Review of Lara's Story
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Nenkangmun Deshi
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Review of Lara's Story
[Following is a volunteer review of "Lara's Story" by Diane Merrill Wigginton.]
Lara’s Story is a novel with a rag-to-riches storyline. Written by Diane Merrill Wigginton, it follows the story of the titular character as she survives the death of loved ones; escape from servitude; miraculous adoption; and adapting to upper-class lifestyle afforded her by her adoptive parents. Revolving around the themes of love (Roman’s romantic love for the protagonist and her family’s love for her serve as ready examples), forgiveness (of the harm caused her by her father and Lord Henley), second chances (life offering Lara a chance at love and family again) and predestination (the prophesy by the Gypsy soothsayer, Madam Sabina), this novel offers hope to those who have suffered great lose in whatever way.
Set during the historically defining era of the Potatoes Famine and mass immigration of the Irish – which was one of the adverse effects, Wigginton paints a picture of a perfect world and how circumstances beyond our country can turn such perfection upside down. All hope is not lost though; the novel upholds the timeless message that states “where there is life, there is hope”. We see the world as it then was – simple, especially for those who are poor because they do not suffer under the suffocating rules of high society (we witness the punishment meted out of Ella who is Lara’s friend after she went to a social gathering beneath her social station); and we also witness the rise and effects of the industrial revolution that swept across Europe and America (where Lara and her adoptive parents travelled from America to Europe for Great Exhibition of Works of Industry of All Nations).
The novel’s pacing leaves much to be desired. At some point, the storyline was no longer flowing freely – the story dragged longer than actually bearable and became increasingly repetitive at some point. Wigginton was unable to hold the suspense of the plot as the narration did nothing to actually fully grasp the reader’s interest from the first page to the last page.
I rate Lara’s Story two out of four stars. As a reader who read the book from beginning to the end, I felt more could be done in the editing of the novel; and the storyline was too straightforward and almost not plausible.
Wigginton’s novel will be a good read to those who love historical fiction. The novel will also be a worthwhile read to a reader who has suffered lose as it offers hope for a brighter tomorrow.
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Lara's Story
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Lara’s Story is a novel with a rag-to-riches storyline. Written by Diane Merrill Wigginton, it follows the story of the titular character as she survives the death of loved ones; escape from servitude; miraculous adoption; and adapting to upper-class lifestyle afforded her by her adoptive parents. Revolving around the themes of love (Roman’s romantic love for the protagonist and her family’s love for her serve as ready examples), forgiveness (of the harm caused her by her father and Lord Henley), second chances (life offering Lara a chance at love and family again) and predestination (the prophesy by the Gypsy soothsayer, Madam Sabina), this novel offers hope to those who have suffered great lose in whatever way.
Set during the historically defining era of the Potatoes Famine and mass immigration of the Irish – which was one of the adverse effects, Wigginton paints a picture of a perfect world and how circumstances beyond our country can turn such perfection upside down. All hope is not lost though; the novel upholds the timeless message that states “where there is life, there is hope”. We see the world as it then was – simple, especially for those who are poor because they do not suffer under the suffocating rules of high society (we witness the punishment meted out of Ella who is Lara’s friend after she went to a social gathering beneath her social station); and we also witness the rise and effects of the industrial revolution that swept across Europe and America (where Lara and her adoptive parents travelled from America to Europe for Great Exhibition of Works of Industry of All Nations).
The novel’s pacing leaves much to be desired. At some point, the storyline was no longer flowing freely – the story dragged longer than actually bearable and became increasingly repetitive at some point. Wigginton was unable to hold the suspense of the plot as the narration did nothing to actually fully grasp the reader’s interest from the first page to the last page.
I rate Lara’s Story two out of four stars. As a reader who read the book from beginning to the end, I felt more could be done in the editing of the novel; and the storyline was too straightforward and almost not plausible.
Wigginton’s novel will be a good read to those who love historical fiction. The novel will also be a worthwhile read to a reader who has suffered lose as it offers hope for a brighter tomorrow.
******
Lara's Story
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The MECE Muse by Christie Lindor
