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From These Roots
A warm, but unsparing look at the events that occur in many of our lifetimes. Florence tells the tales of her own life and that of one of her daughters. They were both good women, but while Florence accepted betrayal and heartbreak in a docile manner as was proper at the turn of the twentieth century, Emma was more inclined to fight back or to get even. Their strength and endurance, along with that of other mothers has been left as a legacy to the women of today. "Great story about the joys and sorrows all families face during a lifetime."
252 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2014
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 1, 2014
Book Description
A warm, but unsparing look at the events that occur in many of our lifetimes. Florence tells the tales of her own life and that of one of her daughters. They were both good women, but while Florence accepted betrayal and heartbreak in a docile manner as was proper at the turn of the twentieth century, Emma was more inclined to fight back or to get even. Their strength and endurance, along with that of other mothers has been left as a legacy to the women of today. “Great story about the joys and sorrows all families face during a lifetime.”
My Thoughts
Audrie’s books are so unique. Every. Single. One. Of. Them. She tells us that some are purely fiction, some are memoirs and others are a combination. She’s got stories in her, this feisty-tell-it-how-it-is-80-year-old, who puts just enough fictional material in a factual setting that you have to read it.
Her story about her mother and grandmother was researched through family and her own memory. It is her mother’s story, but it’s hers and well as her brother and sisters. The absolutely clever way she begins the book keeps you reading, after all, doesn’t everyone want to find out what the dead have to say?
Quote from book: "I’ve been dead a good long while now. I didn’t mean to scare you by saying that, but I didn’t want you to think that I was alive and that you could communicate with me.
I died in 1939, which was a considerable time ago, but you know how folks say that as long as there is anyone who remembers you, you’re really not gone? Well, it’s true. There are only two granddaughters left who have the vaguest memory of me, and those two girls are getting old, so I won’t be around much longer, I guess. I’ll just be fading into that blur of ancestors that we all have, and I don’t know if there are individual spirits among them. Guess I’ll be finding out pretty soon."
I liked the book for the story itself, the relationships been daughter and mothers. I was touched by the purely unselfish acts that women did for each other. It also described life as it used to be. I am not as old as Audrie, but I know life was simpler in the 1950’s. But in the early 1900’s when Florence, lived, there was very little of what we’ve come to expect today. Yep, outhouses were the norm in lots of the United States since much of it was rural. People did their own canning of summer harvests to tie them over through the hard months of winter. Poverty during the depression years was the new norm. Cars were a rarity. Doctors may know what you have, but have nothing to make it go away. And if they know what something is, there were no pills to pop, just herbs and natural ways to get over something. Addy, one of Emma’s children, had the Cuban itch. What is the Cuban itch you ask? The doctor had such a novel way to get rid of it! Hey, you gotta’ read the book, I can’t tell! People had to rely on themselves whenever they could, but also found help was available from the graciousness of others who had a little more than they did. Life was simple, yet difficult.
Women have always had to be strong. They were survivors. They still are. Our environment and challenges have changed, but the struggle continues. I'd like to think that our genes have been conditioned by our ancestors dealing with adversity. Women have always been thus challenged. We shall overcome and be stronger for it.
So often I read a book with numerous typos. Audrie never seems to have any. She says in her book acknowledgements that her friends in her writer’s group proofread for her. I’d like to give them a hand! They do marvelous work which tells me they believe in Audrie and probably love her to pieces. Each and every one of them must be sharp with very good eyes! Thank you for making the read even more pleasant, ladies and gentlemen.
Audrie writes from her heart in a very entertaining way. I really have enjoyed all her books to date. I hope that you’ll choose to read one.
A warm, but unsparing look at the events that occur in many of our lifetimes. Florence tells the tales of her own life and that of one of her daughters. They were both good women, but while Florence accepted betrayal and heartbreak in a docile manner as was proper at the turn of the twentieth century, Emma was more inclined to fight back or to get even. Their strength and endurance, along with that of other mothers has been left as a legacy to the women of today. “Great story about the joys and sorrows all families face during a lifetime.”
My Thoughts
Audrie’s books are so unique. Every. Single. One. Of. Them. She tells us that some are purely fiction, some are memoirs and others are a combination. She’s got stories in her, this feisty-tell-it-how-it-is-80-year-old, who puts just enough fictional material in a factual setting that you have to read it.
Her story about her mother and grandmother was researched through family and her own memory. It is her mother’s story, but it’s hers and well as her brother and sisters. The absolutely clever way she begins the book keeps you reading, after all, doesn’t everyone want to find out what the dead have to say?
Quote from book: "I’ve been dead a good long while now. I didn’t mean to scare you by saying that, but I didn’t want you to think that I was alive and that you could communicate with me.
I died in 1939, which was a considerable time ago, but you know how folks say that as long as there is anyone who remembers you, you’re really not gone? Well, it’s true. There are only two granddaughters left who have the vaguest memory of me, and those two girls are getting old, so I won’t be around much longer, I guess. I’ll just be fading into that blur of ancestors that we all have, and I don’t know if there are individual spirits among them. Guess I’ll be finding out pretty soon."
I liked the book for the story itself, the relationships been daughter and mothers. I was touched by the purely unselfish acts that women did for each other. It also described life as it used to be. I am not as old as Audrie, but I know life was simpler in the 1950’s. But in the early 1900’s when Florence, lived, there was very little of what we’ve come to expect today. Yep, outhouses were the norm in lots of the United States since much of it was rural. People did their own canning of summer harvests to tie them over through the hard months of winter. Poverty during the depression years was the new norm. Cars were a rarity. Doctors may know what you have, but have nothing to make it go away. And if they know what something is, there were no pills to pop, just herbs and natural ways to get over something. Addy, one of Emma’s children, had the Cuban itch. What is the Cuban itch you ask? The doctor had such a novel way to get rid of it! Hey, you gotta’ read the book, I can’t tell! People had to rely on themselves whenever they could, but also found help was available from the graciousness of others who had a little more than they did. Life was simple, yet difficult.
Women have always had to be strong. They were survivors. They still are. Our environment and challenges have changed, but the struggle continues. I'd like to think that our genes have been conditioned by our ancestors dealing with adversity. Women have always been thus challenged. We shall overcome and be stronger for it.
So often I read a book with numerous typos. Audrie never seems to have any. She says in her book acknowledgements that her friends in her writer’s group proofread for her. I’d like to give them a hand! They do marvelous work which tells me they believe in Audrie and probably love her to pieces. Each and every one of them must be sharp with very good eyes! Thank you for making the read even more pleasant, ladies and gentlemen.
Audrie writes from her heart in a very entertaining way. I really have enjoyed all her books to date. I hope that you’ll choose to read one.
May 5, 2014
Such a simple story told in a simple way. Told by a mother and daughter after they are dead about the trials and tribulations these strong and amazing women went through. It may be a simple story but it will be one that stays with you long after you are through and will make you want to read it again and again. I received this from LibraryThing Members Giveaway for an honest review. This is a must read.
May 12, 2014
wow! what a story. when I first won this book on library things I was so excited. tge author signed the book and mailed it to me. I started reading the book and was instantly drawn in. the story is told so well. its like a real ghost telling it. there are quite a few parts that I had to stop for a few minutes because I was about to cry. im so happy I got to read this book. I wish I could give it more stars!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews