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At the End of the Line
A wrong number, and a cry of desperation at the end of the line, sparks a long distance friendship between two women who’ve never met. Through fourteen years of trouble and heartache of a stagnant domestic life, the struggle for civil rights, and the stigma of interracial relationships, a bond forms between the two that changes both of their lives forever.
It’s 1958, a time when women and Negroes are deemed second-class and are being second-guessed, from there arises a perfect storm for change and the perfect time for an unlikely friendship.
Beatrice “Beanie” Peterson, forced to marry at fifteen and live with two sister wives, six children, and an abusive husband twenty years her senior, is looking for a way out.
Adeline “Liddie” Garrison, friend of Jack Kennedy, wife of a prominent Boston business man, and resident of Beacon Hill has already found her way in.
It’s 1958, a time when women and Negroes are deemed second-class and are being second-guessed, from there arises a perfect storm for change and the perfect time for an unlikely friendship.
Beatrice “Beanie” Peterson, forced to marry at fifteen and live with two sister wives, six children, and an abusive husband twenty years her senior, is looking for a way out.
Adeline “Liddie” Garrison, friend of Jack Kennedy, wife of a prominent Boston business man, and resident of Beacon Hill has already found her way in.
274 pages, ebook
First published April 21, 2014
72 people want to read
About the author
Abby L. Vandiver
34 books288 followersWALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR, Abby L. Vandiver is the author of three cozy mystery series - Logan Dickerson, Normal Junction, and Tiny House, and one mystery sci-fi series, The Mars I Origin. She also penned a historical fiction book, At the End of the Line with Kathryn Dionne.
Recently, Abby contracted with Henery Press for the three-book Romaine Wilder series. The first book, Secrets, Lies and Crawfish pies will be out in June 2018.
Abby is a former lawyer and college professor of Economics. She spends her free time reading, watching mystery movies and enjoying her grandchildren.
Recently, Abby contracted with Henery Press for the three-book Romaine Wilder series. The first book, Secrets, Lies and Crawfish pies will be out in June 2018.
Abby is a former lawyer and college professor of Economics. She spends her free time reading, watching mystery movies and enjoying her grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 22, 2014
"At The End of The Line" by Abby L. Vandiver (Goodreads Author), Kathryn Dionne (Goodreads Author) .
This is a wonderful book! I believe guys and girls both will enjoy this novel. Fans of 1950's historical books, human interractions, or simply a great novel will be beyond pleased with this one.
I highly recommend it!
I just finished it, and am already wanting more. I read it twice... Yes, it was that good, and I'd love for people to discover these authors and this book. Their talent as authors is right up there with the best of those published by mainstream publishers - in fact much better than most of the mainstream I've read. I'm looking for great things from these ladies!
They did a professional job with fleshed out characters who you get to "know", love or hate. The gamut of emotions these characters bring out in you is incredible. You HAVE to know what happens with them. This book pulls you in with the such a magnetic pull, it's nigh impossible to put it down. Almost as impossible as the tides saying "No" to the moon. You will keep reading into the wee hours, because this is not an easy one to simply stop and put down.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Blurb:
"It’s 1958, a time when women and Negros are deemed second-class and are being second-guessed, and there arises the perfect storm for change, and the perfect time for an unlikely friendship.
Beatrice “Beanie” Peterson, forced to marry at fifteen and live with two sister wives, six children, and an abusive husband twenty years her senior, is looking for a way out.
Adeline “Liddie” Stewart Garrison, friend of Jack Kennedy, wife of a prominent Boston business man, and resident of Beacon Hill has already found her way in.
A wrong number, and a cry of desperation at the end of the line, sparks a long distance friendship between the two women who’ve never met. Through fourteen years of trouble and heartache from a stagnate domestic life, the struggle of civil rights, and the stigma of interracial relationships, a bond forms between the two that changes both of their lives forever."
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free as an ARC from the author for the purpose of an HONEST review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)
This is a wonderful book! I believe guys and girls both will enjoy this novel. Fans of 1950's historical books, human interractions, or simply a great novel will be beyond pleased with this one.
I highly recommend it!
I just finished it, and am already wanting more. I read it twice... Yes, it was that good, and I'd love for people to discover these authors and this book. Their talent as authors is right up there with the best of those published by mainstream publishers - in fact much better than most of the mainstream I've read. I'm looking for great things from these ladies!
They did a professional job with fleshed out characters who you get to "know", love or hate. The gamut of emotions these characters bring out in you is incredible. You HAVE to know what happens with them. This book pulls you in with the such a magnetic pull, it's nigh impossible to put it down. Almost as impossible as the tides saying "No" to the moon. You will keep reading into the wee hours, because this is not an easy one to simply stop and put down.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Blurb:
"It’s 1958, a time when women and Negros are deemed second-class and are being second-guessed, and there arises the perfect storm for change, and the perfect time for an unlikely friendship.
Beatrice “Beanie” Peterson, forced to marry at fifteen and live with two sister wives, six children, and an abusive husband twenty years her senior, is looking for a way out.
Adeline “Liddie” Stewart Garrison, friend of Jack Kennedy, wife of a prominent Boston business man, and resident of Beacon Hill has already found her way in.
A wrong number, and a cry of desperation at the end of the line, sparks a long distance friendship between the two women who’ve never met. Through fourteen years of trouble and heartache from a stagnate domestic life, the struggle of civil rights, and the stigma of interracial relationships, a bond forms between the two that changes both of their lives forever."
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free as an ARC from the author for the purpose of an HONEST review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)
May 8, 2014
Being a horror/crime fan, it's easy to forget that other genres exist outside of my tense, taut bubble. In recent weeks I've broken out of this bubble and explored unfamiliar territory. So far, I haven't been disappointed. A few five star reviews later and my comfort zone is well and truly expanded.
At the End of the Line my third five star review in a month. For a non-horror book anyway.
A story about a long distance, complicated friendship. ATEOTL is a rare book, one that traverses the fourteen year period of two peoples lives when one of them dials the wrong number. The premise couldn't be more original and simple if it tried. However, the book is a joy to behold.
Emotional, heart breaking, soul-searching and magnetic, the book involves two characters that you really feel for and engage with. In modern times, long distance relationships are the norm with Facebook, internet and a billion dating sites but with the book set in the 60's, the authors take this premise to a whole, new amazing level. With the two friends coming from very different worlds, it conjures up several political, racial and equality based issues that were rife in the 60's. The 60's were a difficult time for many, and it shows in this novel, but the friendship on display here is heartfelt, warming and very, very real.
5*, definitely. I couldn't stop reading this. As a writer, reading and writing is all I do but this is a book I ran into by accident. I'm glad I did. The authors have crafted a wonderfully woven tale of friendship and you'd be hard pressed to find something more moving. Excellent!
At the End of the Line my third five star review in a month. For a non-horror book anyway.
A story about a long distance, complicated friendship. ATEOTL is a rare book, one that traverses the fourteen year period of two peoples lives when one of them dials the wrong number. The premise couldn't be more original and simple if it tried. However, the book is a joy to behold.
Emotional, heart breaking, soul-searching and magnetic, the book involves two characters that you really feel for and engage with. In modern times, long distance relationships are the norm with Facebook, internet and a billion dating sites but with the book set in the 60's, the authors take this premise to a whole, new amazing level. With the two friends coming from very different worlds, it conjures up several political, racial and equality based issues that were rife in the 60's. The 60's were a difficult time for many, and it shows in this novel, but the friendship on display here is heartfelt, warming and very, very real.
5*, definitely. I couldn't stop reading this. As a writer, reading and writing is all I do but this is a book I ran into by accident. I'm glad I did. The authors have crafted a wonderfully woven tale of friendship and you'd be hard pressed to find something more moving. Excellent!
August 12, 2016
I was approached by the author duo of Abby L. Vandiver and Kathryn Dionne to proofread this book before the final print button was pushed. In a few hours I had run through the story, totally gripped by the characters and their emotional connection that spanned miles and years, without ever meeting. Starting in 1958 when civil rights was just starting to make an impact on the nation as a whole, the interjection of several different scenes and references to luminaries of the day helped to ground the book firmly in place while providing a solid sense for the reader of the fears, concerns and feel of the time.
Beatrice (Beanie) is just 15 and has been ‘traded’ into a marriage with an older and richer man by her parents. Sadly a not uncommon scenario for girls of that age in her small Utah community, she is dragged from all that she knows and loves and thrust into a ready-made family with two existing wives and several children: at the bottom of the totem pole. While the story could have been a happier one for her situation: her new husband is more than a touch dictatorial and abusive, after a beating she tries to remember the telephone number of a beloved piano teacher: assuming she will save her.
The phone rings, and Adeline answers. She is clearly not the person Beanie wishes to speak with, and yet she can’t help but feel for the child in an untenable situation. But all is not well in Adeline’s world: she is the wife of a successful, if not entirely likable man, and as a strong supporter of the Democratic party, her ties to both Boston and the Kennedys is one that she has cultivated and nurtured.
Told in alternating points of view, the story hops from Boston to Utah, to Chicago and Mississippi as the lives and experiences of the women unfold to provide uniquely voiced and emotive perspectives on their lives, their circumstances, and even the changes that are slowly building as the country is dragged into the first tentative steps toward racial equality.
Beanie is a character that will climb into your heart and stay there: from innocent child to determined young woman, befriending all who she meets: her honest appreciation of those around her, while often placing her in danger epitomizes her determination that racial equality is right and only fair. Despite her frustration with Adeline’s cautionary words and some rash judgments, her character is a wonderful combination of determination, brains and heart: exactly what many of those who were among the Freedom Riders displayed in those tense times.
Adeline takes a bit of warming up to: she is hiding huge secrets from everyone in her life, reader included. Slowly as the story unfolds, we see a deeply conflicted woman who has come close to losing who she really is, long before she finally finds the courage to be. Her story and life are also tragic, as the threads weave together readers are provided the opportunity to see the emotional toll that her choices have wrought. For those who think they “know” all the stories of the late 1950’s into the 60’s through the eras of Evers, King, Kennedy and even Johnson, this is a new look at the people: ordinary people who could (and most likely did) live similar experiences and came out the other side unbroken, but not exactly whole.
A gripping read that provides a fictional, yet emotionally accessible entrée into the time, historically accurate and laden with names of scions of the movement, this book manages to bring a tumultuous time in America’s history into an easily readable story that will encourage many to investigate further.
I purchased a copy of this title for my own library. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
July 22, 2016
"At the End of the Line" by Abby L. Vandiver and Kathryn Longino is a wonderfully moving story about the long distance friendship between two women in the mid 20th century.
'Beanie', or Beatrice, lives in Utah, and is forced to marry a much older and unkind Mormon husband. Trapped in her loveless and abusive marriage all she has as comfort is the phone number of a friend's aunt in Boston, Adeline, or 'Liddie'. When she eventually calls for help this leads to a long and strong friendship between the two women.
Both lead extraordinary lives through the fight for racial equality and civil rights that dominated the 1960s. Two inspiring and touching stories that reflect the spirit of the times perfectly.
The authors have done an amazing job at creating two endearing characters that pull on your heart strings right away, both with complicated lives, marriages and problems. Neither stop at being victims but fight their corners in life very well.
As one finds her own way in life, the other one's life is coming undone and needs a rededinition.
The unlikely friendship is brought to us within an accomplished piece of story telling. The co-authors must have had fantastic editors to make the book feel so homogeneous and well rounded.
Historically sound and convincing the book does not purely rely on the subject matter to impress and move us but it delivers great story lines and characters that feel real and close.
I am very impressed.
'Beanie', or Beatrice, lives in Utah, and is forced to marry a much older and unkind Mormon husband. Trapped in her loveless and abusive marriage all she has as comfort is the phone number of a friend's aunt in Boston, Adeline, or 'Liddie'. When she eventually calls for help this leads to a long and strong friendship between the two women.
Both lead extraordinary lives through the fight for racial equality and civil rights that dominated the 1960s. Two inspiring and touching stories that reflect the spirit of the times perfectly.
The authors have done an amazing job at creating two endearing characters that pull on your heart strings right away, both with complicated lives, marriages and problems. Neither stop at being victims but fight their corners in life very well.
As one finds her own way in life, the other one's life is coming undone and needs a rededinition.
The unlikely friendship is brought to us within an accomplished piece of story telling. The co-authors must have had fantastic editors to make the book feel so homogeneous and well rounded.
Historically sound and convincing the book does not purely rely on the subject matter to impress and move us but it delivers great story lines and characters that feel real and close.
I am very impressed.
April 17, 2014
This was a great book. It falls under Women's Fiction/Historical Fiction genre and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The book follows a 15 year friendship between two women who couldn't be more different. Beatrice "Beanie" is a 15 year old child bride of an abusive husband. Attempting to escape her situation, she desperately tries to decipher the phone number of the only person she thinks could help her, but her husband tore up the paper. Beanie makes the call anyway, but the woman at the end of the line isn't the one she was hoping to contact.
Adeline Garrison's life is already a success, but she is living a lie within a loveless marriage. When Beanie dials her number by accident, a 15 year friendship is begun. This story occurs amid the civil rights movement, when color determines friendship, success, and love.
This book was a wonderful, sometimes heartbreaking story to read. The Freedom Riders come alive and you experience their struggles and successes firsthand. I highly recommend this book.
Adeline Garrison's life is already a success, but she is living a lie within a loveless marriage. When Beanie dials her number by accident, a 15 year friendship is begun. This story occurs amid the civil rights movement, when color determines friendship, success, and love.
This book was a wonderful, sometimes heartbreaking story to read. The Freedom Riders come alive and you experience their struggles and successes firsthand. I highly recommend this book.
July 29, 2016
At the End of the Line is a gripping and moving tale of the politically explosive times in 1960s America as seen through the eyes of two diverse women. Beatrice "Beanie" Peterson, a fifteen-year old, married to a polygamist tries to escape her abusive husband by contacting a friend, but dials the wrong number reaching Adeline "Liddie" Garrison, a Boston socialite and friend of Jack Kennedy's instead. A friendship forms between the two women that lasts more than fourteen years before they even meet. The story is historically on point as Longino weaves the lives of the characters through the events of civil rights, interracial relationships, and the politics of the time. And not only is the fight for racial equality highlighted in this book, but through the trials depicted of domestic life for these women during that era, the reader is given glimpses of the struggle for gender equality as well.
An excellent read and one I would highly recommend.
An excellent read and one I would highly recommend.
April 29, 2014
Pleasantly surprised would be an understatement for my take on this book and the experience reading it. It's an engaging story with extremely well thought our main characters. I wasn't sure it would be the kind of book I could sink myself into, but it only took about 20 minutes and I knew I had something very compelling in my hands. It was very well researched and the effort to create realism based upon the time and setting was very impressive. It would have been easy to wash details and/or historical aspects into the pages, yet the time was taken to bring such fantastic realism out. Beatrice and Adeline's dialogue and developed friendship is done in such a way that the reader truly feels a part of their world. This book is highly recommended.
May 13, 2014
I didn't know what I was going to get when I got the book. The vague description intrigued me, and I prayed that I wouldn't be disappointed. Well... this book did not disappoint. I LOVED it.
The writing and the plot is top-notched that causes you to go to the next chapter. I could see a Lifetime movie adapting this story retelling the struggle of Civil Rights and The Kennedy's Era all in the midst of this unlikely friendship that developed between Beanie and Liddie over several years several thousand miles away from each other. At first reading the book's description, I questioned how can that happen? Yet, it completely delivers making the friendship genuine!
Young Beanie is a Mormon forced to marry Orson Peterson who already has 2 wives and is twice her age. A friendship and love develops between the two heroines when Beanie finds herself in an abusive relationship. She calls a number torn-up by Orson once given by her by her former piano teacher who left with her husband for New York in case she needed someone to help her out. With the only a few numbers existing on a piece of music sheet and Beanie's faulty memory, she desperately attempts to locate her friend but mistakenly got Adeline Garrison, Liddie, a married socialite who is very friendly with The Kennedy's. At first, Liddie ignores Beanie's call as a wrong number, but with Beanie's 2nd call to make sure this is not the aunt of her friend does Liddie realize that poor young Beanie has been hurt. She fears her life and doesn't know who to turn to.
The space of 14 years through phone calls and letters we see into Beanie and Liddie's intimate lives -- fear, abuse, love, loss, achievements and regrets as their lives continually unfolds. Their lives intertwine with a secret, a secret crashing open until toward the ending.
At one point I thought I had the ending way ahead of time by the little clues the author gives, but boy I was wrong! I only got 1/3 right. I was completely surprised and totally delighted.
I would eagerly, highly recommend this book. You will by surprised! You will be entertained! You will be enthralled!
The writing and the plot is top-notched that causes you to go to the next chapter. I could see a Lifetime movie adapting this story retelling the struggle of Civil Rights and The Kennedy's Era all in the midst of this unlikely friendship that developed between Beanie and Liddie over several years several thousand miles away from each other. At first reading the book's description, I questioned how can that happen? Yet, it completely delivers making the friendship genuine!
Young Beanie is a Mormon forced to marry Orson Peterson who already has 2 wives and is twice her age. A friendship and love develops between the two heroines when Beanie finds herself in an abusive relationship. She calls a number torn-up by Orson once given by her by her former piano teacher who left with her husband for New York in case she needed someone to help her out. With the only a few numbers existing on a piece of music sheet and Beanie's faulty memory, she desperately attempts to locate her friend but mistakenly got Adeline Garrison, Liddie, a married socialite who is very friendly with The Kennedy's. At first, Liddie ignores Beanie's call as a wrong number, but with Beanie's 2nd call to make sure this is not the aunt of her friend does Liddie realize that poor young Beanie has been hurt. She fears her life and doesn't know who to turn to.
The space of 14 years through phone calls and letters we see into Beanie and Liddie's intimate lives -- fear, abuse, love, loss, achievements and regrets as their lives continually unfolds. Their lives intertwine with a secret, a secret crashing open until toward the ending.
At one point I thought I had the ending way ahead of time by the little clues the author gives, but boy I was wrong! I only got 1/3 right. I was completely surprised and totally delighted.
I would eagerly, highly recommend this book. You will by surprised! You will be entertained! You will be enthralled!
September 30, 2014
Speechless, this book left me without words. There are so many things that are good with the book, I'll start with the bad. Wait, I can't. There is no bad. Except for the realism in some of the scenes that made me want to scream and say there was no way this could have happened. The sad truth is that everything in this book has happened, at least the historical aspects. The religious persecution, which unfortunately still happens today, the racism, that still happens today, the inequality, I could go on.
I couldn't put this book down. As bad as it got and as bad as I wanted it to stop, I had to read. I needed to know that there was something good out of this. I loved all the realism in the book, there is so much that happened in those years, that the newer generations don't really know about and this book helps show that from a personal aspect. The research that had to go into this shows in the writing. I loved how an unlikely friendship forms when we least expect it and to never take things for granted. There were so many mysteries and lies woven along the way, I couldn't begin to imagine how everything could be tidied up by the end of the book, I really hope we learn more about what happens to these characters, but if not, I was still left satisfied if not a bit amazed.
I highly recommend this book if you like realism in your books and history. There are some dark parts, but this is historically accurate and unfortunately that was the way things were.
Given a copy from author for review
I couldn't put this book down. As bad as it got and as bad as I wanted it to stop, I had to read. I needed to know that there was something good out of this. I loved all the realism in the book, there is so much that happened in those years, that the newer generations don't really know about and this book helps show that from a personal aspect. The research that had to go into this shows in the writing. I loved how an unlikely friendship forms when we least expect it and to never take things for granted. There were so many mysteries and lies woven along the way, I couldn't begin to imagine how everything could be tidied up by the end of the book, I really hope we learn more about what happens to these characters, but if not, I was still left satisfied if not a bit amazed.
I highly recommend this book if you like realism in your books and history. There are some dark parts, but this is historically accurate and unfortunately that was the way things were.
Given a copy from author for review
June 11, 2014
This story is well written on the whole; it intertwines the lives of two women from apparently very different backgrounds during an interesting period of American history. The two MCs are developed nicely and we are given chance to become engrossed in their separate lives by the time an incorrectly guessed phone number starts to draw them together.
The background circumstances of their lives give us a picture of the times, when racial equality was still being fought for and the Kennedys and Martin Luther King were major figures; perhaps some of my disappointment is that the picture was not painted more vividly, with more depth to really bring it to life.
The different strands of the story are mostly handled deftly, apart from the sudden jump back in time for the revelation about Hattie Jean and Liddie, which IMO jarred somewhat; it felt more like a sudden afterthought than a planned revelation. At times the descriptions of the people and their actions are rather clumsy, but did not mar my enjoyment of the story too much.
This book would benefit from a final proofing; comma usage is poor and there are some other punctuation errors (eg “... before coming here.” She said). Occasionally the tense used is incorrect and there are far too many silly little mistakes eg 'no where’, ‘made Negroes out to be murders’, ‘I’m in jazz club’; these are mistakes that a spell and grammar check would find, never mind two authors to check each other’s work.
The background circumstances of their lives give us a picture of the times, when racial equality was still being fought for and the Kennedys and Martin Luther King were major figures; perhaps some of my disappointment is that the picture was not painted more vividly, with more depth to really bring it to life.
The different strands of the story are mostly handled deftly, apart from the sudden jump back in time for the revelation about Hattie Jean and Liddie, which IMO jarred somewhat; it felt more like a sudden afterthought than a planned revelation. At times the descriptions of the people and their actions are rather clumsy, but did not mar my enjoyment of the story too much.
This book would benefit from a final proofing; comma usage is poor and there are some other punctuation errors (eg “... before coming here.” She said). Occasionally the tense used is incorrect and there are far too many silly little mistakes eg 'no where’, ‘made Negroes out to be murders’, ‘I’m in jazz club’; these are mistakes that a spell and grammar check would find, never mind two authors to check each other’s work.
May 4, 2014
At the End of the Line
By: Kathryn Dionne
Overall Rating 5 Stars
What a heart wrenching and fantastic book. I was asked by the author if I could read and review this book. I had to one-click this book. The description of the book defiantly drew me in, I was intrigued and I had to know what happens.
Beatrice “Beanie” was forced into a married at a young age, she wasn’t even 16 years old. Not only was she getting married she was also joining him and his two other wives. She had to face some issues that ripped my heart in half. She was given a number which she had called and it was someone else on the other end. Her name is Liddie and she is in Boston living in a marriage she wasn’t happy in. while Beanie is in Utah. They form a friendship and they bond and they fight for racial equality. This book will touch your heart, these two young ladies help each other.
I applaud Kathryn for writing this book, it felt so real and I connected with the characters and the storyline. My favorite Character is Beanie, this girl faced so much in her young life. I would recommend this book to those who like women fictions. You won’t be disappointed. Thank you Kathryn for writing a wonderful book.
By: Kathryn Dionne
Overall Rating 5 Stars
What a heart wrenching and fantastic book. I was asked by the author if I could read and review this book. I had to one-click this book. The description of the book defiantly drew me in, I was intrigued and I had to know what happens.
Beatrice “Beanie” was forced into a married at a young age, she wasn’t even 16 years old. Not only was she getting married she was also joining him and his two other wives. She had to face some issues that ripped my heart in half. She was given a number which she had called and it was someone else on the other end. Her name is Liddie and she is in Boston living in a marriage she wasn’t happy in. while Beanie is in Utah. They form a friendship and they bond and they fight for racial equality. This book will touch your heart, these two young ladies help each other.
I applaud Kathryn for writing this book, it felt so real and I connected with the characters and the storyline. My favorite Character is Beanie, this girl faced so much in her young life. I would recommend this book to those who like women fictions. You won’t be disappointed. Thank you Kathryn for writing a wonderful book.
August 12, 2016
An Important Slice of History
Today, we have the right to make our own choices. We can go to college. We can choose when or if to get married. Children may be a product of free will, rather than simply biology. We can focus on our careers or stay home with the children. In the workplace, we have various rules and regulations to protect us from harassment and discrimination.
Life was very different in 1958. Women and minorities did not have the rights and privileges enjoyed (and sometimes taken for granted) today. The white males held the power. Domestic abuse was tolerated and even expected in some areas. Racism was widespread and institutionalized.
Forced into marriage at fifteen, Beanie suffers horrific abuse at the hands of her cruel husband. She decides to take an unheard of step and leave her husband. Beanie becomes a Freedom Fighter. She risks her life to help right pervasive social injustices.
Kathryn Longino, the writing team of Kathryn Dionne and Shondra C. Longino, who writes under the pen name of Abby L. Vandiver, have crafted a wonderful masterpiece. At the End of the Line spans some fourteen years and brings to life the tribulations and struggles of an earlier generation.
Today, we have the right to make our own choices. We can go to college. We can choose when or if to get married. Children may be a product of free will, rather than simply biology. We can focus on our careers or stay home with the children. In the workplace, we have various rules and regulations to protect us from harassment and discrimination.
Life was very different in 1958. Women and minorities did not have the rights and privileges enjoyed (and sometimes taken for granted) today. The white males held the power. Domestic abuse was tolerated and even expected in some areas. Racism was widespread and institutionalized.
Forced into marriage at fifteen, Beanie suffers horrific abuse at the hands of her cruel husband. She decides to take an unheard of step and leave her husband. Beanie becomes a Freedom Fighter. She risks her life to help right pervasive social injustices.
Kathryn Longino, the writing team of Kathryn Dionne and Shondra C. Longino, who writes under the pen name of Abby L. Vandiver, have crafted a wonderful masterpiece. At the End of the Line spans some fourteen years and brings to life the tribulations and struggles of an earlier generation.
April 22, 2014
This was an interesting story of two women living in different parts of the country, one a teenage third wife in a Mormon polygamous household in Utah, the other, a well-to-do woman, well-connected with the politicians of her time, in Boston, how they connect, and the civil rights movement, the story spanning the years from 1958 through the seventies.
Kathryn Dionne and Abby L. Vandiver cowrote the book under the pen name Kathryn Longino, which would account for its sometimes choppy flow, and the occasional clearly different writing styles. However, this does not really interfere with an excellent story about the two women and of the country itself during those turbulent times. There are characters to love, characters to feel sorry for, and for those of us old enough to have lived through those times, lots of .... well, I wouldn't call it nostalgia, because Buddha knows those were sad years with the assassinations of JFK, Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, and the disgraceful deaths of many civil rights workers, like Medgar Evers and James Earl Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael "Mickey" Schwerner, but lot of memories.
Kathryn Dionne and Abby L. Vandiver cowrote the book under the pen name Kathryn Longino, which would account for its sometimes choppy flow, and the occasional clearly different writing styles. However, this does not really interfere with an excellent story about the two women and of the country itself during those turbulent times. There are characters to love, characters to feel sorry for, and for those of us old enough to have lived through those times, lots of .... well, I wouldn't call it nostalgia, because Buddha knows those were sad years with the assassinations of JFK, Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, and the disgraceful deaths of many civil rights workers, like Medgar Evers and James Earl Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael "Mickey" Schwerner, but lot of memories.
June 5, 2014
Just...Wow.
Authors Abby L. Vandiver and Kathryn Dionne have created a winner. In my opinion, this book deserves to be number one on the coveted NYT bestsellers list. It's that good. So once you read, recommend it to everyone you know because it deserves to be read at large.
Set in a complicated and fascinating era of our American culture, At the End of the Line divulges in a multitude of social issues. On the surface, it would seem to be too much...too much of a reach to intertwine the story lines and characters. However, the authors did so beautifully. Seamlessly.
There were a few times I thought the story was about to drag just a bit. And each time I was pulled back in--goosebumps and all.
I don't want to give anything away, but the ending? Didn't see it coming, And it knocked my socks off. Iv'e already recommended it to my book-loving friends.
My only negative impression was the cover art. Again, in my opinion, it doesn't do the quality and content of the book justice.
Authors Abby L. Vandiver and Kathryn Dionne have created a winner. In my opinion, this book deserves to be number one on the coveted NYT bestsellers list. It's that good. So once you read, recommend it to everyone you know because it deserves to be read at large.
Set in a complicated and fascinating era of our American culture, At the End of the Line divulges in a multitude of social issues. On the surface, it would seem to be too much...too much of a reach to intertwine the story lines and characters. However, the authors did so beautifully. Seamlessly.
There were a few times I thought the story was about to drag just a bit. And each time I was pulled back in--goosebumps and all.
I don't want to give anything away, but the ending? Didn't see it coming, And it knocked my socks off. Iv'e already recommended it to my book-loving friends.
My only negative impression was the cover art. Again, in my opinion, it doesn't do the quality and content of the book justice.
May 2, 2014
‘At the end of the line’ is the story of ‘Beanie’ and ‘Liddie’- Two widely distinct women, desperate circumstances and an unlikely friendship.
The story takes place in the initial stages of the civil rights movement when black and white together were still a taboo. Although I am not an American and did not have much knowledge of the same, but reading this heart moving tale made me feel as though I was present there, watching the daily struggles for equality that the blacks had to go through.
I really liked Beanie’s (Beatrice) character. Married at a young age and regularly abused, she is a fighter and determined to work towards a cause. Initially I was a bit confused over where ‘Hatie Jean’ fit in, but the end was an emotional revelation!
Recommended! Some stories are just meant to stay with you for a long time. :)
The story takes place in the initial stages of the civil rights movement when black and white together were still a taboo. Although I am not an American and did not have much knowledge of the same, but reading this heart moving tale made me feel as though I was present there, watching the daily struggles for equality that the blacks had to go through.
I really liked Beanie’s (Beatrice) character. Married at a young age and regularly abused, she is a fighter and determined to work towards a cause. Initially I was a bit confused over where ‘Hatie Jean’ fit in, but the end was an emotional revelation!
Recommended! Some stories are just meant to stay with you for a long time. :)
May 17, 2014
I read this story in two days. This story will probably stay with me for a while. It takes place around the time of the Civil Rights and Equal Rights movements. In this story, you meet different characters who are well developed.
At The End of the Line is about friendship, relationships, racism, equal rights, bi-racial relationship... and oh my gosh, so much more.
I have to admit, there were times when I found myself crying- I could feel the pain of the characters. And the author does a nice job of portraying everything very realistically.
There are some surprises in the book- some unexpected turns. In some ways, it is also very educational; we all need to understand the history of this country.
Highly recommend this book. Very well written.
At The End of the Line is about friendship, relationships, racism, equal rights, bi-racial relationship... and oh my gosh, so much more.
I have to admit, there were times when I found myself crying- I could feel the pain of the characters. And the author does a nice job of portraying everything very realistically.
There are some surprises in the book- some unexpected turns. In some ways, it is also very educational; we all need to understand the history of this country.
Highly recommend this book. Very well written.
May 13, 2014
I have just finshed reading this wonderful book called At The End Of The Line. So to not give the story away, we meet 3 strong women, Hattie Jean, Adeline Stewart & Beatrice and go through their lives back in history in 1958, at a time where women had no rights, minorites had not rights, and during the time of the battle of the Civil Right Movement. This book is a page turner, heart wrenching and fantastic, As you go back in history you relive some of the tragities of America before black and white were finally considered equal. You also will learn about the little lies some of these women hid just to survive. Thank you Kathryn Longino ( Abby Vandiver) for this wonderful read.
May 20, 2014
This book is a must read, whether you have a heart carved out of stone, or you're as soft-hearted as a teddy bear. The story-line is exceptionally well written, the characters intriguing and captivating. Abby L. Vandiver is truly a master storyteller, and should be commended as such. In At the End of the Line, she manages to take the reader back to a time where free will was a luxury within some cultures only. The bond established between two woman is awesome and inspiring, and could be used to serve as foundation to many relationships.
May 21, 2014
Wow! I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to be gifted this book for an honest opinion. This book touches bases on several touchy subjects but sadly this is what it was like. Beanie is just about to turn 16 when her world changes and not for the best. Her strength snd determination is amazing! Adeline is older and doesn't have the courage to live her dream. This book takes you through decades and two separate lives, filled with all kinds of emotions throughout the whole book! I must say that iy was an ending that made me cry! This is an absolute must read!
June 1, 2014
Heart wrenching and uplifting, this book covers many themes, racism, sexism, civil rights, and overall friendship.
At the End of the Line would make a wonderful film, a page turner that produces tears of fury and tears of happiness. I seldom give 5 stars for books outside my preferred genres, but this is a gem that thoroughly deserves the stars.
At the End of the Line would make a wonderful film, a page turner that produces tears of fury and tears of happiness. I seldom give 5 stars for books outside my preferred genres, but this is a gem that thoroughly deserves the stars.
May 18, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchanged for an honest, fair, and unbiased review.
This interesting story takes place in the late 1950s between two starkly different women. We are introduced to a young 15 year old girl named Beanie who is forced to marry a man almost 20 years her senior. Beanie’s husband is a prominent man in the Mormon community and when he marries Beanie he already has two other wives and a handful of children. Living under the strict rules and abuse from her husband, Beanie seeks out a friend for help only to have misdialed the phone number. When a woman named Lidde answers the phone a 15 year friendship begins. Liddie herself is a prominent figure, she is very close with the Kennedy’s, but she leads a secret life. Readers will experience history through the eyes of both women.
The story alternates between two points of views, the voice of two very different women but similar in many ways. Occasionally there is a third narrative which was a bit confusing but fit well with the ending. The first half of the book was very interesting. I enjoyed reading about Beanie’s life with her husband and the sister wives. I find polygamy to be a very interesting topic and that is what drew me to this book originally. The middle of the book was, if I’m being honest, poorly paced and focused. The events that occur in the middle of the novel lacked emotion and depth. I would have liked to read one or two really descriptive and emotionally deep scenes, such as being attacked by the KKK (which was a situation that was briefly mentioned), instead of a cluster of moments that felt rushed and didn’t really pull at my heart strings. This time period was so rich and full of emotion and history. I think that if the authors focused on one or two of the events that took place in the 60s and really dug deep and tried to portray what it was like to live in that time then this book would have been much more impactful. That’s just my opinion. The last half of the novel was better paced and my interest was once again piqued. The plot twists at the end with the third narrative was interesting to say the least.
I enjoyed the topics that were presented in this book. I was fascinated by the polygamy story line and I absolutely loved the biracial relationship(s) in this book. I would have liked a little bit more focus and description on certain events that occurred in the book but that’s just me, I like to feel like I’m really there in the scene. Overall I thought this book was pretty enjoyable!
Rating: 2.75/5
This interesting story takes place in the late 1950s between two starkly different women. We are introduced to a young 15 year old girl named Beanie who is forced to marry a man almost 20 years her senior. Beanie’s husband is a prominent man in the Mormon community and when he marries Beanie he already has two other wives and a handful of children. Living under the strict rules and abuse from her husband, Beanie seeks out a friend for help only to have misdialed the phone number. When a woman named Lidde answers the phone a 15 year friendship begins. Liddie herself is a prominent figure, she is very close with the Kennedy’s, but she leads a secret life. Readers will experience history through the eyes of both women.
The story alternates between two points of views, the voice of two very different women but similar in many ways. Occasionally there is a third narrative which was a bit confusing but fit well with the ending. The first half of the book was very interesting. I enjoyed reading about Beanie’s life with her husband and the sister wives. I find polygamy to be a very interesting topic and that is what drew me to this book originally. The middle of the book was, if I’m being honest, poorly paced and focused. The events that occur in the middle of the novel lacked emotion and depth. I would have liked to read one or two really descriptive and emotionally deep scenes, such as being attacked by the KKK (which was a situation that was briefly mentioned), instead of a cluster of moments that felt rushed and didn’t really pull at my heart strings. This time period was so rich and full of emotion and history. I think that if the authors focused on one or two of the events that took place in the 60s and really dug deep and tried to portray what it was like to live in that time then this book would have been much more impactful. That’s just my opinion. The last half of the novel was better paced and my interest was once again piqued. The plot twists at the end with the third narrative was interesting to say the least.
I enjoyed the topics that were presented in this book. I was fascinated by the polygamy story line and I absolutely loved the biracial relationship(s) in this book. I would have liked a little bit more focus and description on certain events that occurred in the book but that’s just me, I like to feel like I’m really there in the scene. Overall I thought this book was pretty enjoyable!
Rating: 2.75/5
August 27, 2016
This is a really well-written book with well-developed characters (largely African American) in the unusual setting of 1950s Utah, when a young woman--fifteen-year-old Beanie--enters a polygamous marriage without consent. Due to the situations that arise in the book, this story is definitely for readers 18 and above.
Although not my typical read, this story captured my imagination and pulled me right in to the thick of the drama. You will find that not only Beanie finds a way out of this unhappy marriage but also finds help from the most unlikely person. Readers will come across the divides of race, gender, sexuality, and party politics living life through Beanie and Liddie.
The long-distance friendship between the two women spans fourteen years--taking them headlong into the Civil Rights Movement of 1960s America--and takes the reader through thick and thin. A moving story, I highly recommend this book to those interested in historical women's fiction.
Although not my typical read, this story captured my imagination and pulled me right in to the thick of the drama. You will find that not only Beanie finds a way out of this unhappy marriage but also finds help from the most unlikely person. Readers will come across the divides of race, gender, sexuality, and party politics living life through Beanie and Liddie.
The long-distance friendship between the two women spans fourteen years--taking them headlong into the Civil Rights Movement of 1960s America--and takes the reader through thick and thin. A moving story, I highly recommend this book to those interested in historical women's fiction.
June 8, 2014
A powerful and moving work that I am glad to have had the opportunity to read. The authors have a wonderful sense of pacing, and are obviously lovers of rich dialogue. The book is told with such vividness that it is not altogether difficult to imagine it as a motion picture. In fact, I would not be surprised if somebody optioned this work. There are some terrific moments of drama, and some surprising twists and turns.
At times, the book can move with such swiftness that you almost don't want to leave a certain time or scene. There are also some moments when less dialogue may help to add weight to scenes. But these really are small observations, and a stylistic preference, because this is strong work, and one that I would recommend to simply anyone. Congratulations to the authors.
At times, the book can move with such swiftness that you almost don't want to leave a certain time or scene. There are also some moments when less dialogue may help to add weight to scenes. But these really are small observations, and a stylistic preference, because this is strong work, and one that I would recommend to simply anyone. Congratulations to the authors.
April 30, 2014
I really enjoyed this book about two women, Beatrice and Adeline, who accidentally become friends when Beatrice dials Adeline's number by mistake. "At the End of the Line" is set during an interesting period of American history: the 1950s and 1960s, when there is a lot of change afoot. Both women have fascinating stories and I was gripped from page one until the very end. Highly recommended!
October 8, 2020
At the End of the Line by Kathryn Longino is the story of two women told over a decade and a half. Kathryn Longino is the pen name of the team of Shondra C. Longino and Kathryn Dionne. Longino also writes under the name of Abby L. Vandiver. She holds a law degree and lives in my home town of Cleveland. Kathryn Dionne produces pottery and manages a five acre olive grove in Southern California.
Reviewing books has lead me to read and review books I normally would have passed by. I was hesitant to accept the request to read At the End of the Line mainly because it was introduced as women’s fiction. In the historic sense I have little objection to the works of Virginia Woolf or Vita Sackville-West, but modern definition of women’s fiction usually ends up meaning romance novel. However, I was assured this would have more to do with civil rights and storytelling. Hesitantly, I began reading and was very pleasantly surprised at the first chapter. It set the hook.
The story starts in the late 1950s in Utah as fifteen year old “Beanie” is essentially sold into a polygamous marriage. As the third wife, she is treated badly. Her only friend is her music teacher who quite suddenly moves to New York. Beanie, needing to escape her marriage, tries to contact her music teacher, but instead reaches Liddie. Liddie is a New York socialite trapped in a well to do life and a loveless marriage. A friendship develops.
There are striking parallels in between the two women. They are both trapped in their marriages. They have a social conscious: Beanie in the Civil Rights movement and Liddie in the Democratic Party. Beanie is committed to the Civil Rights movement and Liddie struggles with the race issue and the reader will wonder if Liddie’s actions are done to prove to herself that she is not racist. It’s one thing to speak well on a topic and another to act in the same manner. Both these women of very different backgrounds face challenges and do their best to stand up to them.
There are minor characters in the story, most of them are black. One character in particular has a few chapters set farther back in time. Her name is Hattie Jean Thomas and her role is separate from the main story beginning in Mississippi in the late 1930s.
The history and historical content of the story is well done. Various pieces of history are woven into the story dealing with the civil rights movement and politics. Culture is included with many references to jazz and jazz bars. Even the characters identifying themselves as negro is historically correct in the book. The writers researched their history well and wove it seamlessly into the story. This book may be considered women’s fiction, but in the sense the story is told by women. I would consider it historical fiction set in 1960s America.
I found At the End of the Line to be an extremely interesting story. I read it in two, long, sittings. It was good enough that I did not want to put it down until the end. I am not sure what worked so well in the story, if it was the history, or the two main characters having their story told by two different authors. There is something that really clicks with the overall story. What starts as a wrong number works into something really great. Questions I had about certain events in the story were all convincingly explained and the ending is really worth reading the book for — amazing. I am calling At the End of the Line a very well done historical fiction with several historical lessons to be remembered. A pleasure to read.
Joseph Spuckler gives At the End of the Line 4 1/2 Stars
http://www.authoralliance.net/readers...
January 26, 2018
This book keenly portrayed the disturbing racial problems and issues during 1940s, 50s, 60s and 70s in the US, all based on the course of history. Not just in the south but everywhere racism had shocking effects on ordinary lives. This comes over very well and makes for a great story which kept me turning the pages of this easy-to-read book (that's not a criticism).
It was only when I got to the end that I thought the co-authors had taken coincidences one step too far. Don't let that stop you reading it because - as we all know - fact can be stranger than fiction and it's p-o-s-s-i-b-l-e this could have happened.
It was only when I got to the end that I thought the co-authors had taken coincidences one step too far. Don't let that stop you reading it because - as we all know - fact can be stranger than fiction and it's p-o-s-s-i-b-l-e this could have happened.
September 10, 2016
Set in 1950s, At the end of the line, is a tale of two different women from different states of America connected by a phone call, which was supposed to be a wrong number. We traverse through fourteen years of their lives and their diverse environment- problems, desires and expectations from their world.
The dialogues are vibrant and adequately fit to the pertaining era. The book successfully caters the subject of racial inequality and nicely captures the briefs of history- something which is very enlightening to people not much aware of American History. I always feel this is the toughest genre to get along because one has to create a story, in the shades of existing facts. But readers would be pleased to see, how easily authors did it. That certainly shows a lot of research been done. Their hard work really paid off as in ATEOTL, readers get an engaging book.
On a personal note, I liked parts of Adeline’s life. I was moved by the dilemma she faced and the decisions she made in her life. For me the story was a bit supple and ended on a sappy note and left me with the feeling, there should be something more to it. The chapters of Hattie Jean pops out abruptly in between, but were well settled by the end. The book cover could do better with a little improvisation.
Final Words: This book is pretty revealing, rich in dialogues as well as in description and easily connects the readers to the characters. If you are looking for a good historical plus social plus political American drama... then this one is for you. My rating is four (point) something, which I gladly round to five.
The dialogues are vibrant and adequately fit to the pertaining era. The book successfully caters the subject of racial inequality and nicely captures the briefs of history- something which is very enlightening to people not much aware of American History. I always feel this is the toughest genre to get along because one has to create a story, in the shades of existing facts. But readers would be pleased to see, how easily authors did it. That certainly shows a lot of research been done. Their hard work really paid off as in ATEOTL, readers get an engaging book.
On a personal note, I liked parts of Adeline’s life. I was moved by the dilemma she faced and the decisions she made in her life. For me the story was a bit supple and ended on a sappy note and left me with the feeling, there should be something more to it. The chapters of Hattie Jean pops out abruptly in between, but were well settled by the end. The book cover could do better with a little improvisation.
Final Words: This book is pretty revealing, rich in dialogues as well as in description and easily connects the readers to the characters. If you are looking for a good historical plus social plus political American drama... then this one is for you. My rating is four (point) something, which I gladly round to five.
July 15, 2014
I received a FREE copy of this book in exchange for an HONEST review.
This book chronicles the lives of two women from very different backgrounds, and is largely set in late 1950's America. The plot deals with some gritty racist and segregation issues, and I found this to be a gripping read.
However, there were numerous lost opportunities to develop the characters and scenes further. And, just when I was getting involved in a particular event, the scene would shift around again. There is a fair bit of jumping around time-wise, but all are clearly notated.
A twist near the end was one I hadn't seen coming, so bravo to the two authors for that. However, I felt it could have been introduced more smoothly than it was. It felt almost like an afterthought, rather than a major plot element.
I would have awarded a strong Four Stars for this novel, but for the sheer amount of errors in technical exposition. There are far too many typos and punctuation errors for me to ignore. Commas are either in clumsy places or non-existent, which makes for difficult reading a lot of the time. This is a real shame, as this has the potential to be an absolutely fantastic book.
So, as it stands, I offer a Strong THREE out of Five stars on this book. As stated above, with editing and proofreading it could achieve a Five with no problem. I wish both authors the best of luck in their writing careers.
This book chronicles the lives of two women from very different backgrounds, and is largely set in late 1950's America. The plot deals with some gritty racist and segregation issues, and I found this to be a gripping read.
However, there were numerous lost opportunities to develop the characters and scenes further. And, just when I was getting involved in a particular event, the scene would shift around again. There is a fair bit of jumping around time-wise, but all are clearly notated.
A twist near the end was one I hadn't seen coming, so bravo to the two authors for that. However, I felt it could have been introduced more smoothly than it was. It felt almost like an afterthought, rather than a major plot element.
I would have awarded a strong Four Stars for this novel, but for the sheer amount of errors in technical exposition. There are far too many typos and punctuation errors for me to ignore. Commas are either in clumsy places or non-existent, which makes for difficult reading a lot of the time. This is a real shame, as this has the potential to be an absolutely fantastic book.
So, as it stands, I offer a Strong THREE out of Five stars on this book. As stated above, with editing and proofreading it could achieve a Five with no problem. I wish both authors the best of luck in their writing careers.
December 28, 2014
Two women from opposite sides of the tracks are brought together by a torn scrap of paper. Beanie, sharing a man she despises with his two other wives, seemingly sold into the miserable marriage at only fifteen, desperately reaches out to a long lost friend and finds…
Liddie, the almost-wife of the almost-president of the United States — Joe Kennedy. Liddie, with deep secrets that threaten her lily-white life.
At the End of the Line takes you deep inside the era of the Civil Rights movement, the push for change, and the push back against it, and how it touched the lives of ordinary people.
My favorite quote from this book: "The world only saw him as a Negro. But she saw him as an intelligent, kind, caring man who played a mean sax and would one day become a great doctor."
Everybody has a dream, and all through this intricately woven tale, you will have many dreams for Beanie, who came from a wrong to fight for a right.
And oh what a BRILLIANT ending! I never saw that one coming!
— Sharon Delarose
Liddie, the almost-wife of the almost-president of the United States — Joe Kennedy. Liddie, with deep secrets that threaten her lily-white life.
At the End of the Line takes you deep inside the era of the Civil Rights movement, the push for change, and the push back against it, and how it touched the lives of ordinary people.
My favorite quote from this book: "The world only saw him as a Negro. But she saw him as an intelligent, kind, caring man who played a mean sax and would one day become a great doctor."
Everybody has a dream, and all through this intricately woven tale, you will have many dreams for Beanie, who came from a wrong to fight for a right.
And oh what a BRILLIANT ending! I never saw that one coming!
— Sharon Delarose
August 13, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed AT THE END OF THE LINE. Those alive in the 1950s and 1960s will find it particularly appealing, since many of the social and political issues of that era are crucial to the plot. These events, although crucial, are never preachy in tone, and are used to explain the characters' development in a manner similar to FOREST GUMP. You could even do a soundtrack from this novel.
The novel weaves together the lives of two women. Although they have a long-distance relationship and do not meet in person for many years, their lives nevertheless intersect in startling ways.
The character development was impeccable, and the writing style was crisp and clear.
The novel weaves together the lives of two women. Although they have a long-distance relationship and do not meet in person for many years, their lives nevertheless intersect in startling ways.
The character development was impeccable, and the writing style was crisp and clear.
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