Official Review: Before We Died by Joan Schweighardt

[sush_destiny]

"Before We Died" is historical fiction by Joan Schweighardt about two Irish American brothers leave home to face the unknown in the depths of South America during the rubber boom. They face the dangers and onslaught of nature, corruption and each other when they both lose their hearts to the same woman. Very exciting story. Congratulations on BOTD!!

[Rachel Lea]

If the sample is any indication, Schweighardt's "Before We Died" is very engaging and has excellent pacing. The characters are dynamic and well-drawn. Thanks for your review!

[lavellan]

Thanks for your review! I have to admit that I never heard of the rubber boom before reading your review. As a result, this book will open me up to a topic that I do not know anything about. I'm curious to learn about the dynamic between Jack and Bax as they journey South America in search of their fortune. I also would like to know what Clementine's motives are.

[Roxanne Thomas]

This book is something I'll enjoy reading. I'll love to know more about rubber tapping.

[starkpages]

Great detailed review! I'm not a fan of historical fiction books but I love the way they convey feelings, experiences, memories from the past. I was bored with the free sample I read from Amazon what with the preface talking about rubbers but as I read your review, turns out there was more to it. Stories like this may seem insignificant but they are stories nonetheless that leaves a mark to its readers.

[Amash Manzoor]

I am always a loveer of fiction but it is a ever best book of fiction but also bore I think something is missing in it but it is interesting

[bigscarythingy]

Fascinating historical fiction revolving a subject I've never seen broached before. A great review and clearly an interesting read. Thank you.

[Sindhu Srinath]

Sounds like an amazing book! Congrats! I am very eager to read about this historical achievement. I would also like to read Irish slang. I hope I enjoy this book.

[Gishala1]

I was pleasantly surprised by the writing. It was very engaging and descriptive and I felt that I was actually on that steamer and in the town with the Hopper boys. It is written first person POV and it was so immersive I imagined a voice with an Irish brogue in my head as I read. Adding this to my "To Read" list

[Scarlet Nicoll]

... literary adventure novel that takes readers on an unforgettable expedition.

Sounds like my kind of a read. Thank you for this light weight information.

[Susmita Biswas]

Before We Died by Joan Schweighardt sounds like an adventurous journey story. A jungle must be the most unfriendly place to stay. As the reviewer mentioned, there are many kinds of problems waiting. Congratulations on #botd.

[Marissa Michael]

I don't have much knowledge about how the rubber economy affected a country in the past. It seems an historical fiction with adventure genre like this is interesting to read about this type of economy.

[darbybj]

"Before We Died", by Joan Schweighardt is a book about Mrs. Hopper who starts going to a fortune teller after her husbands death. She tells Mrs Hopper that her husband said her two sons, Baxter and Jack Hopper need to go on an adventure to get over their misery of losing him. After their mother persuades them to go they make a plan with help from Rosie, Baxter's girlfriend. Baxter goes to New York to talk to Alato about going to South America and working in the rubber tapping industry. Alato hires Baxter and Jack and pays for their passage to South America. The brothers go to work in South America and never were prepared for all the differences that they incounted. The author does a good job describing the scenery in this book. The historical and biographical findings that he uses throughout the book makes it even more interesting. Also the use of the Portuguese and Irish American languages make the book even more interesting. The author has done a overall good job with this book except for some bad language used through it. I give it 3*'s.

[pixiestyx]

This sounds like a fun, exciting adventure novel. Even though it's historical fiction, I like that you mention it has an authentic feel to it. That's always a nice touch. Thanks for the great review!

[Alicia09]

I've never read a story that took place during the rubber tapping boom. This sounds like a powerful adventure story that documents the horrors associated with rubber tapping. Thanks for introducing me to this book. I'll have to give it a try someday.