Reason Read: American Author challenge
First time to read anything by this author. I found it to engage with any of the characters. The biggest theme being grief and shared delusions, disadvantaged people. It maybe was too many themes. I won’t feel drawn to read any other books by the author. While this was read for AAC, the author is German-American. Born in Germany and lived there until 18. ( )

I saw some critics call this book a historical novel. I strongly disagree. This book is more of a character driven fantasy not magic realism but more a dream like setting than reality. ( )

While I admire Hegi’s departure from her usual style of writing, issues dealing with more modern times in Germany, I found this story of motherhood and loss to meander. Focusing on three mothers in the mid 1800’s, Hegi has chosen an 11-year old impregnated by her twin brother who is forced to go to a Catholic home for unwed mothers, Sabine who is mother to a mentally handicapped daughter and Lotte, who goes to live at the Catholic home for unwed mothers after three of her children drowned in a freak wave. There is a lot of compassion in the writing and like her outstanding book Stones from the River, misfits are central to the story. Where Trudi the dwarf in Stones from the River gripped me in empathy from the beginning, I was unable to get caught up emotionally in this story. ( )

3.5-My first introduction to the writing of this author, and I have to admit I wasn't immediately drawn into this novel. The writing was gorgeous, the descriptions like a poem, but it has a very different structure and tone.

It's the mid 1800's in the village of Nordstrand, off Germany's coast. There is a school for pregnant girls, run by the nuns, but these nuns are kind, loving and wise. There is a competitive yearly contest for the oldest man or woman and it is after this contest that a huge wave, takes away Lotte and Kallis three young children. There is also a a zircus which comes every year and will play a big part in the story. There are also a group of old women who gossip, hold secrets and I loved their inclusion.

A novel of loss, survival, love and redemption, showing both the frailty and inner strength of women. Three women will come together to help each other move forward. It is a melancholy story, elegant and ethereal, almost like a fever dream. Maybe a myth or tale of folklore. This is life in all its glory and struggles, of the pulling together and pushing apart. I ended up embracing this novel for its very different storytelling and beautiful writing.

This was my first Hegi, but it won't be the last. I have two novels by this author sitting on my home shelves.

ARC from Edelweiss. ( )

I did find this book a little in the unusual side, all at once whimsical and charming while also deeply fraught with some very heavy emotions. Set in the late 1800’s on the small island of Nordstrand in Germany, three vastly different women confront different aspects of love and loss. All share a special connection through a unique school/ orphanage/ church where pregnant girls who are cast out by their families for their sin can find a safe haven. Many of the babies are adopted out, those that are not are raised by the industrious sisters. Many of the girls return to their families after having their babies, while others that have nowhere else to go stick around to assist as needed. It is here that Sabine, Tilli, and Lotte find themselves. Sabine has spent much of her life protecting her developmentally challenged daughter, Tilli who fell pregnant at age 11, and Lotte who lost three of her four children in a freak 100 year wave. While their backgrounds are very different, each girl comes to serve a valuable place in the each of the other girls lives. While I did get slightly lost here and there, especially in the flash backs, generally the story held together well and is at times both hopeful, and melancholic. A worthwhile speed read notable for its ability to impart the unique perspectives of three extraordinary women on the reader while weaving an intricate period tale that is almost 150 years old. Thank you to Netgalley for early copy in exchange for an honest review. ( )