Play Book Tag discussion

Letter "S"
Team Fierce Dandelions

This novel provides a rich and detailed portrayal of the Great Depression in the USA. Since I’m not particularly well-versed in this period of American history, I appreciated how the author brought it to life by telling the story through multiple generations of one family. We see the experiences of the grandparents, the parents, and the children—some married, some single, ranging from adults to school-age kids.

The narrative shifts between the family’s personal story and broader snapshots of the era, creating a sense that this isn’t just about one family, but a struggle that affected almost everyone during that time.

As for the plot, I found it a bit slow at times, with many philosophical dialogues. I kept hoping for something more uplifting to break the somber tone. Unfortunately, the novel doesn’t offer much relief from its bleakness, but that’s part of what makes it so authentic. It captures the mood of the era—poignant and heavy—but without sugarcoating the harsh reality of those times. And while it’s not exactly a cheerful read, that honesty is what makes it feel so real.

tagged "sad" 30x
tagged "farm" 11x