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All the Forgivenesses
Set in Appalachia and the Midwest at the turn of the twentieth century and inspired by the author's family lore, this exquisite novel paints an intimately rendered portrait of one resilient farm family's challenges and hard-won triumphs--helmed by an unforgettable heroine.
Growing up on their hardscrabble farm in rural Kentucky, fifteen-year-old Albertina Bertie Winslow has learned a lot from her mama, Polly. She knows how to lance a boil, make a pie crust, butcher a pig, and tend to every chore that needs doing. What she doesn't know, but is forced to reckon with all too soon, is how to look after children as a mother should...
When Polly succumbs to a long illness, Bertie takes on responsibility for her four younger siblings and their dissolute, unreliable daddy. Yet no matter how hard she tries to hold the family together; the task is overwhelming. Nine-year-old Dacia, especially, is resentful and stubborn, hinting at secrets in their mama's life. Finally, Bertie makes the only choice she can--breaking up the family for its own survival, keeping the girls with her, sending the boys off to their grown brothers, long gone from home.
Ever pragmatic, Bertie marries young, grateful to find a husband willing to take on the care of her sisters, and eventually moves to the oil fields of Kansas. But marriage alone cannot resolve the grief and guilt she carries over a long-ago tragedy, or prepare her for the heartaches still to come. Only by confronting wrenching truths can she open herself to joy--and learn how to not only give, but receive, unfettered love. Inspired by stories told by the author's mother and aunts, All the Forgivenesses is as authentic as it is lyrical--a captivating novel of family loyalty, redemption, and resilience.
Growing up on their hardscrabble farm in rural Kentucky, fifteen-year-old Albertina Bertie Winslow has learned a lot from her mama, Polly. She knows how to lance a boil, make a pie crust, butcher a pig, and tend to every chore that needs doing. What she doesn't know, but is forced to reckon with all too soon, is how to look after children as a mother should...
When Polly succumbs to a long illness, Bertie takes on responsibility for her four younger siblings and their dissolute, unreliable daddy. Yet no matter how hard she tries to hold the family together; the task is overwhelming. Nine-year-old Dacia, especially, is resentful and stubborn, hinting at secrets in their mama's life. Finally, Bertie makes the only choice she can--breaking up the family for its own survival, keeping the girls with her, sending the boys off to their grown brothers, long gone from home.
Ever pragmatic, Bertie marries young, grateful to find a husband willing to take on the care of her sisters, and eventually moves to the oil fields of Kansas. But marriage alone cannot resolve the grief and guilt she carries over a long-ago tragedy, or prepare her for the heartaches still to come. Only by confronting wrenching truths can she open herself to joy--and learn how to not only give, but receive, unfettered love. Inspired by stories told by the author's mother and aunts, All the Forgivenesses is as authentic as it is lyrical--a captivating novel of family loyalty, redemption, and resilience.
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2019
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27372 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Hardinger
2 books326 followersElizabeth Hardinger grew up near Hutchinson, Kansas. She now lives in Oregon with her husband, one cat, and an occasional grandchild. All the Forgivenesses is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,247 reviews
February 26, 2020
From the front of the book: "As we know, forgiveness of oneself is the hardest of all the forgivenesses." - Joan Baez
Bertie, the heroine of our tale, was the eldest girl born in a family of nine in rural Kentucky in the early 19th century. Because of her gender, her mother taught Bertie everything about keeping house and how to care for children, which Bertie ended up doing all the time to the detriment of everything else, including her education.
"We was living in the Appalachian hills in southeast Kentucky, but I didn't know that then. It was just the place where we lived at. For all I knowed, it was the whole world." pg 5
An early childhood tragedy cements in Bertie's mind that she is unworthy of the trust and scant love her mother gives to her. She carries that burden in her subconscious mind throughout the tragedies that follow and it shapes everything in her life.
Elizabeth Hardinger has penned a beautiful historical fiction novel about family, secrets, struggles and the life-saving power of forgiveness, not just for yourself but for everyone around you. The characters in this book are complex and so flawed that sometimes I wanted to reach into the pages and hug them until they came to their senses.
That's how you recognize an extraordinary author, they make you care.
"If you was a bawl-baby, you got shamed, you got teased, or people just ignored you like you'd embarrassed yourself, which I reckon bothered me the most of all. ... So you learned to hide your feelings or wait till you was out behind the barn and nobody could hear you." pg 8
The culture examined in All the Forgivenesses is rural, impoverished and male-dominated, mainly because of the time period. The reader is able to juxtapose Bertie's tragic situation with her best friend Alta Bea, the daughter of a wealthy banker.
"For sure I hadn't never met nobody like Alta Bea. I never knowed nobody that had that look in their eyes like she could see into you. It made a person tired and jangled, like somebody was shining an oil lamp in your eyes, but it also give you a feeling of glittering, fluttery things you couldn't hardly not look at." pg 52
The girls' friendship is strained at times and built upon a foundation of mutual loneliness, though Bertie has little to no time in her day-to-day routine to just be a person. It's fascinating to watch the two characters develop from children to adults and the character traits they drag along with them as well as the ones they leave behind.
The vernacular of All the Forgivenesses was distracting for a page or two, but it started to flow for me after that. I appreciated Hardinger's skill in making Bertie's rough-edges part of the story. She's such a relatable character. You know she wants to live her own life, but with her family's situation, she just can't. And yet, for the most part, she loves them anyway.
"Read it, Bertie, you'll like it," she said. Hearing somebody use my name - and not to curse me out or ask me for something - I confess that made me glow a little bit." pg 67
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction or as a book club pick. My book club chose this and we had plenty to talk about - from gender roles to romance to families. Not everyone liked it as much as I did, but I absolutely loved the characters, Bertie being the top of my list.
And I do agree with the opening quotation of this book, "to forgive yourself can be the hardest of all the forgivenesses." Funny that we, like Bertie, find it easier to extend that to others than to ourselves. I wonder what that ultimately says about us.
Bertie, the heroine of our tale, was the eldest girl born in a family of nine in rural Kentucky in the early 19th century. Because of her gender, her mother taught Bertie everything about keeping house and how to care for children, which Bertie ended up doing all the time to the detriment of everything else, including her education.
"We was living in the Appalachian hills in southeast Kentucky, but I didn't know that then. It was just the place where we lived at. For all I knowed, it was the whole world." pg 5
An early childhood tragedy cements in Bertie's mind that she is unworthy of the trust and scant love her mother gives to her. She carries that burden in her subconscious mind throughout the tragedies that follow and it shapes everything in her life.
Elizabeth Hardinger has penned a beautiful historical fiction novel about family, secrets, struggles and the life-saving power of forgiveness, not just for yourself but for everyone around you. The characters in this book are complex and so flawed that sometimes I wanted to reach into the pages and hug them until they came to their senses.
That's how you recognize an extraordinary author, they make you care.
"If you was a bawl-baby, you got shamed, you got teased, or people just ignored you like you'd embarrassed yourself, which I reckon bothered me the most of all. ... So you learned to hide your feelings or wait till you was out behind the barn and nobody could hear you." pg 8
The culture examined in All the Forgivenesses is rural, impoverished and male-dominated, mainly because of the time period. The reader is able to juxtapose Bertie's tragic situation with her best friend Alta Bea, the daughter of a wealthy banker.
"For sure I hadn't never met nobody like Alta Bea. I never knowed nobody that had that look in their eyes like she could see into you. It made a person tired and jangled, like somebody was shining an oil lamp in your eyes, but it also give you a feeling of glittering, fluttery things you couldn't hardly not look at." pg 52
The girls' friendship is strained at times and built upon a foundation of mutual loneliness, though Bertie has little to no time in her day-to-day routine to just be a person. It's fascinating to watch the two characters develop from children to adults and the character traits they drag along with them as well as the ones they leave behind.
The vernacular of All the Forgivenesses was distracting for a page or two, but it started to flow for me after that. I appreciated Hardinger's skill in making Bertie's rough-edges part of the story. She's such a relatable character. You know she wants to live her own life, but with her family's situation, she just can't. And yet, for the most part, she loves them anyway.
"Read it, Bertie, you'll like it," she said. Hearing somebody use my name - and not to curse me out or ask me for something - I confess that made me glow a little bit." pg 67
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction or as a book club pick. My book club chose this and we had plenty to talk about - from gender roles to romance to families. Not everyone liked it as much as I did, but I absolutely loved the characters, Bertie being the top of my list.
And I do agree with the opening quotation of this book, "to forgive yourself can be the hardest of all the forgivenesses." Funny that we, like Bertie, find it easier to extend that to others than to ourselves. I wonder what that ultimately says about us.
October 18, 2020
Plot summary: the trials and tribulations of a young girl named Bertie, born and raised in Kentucky, who moves to Missouri and eventually to Kansas as a young, married woman at the turn of the 20th century.
At first, the beginning hooked me as I felt sympathy for Bertie and all the hardships this young child faced; however, as she grew into a young woman, I found her character to be quite annoying with her constant whining self-pity.
I had some issues with the writing style:
(1) some story-lines seemed pointless and/or were left dangling, where I would think, "Oooh, this could get interesting!", but then ... nothing would come of it;
(2) I understand authors are encouraged to use the word "said" as readers tend to ignore it, but in an audiobook, when it is used in almost every second line of dialogue, it is EXTREMELY distracting! I was ready to scream after hearing all the "I said", "Sarah said", "Sam said", "he said", "she said", and on and on and on! Occasional synonyms for "said" would have been appreciated; and,
(3) sometimes the plot would just drag with the needless dialogues, descriptions or situations.
Overall, I thought this was an okay read, especially during Bertie's years as a youngster, as well as some interesting characters (Dacia, Alta Bea, Sam and Trouble), but I wasn't too impressed with the rest of the story. Just my opinion!
At first, the beginning hooked me as I felt sympathy for Bertie and all the hardships this young child faced; however, as she grew into a young woman, I found her character to be quite annoying with her constant whining self-pity.
I had some issues with the writing style:
(1) some story-lines seemed pointless and/or were left dangling, where I would think, "Oooh, this could get interesting!", but then ... nothing would come of it;
(2) I understand authors are encouraged to use the word "said" as readers tend to ignore it, but in an audiobook, when it is used in almost every second line of dialogue, it is EXTREMELY distracting! I was ready to scream after hearing all the "I said", "Sarah said", "Sam said", "he said", "she said", and on and on and on! Occasional synonyms for "said" would have been appreciated; and,
(3) sometimes the plot would just drag with the needless dialogues, descriptions or situations.
Overall, I thought this was an okay read, especially during Bertie's years as a youngster, as well as some interesting characters (Dacia, Alta Bea, Sam and Trouble), but I wasn't too impressed with the rest of the story. Just my opinion!
August 24, 2019
Oh, I loved this! And I’m so sad it ended. Bertie! I would very happily read a full Little House in the Prairie-length series about Bertie and her life.
Bertie is so hard on herself and has a hardscrabble farming life in the early twentieth century Midwest, and she broke my heart constantly by feeling like she didn’t deserve happiness and by never realizing the valuable sacrifices she made for her family.
Hardinger offers up so many crisp and varied details of the time, she captures Bertie’s speech patterns so fully, and, most importantly, she transports the reader into the gruff but hopeful mindset of a young woman forced to grow up too quickly and who must for years push away any hopes for something easier or full of joy. And all of this is set against the backdrop of her endless daily and bone-wearying tasks of plucking chickens, caring for siblings, carting water, and all the rest. When the promise of a better life started to glimmer at the edges of her vision, I almost cheered.
I was given a copy of this book by Kensington Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Bertie is so hard on herself and has a hardscrabble farming life in the early twentieth century Midwest, and she broke my heart constantly by feeling like she didn’t deserve happiness and by never realizing the valuable sacrifices she made for her family.
Hardinger offers up so many crisp and varied details of the time, she captures Bertie’s speech patterns so fully, and, most importantly, she transports the reader into the gruff but hopeful mindset of a young woman forced to grow up too quickly and who must for years push away any hopes for something easier or full of joy. And all of this is set against the backdrop of her endless daily and bone-wearying tasks of plucking chickens, caring for siblings, carting water, and all the rest. When the promise of a better life started to glimmer at the edges of her vision, I almost cheered.
I was given a copy of this book by Kensington Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2022
I think what I enjoyed most about this book was the "voice" it was written in. Words and dialect that evoked dirt floor cabins, skinned pigs hanging from trees, and barefoot children doing chores from the time they can walk. It transported me in time and space, a nice respite from a difficult real world.
"Birtie" was a likeable character, challenged with a multitude of life events that left a mark on her--alcoholic father, family deaths, conflict with a sister, and difficulty having children of her own. Forced to grow up before she should have, she struggles with how to handle all the pressures created when circumstances force difficult choices. Some choices work out well while others leave big holes in her life.
This is a story told through Birtie's eyes, and as such, there are intersections with other characters that don't always become fully realized. People circle through at certain times, and it's not always clear why that story is being interwoven. But...that can mimic life...we intersect, we come and go, we may cycle back (or not) and it's one of life's challenges to accept all those venn lines in our diagram, making what we can of them.
I found myself wanting a sequel, as towards the end there were people who piqued my interest and that I wanted to know more about, to understand more deeply. But...I still found it a read that kept my interest and investment in what would happen to this curious assortment of human beings. I think listening on audio might enhance this one, due to my pleasure at imagining how that dialect might sound.
"Birtie" was a likeable character, challenged with a multitude of life events that left a mark on her--alcoholic father, family deaths, conflict with a sister, and difficulty having children of her own. Forced to grow up before she should have, she struggles with how to handle all the pressures created when circumstances force difficult choices. Some choices work out well while others leave big holes in her life.
This is a story told through Birtie's eyes, and as such, there are intersections with other characters that don't always become fully realized. People circle through at certain times, and it's not always clear why that story is being interwoven. But...that can mimic life...we intersect, we come and go, we may cycle back (or not) and it's one of life's challenges to accept all those venn lines in our diagram, making what we can of them.
I found myself wanting a sequel, as towards the end there were people who piqued my interest and that I wanted to know more about, to understand more deeply. But...I still found it a read that kept my interest and investment in what would happen to this curious assortment of human beings. I think listening on audio might enhance this one, due to my pleasure at imagining how that dialect might sound.
December 14, 2019
Set in the early 1900s. Bertie Winslow is a big help to her mother, attending to chores and watching her younger siblings. Her mother, battling an illness, comes to rely more and more on Bertie, while spoiling Bertie's younger sister Dacia. When her mother dies, at fifteen, Bertie is now responsible for her four younger siblings. Dacia is angry and difficult, often frustrating Bertie. When it comes to Dacia, Bertie seems to have forgotten her mother's words "..it was the ones that was hardest to love that needed it the most." Bertie's father is a drunk and cannot be counted on to care for the family. Bertie knew "I didn't have no time to set around and grieve for Mama. There was chores to do ever minute and meals to get. You do what's in front of you, hour by hour, and you hope to fall asleep at night before you think too much about where you're headed." She does the best she can, but it proves to be too much and she must make some drastic decisions for the wellfare of the family.
Bertie does find love in her life, but carries the burdens of her past with her. She struggles still with the death of her mother and her contentious relationship with Dacia. When life felt like too much she vowed "As time went by I felt my black misery calling to me, only this time I pushed it away. I seen clear, as clear as anything I ever seen, that this time it would kill me if I let it. I felt like I couldn't dip a toe in it, I had to harden myself against it, and day by day I stared straight ahead and swallowed back my feelings and got stronger. I found out, I could wake up ever day and do what had to be done, and I let it be enough." Can Bertie ever find peace and forgiveness for the guilt she carries?
A wonderful coming-of-age story based upon stories her Mother and Aunts told her of life in the early twentieth century.
4.5 stars.
Bertie does find love in her life, but carries the burdens of her past with her. She struggles still with the death of her mother and her contentious relationship with Dacia. When life felt like too much she vowed "As time went by I felt my black misery calling to me, only this time I pushed it away. I seen clear, as clear as anything I ever seen, that this time it would kill me if I let it. I felt like I couldn't dip a toe in it, I had to harden myself against it, and day by day I stared straight ahead and swallowed back my feelings and got stronger. I found out, I could wake up ever day and do what had to be done, and I let it be enough." Can Bertie ever find peace and forgiveness for the guilt she carries?
A wonderful coming-of-age story based upon stories her Mother and Aunts told her of life in the early twentieth century.
4.5 stars.
April 14, 2024
Book Club 4/13/24, and we all liked this one quite a bit.
This is written from the perspective of Bertie. Kentucky-born into a poor family, from an early age she hides the truth from others about a particular tragedy she endured. As she ages and they move to Missouri and later Kansas, she continues to blame herself for and hide from others many more tragedies along the way. She matures into a caring, if not hardened, young woman, and is blessed with the best husband one could imagine. He helps her to see how her actions are harmful, to herself and others as well. You must forgive yourself before others will forgive you.
In Bertie's own perspective, we readers are subject to her myriad of grammatical errors, which was jarring to me initially. In my mind I just simply had to correct every single one of them, which of course took me outside of the story every few seconds or so. Maybe because I listened to this on audio, and the narrator had the accents down so perfectly, it couldn't be ignored. Finally in the later chapters, the story got so good I was able to mostly ignore the grammar. But I think that's why I give it 4 stars rather than 5.
This is written from the perspective of Bertie. Kentucky-born into a poor family, from an early age she hides the truth from others about a particular tragedy she endured. As she ages and they move to Missouri and later Kansas, she continues to blame herself for and hide from others many more tragedies along the way. She matures into a caring, if not hardened, young woman, and is blessed with the best husband one could imagine. He helps her to see how her actions are harmful, to herself and others as well. You must forgive yourself before others will forgive you.
In Bertie's own perspective, we readers are subject to her myriad of grammatical errors, which was jarring to me initially. In my mind I just simply had to correct every single one of them, which of course took me outside of the story every few seconds or so. Maybe because I listened to this on audio, and the narrator had the accents down so perfectly, it couldn't be ignored. Finally in the later chapters, the story got so good I was able to mostly ignore the grammar. But I think that's why I give it 4 stars rather than 5.
November 16, 2019
I'm sad that I am done reading this wonderful book. I could read a whole series on the life and family of Bertie. It would make such a good movie too.
Bertie is a young girl with big responsibilities placed on her. Her Mama is unstable, and her Daddy an alcoholic. She takes on the raising of her siblings and carries the burden of a terrible loss. She meets and marries Sam at a very young age. I admired Sam so much and was so glad he took care of her and truly loved her and her siblings. It's a story told in the rich, thick accent of the Kentucky hills, a story of giving grace and learning to forgive yourself. I could hardly believe it a debut for this author. I hope she writes another book soon.
Get a copy of this, you'll be so glad you did!
Bertie is a young girl with big responsibilities placed on her. Her Mama is unstable, and her Daddy an alcoholic. She takes on the raising of her siblings and carries the burden of a terrible loss. She meets and marries Sam at a very young age. I admired Sam so much and was so glad he took care of her and truly loved her and her siblings. It's a story told in the rich, thick accent of the Kentucky hills, a story of giving grace and learning to forgive yourself. I could hardly believe it a debut for this author. I hope she writes another book soon.
Get a copy of this, you'll be so glad you did!
February 25, 2024
All the Forgivenesses by Elizabeth Hardinger is a wonder novel starting out with life in the Appalachian Mountains. A poor family victimized by alcohol , gambling , and too many pregnancies falls apart. The oldest daughter takes 2 of her siblings and travels to Missouri and then Kansas. Their adventures and hardships teaches many lessons in the fast paced entertaining tale that starts in the early 1900s.
May 6, 2023
At first I was really drawn into this book, but about half way through I just couldn’t understand why the author kept making the same point. Promising start but a disappointment in the end.
February 18, 2024
Genre: Historical Fiction/Appalachia
Pub. Date: August 27, 2019
Publisher: Kensington
“All the Forgiveness” is a wrenching read but worth the effort. It begins in dirt-poor Kentucky in 1906 and concludes with the oil boom in Kansas a few years before the crash of 1929. Bertie (short for Albertina) Winslow must grow up quickly. Her father is an alcoholic and away often; her older brothers live in the barn, and her mother is just plain worn out after multiple births. When Bertie is 15, her mother dies, leaving her in charge of her four younger siblings. She has to fill so many roles that she is too young to handle. This story is about her growing up, coming of age, and just trying to survive this cruel and often unfair world. “Forgivenesses” is an emotional tale of deep hardship told in Bertie’s distinct Appalachian voice. The author did a great job of making you feel like you were there in the pages, experiencing all that Bertie goes through. Your heart will ache for Bertie and smile when she finds some happiness through forgiveness for others as well as herself.
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Pub. Date: August 27, 2019
Publisher: Kensington
“All the Forgiveness” is a wrenching read but worth the effort. It begins in dirt-poor Kentucky in 1906 and concludes with the oil boom in Kansas a few years before the crash of 1929. Bertie (short for Albertina) Winslow must grow up quickly. Her father is an alcoholic and away often; her older brothers live in the barn, and her mother is just plain worn out after multiple births. When Bertie is 15, her mother dies, leaving her in charge of her four younger siblings. She has to fill so many roles that she is too young to handle. This story is about her growing up, coming of age, and just trying to survive this cruel and often unfair world. “Forgivenesses” is an emotional tale of deep hardship told in Bertie’s distinct Appalachian voice. The author did a great job of making you feel like you were there in the pages, experiencing all that Bertie goes through. Your heart will ache for Bertie and smile when she finds some happiness through forgiveness for others as well as herself.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list…
https://books6259.wordpress.com/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/review…
https://www.facebook.com/martie.neesr…
https://twitter.com/NeesRecord\
https://www.amazon.com/
May 17, 2021
Life in the early 1900’s for rural midwesterners was tough. There were no social service safety nets, education was limited and families dealt with mental health and developmental disabilities with little or no help. In this novel the author explores depression, alcoholism, and autism during a historical period and in a part of the county where very little was known about these mental health issues. She did so with sensitivity and using a totally engaging dialect. Very much enjoyed this novel.
September 25, 2019
3 Stars I though this book had loads of potential, but lacked follow-through on so many sub plots. It felt long winded, with a sudden and abrupt conclusion.
December 27, 2019
Bertie is growing up quickly on her parents’ small farm in rural Kentucky, and when her mama passes away when Bertie is fifteen, she’s left with the responsibility of looking after her younger siblings and dealing with a daddy who is drunk more often than not. She desperately tries to hold the family together but eventually faces the reality that the only way to survive is to find herself a husband who will take on two of her siblings, and send her younger two brothers to live with an older sibling. While she manages to find a safe home for herself and her two sisters, life is far from easy as she travels from Kentucky to the oil fields of Kansas. No matter where she goes, grief and guilt follow her.
There are many good aspects to this debut novel. The characters are strong, with some you love (Sam) and some you love to hate (Dacia). Whether you like ‘em or not, there’s no denying they’ve got their own personalities. The writing is very descriptive and you feel like you’re right there in the poor Appalachian and Midwest communities of the early 20th century. And the story itself is compelling and, with the exception of a couple of slower spots, moves along fast enough for this genre.
I’m finding it hard to write this review because even though there are so many positives about this book, I don’t know if I’d recommend it to many people. It’s a great story but.... oh my, it’s bleak. The hardships and sadness that poor Bertie must endure throughout her young life is absolutely heartbreaking. It’s on the edge of being too much to bear. Perhaps that’s a good thing, because unfortunately Bertie’s story is one that happened countless times in real life and it gives us the opportunity to learn from the past. However, that doesn’t make it easy to read at times. There just aren’t many (any?) bright spots in there to buoy you through the bad times. And I say this as a fan of this particular genre of historical fiction. I usually gobble these up like candy, but this one was just very sad.
Having said that, if you’re a fan of Donna Everhart or a novel such as “If the Creek Don’t Rise” (with poor rural Appalachian communities as the backdrop), then go for it. You’ll appreciate the fine writing and the description of Bertie’s life and how hard life was for many women and families back then. But if you’re looking for puppies and rainbows, look elsewhere!
There are many good aspects to this debut novel. The characters are strong, with some you love (Sam) and some you love to hate (Dacia). Whether you like ‘em or not, there’s no denying they’ve got their own personalities. The writing is very descriptive and you feel like you’re right there in the poor Appalachian and Midwest communities of the early 20th century. And the story itself is compelling and, with the exception of a couple of slower spots, moves along fast enough for this genre.
I’m finding it hard to write this review because even though there are so many positives about this book, I don’t know if I’d recommend it to many people. It’s a great story but.... oh my, it’s bleak. The hardships and sadness that poor Bertie must endure throughout her young life is absolutely heartbreaking. It’s on the edge of being too much to bear. Perhaps that’s a good thing, because unfortunately Bertie’s story is one that happened countless times in real life and it gives us the opportunity to learn from the past. However, that doesn’t make it easy to read at times. There just aren’t many (any?) bright spots in there to buoy you through the bad times. And I say this as a fan of this particular genre of historical fiction. I usually gobble these up like candy, but this one was just very sad.
Having said that, if you’re a fan of Donna Everhart or a novel such as “If the Creek Don’t Rise” (with poor rural Appalachian communities as the backdrop), then go for it. You’ll appreciate the fine writing and the description of Bertie’s life and how hard life was for many women and families back then. But if you’re looking for puppies and rainbows, look elsewhere!
October 2, 2019
Loved, loved, loved this book granted to me by Netgalley, Kensington Books and the author in exchange for an honest review.
Told in the thick Kentucky accent of the early 1900's, this story is stunning. How the author managed to write an entire manuscript in this dialect is impressive to say the least.
The story is told in the voice of Bertie who we follow from a very young age into her married adult life. Life then was a daily challenge for adults as well as for the young. So much was expected of the children, and the adults, babies never seemed to stop coming.
Bertie is given many responsibilities at a young age, by 9 she is killing chickens to put dinner on the table, responsible for the care of her siblings, hauling water, doing laundry and many other daunting chores. Education, school and playing were not in the plan.
What was most fascinating to me was the way Bertie owned her responsibility and family obligations. She owned them when they weren't even hers to own. The family dynamics and individual personalities made the story feel completely real. Harboring anger, resentment, and jealously among siblings was a daily occurrence.
As family secrets unfold and Bertie is reeling from life's losses, events happen and she finally begins to understand and accept the love and gifts shes been afforded.
Told in the thick Kentucky accent of the early 1900's, this story is stunning. How the author managed to write an entire manuscript in this dialect is impressive to say the least.
The story is told in the voice of Bertie who we follow from a very young age into her married adult life. Life then was a daily challenge for adults as well as for the young. So much was expected of the children, and the adults, babies never seemed to stop coming.
Bertie is given many responsibilities at a young age, by 9 she is killing chickens to put dinner on the table, responsible for the care of her siblings, hauling water, doing laundry and many other daunting chores. Education, school and playing were not in the plan.
What was most fascinating to me was the way Bertie owned her responsibility and family obligations. She owned them when they weren't even hers to own. The family dynamics and individual personalities made the story feel completely real. Harboring anger, resentment, and jealously among siblings was a daily occurrence.
As family secrets unfold and Bertie is reeling from life's losses, events happen and she finally begins to understand and accept the love and gifts shes been afforded.
June 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Albertina Winslow (goes by Bertie) is one of the feistiest heroines I’ve come across in the last few years. This heart-wrenching historical fiction is set in the early 20th century. The story begins in Kentucky and ends in the oil fields of Kansas in the late 1920’s. Bertie is the oldest child in a large family. Her daddy is a horse trader part-time and a drinker pretty much full time. Her mama is worn out. Responsibility falls heavy on Bertie’s shoulders.
The novel is written in first person from Bertie’s point-of-view. Told in the vernacular of the region, the author said she created the voice based on memories of how her grandmother spoke. Bertie is an imperfect character, scarred by poverty and tragedy, but she had me rooting for her from beginning to end.
Goodreads 2025 Challenge - Book #50 of 125
Albertina Winslow (goes by Bertie) is one of the feistiest heroines I’ve come across in the last few years. This heart-wrenching historical fiction is set in the early 20th century. The story begins in Kentucky and ends in the oil fields of Kansas in the late 1920’s. Bertie is the oldest child in a large family. Her daddy is a horse trader part-time and a drinker pretty much full time. Her mama is worn out. Responsibility falls heavy on Bertie’s shoulders.
The novel is written in first person from Bertie’s point-of-view. Told in the vernacular of the region, the author said she created the voice based on memories of how her grandmother spoke. Bertie is an imperfect character, scarred by poverty and tragedy, but she had me rooting for her from beginning to end.
Goodreads 2025 Challenge - Book #50 of 125
December 23, 2019
Maybe 3.5. I looked the setting, Kentucky to Kansas early 25th century. Bertie is a terrific character, growing from young girl to woman with tragedy after tragedy. I appreciate the contrast between her inner strength and exterior frailty.
But it fell a little flat for me. It took a little too long for me to truly engage in the storytelling and there were too many dangling storylines and unfulfilled characters for me.
Overall an enjoyable read.
But it fell a little flat for me. It took a little too long for me to truly engage in the storytelling and there were too many dangling storylines and unfulfilled characters for me.
Overall an enjoyable read.
August 15, 2019
All the Forgiveness is told in the voice of Bertie, a teenage girl from the south in the early 1900’s. Hardinger does a remarkable job catching the feelings and reactions of a young woman going through tremendous hardship over and over again. Hardinger also does an incredible job capturing the love of family, responsibility, mothering and creating kinship without blood. The book has a very Where the Crawdads Sing vibe, but being based off of the author’s family puts it into a tone less of mystery and more of contemporary fiction. Some that don’t love character driven novels may find it a little slow, but I found it incredibly engaging. My only criticism is finding the uneducated talking voice to be a bit kitschy. Great from start to finish.
March 28, 2021
Heroines come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors. Bertie could be any woman now or in the past, struggling with all her might to be the best daughter, sister, friend, wife, or mother she can be, even during horribly hard times. And, oh my, her Sam is a beautifully-written character. Their love story brought me to tears and reminded me to stop and thank my man for being the hero of my story. It was surprising to learn this is a debut novel. Elizabeth is a VERY gifted author with an authentic voice. I'm so eager to read more books by her.
August 6, 2019
As I read the last few words of this beautiful novel I am saddened by it being finished. Choose to savor the language of All The Forgivenesses. For its rich in unconditional love and grace. I regret not having highlighted passages throughout the book but look forward to relishing it again and again.
January 4, 2026
Exceptional! Love starting the year with a heart felt, sometimes heartbreaking, Appalachian read.
November 24, 2019
Wow! Just wow! Perhaps the best book I have read in 2019!
This novel is absolutely flawless! The characters are beautifully constructed, the settings so real that the reader lives in them, and the period is a character in itself. It is paced perfectly and the protagonist feels like a family member.
Highly recommend!
This novel is absolutely flawless! The characters are beautifully constructed, the settings so real that the reader lives in them, and the period is a character in itself. It is paced perfectly and the protagonist feels like a family member.
Highly recommend!
May 11, 2021
"As we know, forgiveness of oneself is the hardest of all the forgivenesses." Joan Baez
From Kentucky to Missouri to Kansas, this family saga follows the life of Bertie in the early 1900's--and a hard life it is. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can only hope the author continues the story of the next generation in another book.
From Kentucky to Missouri to Kansas, this family saga follows the life of Bertie in the early 1900's--and a hard life it is. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can only hope the author continues the story of the next generation in another book.
June 12, 2021
I absolutely loved this book and it's characters. That it was based on stories the author heard from her family that lived in the area of the Kansas oil fields in the early 1900's was apparent...every character and scene was authentic. I'll be looking for more books by Ms. Hardinger!
July 2, 2025
4.25 Stars ✨
I thoroughly enjoyed All the Forgivenesses. This beautifully told story follows the life of Bertie, the main protagonist, from childhood into her mid-thirties. Through her eyes, we experience the highs and lows of a life shaped by the hardships of the early 20th century.
Set against the backdrop of Appalachia and the Midwest, the novel offers vivid descriptions of prairie life, farming, the rise of the oil industry, and the sweeping changes brought on by modernization. Though the story tackles heavy themes, Bertie's voice—witty and observant—adds welcome moments of humor and hope throughout
While Bertie is quite young for much of the novel, the narrative remains firmly grounded in adult themes and perspectives. Just when I thought I had the story figured out, it surprised me—in the best way. I was completely engrossed and found it hard to put down. Honestly, I wouldn’t have minded if it were 100 pages longer.
If you're a fan of historical fiction or family dramas, this one is definitely worth picking up.
I thoroughly enjoyed All the Forgivenesses. This beautifully told story follows the life of Bertie, the main protagonist, from childhood into her mid-thirties. Through her eyes, we experience the highs and lows of a life shaped by the hardships of the early 20th century.
Set against the backdrop of Appalachia and the Midwest, the novel offers vivid descriptions of prairie life, farming, the rise of the oil industry, and the sweeping changes brought on by modernization. Though the story tackles heavy themes, Bertie's voice—witty and observant—adds welcome moments of humor and hope throughout
While Bertie is quite young for much of the novel, the narrative remains firmly grounded in adult themes and perspectives. Just when I thought I had the story figured out, it surprised me—in the best way. I was completely engrossed and found it hard to put down. Honestly, I wouldn’t have minded if it were 100 pages longer.
If you're a fan of historical fiction or family dramas, this one is definitely worth picking up.
November 4, 2019
I didn’t want this book to end because I had fallen hard for these characters. Times were hard in the Appalachian Hills of Kentucky, at the turn of the century, but as I turned the pages of this book, I wanted/needed Bertie to get a break.
Bertie and Timmy liked to play hide-and-go-seek together until the day, little Timmy wedged himself into a tight spot and couldn’t get out. Every day, Bertie is haunted by that day when her brother Timmy died. As if that wasn’t enough, her mother now has basically, given-up-on-life and her father is a drunk who comes and goes as he please. Add to that, four siblings and you have a lot of responsibility and no adult in charge.
In walks, tired Bertie. She’s 15 now, and if helping running the homestead wasn’t enough to tire her out, add a new neighbor to her busy life, who doesn’t know what Bertie is actually experiencing. I wanted to give Bertie a break but the situations for Bertie were on a downward spiral. When would they stop?
When her older brothers start to come up with a plan, I started to have hope, I really did. Life is hard as the family moves about and tries to make the best of the situation. The highs and the lows kept me going and I loved this family. Oh, Bertie! You knew you had to be strong, you hid your feelings but I knew how you felt. What a fantastic book!
Bertie and Timmy liked to play hide-and-go-seek together until the day, little Timmy wedged himself into a tight spot and couldn’t get out. Every day, Bertie is haunted by that day when her brother Timmy died. As if that wasn’t enough, her mother now has basically, given-up-on-life and her father is a drunk who comes and goes as he please. Add to that, four siblings and you have a lot of responsibility and no adult in charge.
In walks, tired Bertie. She’s 15 now, and if helping running the homestead wasn’t enough to tire her out, add a new neighbor to her busy life, who doesn’t know what Bertie is actually experiencing. I wanted to give Bertie a break but the situations for Bertie were on a downward spiral. When would they stop?
When her older brothers start to come up with a plan, I started to have hope, I really did. Life is hard as the family moves about and tries to make the best of the situation. The highs and the lows kept me going and I loved this family. Oh, Bertie! You knew you had to be strong, you hid your feelings but I knew how you felt. What a fantastic book!
September 25, 2019
What a life Bertie had. Set in the early 1900's Missouri and Kentucky, Bertie was left with a mountain of responsibility for her fifteen year old self to face. Things had happened in young Bertie's past that she still hadn't come to terms with, something that filled her heart with guilt; then another looming, life-altering event left her with the responsibility of a woman twice her age. Her alcoholic father and emotionally damaging mother certainly didn't set her up for a life of happiness, yet she picked up herself and her siblings, for whom she was now responsible for raising, and persisted.
Bertie had a hard time dealing with emotions and love, as much of a hard time as she had with managing a household with little to no help. Bertie finally found a friend in whom she could confide some things to and she eventually met Sam, her husband. I really love how Sam loved Bertie.
Sam, along with making Bertie his wife, also took in her two younger sisters to care for. They had dreams of starting their own family, but found even more tragedy with every turn. Years later, terrible secrets spill out and more loss is dealt out to poor Bertie. She, avoiding her emotions, stuffed down her feelings, kept even more secrets, and refused to acknowledge that she was really, truly loved. Finally, one day, she and Sam were blessed with their greatest gifts, filling their burdened hearts to overflowing with love.
Told in thick Kentucky accent (in the awesome audiobook version), this story was very affecting. You can feel the genuineness and innocence of Bertie and you can't help but ache for her to find happiness. This is a heartbreaking story about loss, tragedy, coping, keeping secrets, and ultimately love.. Love for others and for yourself - both the giving and the receiving of love and how that is the single, ultimate thing that constitutes a whole, satisfying, happy life.
Bertie had a hard time dealing with emotions and love, as much of a hard time as she had with managing a household with little to no help. Bertie finally found a friend in whom she could confide some things to and she eventually met Sam, her husband. I really love how Sam loved Bertie.
Sam, along with making Bertie his wife, also took in her two younger sisters to care for. They had dreams of starting their own family, but found even more tragedy with every turn. Years later, terrible secrets spill out and more loss is dealt out to poor Bertie. She, avoiding her emotions, stuffed down her feelings, kept even more secrets, and refused to acknowledge that she was really, truly loved. Finally, one day, she and Sam were blessed with their greatest gifts, filling their burdened hearts to overflowing with love.
Told in thick Kentucky accent (in the awesome audiobook version), this story was very affecting. You can feel the genuineness and innocence of Bertie and you can't help but ache for her to find happiness. This is a heartbreaking story about loss, tragedy, coping, keeping secrets, and ultimately love.. Love for others and for yourself - both the giving and the receiving of love and how that is the single, ultimate thing that constitutes a whole, satisfying, happy life.
December 28, 2019
'As we know, forgiveness of oneself is the hardest of all the forgivenesses' - Joan Baez.
This book was just perfection.Set in Kentucky and Missouri, All the Forgivenesses is a beautiful story of family, of loss, of shame and ultimately of forgiveness.It is 1906 and Bertie is six and a half when we first meet her. She's tasked with looking after her younger brother Timmy who she adores. After a day of feasting, her and her extended family take a siesta only to find that Timmy, who is three, has awoken, wandered off and tragically died.
Here begins Bertie's story of shame and guilt which she continues to carry with her for the rest of her life. She has four younger siblings and a mother too exhausted and broken to carry on living. Her father is a drunk and a wastrel who she comes to despise. She has no choice but to step up and do her all to keep her family together. She meets Sam who she marries at 16, and he turns out to be a truly good man, taking on and loving her younger siblings like they were his own. Tragedy strikes again as Sam and Bertie's first child dies and she goes on to miscarry time and time again. Life doesn't feel worth living, Bertie is empty of emotion. After being estranged from her younger sister Dacia for six years, Bertie's salvation arrives in the form of Dacia's three children who are sent to Bertie and Sam with a note. They are in bad shape and to see them blossom with the love and care bestowed upon them was my favourite part of this wonderful book. The ending is sublime, but I'm not going to spoil it for anyone. Truly wonderful, I adored every single word.
This book was just perfection.Set in Kentucky and Missouri, All the Forgivenesses is a beautiful story of family, of loss, of shame and ultimately of forgiveness.It is 1906 and Bertie is six and a half when we first meet her. She's tasked with looking after her younger brother Timmy who she adores. After a day of feasting, her and her extended family take a siesta only to find that Timmy, who is three, has awoken, wandered off and tragically died.
Here begins Bertie's story of shame and guilt which she continues to carry with her for the rest of her life. She has four younger siblings and a mother too exhausted and broken to carry on living. Her father is a drunk and a wastrel who she comes to despise. She has no choice but to step up and do her all to keep her family together. She meets Sam who she marries at 16, and he turns out to be a truly good man, taking on and loving her younger siblings like they were his own. Tragedy strikes again as Sam and Bertie's first child dies and she goes on to miscarry time and time again. Life doesn't feel worth living, Bertie is empty of emotion. After being estranged from her younger sister Dacia for six years, Bertie's salvation arrives in the form of Dacia's three children who are sent to Bertie and Sam with a note. They are in bad shape and to see them blossom with the love and care bestowed upon them was my favourite part of this wonderful book. The ending is sublime, but I'm not going to spoil it for anyone. Truly wonderful, I adored every single word.
April 6, 2022
I loved this book! The characters are phenomenal and I'm really going to miss them now that I've finished the story. I actually listened to this on audio, and that made it so much more wonderful, as the narrator had the perfect southern drawl to her speech.
This is historical fiction (early 1900s) and begins in the Appalachian Mountains. Charming, charming, charming!!!
— Chris
This is historical fiction (early 1900s) and begins in the Appalachian Mountains. Charming, charming, charming!!!
— Chris
August 28, 2023
This was even more depressing than I thought it would be, but I really enjoyed it nonetheless. These women will definitely stay with me. As a mother I just felt heartbroken and sick at times reading about this family. I'll definitely be thinking about this one for a long time. I just love Bertie and the strength and resilience she showed time and time again... Just wow. I'm always grateful to read a book that reminds me how truly blessed I am.
June 11, 2021
The story starts out in the Appalachian hills of Kentucky and follows the family as they move to escape the struggles and try to better their situation. It was very easy to get attached to each character in some way or the other and I hated to see it end.
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