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Root, Petal, Thorn
"Provocative in the way it explodes and expands the category of historical fiction." -- Salt Lake Tribune
In this beautifully written and powerful debut novel, Ella Joy Olsen traces the stories of five fascinating women who inhabit the same historic home over the course of a century—braided stories of love, heartbreak and courage connect the women, even across generations.
Ivy Baygren has two great loves in her her husband, Adam, and the bungalow they buy together in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Salt Lake City, Utah. From the moment she and Adam lay eyes on the home, Ivy is captivated by its quaint details—the old porch swing, ornate tiles, and especially an heirloom rose bush bursting with snowy white blossoms. Called the Emmeline Rose for the home’s original owner, it seems yet another sign that this place will be Ivy’s happily-ever-after…Until her dreams are shattered by Adam’s unexpected death.
Striving to be strong for her two children, Ivy decides to tackle the home-improvement projects she and Adam once planned. Day by day, as she attempts to rebuild her house and her resolve, she uncovers clues about previous inhabitants, from a half-embroidered sampler to buried wine bottles. And as Ivy learns about the women who came before her—the young Mormon torn between her heart and anti-polygamist beliefs, the Greek immigrant during World War II, a troubled single mother in the 1960s—she begins to uncover the lessons of her own journey. For every story has its sadness, but there is also the possibility of blooming again, even stronger and more resilient than before…
In this beautifully written and powerful debut novel, Ella Joy Olsen traces the stories of five fascinating women who inhabit the same historic home over the course of a century—braided stories of love, heartbreak and courage connect the women, even across generations.
Ivy Baygren has two great loves in her her husband, Adam, and the bungalow they buy together in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Salt Lake City, Utah. From the moment she and Adam lay eyes on the home, Ivy is captivated by its quaint details—the old porch swing, ornate tiles, and especially an heirloom rose bush bursting with snowy white blossoms. Called the Emmeline Rose for the home’s original owner, it seems yet another sign that this place will be Ivy’s happily-ever-after…Until her dreams are shattered by Adam’s unexpected death.
Striving to be strong for her two children, Ivy decides to tackle the home-improvement projects she and Adam once planned. Day by day, as she attempts to rebuild her house and her resolve, she uncovers clues about previous inhabitants, from a half-embroidered sampler to buried wine bottles. And as Ivy learns about the women who came before her—the young Mormon torn between her heart and anti-polygamist beliefs, the Greek immigrant during World War II, a troubled single mother in the 1960s—she begins to uncover the lessons of her own journey. For every story has its sadness, but there is also the possibility of blooming again, even stronger and more resilient than before…
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2016
67 people are currently reading
2070 people want to read
About the author
Ella Joy Olsen
3 books186 followersElla Joy Olsen lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, a charming town tucked at the base of the massive Wasatch Mountains. She is the mom of three (young adult) kids, the mama of two dogs, and the wife of one patient husband.
Her novels include: the Audible Original BIRDIE & JAY, the Historical Novel Society Editors’ Choice ROOT, PETAL,THORN, and the 15 Bytes Finalist WHERE THE SWEET BIRD SINGS.
She teaches creative writing through Lifelong Learning at the University of Utah and she is part-owner of Salty City Writing Workshops, where she mentors writers and facilitates writing retreats. Ella is represented by Rachel Ekstrom at Folio Literary Management.
Connect with her at www.ellajoyolsen.com or Instagram @ellajoyolsen
ella.joy.olsen.author
Her novels include: the Audible Original BIRDIE & JAY, the Historical Novel Society Editors’ Choice ROOT, PETAL,THORN, and the 15 Bytes Finalist WHERE THE SWEET BIRD SINGS.
She teaches creative writing through Lifelong Learning at the University of Utah and she is part-owner of Salty City Writing Workshops, where she mentors writers and facilitates writing retreats. Ella is represented by Rachel Ekstrom at Folio Literary Management.
Connect with her at www.ellajoyolsen.com or Instagram @ellajoyolsen
ella.joy.olsen.author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
May 29, 2017
Five generations of women, some unrelated, share the same home in Sugar House, Utah. The most recent resident, Ivy, tries to piece together the history of the house. Each of the women have their own heartaches and struggles, and through their strength they make amends. This book started a little stronger for me than how it finished; however, it remained enjoyable throughout. The author writes well, and I look forward to reading more from her.
March 5, 2017
I won this through a Goodreads Giveaway, and what a great debut novel it is! The story interweaves the lives of five women who all share a home in common, and the house is a linking thread throughout the book. Ella Joy Olsen did really well creating unique voices and personalities for each of the women, and the side characters were also enjoyable and memorable. There is a wonderful mixture of happy, sad, and simply human moments in the story, all of which make the women relatable and real. I enjoyed this novel very much and recommend it to historical fiction lovers and any who love realistic fiction.
May 29, 2016
I received this book yesterday, hardly put it down and finished it up earlier today. It's that good.
We start out with Ivy in the present day. Her husband Adam was killed recently, leaving her with two children to raise alone and try to pick up the pieces of her life in her 'spare' time. While she works on remodeling projects she and Adam had started or planned, she finds 'Easter eggs', or mementos of previous female residents of the house, spanning from 1913 when the house was built until the 'present'.
There is an unfinished needlework announcing the temple marriage of Emmeline and Nathaniel, as well as letters back and forth between the couple while Nathaniel was on his LDS mission to Manchester. There was a memory book started by Cora, Emmaline's sister, and continued by her young daughter Bitsy after Cora's death. There is Eris Gianopolous, an immigrant mother who so desperately wants to keep her son from joining the military during WWII that she 'takes liberties' with her son's medical exam records. There is Lainey, a single mother struggling with bi-polar disorder.
I lived in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake City for a number of years while I attended (and graduated from) Westminster College. I've eaten pizza at The Pie restaurant on 2nd South Street by the University of Utah. I got sick in Liberty Park after a morning of tennis, Tilt-a-Whirl and root beer. My family moved to SLC in 1972, when my father was transferred by his employer. I was in the 5th grade. Over the years it seemed like there were two kinds of people in Salt Lake - Mormons, and anti-Mormons. I do not know Ms. Olsen's spiritual traditions, but was heartened by one of the more balanced portrayal of the particular culture of Salt Lake City I've ever read.
The cover is, of course, GORGEOUS. The stories of Emmeline, Cora, Bitsy, Eris, Lainey and Ivy are warm and pulsing with life...and eventually with death. We must remember that during these years, the US was involved in two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Great Depression, and many more earth-shaking events. Each woman must push through the depths of their individual heartbreaks...and each of them does.
I would like to bring attention to the portrayal of bi-polar disorder in Lainey's character. I don't have experience with that particular issue, but I have suffered from depression for most of my life. I have bristled over the years at the stigma attached to mental illness and the prejudices that blanket people with mental as opposed to otherwise physical ailments. Most of the time you can't see where a mental illness hurts. I applaud Ms. Olsen's sensitive telling of Lainey's tale.
The characters are crisp and individual - any by that I mean they are not cookies cut from a mold and applied to various years in the 20th century. But they each share life's joys and sorrows with their families and friends. It's like an 'Everywoman of the 20th Century'. Reading 'Root, Petal, Thorn' was like wrapping up in one of Mamaw's quilts- so comforting, so full of memories, and so inspiring.
I loved this book. Wait, backspace, revise: I LOVED THIS BOOK! It can be enjoyed by every one with a beating heart and a soul.
We start out with Ivy in the present day. Her husband Adam was killed recently, leaving her with two children to raise alone and try to pick up the pieces of her life in her 'spare' time. While she works on remodeling projects she and Adam had started or planned, she finds 'Easter eggs', or mementos of previous female residents of the house, spanning from 1913 when the house was built until the 'present'.
There is an unfinished needlework announcing the temple marriage of Emmeline and Nathaniel, as well as letters back and forth between the couple while Nathaniel was on his LDS mission to Manchester. There was a memory book started by Cora, Emmaline's sister, and continued by her young daughter Bitsy after Cora's death. There is Eris Gianopolous, an immigrant mother who so desperately wants to keep her son from joining the military during WWII that she 'takes liberties' with her son's medical exam records. There is Lainey, a single mother struggling with bi-polar disorder.
I lived in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake City for a number of years while I attended (and graduated from) Westminster College. I've eaten pizza at The Pie restaurant on 2nd South Street by the University of Utah. I got sick in Liberty Park after a morning of tennis, Tilt-a-Whirl and root beer. My family moved to SLC in 1972, when my father was transferred by his employer. I was in the 5th grade. Over the years it seemed like there were two kinds of people in Salt Lake - Mormons, and anti-Mormons. I do not know Ms. Olsen's spiritual traditions, but was heartened by one of the more balanced portrayal of the particular culture of Salt Lake City I've ever read.
The cover is, of course, GORGEOUS. The stories of Emmeline, Cora, Bitsy, Eris, Lainey and Ivy are warm and pulsing with life...and eventually with death. We must remember that during these years, the US was involved in two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Great Depression, and many more earth-shaking events. Each woman must push through the depths of their individual heartbreaks...and each of them does.
I would like to bring attention to the portrayal of bi-polar disorder in Lainey's character. I don't have experience with that particular issue, but I have suffered from depression for most of my life. I have bristled over the years at the stigma attached to mental illness and the prejudices that blanket people with mental as opposed to otherwise physical ailments. Most of the time you can't see where a mental illness hurts. I applaud Ms. Olsen's sensitive telling of Lainey's tale.
The characters are crisp and individual - any by that I mean they are not cookies cut from a mold and applied to various years in the 20th century. But they each share life's joys and sorrows with their families and friends. It's like an 'Everywoman of the 20th Century'. Reading 'Root, Petal, Thorn' was like wrapping up in one of Mamaw's quilts- so comforting, so full of memories, and so inspiring.
I loved this book. Wait, backspace, revise: I LOVED THIS BOOK! It can be enjoyed by every one with a beating heart and a soul.
July 2, 2016
I am so fond of this book, for so many reasons. I love that it explores the history of the area I happen to live in. I love that it focuses on multiple generations of inhabitants within the walls of one historical home. I love the humanity and heart of it. And I think I love this new author. So exciting. I will be looking for more from her in the years to come!
August 15, 2016
Ivy Baygren has lost her husband and does not know how she will be able to carry on. She cannot get out of bed, her children have contacted her brother their uncle to try and coax her back into the land of the living. As she tries to rebuild her life by trying to finish the “home improvement” projects Adam had started and never finished she becomes interested in the history of her house and those who have lived there before her. As she learns more about those who helped make her house what it is today she starts to realize her journey is not as over as she had once thought after the loss of Adam. Great read. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
August 31, 2016
This is a beautifully written book, told from five different generations of women who live in the same house over the course of one hundred years.
It begins in the present day with Ivy, who is mourning the death of her husband, who was killed in a car accident. As part of trying to deal with her pain, she finishes the house renovation projects she had been working on alongside her husband. This leads to small discoveries about the people who lived in the house before them.
As readers, we go back in time through the first and second world wars and the Great Depression. We also go through the sixties, but that women’s story is more about her battle with manic-depressive disorder and not about what was going on in society as a whole.
The stories of the different women were engaging for a variety of reasons. Once I started a chapter from one of the women’s points of view, I was completely lost in her story and was sad when I had to start a new chapter—but then I’d promptly get engrossed in this other woman’s tale.
The book is set in Salt Lake City, which is obviously heavily Mormon, so the women who live in the house in 1913 (sisters Clara and Emmeline) are Mormon. The practice of polygamy had been outlawed, but it was still practiced by some members (who should have then been excommunicated). Emmeline’s love interest comes from a family that is known for practicing polygamy, but Nathaniel assures her that he doesn’t share his father’s views. He goes off to his two-year mission and asks her to wait for him, but war overseas puts an obstacle in their plans to marry.
I found all of the women’s stories compelling, and have to say the ending took me by surprise—in a good way.
I definitely recommend this book. It’s unique and beautifully told.
Please read all of my reviews at http://theresaalan.net/blog/
It begins in the present day with Ivy, who is mourning the death of her husband, who was killed in a car accident. As part of trying to deal with her pain, she finishes the house renovation projects she had been working on alongside her husband. This leads to small discoveries about the people who lived in the house before them.
As readers, we go back in time through the first and second world wars and the Great Depression. We also go through the sixties, but that women’s story is more about her battle with manic-depressive disorder and not about what was going on in society as a whole.
The stories of the different women were engaging for a variety of reasons. Once I started a chapter from one of the women’s points of view, I was completely lost in her story and was sad when I had to start a new chapter—but then I’d promptly get engrossed in this other woman’s tale.
The book is set in Salt Lake City, which is obviously heavily Mormon, so the women who live in the house in 1913 (sisters Clara and Emmeline) are Mormon. The practice of polygamy had been outlawed, but it was still practiced by some members (who should have then been excommunicated). Emmeline’s love interest comes from a family that is known for practicing polygamy, but Nathaniel assures her that he doesn’t share his father’s views. He goes off to his two-year mission and asks her to wait for him, but war overseas puts an obstacle in their plans to marry.
I found all of the women’s stories compelling, and have to say the ending took me by surprise—in a good way.
I definitely recommend this book. It’s unique and beautifully told.
Please read all of my reviews at http://theresaalan.net/blog/
September 6, 2016
Riveting, emotional story
Root, Petal, Thorn is a sweeping story about five amazing women who had lived in the same house; beginning with Emmeline, who lived there with her sister and father in 1913, and ending with Ivy, its current resident. Ivy is grieving the sudden loss of her husband, trying to get her house in order and her life back on track. When she discovers a needlepoint, old photographs, and other relics left behind by the house's previous residents, she is determined to know their stories; perhaps by uncovering the past, she will be ready to face the future. The women in this book are fascinating; their lives are filled with joys and sorrows, triumphs and tragedies, and each of them faces the challenges in their lives with courage, determination, and love. This novel takes the reader through the beginning of the 20th century, WWII, the Great Depression, and one life filled with the anguish of mental illness. A very emotional, riveting book, which will leave you understanding that with every rose comes a thorn, that every story contains sadness along with the joy. "Without the thorns the beauty would be too easy. It would be underappreciated."
Root, Petal, Thorn is a sweeping story about five amazing women who had lived in the same house; beginning with Emmeline, who lived there with her sister and father in 1913, and ending with Ivy, its current resident. Ivy is grieving the sudden loss of her husband, trying to get her house in order and her life back on track. When she discovers a needlepoint, old photographs, and other relics left behind by the house's previous residents, she is determined to know their stories; perhaps by uncovering the past, she will be ready to face the future. The women in this book are fascinating; their lives are filled with joys and sorrows, triumphs and tragedies, and each of them faces the challenges in their lives with courage, determination, and love. This novel takes the reader through the beginning of the 20th century, WWII, the Great Depression, and one life filled with the anguish of mental illness. A very emotional, riveting book, which will leave you understanding that with every rose comes a thorn, that every story contains sadness along with the joy. "Without the thorns the beauty would be too easy. It would be underappreciated."
October 27, 2016
I am the author of this novel, and yes I did purchase it and read it again on my Kindle. Of course, I will give it five stars. I will say that reading Root, Petal, Thorn on the e-reader, just like all of the other "actual" books out there, was a surreal experience. I cried in the right places, but I won't lie, there were parts where I wanted to edit, to delete, to change phrasing, and to throw the Kindle against the wall - because I can't. It's out there for the world to see and I wrote it to the best of my abilities (at the time). It's still the book of my heart. But would I like to take the red pen to it? Here and there, yes.
October 17, 2016
I won this book through Goodreads First-Reads. Thank you Goodreads for picking my name for this book.
I have loved the story.
After Ivy Baygren was widowed, her brother Stephen suggested she write a list of things of importance to get her mind off her grief.
She decides to finish some small projects around her old home. There she finds some clues to the history of the house. Then she contacts the local historical society for their help.
All the people that lived there had interesting lives and their stories gave her comfort that she was not alone in her grief. There was joy too in the lives of all the women that lived there.
The author did such a great job bring out the emotion of all these families.
I have loved the story.
After Ivy Baygren was widowed, her brother Stephen suggested she write a list of things of importance to get her mind off her grief.
She decides to finish some small projects around her old home. There she finds some clues to the history of the house. Then she contacts the local historical society for their help.
All the people that lived there had interesting lives and their stories gave her comfort that she was not alone in her grief. There was joy too in the lives of all the women that lived there.
The author did such a great job bring out the emotion of all these families.
August 31, 2016
What an amazing read! Five fascinating women. The same historic home. One hundred years.
Interconnected stories of love, courage, and heartbreak.
I absolutely fell in love with the premise of ROOT, PETAL, THORN (forthcoming from Kensington August 30, 2016). Ella Joy Olsen writes beautifully, tracing the lives of Emmeline, Cora, Bitsy, Lainey, Eris, and Ivy through tumultuous times, from two World Wars (the first inhabitant of the house is Emmeline, 1913), the Great Depression, Korean war, Vietnam war, and 'present-day.'
ROOT, PETAL, THORN begins in 'present-day' with Ivy Baygren, a woman with two great loves, her husband, Adam and the brick bungalow they share with their two children, Porter and Naomi. But Adam is dead, a freak car accident has left Ivy grief-stricken and unable to cope with the renovations they began, let alone to properly mother their two children. She has to be strong, for her self and her children. Together, with her physician brother, she devises a plan to keep grief at bay and move forward. Part of this plan involves "getting her house in order," and with renovation projects halted in the midst of death, Ivy slowly begins picking up loose ends, finding 'Easter eggs' in the mix.
'Easter eggs' is what her husband used to call these hidden gems of previous inhabitants: newspaper clippings shoved between walls, broken toys and wine bottles. An unfinished needlework embroidery appears in the attic, a concrete hand print in the garage floor, buried wine bottles, a memory book, and a rose bush mysteriously named 'Emmeline.' All of these objects link generations of women who lived in the same house: a young Mormon woman torn between her heart and anti-polygamist beliefs, a Greek woman in the midst of WWII unwilling to send her 'fighting age' son to war, a single mother in the 60s fighting her own dark demon of mental illness, and more.
I must applaud Ms. Olsen for her accurate and sensitive portrayal of bipolar disorder. It's such a stigma, especially in the 1960s, but even today and she handled it with aplomb. Same, too can be said about the Mormon beliefs, which were handled with a balanced view, insight, and understanding.
However, I was hoping for just a tiny bit more house history and architecture and more detailed vignettes of the house. Still, ROOT, PETAL, THORN is a delicate blend of mystery and history, and ultimately grief, intertwining love and hope for future generations. An excellent offering from a delightful writer.
For all of my reviews, including author interviews, please see: www.leslielindsay.com
To "meet" Ella Joy Olsen and learn about her process and inspiration for ROOT, PETAL, THORN, please see: https://leslielindsay.com/2016/08/31/...
Interconnected stories of love, courage, and heartbreak.
I absolutely fell in love with the premise of ROOT, PETAL, THORN (forthcoming from Kensington August 30, 2016). Ella Joy Olsen writes beautifully, tracing the lives of Emmeline, Cora, Bitsy, Lainey, Eris, and Ivy through tumultuous times, from two World Wars (the first inhabitant of the house is Emmeline, 1913), the Great Depression, Korean war, Vietnam war, and 'present-day.'
ROOT, PETAL, THORN begins in 'present-day' with Ivy Baygren, a woman with two great loves, her husband, Adam and the brick bungalow they share with their two children, Porter and Naomi. But Adam is dead, a freak car accident has left Ivy grief-stricken and unable to cope with the renovations they began, let alone to properly mother their two children. She has to be strong, for her self and her children. Together, with her physician brother, she devises a plan to keep grief at bay and move forward. Part of this plan involves "getting her house in order," and with renovation projects halted in the midst of death, Ivy slowly begins picking up loose ends, finding 'Easter eggs' in the mix.
'Easter eggs' is what her husband used to call these hidden gems of previous inhabitants: newspaper clippings shoved between walls, broken toys and wine bottles. An unfinished needlework embroidery appears in the attic, a concrete hand print in the garage floor, buried wine bottles, a memory book, and a rose bush mysteriously named 'Emmeline.' All of these objects link generations of women who lived in the same house: a young Mormon woman torn between her heart and anti-polygamist beliefs, a Greek woman in the midst of WWII unwilling to send her 'fighting age' son to war, a single mother in the 60s fighting her own dark demon of mental illness, and more.
I must applaud Ms. Olsen for her accurate and sensitive portrayal of bipolar disorder. It's such a stigma, especially in the 1960s, but even today and she handled it with aplomb. Same, too can be said about the Mormon beliefs, which were handled with a balanced view, insight, and understanding.
However, I was hoping for just a tiny bit more house history and architecture and more detailed vignettes of the house. Still, ROOT, PETAL, THORN is a delicate blend of mystery and history, and ultimately grief, intertwining love and hope for future generations. An excellent offering from a delightful writer.
For all of my reviews, including author interviews, please see: www.leslielindsay.com
To "meet" Ella Joy Olsen and learn about her process and inspiration for ROOT, PETAL, THORN, please see: https://leslielindsay.com/2016/08/31/...
August 8, 2016
Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Kensington via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The expected publication date is August 30th, 2016.
I am in complete and utter disbelief that this novel is a debut for Ella Joy Olsen. The way that the multiple stories intertwine seamlessly is not something you would expect from a rookie novel. The way that she capture the emotion of each and every woman featured in this story was that of a seasoned writer and I must admit it is a great surprise that this was a first. As someone who has read many debut novels this one stands as being one of the most polished that I have read.
I loved the concept of this story. A kind of a if these walls could talk approach where the reader learns about the many lives that lived in the home. As someone who has a fascination with history and historic dwellings this captured me right away.
Some stories I preferred more than others but all of them captured me. My favorite as seems to always be the case was the first one in 1913. It always seems the older the story the more it captures me. I believe the love story along with the moral dilemma attached is what drew me in and kept me captive. Since the book would go back and forth between the multiple stories I had feared that this one was forgotten after the beginning as the focus moved to the other storylines. Alas I was rewarded for my patience as this story served somewhat as the opening and closing of the story.
The story of Ivy, the present day resident on the house was where I found I was least interested. I think it may be that (luckily) I have never been in her shoes so I can't really identify with her reality, and I hope I never have to. I grew more attached as the story went on so if anyone reading the story feels the same, stick with it, her story gets better.
That is all I am going to say about this book. I feel this is a read it and make your own judgment type of story and anything I say will not capture it's essence or do it justice. I really enjoyed this one. I hope there is more to come from Olsen in the future.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Kensington via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The expected publication date is August 30th, 2016.
I am in complete and utter disbelief that this novel is a debut for Ella Joy Olsen. The way that the multiple stories intertwine seamlessly is not something you would expect from a rookie novel. The way that she capture the emotion of each and every woman featured in this story was that of a seasoned writer and I must admit it is a great surprise that this was a first. As someone who has read many debut novels this one stands as being one of the most polished that I have read.
I loved the concept of this story. A kind of a if these walls could talk approach where the reader learns about the many lives that lived in the home. As someone who has a fascination with history and historic dwellings this captured me right away.
Some stories I preferred more than others but all of them captured me. My favorite as seems to always be the case was the first one in 1913. It always seems the older the story the more it captures me. I believe the love story along with the moral dilemma attached is what drew me in and kept me captive. Since the book would go back and forth between the multiple stories I had feared that this one was forgotten after the beginning as the focus moved to the other storylines. Alas I was rewarded for my patience as this story served somewhat as the opening and closing of the story.
The story of Ivy, the present day resident on the house was where I found I was least interested. I think it may be that (luckily) I have never been in her shoes so I can't really identify with her reality, and I hope I never have to. I grew more attached as the story went on so if anyone reading the story feels the same, stick with it, her story gets better.
That is all I am going to say about this book. I feel this is a read it and make your own judgment type of story and anything I say will not capture it's essence or do it justice. I really enjoyed this one. I hope there is more to come from Olsen in the future.
September 9, 2016
This is a fantastic book about love and loss and connections to past generations. One line in the book (from Ivy's list of how to survive) sums the novel up for me: "Understand there is a little sad in every story."
As the novel begins, Ivy is waking up and realizing, once again, that her husband Adam is dead. He was killed in a car accident and Ivy is having difficulty in accepting his death. Ivy and Adam lived in an old house with their two children and Adam spent a lot of time doing upgrades to the house. Ivy decides that she needs to tackle the home projects and as she works she finds small items from the previous owners of the house. As these items are found, Ivy decides to do research on the previous owners of the house. The novel consists not only of Ivy's attempt at recovery but also the stories of the lives of the previous owners of the house. The stories take the reader through WWI, the Depression and WWII as well as modern times. All of the stories are interrelated with and the house that they lived in ties the stories together.
Often times when you read a novel with several characters telling their part of the story, you enjoy the story of one over the others. I must admit that I liked reading about Ivy the most but the rest of the characters were also wonderful and I didn't hurry through any of the stories to get to a character that I liked more because I liked them all.
This was a fantastic debut novel and I look forward to this author's future books.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
As the novel begins, Ivy is waking up and realizing, once again, that her husband Adam is dead. He was killed in a car accident and Ivy is having difficulty in accepting his death. Ivy and Adam lived in an old house with their two children and Adam spent a lot of time doing upgrades to the house. Ivy decides that she needs to tackle the home projects and as she works she finds small items from the previous owners of the house. As these items are found, Ivy decides to do research on the previous owners of the house. The novel consists not only of Ivy's attempt at recovery but also the stories of the lives of the previous owners of the house. The stories take the reader through WWI, the Depression and WWII as well as modern times. All of the stories are interrelated with and the house that they lived in ties the stories together.
Often times when you read a novel with several characters telling their part of the story, you enjoy the story of one over the others. I must admit that I liked reading about Ivy the most but the rest of the characters were also wonderful and I didn't hurry through any of the stories to get to a character that I liked more because I liked them all.
This was a fantastic debut novel and I look forward to this author's future books.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 14, 2017
If you have ever lived in an old home, this book will give you a new perspective of that house. It unfolds stories from five women who have lived in the home over the decades, artfully arranging the highs and lows in their lives.
I loved reading the history of different decades, taking us back to the turn of the 20th century, through the destitute years of WWII, and the psychedelic 1960's. The current owner of the home is struggling to get through a painful loss, and part of her therapy becomes delving into the homes past, and those who lived there. The slivers of those women's lives become important in her healing, knowing others in the very same home pushed past their pain and found reasons to carry on.
The stories are beautifully written... stories of strong women who don't give up in the face of tragedy.
A great read!
I loved reading the history of different decades, taking us back to the turn of the 20th century, through the destitute years of WWII, and the psychedelic 1960's. The current owner of the home is struggling to get through a painful loss, and part of her therapy becomes delving into the homes past, and those who lived there. The slivers of those women's lives become important in her healing, knowing others in the very same home pushed past their pain and found reasons to carry on.
The stories are beautifully written... stories of strong women who don't give up in the face of tragedy.
A great read!
July 3, 2016
What a beautiful book! Couldn't put it down. Loved the idea that this house has "seen" so many stories. I wish I knew such a history of my home. No matter what the decade that the author covered I felt like I could relate to their stories. It left me wanting to know more about their lives and what happened to them. My teenage daughter read it as well and loved it. I was relieved that there was no profanity in the novel. Just a delight!
January 13, 2024
I can't finish this. Aside from the fact that it's not really holding my attention, too much jumping back and forth, I can't abide a poorly edited book. This author thanked her "editor" at the beginning of the book. I don't know what on earth for, since said "editor" didn't manage to catch the author's spelling mistakes! I don't think there's any excuse for this sort of thing, and now it's all I can think of trying to read this, always on the lookout for the next error!
Dear author, if you see this, please note that it's "dawdle" not "doddle", and "pinon" is not "pinion". Unless you meant that there were gears growing in the mountains, or actually meant to use a noun when a verb was the appropriate choice judging by the context of the sentence? Lazy writing. Lazy editing.
Dear author, if you see this, please note that it's "dawdle" not "doddle", and "pinon" is not "pinion". Unless you meant that there were gears growing in the mountains, or actually meant to use a noun when a verb was the appropriate choice judging by the context of the sentence? Lazy writing. Lazy editing.
January 27, 2020
"I was a small part of a much larger story, connected through these women to something timeless and powerful." This sums up Ivy's story and her connection to four other amazing women all connected by the Craftsman style home on Downington Avenue in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Typically, in a story told by multiple narrators, I find myself invested in one timeline more than the others. But not in this case, I was invested in all five of the women's stories. I recommend this book for fans of women's fiction with historical elements.
Typically, in a story told by multiple narrators, I find myself invested in one timeline more than the others. But not in this case, I was invested in all five of the women's stories. I recommend this book for fans of women's fiction with historical elements.
October 1, 2020
Grief stricken from the sudden loss of husband Adam, Ivy tackles home improvement projects as a way to deal with the pain and discovers items left behind by the past inhabitants of her century old home. What will she find out about Emmeline (1913), Bitsy (1933), Eris (1944), and Lainey (1968)? Do the five women have more in common than just an address?
"Every house I remodel and every person who lived there had a story... it makes me feel less significant and somehow less... alone."
Told from five different points of view, I was intrigued by all five women and all five story lines. I found the portrayal of loss, grief, and mental illness (specifically manic depressive disorder) raw, real, and powerful and teared up several times. Each of the women dealt with love and loss in a different way, and discovering more about them helped Ivy on her own road to recovery. After all, "a rose without thorns is like love without heartbreak; it doesn't make sense." - Unknown
Lastly, this book crosses paths and characters with the author's second novel, Where the Sweet Bird Sings (3.5 stars).
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Book Club - January 2020, Own on Kindle
"Every house I remodel and every person who lived there had a story... it makes me feel less significant and somehow less... alone."
Told from five different points of view, I was intrigued by all five women and all five story lines. I found the portrayal of loss, grief, and mental illness (specifically manic depressive disorder) raw, real, and powerful and teared up several times. Each of the women dealt with love and loss in a different way, and discovering more about them helped Ivy on her own road to recovery. After all, "a rose without thorns is like love without heartbreak; it doesn't make sense." - Unknown
Lastly, this book crosses paths and characters with the author's second novel, Where the Sweet Bird Sings (3.5 stars).
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Book Club - January 2020, Own on Kindle
June 26, 2016
Root, Petal, Thorn is one of the most compelling novels I have read in a long time. The essence of the characters stayed with me for days after finishing it. The main characters are complex, authentic, and relatable. Their common bond, living in the same house at different times over a century, was exceptionally unique. These women were dramatically different from each other but their struggles and strengths served as a reminder to me of our connectedness and similarities to each other. I began wondering about the women and families that have lived in the home I now inhabit and what stories each of them would tell. This book was beautifully written and full of wisdom and humor. I would give it 10 stars if possible.
September 22, 2016
I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for allowing me to read and review this wonderful book. The story is about Ivy and her husband Adam. They buy a wonderful old home and raise their family there. Unexpectedly Adam is killed and Ivy has to learn to go on for herself and her children. She finishes all the home improvements her and Adam had started. She then starts to research all the other women and their families who lived in the house before her. It is told by the perspective of Ivy and the other women who shared the house over the years. It was a wonderful story of love and loss and learning how to move forward. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a sweet story you can not put down.
July 4, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The author so beautifully weaves the stories of six women with a historical backdrop that spans over one hundred years all with one thing in common - a house. I loved thinking about the concept of this common element in each of their very different lives. The author also does a great job developing the characters. Several of the characters' stories stayed with me for weeks and weeks after reading. I'm taking note of this author and will definitely read her next book!!
October 1, 2016
Enjoyed this story of the emotional journeys - and growth - of these remarkable women. Characters are vivid, plot had depth and the description of each woman's time in history grounds the story. Look forward to the next from this talented writer.
April 4, 2017
This book was written by a local author and takes place in my neighborhood (Sugar House). I heard about it in our little neighborhood journal and loved the premise - it takes you through the stories of all the women who have lived in a house since it was built in the early 20th century. I'm obsessed with old houses, and think often about the people who lived in them - I want to know their stories. With this being a local first-time author, though, I went into the book with high hopes and low expectations. I really ended up enjoying the book, and was happy to keep picking it back up. I found myself engaged in each woman's story, though, of course, there were some I liked better than others.
Two gripes. One, I didn't love the end of the main, or present-day story. I felt as though her story was the most realistic until the end, which felt rushed and less realistic.
Two, it was very obvious Olsen is not Mormon. That's not the gripe, the gripe is that she was writing about Mormon characters, and being a Utah author, is obviously going to have a partially-Mormon audience, and yet, there were some very simple things that killed the believability of these characters being Mormon for me. Some of them would have been really easy to clear up - why we call firesides firesides. The fact that there are four books of Nephi, so no one quotes "a passage from [just] Nephi." That said, this part of the story was super compelling for me, as a Mormon - a time in our history when polygamy had "ended" but was still being practiced - by those who didn't desert wives, those who left the main fold of the church, and those who were still being sealed by church leaders - sanctioned by God, or not? I loved the complexity of that, and had never fully considered what that would have been like for the individuals. So, here's what I'll say: Ella Joy Olsen, if you're trolling the GoodReads reviews for your book (because I totally would if I were an author) I volunteer to be your Mormon editor in the future. I would happily read any future books with Mormon characters to make sure they are speaking the language.
And if she doesn't take me up on that offer, I'll still pick up her next book.
Two gripes. One, I didn't love the end of the main, or present-day story. I felt as though her story was the most realistic until the end, which felt rushed and less realistic.
Two, it was very obvious Olsen is not Mormon. That's not the gripe, the gripe is that she was writing about Mormon characters, and being a Utah author, is obviously going to have a partially-Mormon audience, and yet, there were some very simple things that killed the believability of these characters being Mormon for me. Some of them would have been really easy to clear up - why we call firesides firesides. The fact that there are four books of Nephi, so no one quotes "a passage from [just] Nephi." That said, this part of the story was super compelling for me, as a Mormon - a time in our history when polygamy had "ended" but was still being practiced - by those who didn't desert wives, those who left the main fold of the church, and those who were still being sealed by church leaders - sanctioned by God, or not? I loved the complexity of that, and had never fully considered what that would have been like for the individuals. So, here's what I'll say: Ella Joy Olsen, if you're trolling the GoodReads reviews for your book (because I totally would if I were an author) I volunteer to be your Mormon editor in the future. I would happily read any future books with Mormon characters to make sure they are speaking the language.
And if she doesn't take me up on that offer, I'll still pick up her next book.
May 24, 2017
Right up front, this gets an extra star for being local and hitting me where I live. A woman lives in a bungalow on Downington Avenue in Salt Lake City and learns about the previous inhabitants of her house after tragedy strikes. It resonates with location, remodeling, and curiosity about the previous owner of your place that did something crazy to the house. Having lived in one of these bungalows for a time and recognizing the locales, I really enjoyed this book.
"Understand there is a little sad in every story."
"Understand there is a little sad in every story."
August 22, 2017
I love the idea that there's a little sad in every story...that "every rose has its thorn" (in the words of Poison). Ivy's husband, Adam, died in an accident. She is mourning his loss and her brother helps her create a list of steps to help her move through the grieving process. As part of one step, she begins to research the lives lived in her Sugarhouse home. Slowly, she begins to unravel the joys and the sorrows experienced by the women who lived there before her. I was impressed that Olsen was able to make me care about each of the individual women. It was fun to read a story set locally.
February 9, 2017
The characters in this incredible debut stole my heart and Ella Olsen’s beautiful writing kept me breathless. It was one of those rare books that I couldn’t wait to find out what happened but didn’t want to get to the end. A book that will stay with you long after you finish.
June 12, 2018
Not my favorite but it’s good and has some interesting themes. It was really fun to read about a neighborhood I am so familiar with.
May 27, 2022
3.5 stars
August 19, 2017
"Understand that there is a little sad in every story". I loved these characters. I loved Ivy's brother. Everyone needs a brother like him. I loved the history and the raw honesty of dealing with the sad in your story. Great book club pick..
January 5, 2017
This book had to overcome a few big obstacles to be enjoyable to me: 1) It's a debut novel by a bibliophile 2) It's a romance novel (very pathos heavy) set in Utah, with Mormons in it. Including Mormons and Mormon theology is a very tricky task and could go either way for me. Here are the reasons I ended up loving the book: 1) I like Utah, and I liked the descriptions of Sugar House. 2) Ultimately, the writing did not hinder the story. 3) Ivy's quest for deeper meaning does not lead her to change her morals or religious views (i.e., this story is not essentially about joining or leaving a church). Olsen keeps the themes firmly rooted in seeking to assuage grief by finding historical camaraderie. 4) It left me with some good unanswered questions about what is "right" and "wrong" in the name of love. Long story short, if you're looking for Anita Stansfield, you've come to the wrong place.
August 25, 2016
Find my full review at http://aliteraryvacation.blogspot.com.
I'm not ashamed to admit I was instantly drawn to Root, Petal, Thorn by the cover. It is just so beautiful, I couldn't help but want to learn more about it. Then reading the synopsis, and loving stories with multiple timelines as much as I do, I knew I needed to read this book. What could Ivy learn from her home and it's previous inhabitants that could possibly help her get over the grief of losing her husband? It turns out quite a lot, and not necessarily what I first assumed.
Ella Joy Olsen fairly gutted me from the very first page as the story begins with Ivy waking up and remembering that her husband is dead. She's been struggling through the healing process while she, and her two kids, continue to ache with their loss. This hit me pretty hard as I imagine I would react in much the same way, and it made me instantly connect with Ivy. Even with this connection, however, I have to say that Ivy wasn't my favorite character (she was great, just not my favorite). There are a number of incredible women sprinkled throughout the history of Ivy's house, and each of them brought a unique perspective to not only the overall story being told but to the time, place, and experiences they lived in.
The various women's stories are told in alternating chapters and my favorite storyline within Root, Petal, Thorn was that of Lainey Harper, a mother (who lived in Ivy's home in the late 60s until Ivy's family moved in) fighting to keep her sanity so she can keep custody of her daughter, while also trying to keep a part of the passion that defines her alive through her art. I found these chapters to be especially poignant as the author did an exceptional job at showing the internal and external struggles both Lainey and her daughter went through due to Lainey's mental illness. Anyone who's known someone who's struggled with mental illness or dealt with manic depression themselves will be able to appreciate this struggle as it unfolds and long for Lainey to be able to find a good stable balance.
Along with this storyline there are women who tackle a myriad of situations - following their heart vs. following what their church and family tell them to do, struggling with the emotions of sending a beloved son off to war, losing a mother at a young age and trying to learn to live without her - and I can't imagine anyone not finding something to relate to or empathize with between these different stories. Some are dealt with and explored more than others, but I think each had its place within the greater story arc and all came back around to the general theme running through them all: in each story of heartache there is a touch of hope, and in each happy story there is a thread of sadness. That is the way of the world and, once a person realizes this, they can survive anything.
Root, Petal, Thorn is a powerful novel, one made up of a patchwork of stories that, while they don't necessarily all fit together neatly, all have a common balance of emotions and epiphanies wrapped up together in one home throughout time. I think just about anyone can find something to enjoy within this story, but I'd especially recommend it to anyone who enjoys an intimate look into the lives of strong, determined women.
I'm not ashamed to admit I was instantly drawn to Root, Petal, Thorn by the cover. It is just so beautiful, I couldn't help but want to learn more about it. Then reading the synopsis, and loving stories with multiple timelines as much as I do, I knew I needed to read this book. What could Ivy learn from her home and it's previous inhabitants that could possibly help her get over the grief of losing her husband? It turns out quite a lot, and not necessarily what I first assumed.
Ella Joy Olsen fairly gutted me from the very first page as the story begins with Ivy waking up and remembering that her husband is dead. She's been struggling through the healing process while she, and her two kids, continue to ache with their loss. This hit me pretty hard as I imagine I would react in much the same way, and it made me instantly connect with Ivy. Even with this connection, however, I have to say that Ivy wasn't my favorite character (she was great, just not my favorite). There are a number of incredible women sprinkled throughout the history of Ivy's house, and each of them brought a unique perspective to not only the overall story being told but to the time, place, and experiences they lived in.
The various women's stories are told in alternating chapters and my favorite storyline within Root, Petal, Thorn was that of Lainey Harper, a mother (who lived in Ivy's home in the late 60s until Ivy's family moved in) fighting to keep her sanity so she can keep custody of her daughter, while also trying to keep a part of the passion that defines her alive through her art. I found these chapters to be especially poignant as the author did an exceptional job at showing the internal and external struggles both Lainey and her daughter went through due to Lainey's mental illness. Anyone who's known someone who's struggled with mental illness or dealt with manic depression themselves will be able to appreciate this struggle as it unfolds and long for Lainey to be able to find a good stable balance.
Along with this storyline there are women who tackle a myriad of situations - following their heart vs. following what their church and family tell them to do, struggling with the emotions of sending a beloved son off to war, losing a mother at a young age and trying to learn to live without her - and I can't imagine anyone not finding something to relate to or empathize with between these different stories. Some are dealt with and explored more than others, but I think each had its place within the greater story arc and all came back around to the general theme running through them all: in each story of heartache there is a touch of hope, and in each happy story there is a thread of sadness. That is the way of the world and, once a person realizes this, they can survive anything.
Root, Petal, Thorn is a powerful novel, one made up of a patchwork of stories that, while they don't necessarily all fit together neatly, all have a common balance of emotions and epiphanies wrapped up together in one home throughout time. I think just about anyone can find something to enjoy within this story, but I'd especially recommend it to anyone who enjoys an intimate look into the lives of strong, determined women.
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