Official Review: Before We Died by Joan Schweighardt

EvaDar · Post by **EvaDar** » 21 May 2019, 16:10

An author who can handle a serious topic with humor always impresses me. This sounds like a well-executed historical fiction book about the rubber boom in South America. What a bonus that the characters are complex. Good review.

Jordan David · Post by **Chelsy Scherba** » 21 May 2019, 16:13

I love historical novels, so while I’m not a fan of curse words, I may still check this one out.

Artizi · Post by **Artizi** » 21 May 2019, 16:15

Thank you so much for your review! This book sounds intriguing and interesting indeed! Historical fiction and adventures put together sounds like a good mix!

Katherine Smith · Post by **Katherine Smith** » 21 May 2019, 16:26

This sounds like a book that I would enjoy reading. I have learned about the discovery of rubber and the rush that came from people trying to get rich from it. I only knew about it in the context of the colonization of Africa, but I was unaware of the rubber boom in South America. I can easily imagine the hot and humid jungles filled with deadly animals. I also can imagine the culture shock the two brothers must have felt when traveling from New Jersey to South America.

Jesse Nicolas Presgraves · Post by **Jesse Nicolas Presgraves** » 21 May 2019, 16:33

I honestly know just about nothing about the rubber boom or South America. This book seems like a great fictional way to get into learning more about them by following the two brothers on their journey. Sounds like a wonderful read

Verna Coy · Post by **Verna Coy** » 21 May 2019, 16:42

This book sounds amazing! I loved the sample I read on Amazon. Your review shines a great light on it, I'll have to try this one! Thanks!

T_stone · Post by **T_stone** » 21 May 2019, 16:44

A historical fiction with adventures sounds engaging and interesting. Definitely adding this to my TBR list! Thanks for the review.

Dawud Adaviruku · Post by **Dawud Adaviruku** » 21 May 2019, 16:59

I'm not really a fan historical fiction but your review has however piqued my interest on this book. I will give it a shot. Great review you have written.

Abandoned_Account · Post by **Abandoned_Account** » 21 May 2019, 17:02

This indeed sounds like a fascinating read! I was never taught anything in relation to the rubber boom whilst in school, so the overall subject of the book is intriguing to me. I also just love reading about Africa and her rich environments and the brutal forces of nature there period, so that would likely make it all the more engaging for me. Last but not least, I myself am Irish so having a whole book written with that point of view and the mannerisms and sayings would be entertaining indeed. Irish say the darndest things.

This book looks really good, and I love the title. It's a real attention grabber for sure. Thank you so much for picking this book up and reviewing it!

Jorge Leon Salazar · Post by **Jorge Leon Salazar** » 21 May 2019, 17:17

A novel set in the early 1900's is about an adventure to escape from their collective misery, towards South America with hopes and dreams of making a fortune by tapping rubber during the rubber boom, it is a recommended book for those who like of historical fiction and adventure novels.

rusyalana · Post by **rusyalana** » 21 May 2019, 17:27

The book sounds exciting. I'm not a great fan of historical fiction but I will gladly read this one as it seems interesting describing that rubber boom. Besides it will be interesting to learn more Irish words, phrases, and slang. Congratulations on becoming BOTD!

OliviaLouise · Post by **OliviaLouise** » 21 May 2019, 17:32

This seems like a pretty interesting topic! You mention that Portuguese is used in the book, but it is told mostly from an Irish American perspective. Do you feel the author did justice to the culture that the protagonists were transplanted to?

P Reefer · Post by **P Reefer** » 21 May 2019, 17:32

Based on your review this books sounds like a fascinating exploration of the rubber boom. I am interested in reading about it as the history of this industry is totally foreign to me, but I strongly suspect that I would not be surprised by the actions and choices of the characters in the time period.

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 21 May 2019, 17:33

Venturing to South America sounds like a big change as Jack and Baxter want to become successful at rubber tapping. Can't imagine how much psychological change will happen to the two of them! It's great that the author does a good job in tying in the historical aspects of the novel and the location. Also, I like how you were able to have laugh-out-loud moments while reading. I wonder if the Irish words and slang would confuse me, but glad that there were good descriptions of scenery and that the brothers' personalities, though different, were likable. Though I don't think this is for me, I'm glad that you enjoyed this well-written and adventurous read. Thanks for sharing!

Brandy C · Post by **Brandy C** » 21 May 2019, 17:35

I love historical fiction and anything involving Irish/American. However, after reading the sample pages this is not the book for me. South America doesn't really interest me nor the rubber business. I'm glad you enjoyed it though and thank you for the thorough review. Fans of informative historical fiction would enjoy this book.