I enjoyed portions of this book but found other parts disjointed due to the big jumps in time with kind of off handed mention of what had occurred. I also didn’t really follow what occurred toward the end and found the ending rather disatisfying.

The first thing that drew me to this book was the time period it took place in. I love a good civil war or post civil war book, me. There are a few gorgeous illustrations that I really enjoyed. Over all, great book. Just a wonderful, wonderful piece of work. It really grasped me. I cared about Linnea and what happened to her. Really well written, would recommend. 4/5 stars.

I have mixed feelings regarding this novel, which relates the story of Linnea, a young Michigan farm girl who is sold by her father to work in the mills of Detroit in the mid-19th century during the Civil War. We follow her life over the next fifty years until her death in the late1890s. On the one hand, much of the historical background is quite realistic and believable. On the other hand, many of the specific incidents which happen in Linnea's life are not realistic at all and fairly unbelievable. Also, many important developments in the story happen offstage, so to speak, (such as the mill catching fire and burning to the ground, killing most of Linnea's friends) and are described in passing rather than in real time. The key event in the story, and its aftermath , is possible but quite unlikely, as are family and other relationships. Linnea is a strong character, the historical background is good, but for me the story just does not hang together. ( )

I enjoyed this story but found it rather disjointed! I found it hard to believe the occurrences that took place in the first 2 years of the story, the historical look into child labor in factories rang true but not the the interaction between the 10 year old and an employer only 10 years her senior. The lapses in time between the chapters left me wondering, much more character development would have made this a better story for me. Too many unanswered questions about circumstances. The whole story was a tragedy from start to finish, but it kept me enthralled just the same. ( )

Linnea Karlsson, the book's protagonist, led a life of sadness. Her father sells into rough life of working in a textile mill at the age of ten! There she is only eleven years old when she finds herself pregnant by the mill owner's son. He finds couple who are willing to take into their home while she awaits the birth of her baby for whom they will adopt.

As soon as as the baby boy is born the couple sends her away with $500. She travels to Detroit where the mill was but finds it burned down. She decides to travel back home to her family's farm outside of Pontiac. The Civil War has killed two of her brothers and maimed another. She is welcomed home. She explains to her family about the fire and why she is home.

Life at home is pleasant as she helps her Mother with household chores and side work as a bookkeeper for several local businesses. Then into her life walks a younger man, Lincoln. He is charming and the 11 year age difference does not matter to him. He asks for her father's permission to marry her.

They marry and then true tragedy strikes Linnea. You must read the book to learn what turns the town and her family against her ( )