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Collodion
In the 1840s-50s America, both photography and embalming the dead came into standard practice. On the autism spectrum, Osborn Roche is a well-respected postmortem and battlefield photographer during the civil war. He and his nephew Ray travel with the Union army photographing battlefields and doing portraits for the soldiers. When Osborn meets Lou, a young woman dressed as a man to work as an embalmer for the Union army, he is drawn to her beautiful, flickering, golden-brown irises, a condition known as Nystagmus and also a condition Osborn's mother had. Only a day later, he sees that Lou is also on the autism spectrum as he is, and they become best friends. Lou works with her famous father, Henry Cattell, a true historical man and embalmer of President Lincoln and his son, Willy. From misinformation, Henry has strong feelings that his daughter should never marry or have children due to her condition. When he thinks their friendship may blossom into courtship, Henry threatens Osborn and takes Lou away. Having been picked on his whole life and never having a friend before, Osborn is broken without her but goes on with Ray back to the Union army. By accidentally being in the middle of the battle of Corinth, he becomes a very famous photographer with a published book of it. He and Ray attend his war photography book signing, and Lou shows up in line with her uncle, Ben. Ben explains that her father would have Lou sterilized by a surgical procedure and that he needs to get her away. Lou runs off with Osborn, his nephew, Ray, and a runaway slave named Abigail, all heading back to their home in Pittsburgh but are pursued by the Union army. Along the way, Osborn and Lou decide to marry to thwart Henry's claim. Henry convinces the authorities that Lou's condition is insanity and that she has no idea what she's doing. Lou and Osborn must escape again, but this time to Indian territory, a place they should never be found.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2021
About the author
Greg Morgan
5 books38 followersGreg Morgan is an award-winning novelist, film director, producer, and screenwriter. His acclaimed literary trilogy "Weeper," "Collodion," and his new book, "Sin Eater," masterfully weaves historical themes with characters in rare professions, earning widespread critical recognition. These works are available through Amazon and major booksellers worldwide.
Greg Morgan's fascination with America's forgotten death rituals led him to unearth the haunting practice of sin eating—a custom where individuals would ceremonially consume food passed over a corpse, symbolically taking on the deceased's sins. This compelling discovery inspired him to craft "Sin Eater," the third installment in his "Death Shall Have No Dominion" series, weaving together the rich tapestry of 19th-century mourning customs with deeply human stories of love and loss. Morgan's meticulous research into historical practices like professional mourners (weepers) and post-mortem photography brings authenticity to this powerful narrative about grief, redemption, and the lengths people will go to maintain connections with those they've lost.
Morgan's storytelling prowess extends beyond the page to the silver screen, where he has carved a distinguished career spanning several decades. His directorial debut, "17 & Under," earned multiple awards and established him as a compelling new voice in filmmaking. He has since produced numerous successful features while continuing to craft memorable screenplays that showcase his narrative versatility. His latest film, "The Boatman," is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Greg Morgan's fascination with America's forgotten death rituals led him to unearth the haunting practice of sin eating—a custom where individuals would ceremonially consume food passed over a corpse, symbolically taking on the deceased's sins. This compelling discovery inspired him to craft "Sin Eater," the third installment in his "Death Shall Have No Dominion" series, weaving together the rich tapestry of 19th-century mourning customs with deeply human stories of love and loss. Morgan's meticulous research into historical practices like professional mourners (weepers) and post-mortem photography brings authenticity to this powerful narrative about grief, redemption, and the lengths people will go to maintain connections with those they've lost.
Morgan's storytelling prowess extends beyond the page to the silver screen, where he has carved a distinguished career spanning several decades. His directorial debut, "17 & Under," earned multiple awards and established him as a compelling new voice in filmmaking. He has since produced numerous successful features while continuing to craft memorable screenplays that showcase his narrative versatility. His latest film, "The Boatman," is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 15, 2021
The best novel I've ever written. Ha!
June 5, 2021
In the midst of the Civil War, an autistic postmortem photographer, Osborne Roche, bumbling through battlefields with his nephew, meets a father/daughter embalming team. The daughter, Lou, is also “peculiar,” dresses in men’s clothes, and spends her days, like Osborne, with the dead. Period photographic techniques and embalming history are adroitly woven into the story. Collodion is used in both early daguerreotypes and embalming, and becomes a metaphor for Osborne and Lou’s relationship. I appreciate that throughout the story there is equal treatment of both Union and Confederate soldiers, with neither being portrayed as the “good guys” or the “bad guys,” but just young men, sometimes boys, being thrust into a situation beyond their control.
Osborne has an endearing ritual of riffling through the pockets of the dead that he photographs in order to get a sense of who they had been as a person; using what tidbits of knowledge he discovers, he creates fictitious anecdotes as if they knew one another. He tells his nephew that this method is the only way he’d ever have friends. Later, he meets Lou, his first real friend. Lou constantly taps her fingers and Osborne can’t shake hands or touch anyone. He doesn’t understand social cues, politeness or jokes, and neither of them can tolerate loud noise or strong smells. They bond over their exceptional way of facing the world and feel comfortable only around one another.
As much as I enjoyed the sweet eccentricity of Osborn and Lou, I was disappointed with the rushed ending. I got the feeling that the author enjoyed sauntering through the story, slowly developing his characters, and then was told to wrap it up. Maybe he had a deadline? The ending of the story was dramatic, but I felt whooshed through what should have been the most heartfelt part of the story.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.
Osborne has an endearing ritual of riffling through the pockets of the dead that he photographs in order to get a sense of who they had been as a person; using what tidbits of knowledge he discovers, he creates fictitious anecdotes as if they knew one another. He tells his nephew that this method is the only way he’d ever have friends. Later, he meets Lou, his first real friend. Lou constantly taps her fingers and Osborne can’t shake hands or touch anyone. He doesn’t understand social cues, politeness or jokes, and neither of them can tolerate loud noise or strong smells. They bond over their exceptional way of facing the world and feel comfortable only around one another.
As much as I enjoyed the sweet eccentricity of Osborn and Lou, I was disappointed with the rushed ending. I got the feeling that the author enjoyed sauntering through the story, slowly developing his characters, and then was told to wrap it up. Maybe he had a deadline? The ending of the story was dramatic, but I felt whooshed through what should have been the most heartfelt part of the story.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.
July 11, 2021
I love reading books from new perspectives that I may not otherwise have the opportunity to come across. When I saw this on netgalley, I thought that it would really fit that bill. A book about a man on the spectrum who follows the battles of the American Civil War in order to photograph history, making a unique contribution to the war effort, and a woman, also on the spectrum, who embalms fallen soldiers so that they can be sent home to their families without rotting. The characters themselves are delightful. Their love story and their work lives are very believable. The writing itself does not distinguish itself from the crowd in any way. It describe what happens and has dialogue and that's it. I can't really say much more about it because there is nothing more to it. There are a few points that made me pretty uncomfortable, which is fine. Literature should be able to do that, but I just can't get past the ending, which I won't spoil. I will just say that I decided to knock off a star for it, which may be sort of harsh, but it seemed like it was leading to something more and then it just ended and I was left staring at the page saying to myself, "That's it? Yep, that's it...okay, then."
July 21, 2021
This book started out promising, with a quirky main character who falls Forest Gump-like into fame as a photographer of Civil War battles. When he meets his soulmate, a young woman dressing as a man for her job as embalmer and also because it suits her, it feels fateful. However, Lou, who has been diagnosed with a "syndrome," and Osborn, who appears to have the same "syndrome," come across as childlike if not cartoonish / buffoonish, and it's harmful to people who are on the spectrum. The author throws in the token black, the token Native American, etc. I finished the book because it was a compelling storyline otherwise, and I wanted to give an informed review. To make matters worse, the ending is super creepy. I don't need to relate to a character to appreciate a good tale, but I expect this character was meant to be endearing, not criminal (I suspect it was intended to be romantic, but no, it was not). Also, NetGalley does not provide the information that books are part of a series. Morgan is a great storyteller, if he could toss the stereotypes out of his storyline, maybe by investing in a sensitivity editor. I received a digital copy from the author through NetGalley.
August 31, 2021
This book is highly intriguing and hard to quantify.
Osborn Roche is a master of the new science of photography or daguerreotyping. He's made his name taking postmortem photos, stereotypes and tintypes of Civil War combatants and battlefields. He is also autistic.
Traveling from battleground to battleground in his large, red Romani vardo he and his nephew Ray find themselves on both sides of the battles. Mostly traveling with the Union army but occasionally finding themselves on the side of the Rebs forces. I found this dichotomy to be fascinating. The fact that he was treated with enthusiasm and respect (mostly) on whichever side he found himself as a non-combatant. That isn't the case with warfare today unfortunately.
Along the way he comes across the handiwork of the new science of embalming the dead. Then he meets the embalmers themselves, Henry Cattell, his brother Ben and his daughter Lou (passing as a young man) set up in the outskirts of the Union camp he's in. Fascinated by the science he makes it a point to meet them, and finds himself entranced by Lou who seems to share his condition.
The autistic spectrum is handled sensitively and well as it presents in both Osborn and Lou, and the dealing they have with the world and people they come in contact with.
The story itself blossoms along with Osborn and Lou's tentative steps towards friendship and then love. The travails they face as seemingly deviant persons in a world intolerant of such. The turmoil of the Civil War and its effects on the landscape and people. All are presented in a factual and well researched way.
The story is uplifting and heartbreaking by turn and tho the ending 'seem's abrupt upon further thought it is strangely fitting for the conclusion of Osborn and Lou's story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Osborn Roche is a master of the new science of photography or daguerreotyping. He's made his name taking postmortem photos, stereotypes and tintypes of Civil War combatants and battlefields. He is also autistic.
Traveling from battleground to battleground in his large, red Romani vardo he and his nephew Ray find themselves on both sides of the battles. Mostly traveling with the Union army but occasionally finding themselves on the side of the Rebs forces. I found this dichotomy to be fascinating. The fact that he was treated with enthusiasm and respect (mostly) on whichever side he found himself as a non-combatant. That isn't the case with warfare today unfortunately.
Along the way he comes across the handiwork of the new science of embalming the dead. Then he meets the embalmers themselves, Henry Cattell, his brother Ben and his daughter Lou (passing as a young man) set up in the outskirts of the Union camp he's in. Fascinated by the science he makes it a point to meet them, and finds himself entranced by Lou who seems to share his condition.
The autistic spectrum is handled sensitively and well as it presents in both Osborn and Lou, and the dealing they have with the world and people they come in contact with.
The story itself blossoms along with Osborn and Lou's tentative steps towards friendship and then love. The travails they face as seemingly deviant persons in a world intolerant of such. The turmoil of the Civil War and its effects on the landscape and people. All are presented in a factual and well researched way.
The story is uplifting and heartbreaking by turn and tho the ending 'seem's abrupt upon further thought it is strangely fitting for the conclusion of Osborn and Lou's story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 30, 2021
Collodion
By
Greg Morgan
My Review:
Greg Morgan's Collodion is quite an intriguing story that combines war, autism, romance, love, fear, photography, embalming, etc. Through this story, I learnt many new things and therefore I am glad to get my hands on this book. Osborn Roche and his nephew Ray make portraits of the soldiers in the battlefield.
Osborn has one habit that he doesn't allow anyone to touch him. His encounter with Lou Cattell made the story more interesting. Lou has learnt about embalming and photography from her father Henry Cattell. She informed Osborn that they have recently done portrait of President Lincoln's Son Willy. After Osborn's meeting with Lou, he told Ray that Lou is beautiful like Ray's grandmother. Read this story to know will Lou and Osborn's fate is to be together or will they be separated from each other because of being different?
Story felt a little slow paced in the beginning but with the entry of Lou, it took pace and also caught my attention. Story is written in multiple chapters with length of each chapter of approx 3-4 pages. Length of the book is appropriate. I binged read it on weekend. I enjoyed the storyline. It is a unique story and it has refreshed me totally.
My Rating: 5/5
By
Greg Morgan
My Review:
Greg Morgan's Collodion is quite an intriguing story that combines war, autism, romance, love, fear, photography, embalming, etc. Through this story, I learnt many new things and therefore I am glad to get my hands on this book. Osborn Roche and his nephew Ray make portraits of the soldiers in the battlefield.
Osborn has one habit that he doesn't allow anyone to touch him. His encounter with Lou Cattell made the story more interesting. Lou has learnt about embalming and photography from her father Henry Cattell. She informed Osborn that they have recently done portrait of President Lincoln's Son Willy. After Osborn's meeting with Lou, he told Ray that Lou is beautiful like Ray's grandmother. Read this story to know will Lou and Osborn's fate is to be together or will they be separated from each other because of being different?
Story felt a little slow paced in the beginning but with the entry of Lou, it took pace and also caught my attention. Story is written in multiple chapters with length of each chapter of approx 3-4 pages. Length of the book is appropriate. I binged read it on weekend. I enjoyed the storyline. It is a unique story and it has refreshed me totally.
My Rating: 5/5
June 30, 2021
Collodion written by the author Greg Morgan is the second book in Death Shall Have No Dominion book series. Story is set in the 1840-50s America. Before reading this book, I didn't have an idea what Collodion is but now I am well aware about it and its uses.
Main characters of the story are Osborn Roche and his nephew Ray. Osborn Roche is a well-respected postmortem and battlefield photographer during the civil war. He and his nephew Ray travel with the Union army photographing battlefields and doing portraits for the soldiers. The way Osborn's dialogues are written twice gave me the feeling as I watching a movie. Author has captured the perfect essence of a person with autism spectrum disorder in this book. When Osborn met Lou Cattell, for the first time in life he called a woman as beautiful.
Lou has learnt much from her father Henry Cattell, an embalmer of President Lincoln's son Willy. I appreciate the amazing chemistry between Lou and Osborn. I loved Lou's character. Writing style of Greg is nice. Language used in the book is easy so I was easily able to follow the story. Cover photo looks amazing. This is an insightful read. I enjoyed the story overall.
Main characters of the story are Osborn Roche and his nephew Ray. Osborn Roche is a well-respected postmortem and battlefield photographer during the civil war. He and his nephew Ray travel with the Union army photographing battlefields and doing portraits for the soldiers. The way Osborn's dialogues are written twice gave me the feeling as I watching a movie. Author has captured the perfect essence of a person with autism spectrum disorder in this book. When Osborn met Lou Cattell, for the first time in life he called a woman as beautiful.
Lou has learnt much from her father Henry Cattell, an embalmer of President Lincoln's son Willy. I appreciate the amazing chemistry between Lou and Osborn. I loved Lou's character. Writing style of Greg is nice. Language used in the book is easy so I was easily able to follow the story. Cover photo looks amazing. This is an insightful read. I enjoyed the story overall.
June 30, 2021
𝑻𝒊𝒕𝒍𝒆: Collodion
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: Greg Morgan
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
There are very few novels that has the power to hook reader's attention from the first page. Collodion by Greg Morgan is one such novel. When I read the book blurb, I couldn't wait to know more about Osborn, Ray and Lou. Osborn Roche is a well-respected postmortem and battlefield photographer. He do portraits along with his nephew Ray. Osborn keep on teaching few things to Ray.
One day, Osborn eyes fell on a beautiful woman who introduced herself as Lou Cattell. Even though, Lou is in the appearance of a man, but still Osborn found her beautiful. Ray was surprised to know that Osborn has flirted with a woman. As the story progresses, Osborn and Lou's relationship got deeper. But will Lou's father Henry approve of Lou and Osborn's relationship?
When I was reading about Lou Cattell, I felt like I am reading about my physical features as I have small mouth, thin lips, child-like smile, wear spectacles, etc. Author has very well described the characters. They felt realistic. Narration is smooth and gripped my attention totally to the story. It's an amazing story and I like to recommend it to all my fellow readers.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 5/5
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: Greg Morgan
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
There are very few novels that has the power to hook reader's attention from the first page. Collodion by Greg Morgan is one such novel. When I read the book blurb, I couldn't wait to know more about Osborn, Ray and Lou. Osborn Roche is a well-respected postmortem and battlefield photographer. He do portraits along with his nephew Ray. Osborn keep on teaching few things to Ray.
One day, Osborn eyes fell on a beautiful woman who introduced herself as Lou Cattell. Even though, Lou is in the appearance of a man, but still Osborn found her beautiful. Ray was surprised to know that Osborn has flirted with a woman. As the story progresses, Osborn and Lou's relationship got deeper. But will Lou's father Henry approve of Lou and Osborn's relationship?
When I was reading about Lou Cattell, I felt like I am reading about my physical features as I have small mouth, thin lips, child-like smile, wear spectacles, etc. Author has very well described the characters. They felt realistic. Narration is smooth and gripped my attention totally to the story. It's an amazing story and I like to recommend it to all my fellow readers.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 5/5
June 23, 2021
Prior to the American Civil War, photography and embalming the dead were newly invented arts and sciences. Osborn Roche is a well-respected battlefield and postmortem photographer during the Civil War. He also has autism. When Osborn meets Lou, a young woman dressed as a man to work as an embalmer for the Union, he realizes that she is also on the autism spectrum, and they quickly become friends. Lou's father believes his daughter should never marry or have children due to her condition. Will Osborn and Lou be able to find the life they want and deserve?
From page one, this novel enthralled me. Several people in my life have autism, and I appreciate books that address this condition. Unfortunately, I think the author "cures" autism too neatly.
The historical aspect was interesting. I enjoyed reading about the photography and embalming processes.
The romance was also touching, innocent and heartwarming.
Although I jumped into the series in book 2, I wasn't confused. I do want to read all the books in this series, though!
From page one, this novel enthralled me. Several people in my life have autism, and I appreciate books that address this condition. Unfortunately, I think the author "cures" autism too neatly.
The historical aspect was interesting. I enjoyed reading about the photography and embalming processes.
The romance was also touching, innocent and heartwarming.
Although I jumped into the series in book 2, I wasn't confused. I do want to read all the books in this series, though!
May 20, 2021
I've got a chance to read this book through NetGalley in return of the honest review.
First of all, I have not realised that this book is the second one of the series until I have finished. Yet it it was easy to read as stand alone piece.
Secondly, I loved the topic and the chosen era... It's not only interesting story. It is the peculiar story. That would probably describe it best.
Well done researched American history and history of photography - something as photographer myself I could relate. Through light humour one of the highlights is the mental health. Avoiding any spoilers it could make, I will leave it up to readers to find out.
It's not your usual story with predictable ending.
The only little downside that I have spotted is mixed American/British slang, some words questionably fitting into the time/era described. It is not majorly distracting but something that could be improved on.
All in all, great read.
First of all, I have not realised that this book is the second one of the series until I have finished. Yet it it was easy to read as stand alone piece.
Secondly, I loved the topic and the chosen era... It's not only interesting story. It is the peculiar story. That would probably describe it best.
Well done researched American history and history of photography - something as photographer myself I could relate. Through light humour one of the highlights is the mental health. Avoiding any spoilers it could make, I will leave it up to readers to find out.
It's not your usual story with predictable ending.
The only little downside that I have spotted is mixed American/British slang, some words questionably fitting into the time/era described. It is not majorly distracting but something that could be improved on.
All in all, great read.
November 16, 2021
First of all, I have not realised that this book is the second one of the series until I have finished. Yet it it was easy to read as stand alone piece.
Secondly, I loved the topic and the chosen era... It's not only interesting story. It is the peculiar story. That would probably describe it best.
Well done researched American history and history of photography - something as photographer myself I could relate. Through light humour one of the highlights is the mental health. Avoiding any spoilers it could make, I will leave it up to readers to find out.
It's not your usual story with predictable ending.
The only little downside that I have spotted is mixed American/British slang, some words questionably fitting into the time/era described. It is not majorly distracting but something that could be improved on.
All in all, great read.
Secondly, I loved the topic and the chosen era... It's not only interesting story. It is the peculiar story. That would probably describe it best.
Well done researched American history and history of photography - something as photographer myself I could relate. Through light humour one of the highlights is the mental health. Avoiding any spoilers it could make, I will leave it up to readers to find out.
It's not your usual story with predictable ending.
The only little downside that I have spotted is mixed American/British slang, some words questionably fitting into the time/era described. It is not majorly distracting but something that could be improved on.
All in all, great read.
August 1, 2021
I wanted to love this and it had so much promise with the civil war setting and the professions and neurodivergence of the protagonists but it was a bit tedious. The narration and the conversation were stilted.
As for the characters, I know that if you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person but both autistic characters, especially Osborn, felt one-dimensionally autistic.
There were a few good scenes but the crafting of the story felt ragged and I won't be reading the previous book or the next one.
I read this courtesy of NetGalley.
As for the characters, I know that if you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person but both autistic characters, especially Osborn, felt one-dimensionally autistic.
There were a few good scenes but the crafting of the story felt ragged and I won't be reading the previous book or the next one.
I read this courtesy of NetGalley.
June 13, 2026
Two people on the autism spectrum meet during the American Civil War and create a life together traveling the country documenting the war. Osborn is a photographer and Lou is an embalmer. Both view their professions as art. A fascinating story and a delightful one day read.
Collodian is book two in a series of three but I happen to be reading them exactly backwards as I read Sin Eater first. Book each book is actually a stand-alone though so it’s fine.
Collodian is book two in a series of three but I happen to be reading them exactly backwards as I read Sin Eater first. Book each book is actually a stand-alone though so it’s fine.
November 19, 2024
This is my favorite book by Greg Morgan. I am SO connected to Osborne the main character. It’s truly remarkable this story- with even true historical battles and people included. I finished this book a week ago and i still can’t stop thinking about it. i can’t wait to read the 3rd book that just came out
July 2, 2021
One of my favorite reading categories is historical fiction, although it is difficult to find literature in this genre that is well-researched, features a captivating story-line and is written in engaging prose. Well, I found all that it Collodion. In addition, I was frequently inspired to research the many interesting conditions, professions, and concepts I came across, so that I have learned a great deal in addition to enjoying an exceptionally good book.
To begin with I did not know much, if anything, about collodion. A bit of reading on the subject allowed me to understand that it was an important ingredient in an early wet plate process in photography, but was also used in early embalming together with cotton as filler substance. It's adhesive properties thus not only serve to emphasize the professions of the two main characters, Osborn and Lou, but also act as a metaphor for their being 'glued together' in their neurodiversity, mutual understanding, and need for each other.
More reading enlightened me about the history of autism in America, the professions of war portraitists, weepers, and embalmers. Also the conditions of nystagmus or iridodonesis were very interesting to explore (it is not clear, which of these disorders is meant by Lou's 'fluttering irises'). My inclination to read up on interesting concepts in books does not mean that readers of Collodion need to do the same. This is simply my own peculiarity, and readers will not lose any context or meaning necessary to enjoy the story if they do not.
Which brings me to the story itself, and I will not give a summary, as it has been done by others and probably better than I could. Let me say, though, that I was greatly impressed by the author's obviously thorough research that resulted in very pleasing historical authenticity. Osborn's character, and the love story between him and Lou are written with such delicate and gentle sensitivity; it is portrayed in such tender scenes, it couldn't but resonate in me, the reader. It was not possible for me to finish this novel in one go. I had to pause frequently to cherish the feelings evoked in me, like a gourmet lingers over a particular delicacy.
There is truly nothing negative I could say about this book.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Barnes&Noble for the ARC in return for an honest review.
To begin with I did not know much, if anything, about collodion. A bit of reading on the subject allowed me to understand that it was an important ingredient in an early wet plate process in photography, but was also used in early embalming together with cotton as filler substance. It's adhesive properties thus not only serve to emphasize the professions of the two main characters, Osborn and Lou, but also act as a metaphor for their being 'glued together' in their neurodiversity, mutual understanding, and need for each other.
More reading enlightened me about the history of autism in America, the professions of war portraitists, weepers, and embalmers. Also the conditions of nystagmus or iridodonesis were very interesting to explore (it is not clear, which of these disorders is meant by Lou's 'fluttering irises'). My inclination to read up on interesting concepts in books does not mean that readers of Collodion need to do the same. This is simply my own peculiarity, and readers will not lose any context or meaning necessary to enjoy the story if they do not.
Which brings me to the story itself, and I will not give a summary, as it has been done by others and probably better than I could. Let me say, though, that I was greatly impressed by the author's obviously thorough research that resulted in very pleasing historical authenticity. Osborn's character, and the love story between him and Lou are written with such delicate and gentle sensitivity; it is portrayed in such tender scenes, it couldn't but resonate in me, the reader. It was not possible for me to finish this novel in one go. I had to pause frequently to cherish the feelings evoked in me, like a gourmet lingers over a particular delicacy.
There is truly nothing negative I could say about this book.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Barnes&Noble for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews