Right from Wrong

by Cindy Bonner

Chapel Hill, NC:: Algonquin,, 1999.. Fine in a fine dustjacket.. First printing. Her fourth novel, set in Central Texas during World War I. Winner of the 1997 PEN Texas Award for the Novel.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Forbidden Love, Historical, Romance

472 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1999

About the author

I’m the author of 6 literary and historical novels. I’ve written (and had published) short stories, essays, and book reviews. I've taught writing workshops for several writers guilds and for Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. I'm the mother of two sons, the grandmother of one grandson, and the daughter of a World War II veteran who recently passed away at age 88. I have two cats, and am also an avid watcher of birds, the weather, and the political goings-on in Washington, D.C. And I'm a bottomless well of spotty information on history and the meaning of life.

Reviews

[Kathi Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my very favorite books of all time by one of my favorite authors. I cried my eyes out.

[Sandra Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

I love Cindy's books. Very entertaining, heartwarming and heartbreaking. This story is a page turner hard to put down. I highly recommend this book and all title's by Cindy

[Tammy Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went back and forth on my feelings for this one. It was kind of odd when I’d remember that they were first cousins and was a little predictable in places but I found myself pulling for them too. I was disappointed with the ending.

[Leticia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of forbidden love that defies everything.
Both the characters of Gil and Sunny are likable since the beginning of the story. You can't help but root for them and want them to overcome all the obstacles to their love until it reaches it's heartbreaking conclusion. To a degree the end seems unfair but realistic. And it's that tragedy that makes their story even more powerful. What's really wrong and right? That's what the story leaves you with.
Cindy Bonner does a great job in recreating 1900's Texas and World War I. I could feel the luscious landscapes of the farms and the devastating effects of the War, not only on the charters but on the countries it happened too. This is the first time I pick up one of the books from this author. I may look more into her work.
I did have a few problems with her style of writing though, like how she switches from third person view to first person view several times during the book. Most notably towards the end. It was confusing and hard to get in the swing of things at times. Wish she would have picked one POV and stuck with it. Another thing is the story stalls halfway, if it hadn't picked up again a couple of chapters later I don't know if I would have finished. At the same time, I needed to know what would happen to Sunny and Gil at the end. So yeah, glad I finished even if the end did make me tear up a bit and wish it was different.
Worth a read if you are a fan of: forbidden love, historical romances, good characters and good story telling.

[Bobbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book, abandoned it 3/4 of the way through when I realized the whole book was going to continue to be depressing and drag me down. I typically enjoy historical novels that have some hard times, but this had no positivity to it at all, and seemed ALL hard times and bad decisions. When I decided to stop reading it, I read the ending, and sure enough, it's not good. So glad I didn't waste any more time on it. I suspect the author is a very depressed person who has not had things go well in her life, at least that is what comes through in the writing. Not a thing redeeming, educational, or uplifting about this book.

[Margaret Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this novel! This was my quickest read in months... It took me about 20 pages to adjust to the author's writing of style, as her third person narrative seemed to include first person detail, which I found a bit annoying... Then at the end she makes the full switch to first person. I do think the novel would have been better had she written in first person from two perspectives all along, but the juicy content and not-overpowering detail made this a fun, yet emotional read with a clear message.

[Sapphiresky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad, tragic, a tale of 'forbidden' love set in the early 1900s through the twenties. One of those books that's hard to put down, but I thought it started out strong and lost some of it's power and credability after part 2, To Live in Thy Ways. One big gripe overall: The viewpoint changes to first person toward the end, and you feel like you're reading a completely different book. I didn't like that at all.

There were things I liked about it, things I didn't. Overall it was a worthwhile read.

[Janet Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in rural Texas in the 1910s and 1920s, Right from Wrong is a well-written moving story of ill-fated love. Sunny De Lony loves her first cousin, Gil Dailey, but their family can't accept their relationship. Gil goes to France to fight in WWI; Sunny marries twice. Damaged and scarred, they find each other again after the war and escape to France. There they are briefly able to live a normal but false life--until Gil dies at age 27 from lingering effects of lungs damaged by poison gas.

[Tawny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Cindy Bonner's books! This one. WOW! I literally thru the book across the room I was so angry with a characters actions! I cried several times! The main characters- you KNOW what they are doing is wrong, yet you truly feel for them. You feel sorry for the tragedy && the mix of emotions they are constantly swimming in! You almost question if its really that wrong. Its an amazing historical romance! A bit of Adventure!

[Nicole Ambarchian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to seek out this writer to read more of her work. I did not think I was going to like this book, but almost from page one I could not put it down. It's about rural life, which I do not care for however- there are no dull moments in this saga.

[Danell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's wonderful because it's unexpected. I loved it.

[Shelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book...you don't expect it and while you get why people feel it's wrong part of you just roots for this couple...that kind of love just rarely happens...

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story so much that I re-read it again. I'm sure the situation and the characters may be off-putting to a lot of readers but it didn't bother me.

[Supriya · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend's mom wrote this historical mystery and I was just swept away--what a beautiful book.

[Odessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

i cried so much but just could not put it down.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful book!