Customer Reviews

Until We Reach Home (Center Point Christian Fiction (Large Print))

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This story had so much intrigue, suspense, peril, yearning, hope, and faith in the midst of trials that it truly inspired me. The faith journey was SO believeable. The pain they went through made a lot of sense, and I truly felt for them. My heart grieved right along with them. I found myself thinking about the story all the time until I could steal away and read more. That, to me, is the sign of a fabulous read.

I am a real sucker for romance, which is sprinkled generously throughout the book, too. Plus, the heartache and pain resulting from dysfunctional situations and sin is portrayed realistically. While not edgy in regards to the details, Ms. Austin did a magnificent job of making me care about their pain and showing how deeply they hurt. Yet she balance that by showing how that makes them love more deeply as well.

In my opinion Ms. Austin is one of the best historical fiction authors at putting her characters in impossible situations and showing how God provides a way in the midst of heartache. She shows how God allows it to make His children grow in faith, and that He is always there even if He doesn't always take away the hardship and pain. And He can transform even the hardest of hearts when people love Him and each other like the Scriptures say.

The relationship that Sophia developed with Ludwig was so amazing it took my breath away. I NEVER would've thought to draw out the character's faith and introduce them to true love through sharing God's Word the way the author managed to do. And to use the Bible as a tool to communicate between their languages was brilliant. This tender relationship was beautifully developed and one of my favorite parts of the story. It made my heart sing!

I can't say enough good things about this story. I'm definitely putting this book on my list of favorites for 2008!

Lynn Austin never fails to amaze me as a writer. She writes in the most amazing way and never disappoints. I kept hoping that the book was not going to end. I was so drawn into each next chapter that it was next to impossible to put down. This book had so many wonderful examples of the kind of relationship that one can truly have with Jesus Christ. I think anyone would enjoy this story. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it truly drew me into the plot. A must read!!

I have about 25 pages left and just can't stand for this book to end! I just want to finish it so I can share it with others! It has been one of the most enjoyable books I have read and I would recommend it to anybody!

After reading Hidden Places and A Woman's Place, neither of which I could put down, I found this book a bit of a disappointment. The characters were not as well rounded as they could've been, their reactions to events too predictable and repetitious, and the continual hiding of secrets between Kirsten and Elin tiresome. I wanted to shake them and tell them to spit them out and get on with it. While I wasn't as pleased with this book as I'd hoped, I'm continuing to read others of Ms. Austin's because overall, I like her stories.

It didn't take many pages for me to be drawn into the plight of Elin and her sisters - Kirsten and Sofia. After losing their parents, their Uncle took over their farm and made life unbearable for Elin as she tried to protect her sisters from him. Finally, when she decides to escape to America to live with her mother's favorite brother who had left for America years ago, their hard journey to America and freedom began.

I loved reading about the three sisters during their journey to America and how, even though they had their differences and dark secrets, they stuck together through it all. They grew so much after reaching America - even shy, dependent Sofia - the baby of the family - changed on the trip to America and established a career for herself so that she could help provide for her sisters.

There were 2 parts that I would urge caution for some younger readers. The reason Elin made her sisters leave with her to America was because of what her Uncle did to her and what he was about to do to her sister, Sofia. When she discovered her Uncle's eyes were beginning to turn from her to her younger sister, she imminently knew she had to leave America. Nothing is explicit or even plainly said, but what Elin had to endure at the hand of her Uncle is alluded to several times.

Another point of caution is that one of the sisters mistakenly ends up pregnant. Nothing is explained, except for when the sister begins to get sick and the doctor announces she is pregnant. At that time in history - 1897 - it was a scandal to have a child out of wedlock, and the sister has to live with her foolish actions. So, in some ways, it was a good lesson to show that actions have consequences. But, as I said, Austin handles everything so well that nothing is inappropriate.

Besides these two points, the book was great - filled with lessons, special moments, and growing periods for all three sisters. Towards the end of the book, it got kind of sad as the sisters began to branch out and build their own lives: they had been through so much together! But all in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will certainly pick up the book again to read! I highly recommend it - Lynn Austin did a wonderful job touching lives with this story!!

Thanks to Bethany House for sending me a review copy!

Three orphaned farm girls abandon their native Sweden for the promise of new life in America. They leave behind everyone and everything familiar and step into the unknown carrying only a trunk filled with practical necessities and precious momentos.

Elin, the oldest, frets over her sisters' safety. Adventurous Kirsten rebels against Elin's restrictions. Sofia, the youngest, wails with annoying regularity that she wants to go back home. Elin, who bears the weight of a terrible secret, knows the safe, ordered existence Sofia led at the farm could not last. Kirsten, dogged by her own secrets, finds she can't escape the past.

Hardships arise in the sisters' travels but also transcendant moments. As Sofia observes: "To me, this whole adventure wasn't about reaching a destination and finding a home - it was about the journey."

Each girl, in the course of events, makes her own voyage of personal growth. Each encounters God's grace. Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin presents true-to-life characters and believable resolutions against an authentic late-1800's background. While this book appeals to an adult readership, I also recommend it for teen girls because of its honest, moral look at sexuality and love.

In 1897 the three Swedish Carlson sisters (Elin, Kirsten and Sofia) struggle with the deaths of their parents; especially their father who committed suicide. They find living with their uncle and aunt untenable. Though Sofia fears her own shadow, the trio led by the oldest Elin, writes to family members residing in Chicago and is invited to come to American and leave behind their beloved but now bittersweet Sweden.

However, America may be the land of the free, but the three siblings remain on Ellis Island for quite along time. Ailing Elin and Kirsten are hospitalized leaving Sophia the mousy meek one to care for herself. When they finally complete their journey by reaching Chicago, they quickly learn life is not better as they begin to understand why a house is not a home.

This is a timely superb historical tale of how much immigration has meant to this country. Through the sisters the focus is on the sixteen million who came to America heeding the call of the Statue of Liberty between 1890 and 1920. The three lead siblings are fully developed as their harrowing journey will grip an appreciative audience who make the trek with them (thankfully from our armchair). Lynn Austin provides a fascinating look at one of the great American immigration waves.

Harriet Klausner

This story was a disappointment. I felt that the sisters in this story experienced too much hardship to be believed. It seemed that at every single turn something bad happened. The sisters were written as very weak and whiney. It got on my nerves after a while. I don't feel this book is as good as Ms. Austin's others.

I purchased the audio edition of this novel via audible, because the plot- three orphan girls travelling to America to stay with their uncle- sounded interesting and historical. Unfortunately, instead I found it boring. The three girls whined and complained and kept secrets from each other, but even that sounds more exciting than what happened. The author's writing style was just not descriptive enough. I felt it could be any time period and basically modern girls who were being described. I gave up after about an hour and a half of bland dialog and boring plot.

I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to read the author's other books. I really like the way the author developed each character that I grew fond of them. I would love the see this book made into a movie.