Troubled Waters

Hearts of the Children #2

by Dean Hughes

From one of the bestselling historical fiction authors in the LDS literary world comes Hearts of the Children, available now for the first time in paperback. In this series, which picks up the next generation of characters from the beloved Children of the Promise books, Dean Hughes tells the gripping story of four young cousins Gene, Kathy, Diane, and Hans who experience a time of turmoil and trial, of growth and discovery as they find their own paths in life. If you re interested in the lessons of history, or simply looking for powerful LDS fiction, you ll love these books. They portray the explosive problems of the sixties and early seventies in stunning detail, but also offer the hope that families can hold together and that good people, with the Lord s help, can not only survive but prosper.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Lds Fiction, Lds, Fiction, Religion, Historical, Church

432 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

Dean Hughes is the author of more than eighty books for young readers, including the popular sports series Angel Park All-Stars, the Scrappers series, the Nutty series, the widely acclaimed companion novels Family Pose and Team Picture, and Search and Destroy. Soldier Boys was selected for the 2001 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age list. Dean Hughes and his wife, Kathleen, have three children and six grandchildren. They live in Midway, Utah.

Reviews

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Troubled Waters is the second book in a five-book series that focuses on four people growing up in the 1960s. Hans, an East German teenager, is imprisoned by his government for assisting a friend in an escape attempt from the country. Diane, basically a good girl who wants a conventional family so she can turn out babies and live in the nice house in the burbs, finds that her stunning good looks are of even greater value to her in college. Cathy, off to study at Smith College, has abandoned her conservative Utah roots in every way you can imagine--or has she? Trips home for her are an ordeal, since her perspective differs so much from that of her family.

Yet, these young people, in disparate circumstances, holding widely differing opinions of life in general, press on into the decade that turned the world upside down. This book is the fascinating account of how each of them came to terms with the tumultuous decade of the '60s and found answers.

The stark juxtaposition of their conservative background with their changing perspectives will keep you turning pages and reading on. These books are a bit uneven in spots, however. Sometimes, like life itself, some chapters will be boring while others will be so suspenseful you won't want the chapter to end. Each character gets his or her own chapter, and they alternate throughout the book.

The author once wisely wrote that if you must choose between historical fiction and history, opt for history. That said, he has clearly researched his history here, and the 1960s are presented vividly and quite accurately, right down to the songs that played on the radio in a given year. You'll read with fascination about the death of Bobby Kennedy and the impact it had on the presidential election of 1968. You'll be fascinated to read about protests from students whose university played BYU in sporting events because of the church's position on a variety of things. What has to be most fervently stressed here is that you need know nothing about Utah, Mormonism or even the 1960s to find much to think about in this series. Young Hans, the East German teen imprisoned, finds in his imprisonment a kind of freedom he never expected to find. Finding freedom as a result of imprisonment? Ridiculous, you say? I would have, too, until I read this. Hughes is a talented enough author that he is able to help you see how imprisonment and freedom can co-exist, and he does it in an entirely believable way.

I found the history here far more interesting than I thought I would, and the book is far from preachy or syrupy sweet.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a fantastic look at the 60’s. The civil rights movement, the war in Vietnam, the women’s movement, hippies, etc. A great look from an LDS perspective with so many different viewpoints. Great!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this was great! I was so sad when Marsha decided not to wait for Gene then Emily came along and I was so happy! She's so much better and happier than Marsha if you ask me.

I'm not sure how- they've hardly spent anytime with him- but I love Joey. He reminds me the most of Gene, from the Children of the Promise sereis. I whish they would spend more time with Joey. He's so lovable, and I find that he's the true Gene in the family. Fun but, mellow.

When Diane wouldn't listen to anyone about Greg I was like NO! She got angry at her mom for not telling her what she thought of Scott. Then when her mom tells her what she thinks of Greg she won't listen! Why?! Although, Diane is still my favorite character. I stayed up till eleven thirty finishing this book.

Kathy....when she got up on that stage when Robby was going to burn the flag I seriously thought she was going to help him do it! I'm glad she didn't though. Although, I must admit, I wouldn't have found it out of character for her.

I used to be a little iffy with Hans and his story but now I feel so bad for him. I hope he ends up with Elli though! She's great for him! And Hans's sister, Inga is the cutest thing. I have to say Hans and Inga are the spitting image of their parents. Hans is like Peter when he was that age and Inga is her mothers twin- I swear it. But even though they're like there parents the story is still enjoyable and it certainly isn't boring!

Kurt...I'm interested to see where his story goes. I love Anna though. She's amazing!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAH! I'm So glad I can finally get my feelings out about this.Prepare yourselves for a very ***SPOILER*** full review, and my opinions.

DIANE WAS SUCH AND IDIOT. (Pardon me, I am so mad at her) I can't believe her. She was hypocritical with the advice from her mom. Wanting it then not accepting it. I LOVE KENT! And the minute I heard about Greg I just knew he was gonna be an opponent and try to win her away from Kent. WRONG CHOICE DIANE. I was screaming at the end when he won her over. I just can't believe how obviously blind she was. I mean I get it, but seriously! Don't just dismiss rumors that you are told about your to-be-fiance! I mean you are going to be MARRIED TO HIM. NOOOOOOOO. Gosh. She bugged me the most in the book. Greg was Scott all over again but a Mormon version who was cleaner. Still....GAH!

Kathy lessened in my favor. I wish she hadn't messed things up with Marshall. Oh well. She'll find someone. :D And just her attitude drove me nuts. I think she was my least favorite person to read about in this book. But I did have some good discussions about her viewpoints and just her opinions and politics with my dad.

GENE!! I am in love with him. He is so awesome! When he got back from his mission I was SO glad that he ended up with Emily. I will admit I began to like Marsha less and less and I was glad when it didn't work with Marsha. Then I was just waiting till his Princess showed up, and from the moment he meets Emily. BANG I knew it. :D Haha they are so cute! I love them. I really want to learn more about Emily as she is developed.

As for Hans...hmm. I was totally sad about Greta. poor guy. And the whole Elli thing. I'm still not sure I agree with the match, but I thing it's probably right and good. Hans's story I feel will be in a way similar to his dad's which will be cool, but also original.


Oh man this book was AWESOME. I loved it!!!! Dean Hughes (if you can't tell) has done amazing and stirring up great emotions in me, and making me get into the story and the characters lives. I applaud you Dean. I'm already on the next one!

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think one of the best things about Dean Hughes' authorial style is that it's clean and transparent. The story pulls you in, but you're not constantly being reminded that you're *in* a story--that, to me, is a mark of a skilled author.

I had to laugh, a little, when I realised that after reading (well, listening to) "Far From home," and a few of the sequels, that I had become engrossed in what essentially amounts to and LDS literary soap opera. But Hughes has definitely done his homework, making the background and historicity of his novels very accurate and believable. His characters are also very compelling and 3-dimensional, and I guess there's just something in me that enjoys following the lives of a couple of families across several generations.

This is clean, easy reading that doesn't insult the readers' intelligence, and doesn't compromise any standards (at least not LDS standards). It's a good escape, reading-wise, and though it has the semi-meandering quality of any soap opera, the stories are ones that are good enough that you want to keep following them--even across consecutive series.

It's not great literature, necessarily (hence 4-star vs. 5-star), but Hughes makes for good reading that's engaging and entertaining. I'm going to recommend his books.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is better on rereading than it was the first time around. Following the next generation of the Thomas family (from the "Children of the Promise" series, set during the Second World War), this series takes four cousins through the turbulent 1960s. In this installment, Gene Thomas is on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Germany; Kathy Thomas graduates high school and goes to Smith College, where she gets involved in the anti-Vietnam War movement; Diane Hammond also graduates high school and pledges to wait for a missionary, but then goes to Brigham Young University, where she meets a returned missionary who wants her to marry him; and--most interesting to me--Hans Stoltz continues to navigate the political, Church, and school pitfalls of living in the GDR (East Germany, before the Berlin Wall came down in 1989). Hans's struggles and fears, and his place as a suspect person by the Stasi secret police, provide a fascinating look into a time and place that no longer exist but that involved real dangers to those who lived there and weren't willing to go along with the repressive government, while at the same time they dared not openly resist it. I am staying up much too late as I am engrossed in this series.

[Stan Crowe]

I think one of the best things about Dean Hughes' authorial style is that it's clean and transparent. The story pulls you in, but you're not constantly being reminded that you're *in* a story--that, to me, is a mark of a skilled author.

I had to laugh, a little, when I realised that after reading (well, listening to) several of the "Hearts of the Children" series that I had become engrossed in what essentially amounts to and LDS literary soap opera. But Hughes has definitely done his homework, making the background and historicity of his novels very accurate and believable. His characters are also very compelling and 3-dimensional, and I guess there's just something in me that enjoys following the lives of a couple of families across several generations.

This is clean, easy reading that doesn't insult the readers' intelligence, and doesn't compromise any standards (at least not LDS standards). It's a good escape, reading-wise, and though it has the semi-meandering quality of any soap opera, the stories are ones that are good enough that you want to keep following them--even across consecutive series.

It's not great literature, necessarily (hence 4-star vs. 5-star), but Hughes makes for good reading that's engaging and entertaining. I'm going to recommend his books.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this continued story of the Thomas family. In this book, several of the grandchildren begin to experience life in the late 60's. One finishes his mission, that didn't go quite as he had hoped, two girls enter college and have vastly different experiences. And their cousin in Germany continues to be punished by a post-war East Germany government that frowns on religion.

I enjoy reading these books which helps me understand the perspective the members of the LDS faith likely dealt with during this time period. Dean Hughes does a fantastic job, as usual, in developing his characters and helping us understand their thought processes as the world around the Thomas family is dramatically changing. I often find myself wondering what my response would have been to the historical events that shaped the generation before mine.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in history, and for LDS members in particular who would like to understand the 60's and 70's better.

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again the author does such a great job of creating characters that feel so real with real faults and doubts. And all the characters come together to show so many different perspectives on this time. I love how he gives such a great feel of what this time was like by showing many different opinions and perspectives and not trying to show one viewpoint as the only correct one. I was really interested in all four of the main characters narrations and was cringing when they were making bad decisions and feeling the pain when they were hurting. I look forward to reading the rest of the series!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dave and I listened to the volumes in this series by Hughes during our 4,000 trip this month. A pleasant way to pass the time. For me, this series lacked the gripping intensity I love when I'm hooked on a good book and can't put it down. But, there are many pluses, including the facts that Hughes' writing is clean, geared to an LDS audience, and in our case, covers political and social events we lived through during our childhood, teen, and young adult years. I gained a much deeper insight about some of these events.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the continuing stories of Kathy (the activist), Gene (The all American boy) and Diane ( the prom queen.) I was reading this the weekend that my brother graduated from BYU. I just thought it was funny reading about life in Provo and looking out the window at the city. It's definitely a lot different than Vegas. I enjoyed reading about Gene's time in the mission field and the romances.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually read 3, 4, & 5 before I got my hands on 1 & 2 from this series. I was pretty disappointed with 1 & 2. You could skip them and still get the idea.
1 & 2 are about the teenage life & angst of the Thomas grandchildren. While there are some plot elements in them, I really didn't feel like I missed out on much. The drama was a little much at times.
Regardless, I love this series & the Thomas family.

[Sunny · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really badly written. It's worse than the books in the first series, "Children of Promise." The characters don't feel like real people but flat representations of stereotypes from the 60s. I think Hughes realizes this. But I like reading about my own (LDS) culture, so I plowed through. Will probably finish the series eventually just to re-connect with the story about people from a culture I don't get to read about often.

[creativate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I realy like the sereis. It's been a while since i read it so this isn't going to be much of a review. But... I really was impressed with how well the authur has covered the time period. This book is based during the Vietnam War. We know it was a very contraversial time and I thought Hughes did well in covering the many different veiw points.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really want to love this series because I enjoyed the first set so much (Children of the Promise), but I'm having a hard time getting into them. The characters of Kathy and Diane in particular are getting really old really fast. I don't have a lot of tolerance for idiocy and they both are dripping with it. If they don't grow up soon I wonder if I'll be able to finish the series!

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the next generation after the Children of the Promise series (which i loved). Following the Thomas grandkids in the 1960s. Its kind of fun for the history, but I wasn't nearly as captivated as with the first series (I read the first in this series a long time ago and its taken me a while to continue, if that's any indication).

[Analee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't enjoy this time period very much. I don't know much about it either, but the rational of it all confuses me. No one was united, so much of self satisfaction, violence. I wouldn't normally pick this time in history to read about, but I like Dean Hughes and the Characters in these books, even if they are driving me crazy!! (Diane & Kathy)

[Amie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think this series is as good as the first, but it'll keep me coming back for more. At this point in time, the book is following 4 cousins in all different situations, all around 18-22 years old. I'm appreciating the mini history lesson while at it--I never really knew much about the Vietnam War or the protesters before this book.

[Lorena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy his writing style and the historical information. Sometimes it gets confusing keeping track of so many characters. I also enjoy seeing the characters and relationships evolve. I read and enjoyed the first series with the Thomas family - Children of the Promise - and sometimes I miss the perspective of the parents and grandparents in this round.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Troubled Waters" is a pretty good book in a series that kind of pulls you in. It isn't as good as any of the books in the Children of the Promise series and it probably needed a couple more runs through with a good editor before publication, but I still find that I want to find out what happens to at least some of the characters, so I will keep reading in the series.

[Apzmarshl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters are evolving.......more likeable, meatier......except for Kathy. She's angry and knows it all. I can't stand it. I hope she grows up more in book 3. I am actually excited to pick up the next book to see what happens with Gene and Diane.

[Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same opinion as the first, except some of these character gets are just really hard to like! Kathy is as judgmental as they come and Diane I just want to shake! Hoping these characters will evolve somehow into people I can like.

[Kristelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hughes did a great job of allowing the teenagers to grow and change. I also found it interesting that in some way all four had similar questions but got there is very different ways. I am even more curious about where their lives will go now.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Again, listened to the abridged CD .... not fabulous, not bad. Good enough to keep me distracted while unpacking boxes. Would be interested in an unabridged version--but don't have time to read the book.

[LaDawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is okay, but not as good as the first series. I can't say I really feel for any of the characters except Hans. All the other kids seem like spoiled rich kids. And I wish that there were more from the parents.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book better than the 1st. It has been so interesting to see the history of the 60's through the eyes of these characters. I also love how honest the author is about mormon missionaries and the church in general. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was even better than the first! I love learning about history through stories, I love these characters, and I love learning about yourself as you read books like this that cause some self-reflection.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read "The Children of the Promise" first. It talks about a family and their struggle getting through WW11. This book is a following of that family and their struggles with changes in the 60s. With the Cold war, an assassination, women's rights and... hello.... the 60s!

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kathy is unbearable most of this book, Hans' life stresses me out, and Diane is shallow, despite her heart of gold. I wouldn't have minded if this whole book were about Gene. This book deserves more than two stars, but Kathy is just that obnoxious.

[Taryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love this series!