No Ocean Too Wide: A Novel
Paperback – ebook, audible, audio CD
June 25, 2019
- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: Multnomah
- ISBN-13: 978-0525652939
Between the years of 1869 to 1939 more than 100,000 poor British children were sent across the ocean to Canada with the promise of a better life. Those who took them in to work as farm laborers or household servants were told they were orphans--but was that the truth?
After the tragic loss of their father, the McAlister family is living at the edge of the poorhouse in London in 1908, leaving their mother to scrape by for her three younger children, while oldest daughter, Laura, works on a large estate more than an hour away. When Edna McAlister falls gravely ill and is hospitalized, twins Katie and Garth and eight-year-old Grace are forced into an orphans' home before Laura is notified about her family's unfortunate turn of events in London. With hundreds of British children sent on ships to Canada, whether truly orphans or not, Laura knows she must act quickly. But finding her siblings and taking care of her family may cost her everything.
Fraser, a wealthy young British lawyer and heir to the estate where Laura is in service, discovers that this common practice of finding new homes for penniless children might not be all that it seems. Together Laura and Andrew form an unlikely partnership. Will they arrive in time? Will their friendship blossom into something more?
Inspired by true events, this moving novel follows Laura as she seeks to reunite her family and her siblings who, in their darkest hours, must cling to the words from Isaiah: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God"
After the tragic loss of their father, the McAlister family is living at the edge of the poorhouse in London in 1908, leaving their mother to scrape by for her three younger children, while oldest daughter, Laura, works on a large estate more than an hour away. When Edna McAlister falls gravely ill and is hospitalized, twins Katie and Garth and eight-year-old Grace are forced into an orphans' home before Laura is notified about her family's unfortunate turn of events in London. With hundreds of British children sent on ships to Canada, whether truly orphans or not, Laura knows she must act quickly. But finding her siblings and taking care of her family may cost her everything.
Fraser, a wealthy young British lawyer and heir to the estate where Laura is in service, discovers that this common practice of finding new homes for penniless children might not be all that it seems. Together Laura and Andrew form an unlikely partnership. Will they arrive in time? Will their friendship blossom into something more?
Inspired by true events, this moving novel follows Laura as she seeks to reunite her family and her siblings who, in their darkest hours, must cling to the words from Isaiah: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God"
My thoughts: NO OCEAN TOO WIDE is the first book I read by Carrie Turansky. Historical fiction isn't my genre of choice, especially when they start with the seemingly formula and mandatory death as this one does. That aside, Ms. Turansky writes vividly, welcoming the reader into the characters' world with all the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes.
This is not a historical romance though there are some romantic moments, and the book ends without resolution so readers will want to read the second book in the series (coming in January 2020, I think.) There are some disturbing accounts of abuse... sensitive readers beware.
This is not a historical romance though there are some romantic moments, and the book ends without resolution so readers will want to read the second book in the series (coming in January 2020, I think.) There are some disturbing accounts of abuse... sensitive readers beware.
Fans of historical fiction (especially ones based on a true story) will want to read NO OCEAN TOO WIDE. Ms. Turansky is most definitely a talented writer who will draw the reader in and leave them wanting more.
I was given copy free. All opinions are my own.
1 comment:
I'm looking forward to reading No Ocean Too Wide. Nice review.
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