Review of The 13th of Summer
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Rajnee Varma
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Review of The 13th of Summer
[Following is a volunteer review of "The 13th of Summer" by Charlene Pratt.]
The 13th of Summer by Charlene Pratt is a historical novel about South Dakota dryland farmers in the 1930s. It is the story of the Peterson family and their neighborhood in a village on the prairies near a small town, which was the lifeline for the villagers. It is the story of 12-year-old Betty, the third child of the Petersons, and her friends, 12-year-old Thurber and 13-year-old Lloyd. Betty, although a slight girl with epilepsy, used to do all the household chores because her mother was going to have another child. It was a time of drought when food and water were scarce, and farmers were leaving the village in search of a better future. Thurber and his family stopped at Peterson’s place on their way to town during the dust storm and were asked to stay. Lloyd and his old horse Scout also found a family in Petersons. Betty, Thurber, and Lloyd were children of the settlers, whose families had received 24 acres of land free from the government if they would build a house and till the ground. As victims of troubled families and poverty, the children became friends and helped each other and their families. Lloyd and Betty grew closer, and on the 13th of summer, Lloyd expressed his desire to marry Betty when they grew up, but she was hesitant to commit due to her health issues. The story spans nearly a century and keeps the reader captivated.
The novel narrates the story of the hardship of the villagers against the unfavorable conditions—the harsh climate, drought, poverty, and lack of medical facilities. It is also the story of the strong people, their perseverance, strength of character, compassion, and solidarity. The author has illustrated the savage dust storm and the raging blizzard so eloquently that readers are left in awe. The persistence and strong will for survival make the reader admire the strength of these underprivileged families and their starving children.
The story is narrated quite simply. There is no suspense or surprise, and yet the story touches the heart of the reader. I do not have anything negative to say about this book. There are very few typos, and they do not interfere with the intended meanings. Overall, it is an excellent novel, and I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
The narration is straightforward, and the plot is uncomplicated. The characters are relevant and evoke empathy. This is a worthwhile book to read, and I would suggest it to people who like to read serious, heart-touching stories. It inspires us to face the challenges of life and not accept defeat.
******
The 13th of Summer
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The 13th of Summer by Charlene Pratt is a historical novel about South Dakota dryland farmers in the 1930s. It is the story of the Peterson family and their neighborhood in a village on the prairies near a small town, which was the lifeline for the villagers. It is the story of 12-year-old Betty, the third child of the Petersons, and her friends, 12-year-old Thurber and 13-year-old Lloyd. Betty, although a slight girl with epilepsy, used to do all the household chores because her mother was going to have another child. It was a time of drought when food and water were scarce, and farmers were leaving the village in search of a better future. Thurber and his family stopped at Peterson’s place on their way to town during the dust storm and were asked to stay. Lloyd and his old horse Scout also found a family in Petersons. Betty, Thurber, and Lloyd were children of the settlers, whose families had received 24 acres of land free from the government if they would build a house and till the ground. As victims of troubled families and poverty, the children became friends and helped each other and their families. Lloyd and Betty grew closer, and on the 13th of summer, Lloyd expressed his desire to marry Betty when they grew up, but she was hesitant to commit due to her health issues. The story spans nearly a century and keeps the reader captivated.
The novel narrates the story of the hardship of the villagers against the unfavorable conditions—the harsh climate, drought, poverty, and lack of medical facilities. It is also the story of the strong people, their perseverance, strength of character, compassion, and solidarity. The author has illustrated the savage dust storm and the raging blizzard so eloquently that readers are left in awe. The persistence and strong will for survival make the reader admire the strength of these underprivileged families and their starving children.
The story is narrated quite simply. There is no suspense or surprise, and yet the story touches the heart of the reader. I do not have anything negative to say about this book. There are very few typos, and they do not interfere with the intended meanings. Overall, it is an excellent novel, and I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
The narration is straightforward, and the plot is uncomplicated. The characters are relevant and evoke empathy. This is a worthwhile book to read, and I would suggest it to people who like to read serious, heart-touching stories. It inspires us to face the challenges of life and not accept defeat.
******
The 13th of Summer
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Inside Passage: by Burt Weissbourd
