The Wide, Wide World

by Susan Bogert Warner, Jane Tompkins (Afterword)

First published in 1850 and exceeded in popularity then only by Uncle Tom's Cabin , this domestic epic narrates the seven-year pilgrimage of a girl sent out into the world at age ten by a dying mother and a careless father. Moved from relative to relative, Ellen Montgomery astonishes by remaining faithful to her mother’s memory and to her Christian teachings.

As Jane Tompkins notes in her afterword, Warner's (1819-1865) novel is "compulsively readable, absorbing, and provoking to an extraordinary degree. . . More than any other book of its time, it embodies, uncompromisingly, the values of the Victorian era."

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Historical Fiction, 19th Century, Christian Fiction, Young Adult, Read For School

608 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1850

About the author

Born in 1819 in New York City, American novelist and children's author Susan Bogert Warner was the daughter of lawyer Henry Warner, and his wife, Anna Bartlett. Her early life was one of wealth and privilege, until her father lost his money in the Panic of 1837, and the family were forced to sell their home in St. Mark's Place (NYC), and move to a farmhouse they owned on Constitution Island, near West Point, NY.

Warner and her sister, Anna Bartlett Warner (author of the well-known children's hymn, Jesus Loves Me, This I Know), began writing in 1849, in order to improve their family's financial situation. Their work, for both children and adults, was largely evangelical. Susan Bogert Warner is primarily remembered for her debut novel, The Wide, Wide World (1850), although she wrote close to thirty additional titles, all under the pseudonym 'Elizabeth Wetherell."

Reviews

[Kendra · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Wide Wide World was first published in 1852 and is said to be America’s first bestseller. But, the first I ever heard of it was while reading another book last month (Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare). I downloaded a free edition of The Wide Wide World to my Kindle and couldn’t wait to get into it.

Then I couldn’t wait to finish it. This is a very difficult review to write because I am happy that I read and finished a classic novel BUT, I absolutely did not like what I was reading and had to struggle to keep going to the end. I am glad to see that other readers here on Goodreads didn’t like the book because over at Amazon, everyone raves and gives it five stars.

The book is horribly written. The interesting parts of the story are often hurried with only a brief mention while boring unimportant conversations and reflections were drawn out for pages (felt like days). But I would have enjoyed the book if my only aversion was the writing style…unfortunately that’s not the worst of it. The author spends no time on character development. For most of the book, I had NO IDEA of the age of our “heroine”, Ellen Montgomery. I was thoroughly confused as to the location of the characters and had a very difficult time envisioning anyone or any place.

As Wikipedia states, the book was originally written to be a Christian lesson. And, by God, the author beats the reader over the head with that lesson. Unfortunately, it backfires because I can’t imagine anyone, in their right mind, wanting to emulate Ellen. The book is supposed to be inspiring but I wanted to throw it and run away. I was SO ANGRY at what I was reading and instead of being inspiring and loving, much of the time it was just creepy and infuriating. Ellen is told over and over that she has a sinful heart (she is about 11 years old) and must be submissive and controlled by the men in her life in order to be a good Christian.

I’ve included some quotes from the book so you can see for yourself:
“Ellen obeyed, trembling, for it seemed to her that it was to set her hand and seal to the deed of gift her father and mother had made. But there was no retreat, it was spoken and Mr. Lindsay, folding her close in his arms kissed her again and again. “Never let me hear you call me anything else, Ellen. You are mine own now, my own child, my own little daughter. You shall do just what pleases me in everything, let by-gones be by-gones.”

“It was a grievous trial. Ellen cried for a great while when she got to her own room, and a long hard struggle was necessary before she could resolve to do her duty.”

“Then Ellen, can you not see the love of your heavenly Father in this trial? He saw that his little child was in danger of forgetting him, and he loved you, Ellen; and so he has taken your dear mother, and sent you away where you will have no one to look to but him; and now he says to you, ‘My daughter, give me thy heart.’ Will you do it, Ellen?”

Seriously? Why would anyone be drawn to a god that would have a child’s mother die because the young child loved the mother more than she loved God? WHAT???

Overall, I am happy that I was able to finish the book. But, there is nothing, in my opinion, redeeming about the story. It ends without an ending and was much more infuriating than entertaining. The only way I recommend this book is if you want to read “the classics” and would like a glimpse into life in the mid-19th century.

Personally, I’m thrilled to be done with it, but...I will close this on a good note; there is one quote from the book that I love. It is said to Ellen as she is leaving, not knowing if she will ever return:

“My dear little daughter,” said he, “you cannot be so glad to come back as my arms and my heart will be to receive you.”

[Maddalaine Ansell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book first as a child when I found it in a jumble sale and recognised it as the book Jo March read weeping in Little Women. As a child I loved it for the story of Ellen coping when sent away from her mother to live with her unkind Aunt Fortune. As an adult, I enjoyed it for the window it provides to life in the 19th century - not so far in the past but a time when the death of mothers, sisters and children was an everyday part of life and people had to draw on all their resilience and faith to continue to live cheerfully and well.

I am sure not everyone will agree but for me, John Humphreys is a highly attractive hero. In a world where most people expected Ellen to just obey, he wanted to develop her mind and opinions. (He was also good looking, clever and able to come to her rescue on horseback.)

Some people will no doubt be put off by the Christian moralising - particularly as it takes a Victorian form that is not commonly held today. But it was a bestseller in its day and illustrates a worldview that was seen as common and worth emulating at that time.

[Kaitlyn S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been on my reading list since the very first time I read Little Women and strong Jo March was reading it and it evoked so much emotion from her. And, to be honest, I didn’t see why as I read through the first part of this story. I kept on reading it only because it was mentioned in one of my favourite books, and I had been wanting to read it so long . . . and then I ended part one and started part two, and went and dug out a box of tissues.

Ellen was a dear little girl, and I appreciated her struggles in trying to live a Christian life. The way she approached calling herself a Christian, the thought she put into making Jesus her Lord and Master was sobering, and I honestly think everyone would benefit from such a thoughtful approach. The seriousness with which she began her Christian walk was so different from the flippant way so many in the world approach Christ, that it did my heart good and gave it a solemn wake-up call to honour the title “Christian” in my own life.

Ellen was continually looking for ways to please her Master, and she was so courageous in the face of opposition that it was amazing to me. No matter the circumstances, and no matter how provoked she had been, Ellen mourned over her sin with a vigor that is lacking in my own life. I tend to just pass over sin that was provoked, claiming that it was the other persons fault, but Ellie showed me a different and better way, and I will forever be grateful to her for that.

I also really enjoyed reading about her patience and submission under all the trials she faced. As she lost so many people that had poured into her life and ministered to her, she controlled herself wonderfully, and submitted her emotions to the Master. And at the same time, I appreciated seeing her struggles in this area as well, and being able to watch her grow. The grief she exhibited when she was separated from her mother versus the grief she showed when Alice died were so different, and an example for me to learn from.

I enjoyed watching how this passionate young girl grew into a self-controlled woman, and being able to see the journey she took will forever encourage me to mourn my sin more than I do, and to ever strive for excellency in the Christian walk.

[Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read half of this book.

If I had to read more of it I may not be alive today.

[Victoria Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must read for a young Christian girl. I read it when I was 14 and then again when I was 16. A beautiful, pastoral story with Scriptural truths that are inspiring. Though it is a long story and somewhat sad at times, it truly is wonderful. I try not to be made at the author, but the troubles she puts her characters through, does make for a good story! Would make a wonderful family read aloud.

[Vanessa Baish · Rating 3 out of 5]

i have such a complicated response to this book; it is so very long and so very limited to the narrator's spiritual struggle (and a struggle that is not familiar to, i think, contemporary readers) but it is also so very full of possibilities and the author's intelligence. the reader can see, in the detailed descriptions of domestic life, in the comparison between a country "bee" and an upperclass dance, and in warner's close reading of visual art, so many layers of the culture of the time. there are also hints, despite warner's unwillingness to write her innermost thoughts (according to her sister, anna's, biography) glimmers of her fears and beliefs flash on occasion.

warner was contemporary with the transcendentalists and this is apparent in the language of her religious beliefs and in her appreciation of beauty, but her use of the transcendantal concepts is didactic.

this book is not easy to read but it is very rich.

[Frances N. Svoboda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book

So glad to have read this mild and well-written book. The ending,however, was abrupt. I would have liked a more detailed ending. Otherwise, I loved it.

[annalynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I began this book I was unimpressed. However, sweet little Ellen Montgomery continued to grow on me. The variety of characters that Ellen interacts with is fantastic and there are many characters and scenes to love. This novel is lengthy, but if you hold out, it is also packed with emotion. The novel elicits laughter, shock, and most importantly sympathy. As one of the first novels in the sentimental genre, Warner accomplishes her obvious goals of teaching her reader alongside Ellen how to create a network of sympathy. Ellen grows into a strong, confident, and emotionally intelligent young women and Warner process the framework for her reader to do the same.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is DREADFULLY preachy, and I can't believe Jo March ever really liked it and cried over it. Especially at 15 or 16 years old. It's also OVERLY tragical (poor Ellen gets separated from everyone and everything she cares about multiple times, more than once through death). And yet there are a few interesting things about it - sometimes the descriptions are quite vivid, and there are times when it WANTS to be a better book - there are descriptions of New England household life, for instance, and delving into that would probably have been far more interesting to me. If I were writing it, I'd make it about Ellen leaving her city life where she lived with her mother in a hotel (although they weren't rich or anything either), and learning to live with her cranky old aunt and keep house and stuff. Yeah, I'm projecting Anne of Green Gables on this or something. What. And I'd forget the preachy friends and bad theology. And the rich relatives who eventually take her up. I hate them. And then the ending is like blah, blah blah, and she grew up and went to live with the people she liked in New England, the end. Whatever.

[lotti · Rating 1 out of 5]

had to read this for uni and its crazy to think about the fact that this was the second most owned book in american households after the bible … i get why it was written and how this book is significant for the period of american romanticism/renaissance but ultimately not my cup of tea at all .. kinda hated it

[Hannah Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a difficult one to review. I loved the writing in this book. I also liked many parts of the story and characters but overall the tone of the book is rather religious and I didn't agree with the messages the book sent about women's roles and what is necessary to be considered a "good" Christian. It definitely had some lovely parts to it but it's definitely a product of its time for sure. I also found the relationship Ellen had with pretty much every adult male figure in her life to be dysfunctional. None were physically cruel to her, but they were controlling in other ways that are definitely sexist and read as such today. I will say though this book is in some ways far less problematic than the Elsie Dinsmore series that came out around the same time, along with other books like them that were extremely dogmatic and offensive. This book was definitely well-written though and had some very sweet and charming parts that helped outweigh some of the things I wasn’t a fan of. Ellen is an overall relatable character and it’s hard to not like her.

[Skoora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book when I began reading it. The style was detailed and dialog heavy, which I found at times to be very helpful in plot development, but there were other times when things seemed to drag on endlessly. Of course a growing affinity for Victorian Literature certainly helped me ignore several of the pitfalls of the period. In the end it was a tame plot, so that even menial things seemed gargantuan and it was through these moments that I became truly invested in the novel.

A very important theme in the book is to practice self-sacrifice, humility, patience and tolerance, for those are the virtues of a real Christian. While this amounts to immense frustrations and aggravation on the part of the reader, I do not feel that this book is as sexist as many take it to be. Ellen is a very bright young woman and though her religious ideals grow almost to evangelical zeal, she stands by her principles and seeks always to increase her knowledge of the world. Interestingly, this book is a sub-textual genius.

There is a degree of true submission, on the most gratifying level - veering almost to the erotic - that takes place between Ellen and her 'assumed' brother, John. She obeys him and cleaves to his commands, delights in his instructions and orders with beautiful faith that might seem on the surface to be a testimony of woman's submission to men, but as she compares and relates this drive to obey John with the drive to obey other men, it is apparent who she takes pleasure in obeying and who she obeys because she is compelled to do so.

[Nicole C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book took me forever, mainly because it made me so angry. I know it's a product of its time, but somehow, that doesn't make it better.
Ellen is a girl of indeterminate age (we find out she's ten or eleven halfway through the book) whose mother is very sickly and must go abroad for her health. Her father feels very free to abandon her to an aunt she's never met, who harbors a grudge against her from the outset, due to her father marrying a Scottish woman. Lots of xenophobia in this book, lots of religious patriarchy, and so on. Ellen is adopted by some Christian folks that she holds as dear as those related to her by blood. Her mother dies, and her father is lost at sea on his way back to Ellen. Her brother tells her what to do and she obeys because she's in awe of him (a metaphor for god). Then her sister dies and she takes over the household. After some time, letters are discovered that were written to her aunt by her mother's surviving relatives, wishing Ellen to come to them in Scotland. Everyone tells her she Must Go, even though no one would have even known had the letters not been found. Her European relatives are very anti-American, very elitist, and very rich. But she cannot forget Jesus or her brother, much as they bid her to do as she's told. It sums up too neatly on the last page.
I discovered this book from the _Elsie Dinsmore_ series, and it's obvious Martha Finley read it and took it to heart. There's similar adversity and religious overtones.

[Laurie Elliot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sorry I read this book and yet I did not enjoy it as well as "Nobody" and "A Red Wallflower."

I don't mind books that "moralize" and I didn't think the men were any more patronizing than the women - in fact, I think that some of the kindest - and most reasonable of the characters - were men. BUT, I do agree with the reviewer who said, "... many aspects of the book frustrated me deeply. Throughout the novel the main character is continually stifled and silenced. Her destiny is decided by rigid filial duty that requires her to submit to situations and circumstances we would find abusive, or at least unhealthful. "

I couldn't help feeling that Susan Warner's view of filial duty was shaped much more by the society in which she lived, than by the Bible itself.

[aMandalin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was something I always wanted to read, since it was so highly recommended by the characters in Little Women. I did enjoy it, but it was definitely more dull than anticipated. Perhaps this has to do with the long dialogues and the impressive length of the book itself. I would give it 4.5 stars, and still highly recommend to anyone. It reminded me a bit of Elsie Dinsmore, and at times I was very righteously indignant how Ellen was treated by her various caretakers. It was so sad in some places, and I felt a temptation to think how unfair life is for little people at times. But it had very high, old fashioned morals that I would like my children to read about and I would assume this to be a classic “homeschooler” book.

[Mary Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sentimental, inspiring, catechizing.

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

“When a child of God lives as he ought to do, people cannot help having high and noble thoughts of that glorious One whom he serves, and of that perfect law he obeys. Little as they may love the ways of religion in their own secret hearts, they cannot help confessing that there is a God, and that they ought to serve him. But a worldling, and still more, an unfaithful Christian, just helps people to forget there is such a Being, and makes when a child of God lives as he ought to do, people cannot help having high and noble thoughts of that glorious One whom he serves, and of that perfect law he obeys. Little as they may love the ways of religion in their own secret hearts, they cannot help confessing that there is a God, and that they ought to serve him. But a worldling, and still more, an unfaithful Christian, just helps people to forget there is such a Being, and makes them think either that religion is a sham, or that they may safely go on despising it. I have heard it said, Ellen, that Christians are the only Bible some people ever read; and it is true; all they know of religion is what they get from the lives of its professors; and oh! were the world but full of the right kind of example, the kingdom of darkness could not stand.” Alice in The Wide, Wide World

[Lisa Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a deeply religious novel with a moral message: all life’s trials are sent by God, and to live a good life is to bow one’s head (as if in a snowstorm), and accept whatever weather God sends. It is a message of more than selflessness; it is a call to erase the self. Give all one has for others; that is God’s request. Well,times have changed. So what can we, in 2010, learn from this book? Certainly none of us (especially women!) want to head back to this kind of life, but, listen … is it possible we have gone too far in pushing forward our every need, wish, and whim? Can we learn something from a little girl who masters her feelings, and practically kills herself trying to be generous? (Compare that to our current angry American Christian evangelicals.) It’s as though she went SO FAR into oppression, (after all, Victorian women we hard pressed to escape it, weren’t they?) that she seemed to come out the other side as an angel, untouchable by her tormentors. Not a trip for me, thank you, but she is heroine in my eyes. The Wide Wide World was the second novel I read as a part of my time travels into Victorian America, (I am preparing to write a novel about a woman doctor who lives in this era.)Onward with my time travels.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a love/hate relationship with the book. At times I greatly enjoyed it. There were several entertaining and relatable vignettes. Several of the characters were likable, and these drew me into the story and kept me reading, but I loathed more characters than I liked. The novel was overly long, and as a twenty-first century woman many aspects of the book frustrated me deeply. Throughout the novel the main character is continually stifled and silenced. Her destiny is decided by rigid filial duty that requires her to submit to situations and circumstances we would find abusive, or at least unhealthful. Her reward for her suffering is hope of admittance to Heaven. The perfectionist message of the novel was heavy-handed (it is essentially a 19th century American Christian conversion novel) and the awkward dialog annoyed me. Despite these imperfections, I am glad I read this novel. Warner succeeded in making me *feel.* Eliciting a strong emotional response in a reader makes for a successful moralsuation novel, even though the success of Warner's intended socio-religious objectives are neither culturally fluid nor timeless.

[M. Stevens · Rating 1 out of 5]

This, unfortunately, is a book I'd be okay with never reading again. I love Louisa May Alcott and like Martha Finley, so when I read both authors praising The Wide, Wide World, I expected a book the teensiest bit similar to Jane Eyre. Boy, was I disappointed! Half-way through the third chapter and I was B-O-R-E-D. This book is devoid of humor, and reeks of melodrama. If you like classic literature, then go for it. If you have a love for light-hearted fun, don't read this unless you want to go to sleep. Not to mention an incredibly inaccurate view of Christianity. God does not EVER send punishment.He loves us like a devoted parent and like a parent, allows us to learn through trials. If you had a good childhood, do you remember running to your mother/father when you were sad/scared and how they told you "It's going to be okay"? That's comforting, and that's how God brings us closer to him. We brought grief and death on ourselves if you've read Genesis. That's my explanation of real Christianity and how you should never suppose Susan Warner's Christianity is the actual thing. If I could give this less than a one-star, I would. Harsh but true.

[Jill · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Wide Wide World was one of America's first best sellers and I thought that sounded like something I should read. But it seems to me that this novel starkly highlights the author's lack of education or worldy experience. Throughout, it's nothing but a woman's--or really a girl's--world, filled with women's mundane daily activities: shopping, cooking, cleaning. It's in contrast to the title; I don't think Ellen experiences much of the wide, wide world. As a heroine, she's reactive and passive and dissolves into tears at the slightest frustration and feeling sorry for her becomes a chore VERY quickly.

It's a Christian lesson exactly like Little Women and The Lamplighter and often its advice is in contradiction of the commonest of sense.

No more early American novels for me. At least not the ones that follow this drivelly sentimental, religious template.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings on this one, so bear with me. :) I liked the book, though I do disagree with some of it. For instance, the haughty Scottish relatives-they did not love her truly, or they would not have Forced her to do things she had good reason not to. That is not true love; and, the author's slight snobbery showed through in spots. The 'refined pure English accent' her brother made sure she had, for one. Because the Yankee accent was low. There are some other things, but I will stop. The author writes very well, I did enjoy the book, and will even check out another of her books. I realize this was written in the Victorian age, I just find there are two types of authors that write from that era; E.P.Roe is from then, and does not come across the same. Yet I do not dislike her book! You will just have to read it for yourself. :)

[Olga · Rating 1 out of 5]

God's thoughtfulness as justification for all horrible things that happen and the religious moralism are beaten to death here.
but my biggest issue with the book was basically its attempt to convince the reader that standing up for yourself is wrong. defending against unjust accusations is an act of excessive pride. staying quiet when others denigrate you is going to bring you acknowledgement and respect at the end (in what day and age has this ever been the case, I wonder). being endlessly controlled in things like what you read, what you say or not being allowed to go anywhere without supervision is to be obeyed, as these are acts of love and totally not abuse.
to me, this message completely ruins an already extremely slow and dull novel.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book provides a glimpse into a time when young girls were brainwashed into being submissive because it was supposedly what God wanted, and it would lead them to the ultimate goal...a rich husband. The story has value historically, but the writing is meandering and repetitive (how many times is Ellen going to meet a man who is a symbol for God and reinforces her submissiveness?), and its blatant message of accepting male domination made me want to throw it against a wall. Sure, this is how it was back then...but from my perspective, it was infuriating. There are also a lot of weird masochistic sexual undertones.

[Emily A. · Rating 1 out of 5]

The characters seem to exist only to be vehicles for the author to impart her religious values upon the reader. A successful domestic novel of the time (mid-19th Century), Warner's story makes it very clear that to be a female writer at that time one couldn't write anything that deviated from the pious. Perhaps that's what she wanted to write, but that still doesn't excuse how horrid the whole thing is. Perhaps as a modern woman, I don't understand many of the views and actions the so-called characters have and do, but other novels, especially domestic novels like Little Women, have transcended the centuries, and there's a reason why this hasn't.

[Brandi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I so very much wanted to like this but, and I truly thought that I would not only like it but love it, and be able to cherish it as one of my very favorite books. But sadly that was not the case. Although it has rave reviews from people whose opinions I highly respect, (such as Jo March and Elsie Dinsmore) I did not enjoy the story at all! It was long and tedious and slow and boring and did I mention long? And the piety of characters was not the kind that makes you want to be good yourself but instead the kind that makes you nauseous.
It's one redeeming quality was that i purchased the Lamplighter addition which is absolutely gorgeous!

[Laura Garner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll admit it, I love a good old-fashioned stuffily moral book, and enjoyed this one pretty well... but I think you should have a solid understanding of actual Christianity to put up with the extended lectures and didacticism of "The Wide, Wide World." I felt for the heroine, a 10-year-old at the beginning of the story, who had way too many overbearing people telling her what her faults were (pretty much everything she did and every feeling she had). I felt a more appropriate ending would have been for Ellen to end up in a straitjacket, swearing like a sailor!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first few chapters of this book were a slight struggle for me to get through. It is incredibly preachy and sort of patronizing, I'm not used to reading that style. But once the story picked up and I got more used to the voice and narration I grew to really enjoy the book. It's incredibly moral and I found myself really inspecting my own life and seeing if I was truly behaving as a Christian in all the ways that little Ellen strives to. A compelling story full of countless inspiring lessons.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wenn ich keine Hausarbeit darüber schreiben müsste, hätte ich es wohl nicht gelesen. Es war okay, und hat vermutlich auch die Zeit super wiedergespiegelt, wegen dem Konsum und der True Womanhood und ich verstehe zwar, dass das zeitgeschichtliche für Frauen akkurat war, aber es gibt definitv spannendere Romane - auch im Klassiker Genre. Ellen tat mir einerseits leid, und andererseits ging sie mir auf den Keks. Außerdem finde ich es extrem wie viel Religion mit im Spiel war. Die Leute haben jeden Tag gebetet und stundnlang in der Bibel gelesen. =D

[Merinde · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish I could give this less than one star. Not only was it a great reminder never to consider Christianity, what was much worse was the awfully dull writing. I downloaded this from Gutenberg without knowing what I was getting into, thinking it would be fun adventure novel from the title. How wrong I was. I put this on my horror shelf for the emotional abuse the girl went through was truly horrific, and worse yet, it was presented as The Right Thing. Ugh!

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was difficult to get through only because of the language and the religious content. I'm glad that I read the book and I appreciate it more after reading a contemporary essay and criticism of the novel. In fact, the three star-review is only because of the appreciation gained from reading the review after I read the novel. I don't think I can recommend this book to anyone, however, I am glad that I read the book.