Kay E

I like books that present situations of which I am unaware. This book had me wondering, "How could this be allowed to happen?" Home should be a place of warmth and comfort. In South Korea where this story unfolds, there is no warmth or comforting. There are friendships, hardships, leaders, and followers. There is loyalty, betrayal, abuse, death and escape. This book is not uplifting, but truly thought provoking. I recommend this book to those who like historical images woven with fiction books.

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.

This book was very interesting to me because it encompassed Native American culture, relationships, history and mysticism. It was a slow read simply because I wanted to absorb all the information. I loved how the generational relationships connected. It was a thought provoking and sometimes sad read, but it makes me want to learn more of the Native American and their struggle.