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Die Bücherfrauen
Mit ihrer Liebe zu Büchern schenken drei mutige Frauen einer zerstörten Kleinstadt neue Hoffnung
In Prairie Hill, einer Kleinstadt irgendwo in Kansas, steht nach einem Tornado nur noch die Fassade der Bibliothek.
Angelina kehrt für ihre Doktorarbeit zurück an den magischen Ort ihrer Kindheit. Ihre Liebe zum Lesen erbte sie von ihrer Großmutter Amanda. Frauen wie Amanda, die zu Beginn des zwanzigsten Jahrhunderts Kultur in die entlegensten Winkel des Landes brachten, widmet Angelina ihre Studien. In Kansas begegnet sie zwei Frauen, die wie sie an einem Wendepunkt stehen. Gemeinsam entwickeln sie eine Schaffenskraft, die der Kleinstadt neue Hoffnung gibt. Am Ende der Welt finden die drei Frauen einen neuen Lebenssinn und ihr ganz persönliches Glück.
In Prairie Hill, einer Kleinstadt irgendwo in Kansas, steht nach einem Tornado nur noch die Fassade der Bibliothek.
Angelina kehrt für ihre Doktorarbeit zurück an den magischen Ort ihrer Kindheit. Ihre Liebe zum Lesen erbte sie von ihrer Großmutter Amanda. Frauen wie Amanda, die zu Beginn des zwanzigsten Jahrhunderts Kultur in die entlegensten Winkel des Landes brachten, widmet Angelina ihre Studien. In Kansas begegnet sie zwei Frauen, die wie sie an einem Wendepunkt stehen. Gemeinsam entwickeln sie eine Schaffenskraft, die der Kleinstadt neue Hoffnung gibt. Am Ende der Welt finden die drei Frauen einen neuen Lebenssinn und ihr ganz persönliches Glück.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2017
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March 25, 2017
3.5 stars
This is a feel good story and it was just what I needed. It an easy read, lighter than the last book I read - thankfully! While there is nothing light about a town being destroyed by a tornado, the story of three women connecting to do something good for the community and ultimately themselves in the process is uplifting . The narrative alternates from three points of view of three young women, each at a crossroad in their lives. Angelina, coming back from the east to New Hope, KS, where she once spent a month with her grandmother is trying to get back to her dissertation on the Carnegie libraries that she has put aside for ten years. Running from her controlling, unsupportive mother who kept her from ever seeing her grandmother again, she discovers the wonderful spirt of her grandmother's work with a Carnegie library and some family secrets to boot. Traci, the avant-garde artist, creating art our of trash, an orphan who never felt she belonged anywhere decided to escape New York. Gayle has lost her home and all of her belongings to a tornado that ripped through her town searching for where to go and what to do from there.
I loved that this was about libraries and the small town life was described so perfectly that I felt as if I were there. A bit cliched with a predictable ending with a shout out to another story about a tornado in Kansas with the ending words , "there's no place like home", this was an enjoyable read. Recommended to readers of women's fiction and lovers of libraries.
I received an advanced copy of this from She Writes Press through NetGalley.
This is a feel good story and it was just what I needed. It an easy read, lighter than the last book I read - thankfully! While there is nothing light about a town being destroyed by a tornado, the story of three women connecting to do something good for the community and ultimately themselves in the process is uplifting . The narrative alternates from three points of view of three young women, each at a crossroad in their lives. Angelina, coming back from the east to New Hope, KS, where she once spent a month with her grandmother is trying to get back to her dissertation on the Carnegie libraries that she has put aside for ten years. Running from her controlling, unsupportive mother who kept her from ever seeing her grandmother again, she discovers the wonderful spirt of her grandmother's work with a Carnegie library and some family secrets to boot. Traci, the avant-garde artist, creating art our of trash, an orphan who never felt she belonged anywhere decided to escape New York. Gayle has lost her home and all of her belongings to a tornado that ripped through her town searching for where to go and what to do from there.
I loved that this was about libraries and the small town life was described so perfectly that I felt as if I were there. A bit cliched with a predictable ending with a shout out to another story about a tornado in Kansas with the ending words , "there's no place like home", this was an enjoyable read. Recommended to readers of women's fiction and lovers of libraries.
I received an advanced copy of this from She Writes Press through NetGalley.
January 7, 2024
Why I chose to listen to this audiobook:
1. this story's premise involving Carnegie libraries drew me in; and,
2. January 2024 is my "Celestial Titles" Month!
Praises:
1. three different female characters come together in (fictitious) New Hope, Kansas with their own agendas and sets of baggage:
- Angelina, who hopes to write a dissertation about Carnegie libraries, travels to where her late-grandmother homesteaded;
- Traci, an artist with a checkered past, is hired to teach courses at the renovated art center which was the former library; and,
- Gayle, a tornado victim from neighboring (fictitious) Prairie Hill, comes to New Hope, searching to rebuild her life.
I liked following each of these women's stories, especially Traci's, because they come across as quite believable;
2. the past and present storylines display how women were instrumental in bringing libraries to their small Midwestern communities;
3. the atmospheric setting of "Small Town" Kansas showcasing nature's temperamental landscape and weather, as well as the local people's societal behavior, really shines throughout the story;
4. the title is the state of Kansas's motto, which is illuminated nicely in the last 30 minutes of the audio; and,
5. the mention of various Carnegie libraries, popular books, and even Orphan Trains made this story especially heartwarming.
Niggle:
I wish 3 separate narrators were hired for this audiobook. Although Daniela Acitelli did a fine job, she didn't sound distinct enough or even authentic for Traci's character. If each chapter wasn't prefaced by a specific character's name, I would have had a difficult time telling them apart.
Overall Thoughts:
Three stars (⭐⭐⭐) means I liked it! It was a lovely and entertaining story in various ways, but will it be memorable down the road for me? Not sure.
I would recommend it to readers who enjoy stories about books, libraries, and strong female characters set in the Midwest.
1. this story's premise involving Carnegie libraries drew me in; and,
2. January 2024 is my "Celestial Titles" Month!
Praises:
1. three different female characters come together in (fictitious) New Hope, Kansas with their own agendas and sets of baggage:
- Angelina, who hopes to write a dissertation about Carnegie libraries, travels to where her late-grandmother homesteaded;
- Traci, an artist with a checkered past, is hired to teach courses at the renovated art center which was the former library; and,
- Gayle, a tornado victim from neighboring (fictitious) Prairie Hill, comes to New Hope, searching to rebuild her life.
I liked following each of these women's stories, especially Traci's, because they come across as quite believable;
2. the past and present storylines display how women were instrumental in bringing libraries to their small Midwestern communities;
3. the atmospheric setting of "Small Town" Kansas showcasing nature's temperamental landscape and weather, as well as the local people's societal behavior, really shines throughout the story;
4. the title is the state of Kansas's motto, which is illuminated nicely in the last 30 minutes of the audio; and,
5. the mention of various Carnegie libraries, popular books, and even Orphan Trains made this story especially heartwarming.
Niggle:
I wish 3 separate narrators were hired for this audiobook. Although Daniela Acitelli did a fine job, she didn't sound distinct enough or even authentic for Traci's character. If each chapter wasn't prefaced by a specific character's name, I would have had a difficult time telling them apart.
Overall Thoughts:
Three stars (⭐⭐⭐) means I liked it! It was a lovely and entertaining story in various ways, but will it be memorable down the road for me? Not sure.
I would recommend it to readers who enjoy stories about books, libraries, and strong female characters set in the Midwest.
March 1, 2017
I loved everything single aspect of this book – the plot, the characters, the details about the Carnegie-funded libraries, the setting, the author’s writing style and the cover. Romalyn Tilghman weaves her story around three main characters: Angelina, Gayle and Traci, three strong women facing struggles. Her characters are well-drawn, authentic and likeable. The story takes place in two towns, Prairie Hill and New Hope, neighboring towns whose residents have been at odds with each other for years since New Hope was awarded the county seat when two counties merged. Prairie Hill was recently wiped out by a tornado, and residents are debating whether to rebuild; New Hope is trying to keep its Carnegie Arts Center from closing. While demonstrating the power of women, Tilghman crafts a story that is a love letter to libraries and books that will appeal to everyone.
As I began reading the book, I was so curious about its clever title: To the Stars Through Difficulties. Thankfully, my question was answered fairly early on in the book – the statement is Kansas’s state motto. The title is perfect for the book which I always appreciate. I am fairly picky about both titles and covers; it drives me crazy when either one does not match the book itself.
Before reading To the Stars Through Difficulties, I knew very little about Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropic pursuits. According to Tilghman, Carnegie spent 90 percent of his wealth on various charitable pursuits for “the improvement of mankind”. One of his most enduring legacies was the funding of public libraries across the country; 59 of which were built in Kansas. The towns had to provide the land and agree to fund the library for an agreed upon amount of time, and Carnegie had approval power over the design of each and every library. One of my favorite parts of the book was learning about some of the actual Carnegie libraries and their subsequent histories – some have remained libraries while others have become Arts Centers and other similar type places once the towns’ book collections grew too large for the original libraries. I also loved reading about how women were so instrumental in bringing the libraries to these towns.
Another fascinating part of the book for me was learning that Carnegie’s father convinced his fellow weavers in Scotland to pool their money to buy books, and then one man would read while the rest toiled away at the looms. Cuban cigar workers adopted this idea to pass the time, and so do Tilghman’s characters. I just absolutely adore that bit of knowledge. Tilghman imparts many other interesting tidbits throughout the book which made me love the book even more.
I do not usually include quotes from books but there were so many good ones in this book that I just have to include a few. The local newspaper man says in an article in support of the town library: “It is respectable to associate with books… even if you do not yourself actually read them.” (How could you surround yourself with books and not read them?!) Andrew Carnegie states: “A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.” That is an amazingly true statement.
I highly, highly recommend this novel to everyone. Thanks to She Writes Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As I began reading the book, I was so curious about its clever title: To the Stars Through Difficulties. Thankfully, my question was answered fairly early on in the book – the statement is Kansas’s state motto. The title is perfect for the book which I always appreciate. I am fairly picky about both titles and covers; it drives me crazy when either one does not match the book itself.
Before reading To the Stars Through Difficulties, I knew very little about Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropic pursuits. According to Tilghman, Carnegie spent 90 percent of his wealth on various charitable pursuits for “the improvement of mankind”. One of his most enduring legacies was the funding of public libraries across the country; 59 of which were built in Kansas. The towns had to provide the land and agree to fund the library for an agreed upon amount of time, and Carnegie had approval power over the design of each and every library. One of my favorite parts of the book was learning about some of the actual Carnegie libraries and their subsequent histories – some have remained libraries while others have become Arts Centers and other similar type places once the towns’ book collections grew too large for the original libraries. I also loved reading about how women were so instrumental in bringing the libraries to these towns.
Another fascinating part of the book for me was learning that Carnegie’s father convinced his fellow weavers in Scotland to pool their money to buy books, and then one man would read while the rest toiled away at the looms. Cuban cigar workers adopted this idea to pass the time, and so do Tilghman’s characters. I just absolutely adore that bit of knowledge. Tilghman imparts many other interesting tidbits throughout the book which made me love the book even more.
I do not usually include quotes from books but there were so many good ones in this book that I just have to include a few. The local newspaper man says in an article in support of the town library: “It is respectable to associate with books… even if you do not yourself actually read them.” (How could you surround yourself with books and not read them?!) Andrew Carnegie states: “A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.” That is an amazingly true statement.
I highly, highly recommend this novel to everyone. Thanks to She Writes Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2017
When She Writes Press asked if I would be interested in reviewing To The Stars Through Difficulties by Romalyn Tilghman I recalled seeing the book on NetGalley and thinking it was interesting, so I agreed.
When I started reading the novel I was delighted to discover it was not only about the building of Carnegie libraries in Kansas but also about an art quilter--and it includes a genealogical mystery.
My blog subtitle is "Books. Quilts. What I Love." And 'what I love' includes genealogy. It's as if the book had been written just for me!
*****
The empowerment of women to impact their community, the use of art for healing, and a belief in the power of books are the themes behind the stories of three women.
A tornado has destroyed the Kansas town of Prairie Hill. Gayle has lost everything, and she and her husband are weighing rebuilding or relocation. The Prairie Hill women mourn their losses, including antique heirloom quilts.
"If only someone could stitch together the few remaining pieces of my tattered life into something whole and new and beautiful." - Gayle
Bibliophile Angelina is pushing forty and trying to finally finish her dissertation on the Carnegie libraries, particularly the one her grandmother helped to build in New Hope, Kansas--population 2,975. She leaves her disapproving mother and Philadelphia behind, gambling on the dissertation to bring a career and independence.
Traci is a twenty-six-year-old self-taught artist from the streets of New York City. An unwanted baby raised by a dysfunctional foster family, she feels bitter and unloved. She was hired, under false credentials, to be the artist in residence for the New Hope art center located in the old Carnegie library. Her art quilts embellished with 'trash' had garnered her an NYC gallery show.
"Great. I've swapped bed bugs for tornadoes." --Traci
Angelina arrives in New Hope for material and to find her grandmother's legendary journal which holds important documentation on how women built the library she loved to visit as a girl. Along the way, Angelina discovers more than history; she finds family, acceptance, love, and a career.
Traci is dismayed by the plebeian work the local quilters turn out.
"I see these women are all great seamstresses but their choices of fabric are dismal: American flags, spiders, and cats. It's amazing how they can put so much time and energy into such crap."
She encourages the No Guilt Quilters to use quilting for self-expression, expanding their techniques to include surface design and the repurposing of textiles and trash for embellishment. She is able to prod them past local gossip and partisan divides (there is antagonism between Prairie Hill and New Hope) so that they become a force for community change.
"You've got to throw all your pain into your creativity. Believe me, it's the best therapy."
Traci has a rough start with the teenagers sent to the art center as punishment after being kicked out of school band. They resent their conservative and parochial community. "We're runners," one explains. "Ran away from home, and if we run away from the foster family, we'll end up in juvvy." Their first project does not go over with the locals, but the teens are empowered and find their voices in art.
Along the way, readers learn about robber baron Andrew Carnegie's charitable donations and orphan trains.
Having lived in Philadelphia, with a husband who worked in New York City, and having afterward having lived in several small towns, I appreciated the East Coast ladies' adjustments. The inability to agree on a paint color for the library recalled a small town church that got pretty riled up over deciding what color to paint the sanctuary. I also enjoyed Traci remarking, "where I come from, there are never so many white women in one place." I had an adjustment coming from a diverse neighborhood to a county with one family of color out of 40,000 people.
But don't think there is an East Coast bias to the book. In the end, Traci and Angelina discover "there's no place like home," and that home is in New Hope, Kansas.
I don't need a happy, tied up ending to a book, but for readers who do, this one offers a wish-fulfillment ending for all. Online questions for book clubs are available at http://www.romalyn.com/resources
I received a free ebook from She Writes Press through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
When I started reading the novel I was delighted to discover it was not only about the building of Carnegie libraries in Kansas but also about an art quilter--and it includes a genealogical mystery.
My blog subtitle is "Books. Quilts. What I Love." And 'what I love' includes genealogy. It's as if the book had been written just for me!
*****
The empowerment of women to impact their community, the use of art for healing, and a belief in the power of books are the themes behind the stories of three women.
A tornado has destroyed the Kansas town of Prairie Hill. Gayle has lost everything, and she and her husband are weighing rebuilding or relocation. The Prairie Hill women mourn their losses, including antique heirloom quilts.
"If only someone could stitch together the few remaining pieces of my tattered life into something whole and new and beautiful." - Gayle
Bibliophile Angelina is pushing forty and trying to finally finish her dissertation on the Carnegie libraries, particularly the one her grandmother helped to build in New Hope, Kansas--population 2,975. She leaves her disapproving mother and Philadelphia behind, gambling on the dissertation to bring a career and independence.
Traci is a twenty-six-year-old self-taught artist from the streets of New York City. An unwanted baby raised by a dysfunctional foster family, she feels bitter and unloved. She was hired, under false credentials, to be the artist in residence for the New Hope art center located in the old Carnegie library. Her art quilts embellished with 'trash' had garnered her an NYC gallery show.
"Great. I've swapped bed bugs for tornadoes." --Traci
Angelina arrives in New Hope for material and to find her grandmother's legendary journal which holds important documentation on how women built the library she loved to visit as a girl. Along the way, Angelina discovers more than history; she finds family, acceptance, love, and a career.
Traci is dismayed by the plebeian work the local quilters turn out.
"I see these women are all great seamstresses but their choices of fabric are dismal: American flags, spiders, and cats. It's amazing how they can put so much time and energy into such crap."
She encourages the No Guilt Quilters to use quilting for self-expression, expanding their techniques to include surface design and the repurposing of textiles and trash for embellishment. She is able to prod them past local gossip and partisan divides (there is antagonism between Prairie Hill and New Hope) so that they become a force for community change.
"You've got to throw all your pain into your creativity. Believe me, it's the best therapy."
Traci has a rough start with the teenagers sent to the art center as punishment after being kicked out of school band. They resent their conservative and parochial community. "We're runners," one explains. "Ran away from home, and if we run away from the foster family, we'll end up in juvvy." Their first project does not go over with the locals, but the teens are empowered and find their voices in art.
Along the way, readers learn about robber baron Andrew Carnegie's charitable donations and orphan trains.
Having lived in Philadelphia, with a husband who worked in New York City, and having afterward having lived in several small towns, I appreciated the East Coast ladies' adjustments. The inability to agree on a paint color for the library recalled a small town church that got pretty riled up over deciding what color to paint the sanctuary. I also enjoyed Traci remarking, "where I come from, there are never so many white women in one place." I had an adjustment coming from a diverse neighborhood to a county with one family of color out of 40,000 people.
But don't think there is an East Coast bias to the book. In the end, Traci and Angelina discover "there's no place like home," and that home is in New Hope, Kansas.
I don't need a happy, tied up ending to a book, but for readers who do, this one offers a wish-fulfillment ending for all. Online questions for book clubs are available at http://www.romalyn.com/resources
I received a free ebook from She Writes Press through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
September 19, 2017
This novel contains all the necessary ingredients expected by a reader of literature: pathos, suspense, mystery and a suggestion of romance—it even has a happy surprise near the end. But it's obvious that the author also intends to deliver a sense of life today in western Kansas and an appreciation of history related to Carnegie Libraries—particularly Carnegie Libraries in the western half of Kansas. The story's contents also make it obvious that the author has a background in art and community centers.
The book's narrative is structured in a unique manner. The story is told in first person by three different women in a repeating pattern: (1) Angelina, (2) Traci, (3) Gayle. The pattern holds from beginning to the ending Epilogue except at the beginnings of Book One—news article about a tornado—and Book Two —extended excerpt from a 1910 diary. This construction effectively approaches the story from three directions told by three women with different personalities and life histories.
Readers who like dramas about women trying to figure out exactly where they are in life will find this book of interest. Each of the three narrators are at a crisis point, and as the plot develops each find new life that's a detour from the direction of their lives at the beginning of the book. As the historical elements of the story are brought into the narrative the three women narrators learn to identify with and take inspiration from the preceding generations of women. The lesson from history—stated bluntly—is that if it weren't for women there wouldn't be any culture in Kansas. ; )
I grew up in rural Kansas, and I believe myself to be almost qualified to pass judgment on a book about Kansas. I compliment the author on successfully capturing the spirit of rural Kansas in an interesting and respectful way. However, I don't recall any reference to the growing Hispanic populations in Dodge City and Garden City (at about 62% and 52% respectively and even higher percentages in the schools). However, the Anglo and Hispanic communities don't intermingle very much, so in that way this novel truly depicts typical life of the Anglos.
The book's narrative is structured in a unique manner. The story is told in first person by three different women in a repeating pattern: (1) Angelina, (2) Traci, (3) Gayle. The pattern holds from beginning to the ending Epilogue except at the beginnings of Book One—news article about a tornado—and Book Two —extended excerpt from a 1910 diary. This construction effectively approaches the story from three directions told by three women with different personalities and life histories.
Readers who like dramas about women trying to figure out exactly where they are in life will find this book of interest. Each of the three narrators are at a crisis point, and as the plot develops each find new life that's a detour from the direction of their lives at the beginning of the book. As the historical elements of the story are brought into the narrative the three women narrators learn to identify with and take inspiration from the preceding generations of women. The lesson from history—stated bluntly—is that if it weren't for women there wouldn't be any culture in Kansas. ; )
I grew up in rural Kansas, and I believe myself to be almost qualified to pass judgment on a book about Kansas. I compliment the author on successfully capturing the spirit of rural Kansas in an interesting and respectful way. However, I don't recall any reference to the growing Hispanic populations in Dodge City and Garden City (at about 62% and 52% respectively and even higher percentages in the schools). However, the Anglo and Hispanic communities don't intermingle very much, so in that way this novel truly depicts typical life of the Anglos.
Read
February 5, 2017Being a librarian, I was instantly taken in by all the Carnegie library history woven into this story. Being a reader, and a lover of "small stories," I found Tilghman's story to be much like a quilt, patched together from events in the past with hope for the future. As each character tells his or her own story in turn, a more fully formed picture of the communities of New Hope and Prairie Hill, Kansas, emerges, engaging the reader. A beautiful story about libraries, family secrets, and perhaps, a budding romance, To the Stars Through Difficulties is bound to be a book club favorite.
February 21, 2017
Romalyn Tilghman's debut novel, To the Stars Through Difficulties, presents parallel stories that weave into a suspenseful novel. One part relates the history of the building of the Carnegie Libraries in Kansas. Other stories tell of the present-day struggles of three women from different socioeconomic backgrounds and geographic areas of the United States. Fate seemed to bring Traci from NYC, Angelina from Philadelphia, and Gayle, a Kansas native, together in New Hope. Tensions mount, self-doubt runs high and suspicions dart about rampantly.
Angelina's diligent efforts to complete the thesis for her PhD, her conniving cruel mother, and several other stressors attack her self-esteem daily. As a last-ditch effort to make her life count for something and against her widowed mother's wishes, she travels to New Hope. Her father had grown up there. Angelina remembers one visit to New Hope with her father when she was about nine and the blissful days she spent with her paternal grandmother. Her mother refused to visit Kansas, and threatened Angelina's dad with divorce if he ever dared visit New Hope again.
Traci is a self-taught artist who obtains a job as artist-in-residence for the summer via an internet ad. She lies on her resume and is shocked when the New Hope library committee hires her. She never has taught a class, never even taken an art class. Traci is able to wing her way through the first few days by tapping into her sensitivity to others. feelings, her innate kindness, and her creative artistic ideas. Discarded as a newborn and found naked in a trash can in Times Square, NYC, she was adopted by a family with a young son who was not happy giving up his only-child-throne. Her adopted brother called her Trash, and the nickname stuck. The parents later divorced, and she ran away at age 16. She gained a small following in NYC for her ability to create art out of trash. She feels unworthy and has the lowest self-esteem imaginable. Even when she becomes very ill during her summer in New Hope, coming there proves to be the best thing that has happened to her.
Gayle is a native mid-westerner who lived in Prairie Hill, Kansas, all her life. Nothing is left standing in her hometown following a tornado. She and her husband escape injury, but they lose everything. Their young adult son had moved away for more opportunities. Gayle suffers from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Whenever she hears a tractor running, she re-lives the trauma of the tornado barreling its way through Prairie Hill. She feels hopeless until she starts attending the quilting circle at the New Hope Community Center.
The details sprinkled throughout the novel about the Carnegie Libraries are fascinating; it puts a human face on the Carnegie Libraries miracles. The fund-raising efforts of the Kansas frontier women are well researched and poignant, and while the novel starts slow, that.s necessary to set up the story. I am glad I gave it a chance and kept reading. The ending reveals a surprise twist that I didn't see coming. I highly recommend this novel. Interestingly, the title, To the Stars Through Difficulties, is the Kansas state motto.
by Ann McCauley
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
Angelina's diligent efforts to complete the thesis for her PhD, her conniving cruel mother, and several other stressors attack her self-esteem daily. As a last-ditch effort to make her life count for something and against her widowed mother's wishes, she travels to New Hope. Her father had grown up there. Angelina remembers one visit to New Hope with her father when she was about nine and the blissful days she spent with her paternal grandmother. Her mother refused to visit Kansas, and threatened Angelina's dad with divorce if he ever dared visit New Hope again.
Traci is a self-taught artist who obtains a job as artist-in-residence for the summer via an internet ad. She lies on her resume and is shocked when the New Hope library committee hires her. She never has taught a class, never even taken an art class. Traci is able to wing her way through the first few days by tapping into her sensitivity to others. feelings, her innate kindness, and her creative artistic ideas. Discarded as a newborn and found naked in a trash can in Times Square, NYC, she was adopted by a family with a young son who was not happy giving up his only-child-throne. Her adopted brother called her Trash, and the nickname stuck. The parents later divorced, and she ran away at age 16. She gained a small following in NYC for her ability to create art out of trash. She feels unworthy and has the lowest self-esteem imaginable. Even when she becomes very ill during her summer in New Hope, coming there proves to be the best thing that has happened to her.
Gayle is a native mid-westerner who lived in Prairie Hill, Kansas, all her life. Nothing is left standing in her hometown following a tornado. She and her husband escape injury, but they lose everything. Their young adult son had moved away for more opportunities. Gayle suffers from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Whenever she hears a tractor running, she re-lives the trauma of the tornado barreling its way through Prairie Hill. She feels hopeless until she starts attending the quilting circle at the New Hope Community Center.
The details sprinkled throughout the novel about the Carnegie Libraries are fascinating; it puts a human face on the Carnegie Libraries miracles. The fund-raising efforts of the Kansas frontier women are well researched and poignant, and while the novel starts slow, that.s necessary to set up the story. I am glad I gave it a chance and kept reading. The ending reveals a surprise twist that I didn't see coming. I highly recommend this novel. Interestingly, the title, To the Stars Through Difficulties, is the Kansas state motto.
by Ann McCauley
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
February 2, 2017
I loved this book! I grew up in Kansas City and went to college in Kansas 'in the middle of nowhere' so I enjoyed all the references to Kansas. Though I've never lived in a small town, I still could identify with the typical Midwestern women in this book. I could picture the groups laughing and talking as they quilted. And I could imagine the horror and devastation of losing everything in a tornado.
The characters were varied and believable. They were unique personalities who blended together toward their common goal. I enjoyed learning the history about Andrew Carnegie and his philanthropy in building libraries throughout Kansas.
This was a nice, easy, feel-good read.
The characters were varied and believable. They were unique personalities who blended together toward their common goal. I enjoyed learning the history about Andrew Carnegie and his philanthropy in building libraries throughout Kansas.
This was a nice, easy, feel-good read.
May 26, 2021
“Ad Astra per Aspera” The Kansas State Motto: to the stars through difficulties. An excellent, informative, entertaining fictional history about the trials & tribulations of building 59 Carnegie Libraries in Kansas a century ago. Brava, talented author Romalyn Tilghman
March 9, 2017
A wonderful debut novel.a book that drew me in to the small town three young women drawn to this small Kansas town who bond together over a journal they discover.over the Carnegie libraries.over quilts&the art of quilting .Perfect for all bookworms&all who have loved their libraries from childhood,
March 21, 2021
This is the German translation of the author´s debut novel To the Stars Through Difficulties, Kansas´ state motto, where the book is set. The German title "Book Women" leads a bit astray, as only Angelina is obsessed with books, trying hard to finish her dissertation on the Carnegie libraries, especially one her Grandmother helped to found in the village New Hope, where she goes to to find new material and especially her Grandmother´s diaries. The book is told by her perspective as well as that of the trash artist Traci coming from New York to teach at the art centre, Quilters as well as difficult teenagers, and Gayle who recently lost her home because of a tornado. These and other women go through personal and monetary difficulties till they find a way to a new life and unite through books, art and their history.
The first half is about these women struggling with their life, which drags after a while, then some drama emerges, and the end is partly surprising at the end, which is a bit unlikely in my opinion. Though I like strong women, these don´t always come along as positive, and in the end a man has a big say.
Thanks to the Fischer Verlag and Netgally DE for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Der Titel des ursprünglich amerikanischen Debüts "To the Stars Through Difficulties" ist das Motto des US-Staates Kansas, in dem der Roman spielt. Drei Frauen erzählen aus ihrer Perspektive das Leben in einer kleinen Stadt: Angelina, die dorthin zurückkehrt wo ihre Großmutter mitgearbeitet hat eine Carnegie Bücherei zu gründen und dort ihre Dissertation über diese Büchereien fertigzustellen, Traci aus New York, eine Müll-Künstlerin, die an der Kunstschule Quilterinnen sowie schwierige Teenager unterrrichtet, und Gayle, die durch einen Tornado ihr Heim verloren hat. Alle drei durchleben persönliche wie monetäre Schwierigkeiten bis sie ihren persönlichen neuen Weg mit Hilfe anderer Frauen finden.
Der deutsche Titel ist etwas irreführend, denn obwohl Bücher eine Rolle spielen, geht es nicht nur um diese. Die erste Hälfte kommt etwas langsam daher mit den Schilderungen der Frauen und ihrer Schwierigkeiten, dann gibt es eine Menge Drama, und das Ende hat einige unwahrscheinliche überraschende Momente, wobei natürlich der Mann so eine Art letztes Wort hat unter den starken Frauen.
Danke an den Fischer Verlag und Netgalley DE für ein elektronisches Exemplar im Gegenzug für eine ehrliche Rezension.
The first half is about these women struggling with their life, which drags after a while, then some drama emerges, and the end is partly surprising at the end, which is a bit unlikely in my opinion. Though I like strong women, these don´t always come along as positive, and in the end a man has a big say.
Thanks to the Fischer Verlag and Netgally DE for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Der Titel des ursprünglich amerikanischen Debüts "To the Stars Through Difficulties" ist das Motto des US-Staates Kansas, in dem der Roman spielt. Drei Frauen erzählen aus ihrer Perspektive das Leben in einer kleinen Stadt: Angelina, die dorthin zurückkehrt wo ihre Großmutter mitgearbeitet hat eine Carnegie Bücherei zu gründen und dort ihre Dissertation über diese Büchereien fertigzustellen, Traci aus New York, eine Müll-Künstlerin, die an der Kunstschule Quilterinnen sowie schwierige Teenager unterrrichtet, und Gayle, die durch einen Tornado ihr Heim verloren hat. Alle drei durchleben persönliche wie monetäre Schwierigkeiten bis sie ihren persönlichen neuen Weg mit Hilfe anderer Frauen finden.
Der deutsche Titel ist etwas irreführend, denn obwohl Bücher eine Rolle spielen, geht es nicht nur um diese. Die erste Hälfte kommt etwas langsam daher mit den Schilderungen der Frauen und ihrer Schwierigkeiten, dann gibt es eine Menge Drama, und das Ende hat einige unwahrscheinliche überraschende Momente, wobei natürlich der Mann so eine Art letztes Wort hat unter den starken Frauen.
Danke an den Fischer Verlag und Netgalley DE für ein elektronisches Exemplar im Gegenzug für eine ehrliche Rezension.
January 9, 2021
Ganz okay, nachdenken ist nicht notwendig, aber es gibt ja auch keine Geschichte oder ernsthafte Konflikte, die erzählt werden, also wozu?
Ich lese auch gerne mal wieder ein "leichtes" Buch, aber das ist halt schon sehr zach gewesen, es ist nicht mal sonderlich gut geschrieben, deshalb mein Fazit: leider eine Zeitverschwendung
Ich lese auch gerne mal wieder ein "leichtes" Buch, aber das ist halt schon sehr zach gewesen, es ist nicht mal sonderlich gut geschrieben, deshalb mein Fazit: leider eine Zeitverschwendung
April 11, 2017
I volunteer at the Book Cellar, a used bookstore located in the basement of the Webster Library on the Upper East Side in Manhattan. The Webster Library is one of the original Carnegie libraries, built in 1905.
Andrew Carnegie gave money to build nearly 1700 libraries across the country, many in small towns like the town of New Hope, Kansas, the setting for Romalyn Tilghman's novel To The Stars Through Difficulties.
The novel opens with a newspaper clipping of a an EF-5 tornado that destroyed the entire town of nearby Prairie Hill, where the only thing left standing was one wall of the old Carnegie Library. The story is told through the eyes of three women- Gayle, a woman who lost her home in the tornado, Angelina, who is writing her PhD thesis on Carnegie libraries, and Traci, an artist from New York who relocates to New Hope for the promise of a job teaching at an art center, formerly a Carnegie library in New Hope. (I did not realize that many small town libraries were turned into media/arts centers in the 1970s.)
Angelina's grandmother lived in New Hope and she played a major role in procuring money from Andrew Carnegie to build a library there. Some of the most interesting sections of the book tell the story of how the women in the town banded together to raise the necessary funds to get the grant.
Those women would let nothing stand in their way in their determination to get a library for their town, not their husbands, and in Angelina's grandmother's case, not the expectations of what a woman is capable of doing or the opinions of others as to how to accomplish that.
Angelina needs this trip to complete her thesis. The family print shop she ran with her late father is about to close, her mother is not supportive of her goal, and it has taken her too long to get this far academically.
Traci is a fish out of water in New Hope. She is a young woman from a big city, and she has nothing to lose. Her new job is tenuous, and depends on the town to raise funds for her salary. She finds it hard to relate to the women in this town, and the troubled teens she is charged with teaching challenge her in many ways.
To The Stars Through Difficulties is the motto of the state of Kansas, and it is the perfect title for this wonderful book. It is about women banding together to create something lasting, something that will better their communtity and the people who live there. It is a story about women empowering themselves.
We see how much Angelina's grandmother's generation and the women of today have in common. They set a goal and come hell or high water, it was going to be achieved. I enjoyed seeing how supportive the women were of each other, even while being wary of each other at times.
The characters are so realistic, and those who long for small town living will truly appreciate To The Stars Through Difficulties. When I was a child, I loved The Little House On The Prairie books, and this felt like a modern, grown-up version of the those books. I got the same warm feelings reading To The Stars Through Difficulties.
I highly recommend To The Stars Through Difficulties.
Andrew Carnegie gave money to build nearly 1700 libraries across the country, many in small towns like the town of New Hope, Kansas, the setting for Romalyn Tilghman's novel To The Stars Through Difficulties.
The novel opens with a newspaper clipping of a an EF-5 tornado that destroyed the entire town of nearby Prairie Hill, where the only thing left standing was one wall of the old Carnegie Library. The story is told through the eyes of three women- Gayle, a woman who lost her home in the tornado, Angelina, who is writing her PhD thesis on Carnegie libraries, and Traci, an artist from New York who relocates to New Hope for the promise of a job teaching at an art center, formerly a Carnegie library in New Hope. (I did not realize that many small town libraries were turned into media/arts centers in the 1970s.)
Angelina's grandmother lived in New Hope and she played a major role in procuring money from Andrew Carnegie to build a library there. Some of the most interesting sections of the book tell the story of how the women in the town banded together to raise the necessary funds to get the grant.
Those women would let nothing stand in their way in their determination to get a library for their town, not their husbands, and in Angelina's grandmother's case, not the expectations of what a woman is capable of doing or the opinions of others as to how to accomplish that.
Angelina needs this trip to complete her thesis. The family print shop she ran with her late father is about to close, her mother is not supportive of her goal, and it has taken her too long to get this far academically.
Traci is a fish out of water in New Hope. She is a young woman from a big city, and she has nothing to lose. Her new job is tenuous, and depends on the town to raise funds for her salary. She finds it hard to relate to the women in this town, and the troubled teens she is charged with teaching challenge her in many ways.
To The Stars Through Difficulties is the motto of the state of Kansas, and it is the perfect title for this wonderful book. It is about women banding together to create something lasting, something that will better their communtity and the people who live there. It is a story about women empowering themselves.
We see how much Angelina's grandmother's generation and the women of today have in common. They set a goal and come hell or high water, it was going to be achieved. I enjoyed seeing how supportive the women were of each other, even while being wary of each other at times.
The characters are so realistic, and those who long for small town living will truly appreciate To The Stars Through Difficulties. When I was a child, I loved The Little House On The Prairie books, and this felt like a modern, grown-up version of the those books. I got the same warm feelings reading To The Stars Through Difficulties.
I highly recommend To The Stars Through Difficulties.
June 24, 2021
Set in Kansas, this story ties together two time frames. One is the very early 20th Century, when small towns across America are being assisted in building libraries for their communities by Andrew Carnegie. The other setting is contemporary, again with communities striving to either build or save their libraries. Angelina Sprint is the key figure between the two eras. She had visited her paternal grandmother in New Hope Kansas only once, but now returns to that town looking for sources to help her complete her PHD that is focused on the Carnegie Libraries across the country. Turns out Kansas has over 50 such libraries, built with money and directive from Carnegie. As Angelina travels around the state she becomes most interested in the women in all these small communities, their commitment and struggles with bringing these libraries to reality. And although her grandmother is long dead, Angelina begins to learn much more about her own family history.
Two other women are the central figures of this story; Gayle is from the neighboring town of Prairie Hill, recently torn apart by a tornado. Traci arrives from New York, mostly flying by the seat of her pants, having lied her way into the new position of "resident artist" for the Arts Center in New Hope. How these three women become united in joint causes, and integrated into the community of New Hope makes up the rest of the story.
I enjoyed the story, and the author has created interesting characters. A solid 4 star rating from me.
Two other women are the central figures of this story; Gayle is from the neighboring town of Prairie Hill, recently torn apart by a tornado. Traci arrives from New York, mostly flying by the seat of her pants, having lied her way into the new position of "resident artist" for the Arts Center in New Hope. How these three women become united in joint causes, and integrated into the community of New Hope makes up the rest of the story.
I enjoyed the story, and the author has created interesting characters. A solid 4 star rating from me.
April 10, 2017
This wonderful novel is a must-read for library lovers!
I love novels about the strength of women, and one of the things I love most about this novel is how it exemplifies that strength can mean different things to different people, and can be found in many ways. Each of the three main characters faces her own unique challenges, and I was invested in each woman’s journey throughout. Romalyn Tilghman does a wonderful job of seamlessly alternating between three distinct points of view, and she also captures the spirit of the entire vibrant community surrounding them. Reading this book, I truly felt that I was living in New Hope, too—that I was a part of the women’s efforts to save the arts center, that I was privy to town gossip and secrets. Not only did I learn about the history of the Carnegie libraries, but as a lifelong lover of all things books, it had me thinking about the special libraries in my life and what they’ve meant to me.
To the Stars Through Difficulties is a beautiful debut novel that will have you feeling inspired and full of new hope. It may even give you a hankering to visit a favorite library or discover a new one to explore. It will without a doubt remind you of the magic those book-lined walls hold, and, as readers, I think that’s something we can all get on the same page about.
Full review at https://bookperfume.com/2017/04/10/to...
I love novels about the strength of women, and one of the things I love most about this novel is how it exemplifies that strength can mean different things to different people, and can be found in many ways. Each of the three main characters faces her own unique challenges, and I was invested in each woman’s journey throughout. Romalyn Tilghman does a wonderful job of seamlessly alternating between three distinct points of view, and she also captures the spirit of the entire vibrant community surrounding them. Reading this book, I truly felt that I was living in New Hope, too—that I was a part of the women’s efforts to save the arts center, that I was privy to town gossip and secrets. Not only did I learn about the history of the Carnegie libraries, but as a lifelong lover of all things books, it had me thinking about the special libraries in my life and what they’ve meant to me.
To the Stars Through Difficulties is a beautiful debut novel that will have you feeling inspired and full of new hope. It may even give you a hankering to visit a favorite library or discover a new one to explore. It will without a doubt remind you of the magic those book-lined walls hold, and, as readers, I think that’s something we can all get on the same page about.
Full review at https://bookperfume.com/2017/04/10/to...
September 27, 2017
When I first saw the title of this book I couldn't place where I knew if from. Then I realized it is the Kansas state motto which I learned it in first grade and probably every grade since then. So a book about Kansas and libraries, I'm in. I wasn't familiar with Carnegie libraries so I did some googleing and one was built in the town I grew up in, Olathe, KS in 1914. Unfortunately the building was sold in 1971 and torn down. Boo. After some further googleing I found the closest one to me is the Chapman library which is part of the Salt Lake City library system, one of these days I'll make a pilgrimage there. Also the library I work in (Riverton) was designed after the style of a Carnegie library. If you can't tell I found the history of these libraries and Andrew Carnegie to be extremely fascinating.
The actual story line of this book was good but I never got emotionally connected to the characters.
"A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert." - Andrew Carnegie
The actual story line of this book was good but I never got emotionally connected to the characters.
"A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert." - Andrew Carnegie
December 26, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of three women and the small town they are all connected to. The library history was fascinating as were the personalities of the people in the story. My only critique is that I found the ending a bit abrupt. I wasn't hoping for a neat, tied-up story, but I was surprised that the ending came quite so quickly. I would have read a great deal more of their stories.
April 7, 2017
A thoroughly enjoyable book that skillfully knits the stories of three contemporary women together with the history of the Carnegie libraries in Kansas. Tightly written and infused with warmth, I found this uplifting book to be both engaging and educational—my favorite combination.
April 3, 2021
Drei Frauen und ein Neuanfang. Traci verlässt New York recht überstürzt um in New Hope im Kulturzentrum als Dozentin anzufangen. Angelina kehrt zurück, um ihre Doktorarbeit über Andrew Carnegie zu beenden und ihrer verstorbenen Großmutter nah zu sein. Und Gayle hat im Nachbarort Prairie Hill alles verloren, als ein Tornado den ganzen Ort der Erde gleich gemacht hat.
Der Leser begleitet die drei Frauen durch ihre Geschichte. Mit jedem Kapitel wechselt die Perspektive und eine andere erzählt von ihrem Leben. An sich lässt sich das gut lesen, allerdings kann man am Ton nicht erkennen, wen man gerade begleitet. Irgendwie fehlt den Frauen da die eigene Stimme. Gayle kommt von der Länge der Kapitel her auch deutlich schlechter weg, als Angelina und Traci und bleibt daher auch ziemlich blass.
Was mich ein wenig gestört hat war tatsächlich der deutsche Titel. Die einzige mit einer wahren Leidenschaft für Bücher ist eigentlich Angelina, die ja auch zur Entstehung der Carnegie Bibliotheken in Kansas forscht. Traci ist mehr Künstlerin und Gayle muss erst einmal versuchen ihr Leben wieder auf die Reihe zu bekommen und zu entscheiden, wie es für sie weitergehen soll. Bindeglied ist dabei das Kulturzentrum in New Hope, in dem sich die drei kennenlernen und Freundschaft schließen.
Leider sind der Autorin auch einige Recherchepatzer passiert, Wer im Jahr 1971 geboren ist feiert sicher nicht im Jahr 2008 seinen vierzigsten Geburtstag. Auch die Lebensdaten von Angelinas Vater und Großmutter waren für mich nicht schlüssig. In meiner Familie (ich bin Jahrgang 1972) hätten die Daten eher zur Urgroßmutter und Großmutter gepasst.
Am Anfang habe ich mir schwer getan mit dem Buch, es hat mich nicht wirklich gefesselt. Gegen Ende wurde die Geschichte dann aber flüssiger, die drei Geschichten fanden zueinander und es wurden einige Geheimnisse gelüftet, was das Ganze nochmal etwas spannender gemacht hat. Von daher habe ich das Buch dann halbwegs versöhnt beendet.
Der Leser begleitet die drei Frauen durch ihre Geschichte. Mit jedem Kapitel wechselt die Perspektive und eine andere erzählt von ihrem Leben. An sich lässt sich das gut lesen, allerdings kann man am Ton nicht erkennen, wen man gerade begleitet. Irgendwie fehlt den Frauen da die eigene Stimme. Gayle kommt von der Länge der Kapitel her auch deutlich schlechter weg, als Angelina und Traci und bleibt daher auch ziemlich blass.
Was mich ein wenig gestört hat war tatsächlich der deutsche Titel. Die einzige mit einer wahren Leidenschaft für Bücher ist eigentlich Angelina, die ja auch zur Entstehung der Carnegie Bibliotheken in Kansas forscht. Traci ist mehr Künstlerin und Gayle muss erst einmal versuchen ihr Leben wieder auf die Reihe zu bekommen und zu entscheiden, wie es für sie weitergehen soll. Bindeglied ist dabei das Kulturzentrum in New Hope, in dem sich die drei kennenlernen und Freundschaft schließen.
Leider sind der Autorin auch einige Recherchepatzer passiert, Wer im Jahr 1971 geboren ist feiert sicher nicht im Jahr 2008 seinen vierzigsten Geburtstag. Auch die Lebensdaten von Angelinas Vater und Großmutter waren für mich nicht schlüssig. In meiner Familie (ich bin Jahrgang 1972) hätten die Daten eher zur Urgroßmutter und Großmutter gepasst.
Am Anfang habe ich mir schwer getan mit dem Buch, es hat mich nicht wirklich gefesselt. Gegen Ende wurde die Geschichte dann aber flüssiger, die drei Geschichten fanden zueinander und es wurden einige Geheimnisse gelüftet, was das Ganze nochmal etwas spannender gemacht hat. Von daher habe ich das Buch dann halbwegs versöhnt beendet.
February 23, 2021
Angelina Sprint muss sich entscheiden, entweder ihre Promotion abzuschließen und sich um eine Stelle als Bibliotheksdirektorin bewerben oder mit fast 40 Jahren endgültig ihr Studium zu beenden. Angelinas Promotionsthema sind die Bürgerinitiativen, in denen Frauen wie ihre Großmutter Amanda vor 100 Jahren in abgelegenen Orten des ländlichen Kansas Bibliotheken organisierten. Selbst wenn z. B. die Carnegie-Stiftung Bibliotheksbauten finanzierte, mussten die Mittel für Unterhalt und Buchbestand meist von den Gemeinden finanziert werden. Angelina war als Kind von einem vorlesenden Vater und den Geschichten geprägt worden, die sie über ihre Großmutter väterlicherseits hörte. Zitate aus Amandas Tagebuch wären ein würdiger Abschluss von Angelinas Arbeit, die an ihrer Uni längst nicht unumstritten ist. Eine Ablehnung ihrer Arbeit würde für Angelina der Diskriminierung des ganzen Landstrichs gleichkommen, den die akademische Welt als zu unbedeutend für die Kulturwissenschaften etikettieren würde. Am Ende ihrer Recherchen sieht sie Carnegie, den Schutzheiligen der Bibliotheken, inzwischen weniger idealistisch, als man ihr als Kind vermittelte. Carnegies Mäzenatentum war nur eine Seite seiner Persönlichkeit, die andere zeigte ihn als knallharten Geschäftsmann, der Gewalt nicht scheute, um den Kampf um Arbeiterrechte im Keim zu ersticken.
Nach einem Wirbelsturm, der eine Kleinstadt samt ihrer Bibliothek in Schutt und Asche legte, treffen drei Frauen aufeinander, Angelina, die Nachfahrin einer couragierten Aktivistin, Traci aus New York, die sich in New Hope etwas zu blauäugig als Kunstpädagogin für ein Projekt beworben hat, und Gayle, die durch den kürzlichen Tornado im Nachbarort Haus und Existenz verloren hat. Die Tornado-Opfer mussten untergebracht werden, so dass Angelina kein Motelzimmer findet. Elena Morton nimmt die Besucherin auf. Sie ist selbst Bibliothekarin; in einer charakteristischen Szene stehen sich zwei Frauen gegenüber, die in einem winzigen Moment gegenseitig ihre Stärken und Schwächen erkennen. Unter Tracis Leitung arbeiten nun die unterschiedlichsten Frauen zusammen, um zunächst durch Fundraising Tracis Gehalt zu verdienen und im nächsten Schritt ihren Ort im Wettkampf um einen Bibliotheksbau voranzubringen.
Bücher, Bibliotheken und Buchmenschen als Romanthema garantieren normalerweise ein Wohlfühlbuch. Romalyn Tilghmans Ehrung der tatkräftigen Frauen von Kansas gelingt leider nur im Ansatz. Mit mehreren Icherzählerinnen samt ihren individuellen Lebensläufen und Sichtweisen auf die Provinz, drei Frauengenerationen und verschiedenen Zeitebenen finde ich den Plot für ein Wohlfühlbuch zu kompliziert. Auf welcher Zeitebene gerade erzählt wird, war mir nicht immer sofort klar. Den historischen Teil fand ich dagegen hochinteressant, der u. a. beleuchtet, ob engagierte Kulturpolitik die Landflucht aus der Provinz eindämmen könnte.
Ärgerlich finde ich hier den rückständigen Blick auf Frauen im Ehrenamt, ihre Reduzierung auf das Fundraising durch Häkeln, Quilten oder Kuchenbacken, das der couragierten Vorfahrin Amanda Sprint nicht gerecht wird. Eine Portion Selbstkritik am Ende ihre Projekts hätte Romalyn Tilghmans Aktivistinnen nicht geschadet. Zu gern hätte ich ihre Ansicht darüber erfahren, dass Kultur und Bibliotheken in der Gegenwart noch immer zu einem Nice-to-Have degradiert werden, anstatt beides als Menschenrecht auf Bildung zu begreifen, und dass sie selbst diese rückständige Einstellung idealisieren und stützen.
Nach einem Wirbelsturm, der eine Kleinstadt samt ihrer Bibliothek in Schutt und Asche legte, treffen drei Frauen aufeinander, Angelina, die Nachfahrin einer couragierten Aktivistin, Traci aus New York, die sich in New Hope etwas zu blauäugig als Kunstpädagogin für ein Projekt beworben hat, und Gayle, die durch den kürzlichen Tornado im Nachbarort Haus und Existenz verloren hat. Die Tornado-Opfer mussten untergebracht werden, so dass Angelina kein Motelzimmer findet. Elena Morton nimmt die Besucherin auf. Sie ist selbst Bibliothekarin; in einer charakteristischen Szene stehen sich zwei Frauen gegenüber, die in einem winzigen Moment gegenseitig ihre Stärken und Schwächen erkennen. Unter Tracis Leitung arbeiten nun die unterschiedlichsten Frauen zusammen, um zunächst durch Fundraising Tracis Gehalt zu verdienen und im nächsten Schritt ihren Ort im Wettkampf um einen Bibliotheksbau voranzubringen.
Bücher, Bibliotheken und Buchmenschen als Romanthema garantieren normalerweise ein Wohlfühlbuch. Romalyn Tilghmans Ehrung der tatkräftigen Frauen von Kansas gelingt leider nur im Ansatz. Mit mehreren Icherzählerinnen samt ihren individuellen Lebensläufen und Sichtweisen auf die Provinz, drei Frauengenerationen und verschiedenen Zeitebenen finde ich den Plot für ein Wohlfühlbuch zu kompliziert. Auf welcher Zeitebene gerade erzählt wird, war mir nicht immer sofort klar. Den historischen Teil fand ich dagegen hochinteressant, der u. a. beleuchtet, ob engagierte Kulturpolitik die Landflucht aus der Provinz eindämmen könnte.
Ärgerlich finde ich hier den rückständigen Blick auf Frauen im Ehrenamt, ihre Reduzierung auf das Fundraising durch Häkeln, Quilten oder Kuchenbacken, das der couragierten Vorfahrin Amanda Sprint nicht gerecht wird. Eine Portion Selbstkritik am Ende ihre Projekts hätte Romalyn Tilghmans Aktivistinnen nicht geschadet. Zu gern hätte ich ihre Ansicht darüber erfahren, dass Kultur und Bibliotheken in der Gegenwart noch immer zu einem Nice-to-Have degradiert werden, anstatt beides als Menschenrecht auf Bildung zu begreifen, und dass sie selbst diese rückständige Einstellung idealisieren und stützen.
May 3, 2017
I started "To the Stars Through Difficulties" the night before a vacation and couldn't put it down until I got to the last page, lots of miles and several days later. I was intrigued by the characters, the story and the history of the Carnegie libraries, the latter of which Tilghman deftly weaves through the novel. First, the characters: each of the main characters has her own distinctive voice, concerns, and reasons for being involved in the town and the library/arts center. I don't have to like a novel's characters, but in this case I did--and understood them also. "To the Stars..." is a well-told story, a fresh take on small town life, where the characters are valued members of communities that are surviving--and want to survive--in the 21st century. I was enthralled by the history of the Carnegie libraries. I knew they exist across the nation, but I didn't know how much they are a product of the hard work and ingenuity of thousands of women. I read novels for story, characters, quality writing and, also, to learn something new, not necessarily in that order. Tilghman's novel succeeds on all fronts.
November 23, 2022
A cast of unlikely women find themselves banding together in Kansas to save the arts. Angelina has travelled to Kansas to FINALLY finish her dissertation on Carnegie libraries - with any luck she'll finish it by the time she turns 40 - only a few months away. She is hoping she will be inspired by revisiting her grandmother's hometown. Traci has fled New York to pursue an artist residency at the New Hope cultural center. She lied on her credentials, but how else is she going to find a free place to live? Now only if she can convince these quilters and rowdy teens to get on board with her "unique" art. Last but not least is Gayle, she is suffering from PTSD since a tornado wiped out her town and her home. Travelling to the New Hope cultural Center to quilt and talk is about the only thing that keeps her going. These outsiders to town will find out that they all have a shared love of community and will go to astonishing links to preserve it.
January 9, 2017
I was given an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
My family has lived in Kansas for generations and Carnegie library buildings in various small towns around the state have long intrigued me. I was excited to have the opportunity to read and review "To The Stars Through Difficulties" and learn more about them. The historical facts presented in the book were fascinating, and I enjoyed the imagery of many places familiar to me. However, the story itself was overblown and melodramatic and the portrayal of small town Kansas was clichéd - even including a tornado and "Wizard of Oz" references.
My family has lived in Kansas for generations and Carnegie library buildings in various small towns around the state have long intrigued me. I was excited to have the opportunity to read and review "To The Stars Through Difficulties" and learn more about them. The historical facts presented in the book were fascinating, and I enjoyed the imagery of many places familiar to me. However, the story itself was overblown and melodramatic and the portrayal of small town Kansas was clichéd - even including a tornado and "Wizard of Oz" references.
March 1, 2021
Der Klappentext von Die Bücherfrauen hat mich direkt neugierig gemacht. Ein Buch über die Liebe zu Büchern, scheint das perfekte Konzept für alle Bücherliebhaber zu sein. Das Cover ist minimalistisch, aber dennoch ansprechend gestaltet.
Den Schreibstil fand ich sehr angenehm und das Buch hat sich auch flüssig gelesen. Mehr Schwierigkeiten bereitet hat mir, dass das Buch aus drei verschiedenen Perspektiven geschrieben ist. Das hat mich gerade am Anfang etwas verwirrt. Zudem schreibt die Autorin relativ nüchtern. Dadurch ist es mir persönlich schwer gefallen mit den Charakteren mitzufühlen.
Eine der drei Protagonistinnen ist Traci, die aus New York nach New Hope kommt, um am Community Center zu unterrichten. Sie ist eine Künstlerin, die ihre Werke aus Müll kreiert.
Dann gibt es noch Angelina, die nach New Hope kommt um ihre Dissertation über Carnegie-Bibliotheken zu schreiben. Ihre Großmutter hat beim Bau der Bibliothek in New Hope mitgeholfen.
Die dritte Protagonistin ist Gayle. Eigentlich kommt sie aus dem Nachbarort, jedoch ist ihre Heimat durch einen Tornado zerstört worden.
Als quasi vierte Protagonistin erfährt man durch ihre Tagebücher mehr über das Leben von Angelinas Großmutter Amanda. Gerade die Tagebucheinträge fand ich spannend, diese haben definitiv Schwung in die Geschichte gebracht.
Der Plot der Geschichte hat mir nicht komplett zugesagt. Mein größter Kritikpunkt ist, dass ich mit den Charakteren nicht wirklich mitfühlen konnte. Ich persönlich hätte mir gewünscht, dass die Geschichte noch etwas spannender wäre. Dennoch gab es auch einige positive Aspekte. Von den Carnegie-Bibliotheken habe ich zuvor nicht wirklich viel gehört gehabt und definitiv einiges dazu gelernt.
Außerdem wird im Buch wunderbar dargestellt, was für eine Kraft die Gemeinschaft von vielen Menschen haben kann. Der wahre Star in der Geschichte ist eigentlich die Liebe zu Büchern und das es sich lohnt dafür einzusetzen. Das Buch hält ein paar überraschende Wendungen bereit, die man so zu Beginn nicht erwartet hat.
Insgesamt bietet das Buch einige spannende Punkte. Es liest sich sehr angenehm und ich empfehle es jedem, der Lust hat mehr über die Carnegie-Bibliotheken zu erfahren. Das Buch erhält von mir 3,5/5 Sterne.
Den Schreibstil fand ich sehr angenehm und das Buch hat sich auch flüssig gelesen. Mehr Schwierigkeiten bereitet hat mir, dass das Buch aus drei verschiedenen Perspektiven geschrieben ist. Das hat mich gerade am Anfang etwas verwirrt. Zudem schreibt die Autorin relativ nüchtern. Dadurch ist es mir persönlich schwer gefallen mit den Charakteren mitzufühlen.
Eine der drei Protagonistinnen ist Traci, die aus New York nach New Hope kommt, um am Community Center zu unterrichten. Sie ist eine Künstlerin, die ihre Werke aus Müll kreiert.
Dann gibt es noch Angelina, die nach New Hope kommt um ihre Dissertation über Carnegie-Bibliotheken zu schreiben. Ihre Großmutter hat beim Bau der Bibliothek in New Hope mitgeholfen.
Die dritte Protagonistin ist Gayle. Eigentlich kommt sie aus dem Nachbarort, jedoch ist ihre Heimat durch einen Tornado zerstört worden.
Als quasi vierte Protagonistin erfährt man durch ihre Tagebücher mehr über das Leben von Angelinas Großmutter Amanda. Gerade die Tagebucheinträge fand ich spannend, diese haben definitiv Schwung in die Geschichte gebracht.
Der Plot der Geschichte hat mir nicht komplett zugesagt. Mein größter Kritikpunkt ist, dass ich mit den Charakteren nicht wirklich mitfühlen konnte. Ich persönlich hätte mir gewünscht, dass die Geschichte noch etwas spannender wäre. Dennoch gab es auch einige positive Aspekte. Von den Carnegie-Bibliotheken habe ich zuvor nicht wirklich viel gehört gehabt und definitiv einiges dazu gelernt.
Außerdem wird im Buch wunderbar dargestellt, was für eine Kraft die Gemeinschaft von vielen Menschen haben kann. Der wahre Star in der Geschichte ist eigentlich die Liebe zu Büchern und das es sich lohnt dafür einzusetzen. Das Buch hält ein paar überraschende Wendungen bereit, die man so zu Beginn nicht erwartet hat.
Insgesamt bietet das Buch einige spannende Punkte. Es liest sich sehr angenehm und ich empfehle es jedem, der Lust hat mehr über die Carnegie-Bibliotheken zu erfahren. Das Buch erhält von mir 3,5/5 Sterne.
April 12, 2017
The moment I opened the cover, I was drawn in and wanted the clock to slow to a crawl so I wouldn’t have to put down this gem. As each page further revealed the personalities of the characters, I felt as though I was walking into a deeper connection with each of them and their lives. While enduring a horrific tornado, summer’s scorching heat, watching a galaxy of stars dance in the Kansas sky, to climbing the steps of some of the most beautiful libraries; the Carnegie Libraries, the women of New Hope and surrounding communities certainly displayed a courage, strength and determination that will empower nearly anyone. Relationships and historical landmarks blossom from some of the most tragic of life’s circumstances and in this journey you will find just that!
Truly, a victorious accomplishment was achieved by, Romalyn Tilghman in this beautiful novel.
Truly, a victorious accomplishment was achieved by, Romalyn Tilghman in this beautiful novel.
May 29, 2017
This is a story of women and community and thoroughly enjoyable. I loved these women and so wish I could spend more time with them. I think it's a lovely antidote to all the gloom and doom we hear on the news every day, and helped reinforce my belief there are more good people out there than bad.
Somebody good, please make the movie!
Somebody good, please make the movie!
May 17, 2017
Ms. Tilghman’s book serves as a reminder to us that things we take for granted were often accomplished through someone else’s dreams, sweat and tears. The story revolves around a group of diverse women coming together in unusual circumstances to build a cultural center just as women came together decades ago to build libraries in small towns assisted by funding through the Carnegie foundation.
If you love libraries, books, reading, the arts ,crafts, the midwest, history, strong women and stories of community then you will enjoy this book. The author has woven a modern story of women coming together to accomplish a dream while entertaining us with many interesting and unusual facts about Carnegie and his libraries. She brings us a story of life in a small town along with the politics and sometimes complicated relationships that occur. She shows us that despite diverse personal histories and opinions people can unite to achieve something wonderful.
I grew up in a Carnegie library in a small town located on the plains of western Nebraska. That library was my connection to a world I could only see in books. I can still see that library in my mind, smell the smells and hear the creaks and groans as I walked across the floors. Thank you, Ms. Tilghman, for refreshing those wonderful memories.
This is a great summer read for vacation, a long weekend or just sitting in a quiet place and indulging yourself for a few hours.
If you love libraries, books, reading, the arts ,crafts, the midwest, history, strong women and stories of community then you will enjoy this book. The author has woven a modern story of women coming together to accomplish a dream while entertaining us with many interesting and unusual facts about Carnegie and his libraries. She brings us a story of life in a small town along with the politics and sometimes complicated relationships that occur. She shows us that despite diverse personal histories and opinions people can unite to achieve something wonderful.
I grew up in a Carnegie library in a small town located on the plains of western Nebraska. That library was my connection to a world I could only see in books. I can still see that library in my mind, smell the smells and hear the creaks and groans as I walked across the floors. Thank you, Ms. Tilghman, for refreshing those wonderful memories.
This is a great summer read for vacation, a long weekend or just sitting in a quiet place and indulging yourself for a few hours.
January 23, 2020
3 1/2 stars
I wish I could say that I enjoyed this book more than I did, but it wouldn’t be true. While I loved the idea of working Carnegie libraries into the story and the idea of friendships forged by the destruction of a tornado, somehow, it just didn’t work for me. I listened to the audiobook version of this tale, and I think that was the problem. I could never differentiate who was talking, all the women’s voices sounded very much the same. While the speaker of each chapter was mentioned at the start of each chapter, I had a hard time keeping track as the narration moved along. I don’t think that would have been a big problem if the voices of each character had been more distinct. This book very well might have captured me better if I had read it in print.
Still, it’s a sweet story about women and the friendships they forge. That was the part that captured me the most. Seeing how these women, some lifelong adversaries, came together to try to make something good come out of something bad touched my heart. It also discussed the women who put in the time and toil to bring the Carnegie libraries to life in their communities.
At some point, I might search out a print copy of this book to read. I really do think it might work better, at least for me.
I won an audiobook copy of this book in an online giveaway. I thank the author for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review express my true and honest reactions to listening to this book.
September 21, 2018
As an avid reader and supporter of libraries in general, I was eager to learn more about Carnegie and the backstory of his libraries many of which I've visited and admired. I expected a more cohesive and central plot about the man and the libraries themselves. Historical bits of all sorts were awkwardly forced into a plot that centered more about three women who ended up in the same small town at the same time. None of the woman particularly interested me; Traci being the most memorable but off-putting.
The structure (short chapters from the viewpoint of one of the women), and the pacing diluted my interest in the outcome.
The structure (short chapters from the viewpoint of one of the women), and the pacing diluted my interest in the outcome.
January 30, 2023
Hatte gar keine allzu großen Erwartungen, aber die Geschichte hat mich gleich reingezogen und war spannend. Ich mochte es sehr. Meine einzige Kritik wäre, dass ich das Gefühl habe die Zeitebenen passen nicht so gut zusammen. Eine Frau feiert ca. 2008 ihren 40. Geburtstag. Und über ihren Vater wissen wir dass er ungefähr 1910 geboren wurde... Also ja, er kam schon mit Ende 50 noch Vater geworden sein, aber das hätte ich dann erwähnenswert gefunden, naja. Vielleicht bin das nur ich
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