“The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places.” ― Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms
Broken Objects captures the spirit of America in the era between the start of the Civil War and the turn of the new century following the life of Linnea Karlsson, the first naturally-born American in an immigrant family from Sweden, now farming north of Detroit, Michigan.
At the age of ten, Papa sends Linnea to work in the city. Farm life is rough, but Linnea quickly learns she must be tougher growing up in the textile mill making uniforms for the Union Army. Each person she meets introduces her to an America in adolescence, transforming her life. What will she learn that shapes her into becoming a woman? What does it take to persevere through life’s hardships from the Civil War through Reconstruction for the average American to create a new century of greatness?
Paul Michael Peters is an American author of thrillers, suspense, and the unexpected. He is best known for his twists and takes on the quirky tangents of contemporary life.
His recent works include the thriller Combustible Punch, which explores the psychological dance between that most unlikely of odd couples: a serial killer and a high school shooting survivor. Other works include The Symmetry of Snowflakes, Insensible Loss, and short story collections Killing the Devil and Mr. Memory and Other Stories of Wonder.
WARNING: Readers may find the content of this book to be dark and disturbing.
Paul Michael Peters is a storyteller with an original voice who thrives at the edge of the human condition, blending humor and darkness with keen insight. His tales navigate the intricate dance between the mundane and the profound, capturing the ephemeral moments that define our lives with passion. His work invites readers into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, exploring life's shadowy corners with narratives that resonate with authenticity and imaginative daring.
Dive into the work of Paul Michael Peters and discover stories that echo the complexities of life: Right Hand of the Resistance, Mist and Moonbeams: Stories from the Great Lakes Edge, Broken Objects, Combustible Punch, The Symmetry of Snowflakes, Insensible Loss, and several beloved short stories like Mr. Memory and Other Stories of Wonder.
* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.* I liked this book very much at the beginning. I was surprised by how well adjusted the main character seemed to be through all of her experiences; however, she might have been a little too well adjusted for all she went through. Everything seemed to be going a little too well through the middle of the story and then suddenly it all fell apart, which in itself is fine. But then, after all that time with the main character, the sudden change in narrator meant that I really didn't get to hear what the rest of her life was like for her, the feelings she had, the betrayal she felt, all of it. To get so invested in a character and then not get to hear how such a big event affected her was very disappointing.
This is a lovely book that captures the spirit of the mid-19th century in America. We often read stories where people go off to their dreams into their fortunes and experience ups and downs. This book not only covers but is adroitly illuminates the emotions of the characters.
Speaking of characters, The author does a fine job in creating a lead character who goes through the entire book and is easy to associate with her pains and joys. Linnea was a survivor and she was also one who tried very hard to meet her goals in the life. Peters should be lauded for creating such a fine character.
The organization of the story into 4 books was unique in giving the reader a clear delineation of story flow.
I highly recommend this book and I hope it is very successful.
I received an advance review, copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
*I received a free copy of this book, with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
For the majority of this story, it reads like a straightforward history of the hardships encountered by the main character, Linnea, and how she conquers them with courage and dignity to persevere against the odds.
I was reminded a little of the Laura Ingalls Wilder autobiographical books, but in a more condensed format (we get the whole of Linnea’s life in the one volume here!). We see the everyday details of bobbin collecting in a fabric factory, maintaining a small plot of land as a smallholding, with some crops and animals, and running a small household as a wife and mother in adverse weather and financial conditions.
Unlike the Prairie books, however, Linnea’s life includes some challenges that aren’t very appropriate for children, for example, when she is taken advantage of by an employer. Such subjects are handled delicately, off-page, with the same sort of hints and side talk that feel authentic to society of the time.
And then, suddenly, towards the end, there is a twist that knocked the wind from me and changed the entire narrative completely. All the clues were there all along, but I didn’t put them together until the very last minute, lulled into a false sense of security by Linnea’s determined survival despite an ever-present dread that some mysterious ‘other shoe’ was up there somewhere, just waiting…
The remainder of the story deals mainly with the fallout from those climactic revelations and shifts the narrative perspective from Linnea to the next generation, providing hope for the future and a continuation of that determination to not only beat the odds but thrive despite them.
Honestly, though, despite the movement towards brighter times I put the book down still reeling from the darker blows and am not sure I’ve processed the whole thing, even now. The title and its meaning should have really warned me what was to come, and I do think the story as a whole reflects the idea of kintsugi well, but felt that the ending was a little bit out of character for Linnea and slightly undermined the gold seams of strength, courage and love that had held her together throughout all her challenges.
So, mostly a quietly enjoyable historical tale of adversity and overcoming it but with a sudden dark shock that will stir you out of your comfort zone and leave you with something to remember!
I saw the twist coming from DAY one. I do not think Linnea should have been blamed at all but times were different. How was she supposed to know?
I am very interesting in American history, especially the 1700 and 1800s. This book appealed to me even more because it was set in Michigan! I have always wondered what life was like here back then and this book gave a little glimpse into that. This is the first book I have ever read set in Michigan I think! How weird is that! It makes me wonder if the author was from Michigan, or what made him decide to set his story here.
Received a free copy on goodreads. I enjoyed the story, but wish it had ended differently. I liked the historical writing of the story. Some parts of the story were hard to believe, but overall a interesting read.
Broken Objects is Linnea's life story of struggles, strife and heart break. The author , much like Japanese artists, elevates her sufferings to create a beautiful historical narrative.* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
First off, I love the cover art by Ivica Jandrijevic.
Before the story begins, there is a “Note From the Author” about “broken objects” based on Kintsugi, or the golden repair in Japanese art. When objects are broken, they are repaired with a paste of gold, or some other metal, meant to be seen or noticed, not hidden. These breaks represent our journey through life and are part of our existence, part of what makes us who we are. This is a great metaphor for the journey of the main character in this historical novel, Linnea, who chooses to hide the mistakes she made as a very young girl, when she forced out on her own to work in a textile mill.
The author states that the story is based on actual events, which makes it all the more interesting. And I have to confess, I don’t know that I would have believed the story if it wasn’t true, as Linnea was portrayed as young and innocent, so much so that I felt myself thinking that it was impossible for someone to be as naïve as she was portrayed in the book. And the unfolding of events is throughout her life, based on her decisions as a child, are just as unbelievable.
What follows is my summary of the story. Spoilers ahead. Let me repeat: SPOILERS AHEAD!
It was 1861 and Linnea lived with her immigrant parents and four brothers on a farm in Michigan. Linnea was ten-years-old when her parents willingly sent her to work in a textile factory. She was promised $23 a month, ten of which would be sent home to her parents, and the promise of a career, and the opportunity to take classes if she wanted to. She left hand-in-hand with a stranger, and her parents never bothered to try to contact her in her long absence.
At the factory, Linnea worked hard from the time she awoke until bed time. She lived in a dormitory full of other girls. Once, when she was daydreaming, she held up the production line, and was called into the boss’s office. To everyone’s surprise, instead of being fired, which seemed to be what was expected, the boss kept Linnea employed. But apparently, office visits became common---although the author does not tell us this.
Will employed at the factory, Linnea gets her period. She had no idea what was happening to her body. When her friends at the factory told her about what happened between a man and a woman, Linnea did not believe them.
But when Linnea became ill, an examination by the factory physician found her to be pregnant. She was sent away to live with some friends of the boss who could not have children of their own. They were the Baxters, nice people, and even wished to keep Linnea, but folded under the scrutiny and questioning of their neighbors. They gave Linnea a hefty sum of money and sent her packing.
Linnea went back to the factory, only to find that it was burned to the ground, along with all of her friends. Her boss had left town. With no where to go, she headed home.
Linnea did not know what to expect when she arrived at home, as she had not spoken to her family or heard from them in over a year. They had not answered any of her letters. She did not tell them about her pregnancy, and felt it was better to keep that from them, as it was something that happened in the past.
Upon arriving home, her mother and father were happy to see her. They said that the money that was sent home helped immensely. One of her brothers had died from an infection while she was away. Two of her brothers went off to the war, and the third went out West. She was the only one home. Her parents found her to be changed, very independent.
One day, one of her brothers, Abell, returned home, but badly injured from the war. He was missing an arm and a leg. The other brother that went off to war was missing—not known to be dead or alive.
Linnea met a man in town who was younger than she was. His name was Lincoln Beaumont. They had several dates, and soon after, he asked for her hand in marriage. They build their own house on the land across from her parent’s. And after that, she soon became pregnant. That winter, in October of 1880, a huge snowstorm came to Michigan. Their house was snowed in. The train line stopped moving for months. Food became scarce. Her mother, father and brother moved in to Linnea and Lincoln’s house to conserve wood and food and share supplies.
In April, food was still scarce. Her parents were using the wood from their own house as kindling for the fire in Linnea and Lincoln’s house. It was then that Linnea had her baby. He was very small. They named him William.
In May, the snow melted, but created flooding and mud. Trains finally brought food, fuel and fresh water. And soon it would bring the Beaumonts, Lincoln’s parents, as they wanted to meet their new grandson, and Linnea too, as they had never met.
A woman and man got off of the train. It was Mrs and Mr Baxter who had adopted Linnea’s first baby (back when she worked at the textile factory). They saw Linnea and greeted her and said they were there to meet their son, Lincoln and his new baby and wife. Lincoln caught up to them, and it all became clear who was who (the Baxters changed their name to Beaumont because so many people questioned them about the baby and they moved) and what had happened. It also became clear that Linnea had kept this all a secret from everyone she loved, and everyone who loved her.
At this point, Linnea’s life unraveled. She was disowned by everyone, husband, and parents. Her brother, Abell was the only person who could understand how broken she was, since he too was broken. Linnea had to bring up her son, a “monster”, the son of a mother and her own son.
When William was 18, Linnea told William some half-truths about her past life and his father. She gave him some money to make his way in life. William went to visit Lars, Linnea’s brother who went West. He wanted to meet family, and Linnea’s mother was living there with Lars. There, William learned the real truth, and more. He learned that Linnea would be evicted on his 18th birthday. So William rushed home to his mother, only to find her dying, as she had given everything she had to William.
The story ends there.
But we are left with thoughts on who is at fault for such tragedy in a family. The parents gave their daughter to strangers at age ten to do hard work in a busy city, never once worrying about her safety. And when they find out that she had a child out of wedlock, they are ashamed of her. She was ten or eleven! She had no knowledge of sex. She was taken advantage of by an older man, her boss. She was lonely and looking for affection. After she is married, she does not know that she married her own son. Lincoln’s own parents kept it a secret that he was adopted and that they changed their name. Everyone in the story was “broken”. It is up to William, the "monster", to bring about a change, a new beginning. He is the one that has been exposed to the history of his broken family, and all of its cracks. It is up to him to make all the repairs and forge ahead. He is the future of this family.
I enjoyed the story. As I said at the beginning of this review, I felt that the main character seemed a bit too naïve, but if you take her age into consideration, and that her parents were immigrants that could barely speak any English, and she had only brothers, she may have not had any sex education at her young age. She was very lonely and he boss seemed to sense how naïve she was. She was definitely taken advantage of by all of the adults she knew.
The book has no explicit scenes, and at times, especially at the beginning, the reader is left guessing what is really going on between Linnea and the boss. I presume that was done on purpose so that it might be a bit of a shock when you do find out that she is pregnant. The end of the book has a twist, but it is a predictable one. However, the story was still enjoyable, and leaves you with some things to think about.
When I read the description for "Broken Objects" by Paul Michael Peters I was very excited to read it but after several chapters I noticed something missing. The emotions and feelings and specifically those of the young female protagonist Linnea Karlsson. Linnea is the first natural born American to Swedish immigrant parents in Michigan. The time period here is between the Civil War and the turn of the Century.
Linnea's father ships her away to work in a factory making Union soldier uniforms at the age of ten. While there she'll learn not only how to do her specific job, but what it means to be a young woman in this ever-changing America. In short, this ten-year-old will be forced to grow up fast. She excels at her job and quickly catches the eye of the owner's son. However, this "friendship" will lead to her relocation to a stranger's home out of sight and out of mind. What Linnea experiences here is way beyond her comprehension and understanding, but she does meet the moment and carries on.
Here is where I question the author's interpretation of events. Perhaps it's due to the author being male, but I don't think so as I've read many male authored excellent renditions of similar circumstances and not felt the same. Linnea goes through what any woman would find to be a very traumatic situation and yet the following dialogue and chapters never get into her feelings, her dismay, her horror at what happened. She just goes on with life, that's nowhere near realistic to me as a woman. I wanted more, much more in the characters. Linnea in particular buy actually all of them. Her parents upon her return home, her brother after coming home badly wounded from the war. None of them seemed like real people to me and that's what I crave in any story. I want the characters to be three dimensional, not just people on a page in a story. I quickly lost interest even though the premise of the story was great. As an historical fiction fan, I love stories of early America and this time period in particular when the country was at the precipice of its democracy. So, the story itself gets a high mark for me, but the feelings I expect to experience in any story of early America and its struggles was lacking. Happy Reading!
I'm thrilled to extend a personal invitation for you to delve into my latest novel, "Broken Objects." For those who haven't yet experienced my storytelling, this book represents an introduction to my unique narrative style, blending historical depth with emotional resonance. Some may want to start with my short stories before this novel.
"Broken Objects" is a journey through America's transformative era, from the Civil War to the dawn of a new century. It follows the life of Linnea Karlsson, a character who embodies the resilience and spirit of an evolving nation. Born to Swedish immigrants and raised on a farm north of Detroit, Linnea's transition from rural innocence to the gritty reality of a textile mill mirrors the tumultuous growth of America itself.
My approach to storytelling, as seen in previous works like "Combustible Punch" and "The Symmetry of Snowflakes," revolves around exploring the unexpected twists and psychological depths of contemporary life. In "Broken Objects," I've strived to capture the essence of an era marked by hardship and hope. The novel is structured into four distinct parts, offering a clear narrative flow that reflects Linnea's journey from a young girl into a woman shaped by her experiences.
Creating Linnea as a central character was a deeply personal endeavor. She's not just a survivor; she's a testament to the human spirit's capacity to persevere and thrive amidst adversity. Her story, though set in the past, speaks to the timeless themes of resilience and determination.
I must note, "Broken Objects" delves into some dark and potentially disturbing themes. It's a narrative choice that allows for a more authentic and impactful exploration of the human condition.
To those who are about to embark on this journey with Linnea and me, I offer my heartfelt thanks. "Broken Objects" is more than just a historical novel; it's a reflection of our collective strength and resilience. I'm confident that it will resonate with you, offering a unique perspective on a pivotal period in American history.
"Broken Objects" by Paul Michael Peters is a beautifully written novel that explores the themes of loss, grief, and the importance of human connections. The story follows the life of a young woman named Linnea, who is sent to work in the mills at the age of ten when her Papa and Mama have trouble making ends meet on the farm. She struggles to come to terms with her new reality and find a way to move forward.
What I particularly enjoyed about this novel was Peters' skillful use of language and his ability to create vivid and memorable characters. The story is told in a way which allows the reader to fully understand the impact of Linnea's life influenced by the people around her. Each character is fully realized and unique, with their own struggles and hopes for the future.
Another aspect of "Broken Objects" I appreciated was its exploration of the importance of healing analogous to the Japanese art of Kintsugi, or the "golden journey." Linnea is talented and her work serves as a way for her to process her grief and find meaning in her pain. This theme is woven throughout the novel, and it adds a layer of depth and complexity to the story.
Overall, "Broken Objects" is a poignant and powerful novel that will stay with readers long after they finish it. Peters' writing is masterful, and his characters are unforgettable. If you are looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read, I highly recommend this book.
The author is known for quirky and shocking plot lines, and this book is no different. I also enjoyed the historical Michigan setting. Shout out to Hillsdale College!
In 1861, 9 year old Linnea's father sends her to work in a Detroit textile mill because he cannot make ends meet for his family. Linnea quickly is exposed to a much different world than what she has experienced on her Swedish immigrant family's farm. Her choices and experiences ripple out and affect her and her family for her entire life.
I have enjoyed everything this author has written. My main disappointment with this book was that it was not long enough, and the plot lacked sufficient development for my taste.
I had an advanced copy, but there were a number of typos regarding characters' names.
This was a pretty quick read that takes place during an interesting period of history that I honestly don't know a lot about. You really to feel for the main character, Linnea. She had one very tough life and it was very difficult at times to read some of the horrible things she went through. For me this one had some instances that were a little too far fetched and I believe may have gone a bit too far, but overall I enjoyed the majority of the book. I definitely could have done without the last few chapters personally and I will not be reading this book again. Overall an interesting and different historical fiction novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an early reviewer copy and write this review of my own reflection on the book. I wanted to like the story, but it felt too simple in language and depth. The character of Linnea had interesting potential but major jumps in time didn’t help develop her. And the “plot twist” at the end felt hollow - she didn’t notice the name was the same? She never asked about his family? And why was she shunned so badly? And then her son is falling for his cousin…? The story had potential but didn’t live up to it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I had received a free copy from the author & the Goodreads giveaways. It was greatly appreciated, thank you! I thought the story of Linnea’s life was well told up to the bombshell news while meeting the in-laws for the first time. I was hoping to hear more how life really was for the 18 years post bombshell news. I really enjoyed the book but the end left out most of the childhood of William. Thanks again for the great giveaways!
What a beautiful book, LINNEA’s life, full of hardship since when at ten years old she is sold into slavery to save her family from hunger, until she gaves birth to a MONSTER , i laughed, cried, got upset, couldn’t stop reading it until late at night. I wanted to give the book a higher rating.
A book written simply in sometimes awkward language. While reading, I kept looking at the notes on the author to see if English might not be his first language. I wondered whether the language was meant to reflect Linnea's immaturity and lack of education in childhood, though born in the US, but of immigrant parents who spoke Swedish in the home. I did notice that the narration in later years by Linnea herself and her son gained in sophistication and maturity.
The story is at turns sweet and heartbreaking. Her parents' decision to sell Linnea essentially into indentured servitude at the tender age of ten to work in a textile factory spoke of the hardships of a hardscrabble family driven to make hard choices to survive, much as Linnea had to decide during a brutal winter whether her goats, cow and chickens produced enough food to justify feeding them or if they themselves needed to be eaten. It is tempting to apply my own 21st-century middle class sensibilities to the family's decisions or even their lack of forethought to prepare the girl for the ways of the world (or even the workings of her own body), but it could be said that Linnea's parents made their decision (on the fly) with the information that they had and their perhaps rose-tinted view of the promise of America for its citizens, even little girls.
Though thrust into the world in her naivete, Linnea is determined and resourceful. When asked about her paltry classes provided at the factory,whether she preferred math or writing, Linnea astutely declares that math is easier to understand with its set and unambiguous concepts, while writing in English had so many more rules to learn.
Not a perfect story, but appealing characters living in a fissured world torn asunder by a Civil War, the social chasms wrought by the industrial revolution, and unbending social strictures. I do like the reference to kintsugi. Linnea repeatedly tried to wrest a good life from the misfortunes that sometimes unexpectedly and unjustly came her way. The cane that Abell carved for himself after war injuries robbed him of limbs came to physically most closely resemble the art of kintsugi, and his nephew William proudly inherited the handsome cane to help propel himself, limp and all, into a promising future.
#Goodreads Giveaway Thank you to the author for an advance reading copy. I found it a worthwhile read.
I've read several books by this author and once again, I have enjoyed his writing style. There's something very cozy and comforting about the voice here, and I think that works very well to convey Linnea's innocence, especially at the beginning. As a reader, there were times I wanted to reach into the book and help her. Linnea was a very sympathetic character who was at the mercy of those around her and her time period. She was a victim of some harsh circumstances, but she was still able to put together a life she was proud of, like the Japanese kintsugi references in the title and beautiful cover art.
Broken Objects is yet another superbly written novel by Paul Michael Peters, published on Amazon on 14 March 2023. I have read several of Paul’s books and I really enjoy his writing style. Broken Objects is categorised under the genres of Historical Fiction and Coming of Age Fiction. The story of Linnea Karlsson unfolds between the start of the Civil War and the turn of the new century, in America.
Genre: Historical Fiction, Coming of Age Fiction Page Count: 229 Source: ARC provided by Author Rating: 5 ★
Broken Objects captured my attention in the first few pages. Linnea Karlsson, age ten, is shipped off to a textile mill by her father. The mill makes uniforms for the Union Army. She’s to work and earn money to help keep her family farm afloat, back home. Linnea finds herself in the mail cart of a train, off to a new, uncertain life and a destination she has no knowledge of.
My heart broke several times reading Broken Objects. The tears rolled, and I wished that I could reach out to this innocent yet brave little girl to give her a comforting hug, following her story. Linnea perseveres, embraces her new world and makes the best of the hard and challenging days that she is not used to and life experiences that should not be endured by any young girl her age. She’s been let down by adults more than enough times during her past life and during her present existence, yet she remains positive and proud. She returns as a grown woman to her family, still living on the farm. Linnea is now more experienced in life and, through a turn of events, secured funds allowing her to help her family even further. She can now also carve out a better and more meaningful life for herself, after all the hardships she endured. Will it last?
Grab a copy of Broken Objects and join Linnea in the trials and tribulations of her life. Paul Michael Peters is a master story spinner, and Broken Objects is another example of his skill as a writer.
Kintsugi (“golden joinery”), also known as kintsukuroi (“golden repair”), is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. As a philosophy, it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise. – Wikipedia
Broken Objects is a great read which I highly recommend you give a try.