Review of Clara's Way
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Review of Clara's Way
[Following is a volunteer review of "Clara's Way" by Roberta R. Carr.]
Claras Way by Roberta R. Carr is a novel about a young women named Clara, a nurse, people pleaser, obedient daughter and a bride in waiting who has done everything by the book and followed the path society has carved out for her. When unexpected news strikes her family, Clara has to step in as per her family’s instruction only to divert from the expectations set upon her. Through tragedy, disappointment from her family and a deadly epidemic, Clara helps to uncover a bigger crisis than she ever anticipated that changes her life forever.
Claras Way gives the audience insight into the life of a young woman who breaks free from the molds of society physically but also mentally as she allows herself to dream outside her small town and to then explore her goals. She follows her heart in every aspect as this journey allows her time for reflection and self-discovery. This novels gives a different perspective on the building of the Great Canal which isn't romanticized, but gets into the real hard work and suffering workers endured as a result of the yellow fever outbreak and mismanagement due to lack of knowledge and ignorance of those in charge.
The pacing of the book was problematic in that there was not a set format which it followed. On one chapter or incident, events would be so briefly mentioned and explained that the reader would struggle to grasp what is truly going on and miss the point. On the other end, certain incidents would drag on longer than they need to and those would not always be very relevant to the plot. Another issue, was the use of modern concepts in a historical setting where they couldn’t have been fully conceptualized or understood. For instance, emotional abuse was mentioned in the book however, in 1905 America, such concepts weren’t developed and not publicly understood in the way it was presented in this book.
With all this considered, I give the book a rating of 2 out of 4 stars, because though there were some interesting aspects of the book, the storyline dragged on longer than it should’ve and it relied too heavily on side stories to keep it going rather than the strength of the main plot. The important themes of conspiracies in the medical field, romance, self-discovery, self-acceptance and growth weren’t explored in all their nuance and entirety. These elements were told and not shown or done inadequately. What the reader would receive at most is a single paragraph of info dumping through the Clara’s thought process instead of seeing her growth and inner conflict for themselves through defining moments and decision making.
I’d recommend this book to people who have an interest in historical fiction, specifically American historical fiction because this is the backdrop of the book. This book would be suitable to people between the ages of 15-30 as the writing style isn’t so complex that young people wouldn’t understand it, but the significance of the events that Clara goes through transcend age and gender and have themes that a lot of people can identify with.
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Clara's Way
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Claras Way by Roberta R. Carr is a novel about a young women named Clara, a nurse, people pleaser, obedient daughter and a bride in waiting who has done everything by the book and followed the path society has carved out for her. When unexpected news strikes her family, Clara has to step in as per her family’s instruction only to divert from the expectations set upon her. Through tragedy, disappointment from her family and a deadly epidemic, Clara helps to uncover a bigger crisis than she ever anticipated that changes her life forever.
Claras Way gives the audience insight into the life of a young woman who breaks free from the molds of society physically but also mentally as she allows herself to dream outside her small town and to then explore her goals. She follows her heart in every aspect as this journey allows her time for reflection and self-discovery. This novels gives a different perspective on the building of the Great Canal which isn't romanticized, but gets into the real hard work and suffering workers endured as a result of the yellow fever outbreak and mismanagement due to lack of knowledge and ignorance of those in charge.
The pacing of the book was problematic in that there was not a set format which it followed. On one chapter or incident, events would be so briefly mentioned and explained that the reader would struggle to grasp what is truly going on and miss the point. On the other end, certain incidents would drag on longer than they need to and those would not always be very relevant to the plot. Another issue, was the use of modern concepts in a historical setting where they couldn’t have been fully conceptualized or understood. For instance, emotional abuse was mentioned in the book however, in 1905 America, such concepts weren’t developed and not publicly understood in the way it was presented in this book.
With all this considered, I give the book a rating of 2 out of 4 stars, because though there were some interesting aspects of the book, the storyline dragged on longer than it should’ve and it relied too heavily on side stories to keep it going rather than the strength of the main plot. The important themes of conspiracies in the medical field, romance, self-discovery, self-acceptance and growth weren’t explored in all their nuance and entirety. These elements were told and not shown or done inadequately. What the reader would receive at most is a single paragraph of info dumping through the Clara’s thought process instead of seeing her growth and inner conflict for themselves through defining moments and decision making.
I’d recommend this book to people who have an interest in historical fiction, specifically American historical fiction because this is the backdrop of the book. This book would be suitable to people between the ages of 15-30 as the writing style isn’t so complex that young people wouldn’t understand it, but the significance of the events that Clara goes through transcend age and gender and have themes that a lot of people can identify with.
******
Clara's Way
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Blockhead by Kyle J.S. Bardell
