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Hannah
In 1880, newlyweds Hannah and Caleb are building a cattle ranch on the plains of Texas. A cloud of dust in the distance advances toward their cabin bringing unwelcome changes into their lives. Caleb is killed, Hannah is raped and left for dead. Follow Hannah as she makes her way through bordellos, churches and shanty courts of the old west seeking justice - and finding a new love along the way.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 30, 2013
I've read a lot of westerns over the years but I can't remember ever having read one written by a woman. It seems to be a genre pretty much confined to male authors although I know that women do write them. That really has nothing to do with why I selected this novel to read, but just thought I would make that keenly insightful observation.
The novel itself didn't really grab me, I'm sorry to say. I found the plot to be somewhat shallow and the characters to be rather standard. They delivered clichéd western lines like "I suppose I'll mosey on over that-a-way". The plot was a series of linear scenes with very little imagination. It most respects it was more romance than western with the two lead characters predictably falling in love but not acting upon it until the right moment. Frankly, it was headed towards a single star from me except that the main character of Hannah was oddly enduring and I did come to admire her spirit, thus making the story readable and "OK".
The novel itself didn't really grab me, I'm sorry to say. I found the plot to be somewhat shallow and the characters to be rather standard. They delivered clichéd western lines like "I suppose I'll mosey on over that-a-way". The plot was a series of linear scenes with very little imagination. It most respects it was more romance than western with the two lead characters predictably falling in love but not acting upon it until the right moment. Frankly, it was headed towards a single star from me except that the main character of Hannah was oddly enduring and I did come to admire her spirit, thus making the story readable and "OK".
October 15, 2013
This was an execellent story, it caught my attention right from the begging and kept it all the way to the end. I look forward to reading more of this authors work. I highly recommend this book to any one who wants an execellent read.
June 28, 2012
Hannah
By Sharon Poppen
ISBN 978-1-897442-07-4 Paperback $10.99 from Amazon
Hannah by Sharon Poppen is the story of the struggle of one woman against the cruelty of the early American west. Hannah is the main character of the story and finds herself beset by circumstances that would make even Job cringe. Shattered and alone Hannah holds onto the one thing that promises to keep her going - thoughts of revenge, but when the opportunity for a new life arrives will her need for revenge keep her from what may be a new chance at happiness?
Poppen has a real knack for storytelling, especially for stories set in what used to be the raw western lands of the US. Whether it is digging for gold in Alaska with Abby, hiding from the law south of the border or looking for revenge in Texas border towns, Poppen never fails to write strong female leads who are more than equal to their male counterparts. There is never a wilting rose, even among the "damsels in distress" and Poppen manages to make characters that come to life on the page.
The cast of characters from Hannah is good, but it is not among the best Poppen has written. With the exception of Hannah herself, the characters tend to be a little one-dimensional, which would not be quite the problem it is were it not for the fact that the male lead is the stereotypical heroic Western male, except for the fact he tries to get Hannah to give up on revenge and get on with her life. I can almost picture Jimmy Stewart playing his role (I am dating myself I know, but it is still true). The bad guy is as evil as can be, the brothers all stick together and never fight or disagree.
Please do not misunderstand me, I enjoyed Hannah immensely, but when compared to other work by Poppen it seems weaker than most. It is still a really good story, just not as riveting as Abby: Finding More Than Gold or After the War, Before the Peace. It is still a good romance and an interesting story of revenge with more than one crazy twist along the way. I would recommend it, I would just recommend other work by Poppen first.
By Sharon Poppen
ISBN 978-1-897442-07-4 Paperback $10.99 from Amazon
Hannah by Sharon Poppen is the story of the struggle of one woman against the cruelty of the early American west. Hannah is the main character of the story and finds herself beset by circumstances that would make even Job cringe. Shattered and alone Hannah holds onto the one thing that promises to keep her going - thoughts of revenge, but when the opportunity for a new life arrives will her need for revenge keep her from what may be a new chance at happiness?
Poppen has a real knack for storytelling, especially for stories set in what used to be the raw western lands of the US. Whether it is digging for gold in Alaska with Abby, hiding from the law south of the border or looking for revenge in Texas border towns, Poppen never fails to write strong female leads who are more than equal to their male counterparts. There is never a wilting rose, even among the "damsels in distress" and Poppen manages to make characters that come to life on the page.
The cast of characters from Hannah is good, but it is not among the best Poppen has written. With the exception of Hannah herself, the characters tend to be a little one-dimensional, which would not be quite the problem it is were it not for the fact that the male lead is the stereotypical heroic Western male, except for the fact he tries to get Hannah to give up on revenge and get on with her life. I can almost picture Jimmy Stewart playing his role (I am dating myself I know, but it is still true). The bad guy is as evil as can be, the brothers all stick together and never fight or disagree.
Please do not misunderstand me, I enjoyed Hannah immensely, but when compared to other work by Poppen it seems weaker than most. It is still a really good story, just not as riveting as Abby: Finding More Than Gold or After the War, Before the Peace. It is still a good romance and an interesting story of revenge with more than one crazy twist along the way. I would recommend it, I would just recommend other work by Poppen first.
June 2, 2011
Sharon Poppen did an excellent job with this book. It's not just the perfect book for those who love westerns, but thrillers as well. It's an easy read that's full or twists and turns. You can read my full review at: http://www.thewmreviewconnection.com/...
April 23, 2013
First Western-ish book I've ever read. I'm not really into the "Old West" stuff, but this was offered to me for free so I gave it a try and I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed it.
August 3, 2013
There were so many twists in the plot, in terms of who they were following, who they were after.. it changed every other chapter (or so it seemed). I was confused, and didn't enjoy the book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews