All the Forgivenesses

By Elizabeth Hardinger

Book Overview

Perfect for readers of Demon Copperhead and inspired by the author's own family lore, this exquisite novel paints an intimately rendered portrait of one resilient family's challenges and triumphs--helmed by an unforgettable heroine--in Appalachia and the Midwest during the turn of the 20th century.

Growing up on their hardscrabble farm in rural Kentucky, fifteen-year-old Albertina "Bertie" Winslow has learned a lot from her mama, Polly. She knows how to lance a boil, make a pie crust, butcher a pig, and tend to every chore that needs doing. What she doesn't know, but is forced to reckon with all too soon, is how to look after children as a mother should...

When Polly succumbs to a long illness, Bertie takes on responsibility for her four younger siblings and their dissolute, unreliable daddy. Yet no matter how hard she tries to hold the family together; the task is overwhelming. Nine-year-old Dacia, especially, is resentful and stubborn, hinting at secrets in their mama's life. Finally, Bertie makes the only choice she can--breaking up the family for its own survival, keeping the girls with her, sending the boys off to their grown brothers, long gone from home.

Ever pragmatic, Bertie marries young, grateful to find a husband willing to take on the care of her sisters, and eventually moves to the oil fields of Kansas. But marriage alone cannot resolve the grief and guilt she carries over a long-ago tragedy, or prepare her for the heartaches still to come. Only by confronting wrenching truths can she open herself to joy--and learn how to not only give, but receive, unfettered love. Inspired by stories told by the author's mother and aunts, All the Forgivenesses is as authentic as it is lyrical--a captivating novel of family loyalty, redemption, and resilience.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1496720458
• ISBN13: 9781496720450
• Release Date: September 2020
• Publisher: John Scognamiglio Book
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Draws you into a different place and different time.

What a fantastic read. I finished the book in 3 days. It was sorrowful, joyful, suspenseful, it made laugh and cry. My mind was transported back in time and I felt I was right there with the characters enduring their experiences along side them.

An Interesting Read

I was quite impressed with this book! The story was well written with interesting characters set in an Era where Life was changing rapidly & people had a hard time accepting it all. This family in particular had it rough living in the mountains of Kentucky where Isolation also played a major role along with a rather dysfunctional family situation. I will admit that the plot was very subtlety expressed & in the dialect of the time & place which made it a bit hard to follow. However this also created a mysterious quality that kept the pages turning!

Loved this book!

Started off a little slow- then started picking up to where I could hardly put it down. Very good story.

Still thinking about this story.

I listened to the audio version. The reader did such an excellent job with the “backwoods” English. So much wisdom, heartache, hurt, love. Hard to see it end. I hope the author writes another book.