecture, fashion, literally street corners, buildings, and the people that populate them. Add to this such a great deal of action - there is a lot going on in this work - and it is hard not to get caught up in it. I will certainly read the first book now and be hopeful that a third will follow. These characters are too interesting and too busy to let go of now.


Posted Oct. 07, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kathryns

Join Date: 08/18/15

Posts: 11

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

The historical research reflected in the book was impressive, but at times the details interfered with the flow of the story. An interesting description of something not especially relevant to the plot (or plots, there were several) would send my mind racing off so that I completely lost track of where we were going. I had not read the previous novel, so all characters and their backstories were new to me. It took about half the book before I figured out who was who and what was what I am a fast reader and an avid reader, but I almost didn't make it through this one. It wasn't until the last 150 pages or so that I really enjoyed the book.


Posted Oct. 08, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gerrieb

Join Date: 09/03/19

Posts: 208

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I had read the first three books in the Wilderness series years ago and I really enjoyed those. I had not read any of this series and I am pleased to become reacquainted with Ms. Donati’s writing. Having not read The Gilded Hour it took me a few pages to gain a sense of the characters. Others have mentioned that they cringe a bit when they see the genealogy charts in the front of books and I too, often feel that can be a warning that a confusing saga is about to descend upon me! However, even though I did find I had questions about the familial relationships between the characters -it took me until page 349 to learn “Aunt “ Quinlan was actually Sophie’s grandmother’s half sister , something I had puzzled over earlier in the book. In fact, as another person posted I decided early in to just try to read the book and grasp which relationships I could. I did enjoy the book and read it quite quickly. I enjoyed the various plots/subplots and was most interested in the murder mystery and the societal history regarding female physicians. I will pick up the previous book in the series. I may even get my Wilderness copy and revisit that series. I’m so very glad Bookbrowse gave me a free copy!


Posted Oct. 08, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lloyden

Join Date: 07/17/19

Posts: 18

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I loved the book as well. In fact, I loved it so well I bought the book on Audible and the first book in the series as well in both Kindle and Audible. I thoroughly enjoyed the author's writing style, and her accuracy to history while writing fiction.


Posted Oct. 08, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lloyden

Join Date: 07/17/19

Posts: 18

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I enjoyed the various newspaper articles and correspondence that was included as well,


Posted Oct. 09, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joycew

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 107

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I loved it. The writing drew me in right away and it was really nice to have a long, long book that you really enjoy picking up to read.
I do plan to read the gilded cage. As others have said I really should have read the other book first, but I enjoy her writing so much and now know so many of the characters; it will be a fun read. I recommended it to the retired women doctors that I know. I was surprised they knew to keep things antiseptic and sterile at that time. I was also surprised how respected they were since I have heard stories of the disrespect shown to women students and doctors in the 1970's and this was so much earlier. I highly recommend this book.


Posted Oct. 09, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gdlenehan

Join Date: 06/22/11

Posts: 41

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. In spite of its length and a few weaknesses which I will mention again, I enjoyed the story and the social history that it presented. Although the story is set in 1884, in significant ways our society has not progressed much since then. The book addresses some significant problems that are found in 1884 and are still present today. Racism, woman’s health, abortion, religious hypocrisy, poverty, and drug abuse are obvious examples.
The author presents these issues in a palpable, entertaining way.
The importance of family is especially well presented, but romantic love seems like a weak issue in the story.
The mystery definitely adds interest and helps tie things together.
This book is very timely.


Posted Oct. 12, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
evelyng

Join Date: 02/07/18

Posts: 49

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I enjoyed reading the book and I didn't enjoy reading the book. I admire the author's skill in writing...and she did her best to portray another time as vividly and truthfully as possible. There were times when the writing was like reading nuggets of pure gold, and other times when I found myself trying to pull together the all to many themes and people of the story. There were times...when I almost felt as if I were there..in 1884 and other times when it became ponderous reading for me. It was a daunting book and has many sides and virtues to it.


Posted Oct. 14, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ardena

Join Date: 01/23/20

Posts: 5

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I thought the book was excellent. My only complaint is that 600+ pages is too long; however, I can't think what could have been edited out or eliminated, since the writing was such that you can put yourself in the era, with the cobbled streets, horses, odors, everything that makes up NYC in the late 1800s. I was reminded of
The Alienist," by Caleb Carr, also NYC in that era, and also so well described.


Posted Oct. 15, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dorothyl

Join Date: 04/15/12

Posts: 146

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I did not love this book. I'm not even sure I liked it very much. I, too, did not know about the previous book. Usually an author catches you up on important things that happened before. I found it way too long. In my opinion it could have been cut by about 150 pages and that would have kept my interest more. Ok, so way too long, too many characters that appeared briefly and were not pivotal to the plot, and too many plot lines as well as several characters whose relationships were ambiguous. I struggled to read it because there were too many conversations that looking back were totally irrelevant. In any good book, every word should count.
What interested me most were all the parts about women doctors, race relations, and abortion. That was interesting to learn about and I would have like the entire story line devoted to that.


Posted Oct. 16, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carolt

Join Date: 03/25/17

Posts: 190

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

By far the best of Donati's work.


Posted Oct. 22, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
SKB

Join Date: 10/28/18

Posts: 12

RE: Overall, what do you think of Where the Light Enters? (no spoilers in this topic please)

I enjoyed the book. I had a hard time getting into it with so many letters at the beginning and trying to put all the characters together. It was too long, but did keep my attention.


Posted Oct. 30, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
crisandy5

Join Date: 05/13/20

Posts: 26

A Really Good Book

Having read all the books that told of the Bonner/Savard family, I can appreciate the characters, the history of their family, and the smart, strong females who came before. However, my favorite of them all is INTO THE WILDERNESS, and I recommend any reader who liked this book to go back to the beginning. Donati's first book is the shining light of them all, in my opinion.


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