"Wit, emotion and undiminished boldness. . . . This is a book which celebrates life and warms the heart." --Tulsa World A timeless American classic, this beloved family saga of the heartland is "deeply felt . . . dramatic . . . constantly alive" ( Harper's Magazine) On a farm in western Missouri during the first half of the twentieth century, Matthew and Callie Soames create a life for themselves and raise four headstrong daughters. Jessica will break their hearts. Leonie will fall in love with the wrong man. Mary ...
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"Wit, emotion and undiminished boldness. . . . This is a book which celebrates life and warms the heart." --Tulsa World A timeless American classic, this beloved family saga of the heartland is "deeply felt . . . dramatic . . . constantly alive" ( Harper's Magazine) On a farm in western Missouri during the first half of the twentieth century, Matthew and Callie Soames create a life for themselves and raise four headstrong daughters. Jessica will break their hearts. Leonie will fall in love with the wrong man. Mary Jo will escape to New York. And wild child Mathy's fate will be the family's greatest tragedy. Over the decades they will love, deceive, comfort, forgive--and, ultimately, they will come to cherish all the more fiercely the bonds of love that hold the family together. This moving novel brings to life the rhythms and the mood of Midwestern rural life through its endearing characters and their secrets, fears, heartache, and pleasures. Jetta Carleton's only work of fiction remains an utterly compelling story told with perceptive humor and a deep compassion.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. . All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofi t job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. . All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofit job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. This is a used book. It may contain highlighting/underlining and/or the book may show heavier signs of wear. It may also be ex-library or without dustjacket. This is a used book. It may contain highlighting/underlining and/or the book may show heavier signs of wear. It may also be ex-library or without dustjacket.
I approach this review from a biased perspective, having learned a good bit about the background of the author. Jetta Carleton grew up in Western Missouri, the location used in the novel. Her dream since graduation from the University of Missouri in th late 30s was to become a writer, and with this book she certainly achieved that goal. The story about a farm family's joys, pains and challenges is well constructed through careful studies of the people themselves and how they related to each other and how each impacted the others. It appears almost autobiographical, which I suspect it is to some degree. I have bought several copies to pass around to friends as I try to revive the memory of Jetta, some 70 years or so after she left Mizzou. There remains a mystery manuscript for another book, which I hope will see the light of day. As it is now, The Moonflower Vine is Jetta's only book. I highly recommend it.
marshmallowmom
Mar 1, 2008
Lovely Story!
This was such a good book. I loved the characters and loved each of their stories. It was deliciously written and I'll probably re-read this one many times. The plot was complex enough to be interesting yet real enough to believe in. I may just buy extra copies to give as gifts so I can share this lovely book.