"Bartels proves herself a master wordsmith and storyteller."-- Library Journal , starred review "This subdued tale of learning to forgive is Bartels's best yet."-- Publishers Weekly "A deeply personal, thoughtful exploration of dealing with pain and grief."-- Life Is Story "Taut and engaging."-- Foreword *** Ten years ago, sisters Olivia and Melanie Greene were on a backcountry hiking trip when their parents were in a fatal car accident. Over the years, they grew apart, each coping with the loss in ...
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"Bartels proves herself a master wordsmith and storyteller."-- Library Journal , starred review "This subdued tale of learning to forgive is Bartels's best yet."-- Publishers Weekly "A deeply personal, thoughtful exploration of dealing with pain and grief."-- Life Is Story "Taut and engaging."-- Foreword *** Ten years ago, sisters Olivia and Melanie Greene were on a backcountry hiking trip when their parents were in a fatal car accident. Over the years, they grew apart, each coping with the loss in her own way. Olivia plunged herself into law school, work, and a materialist view of the world--what you see is what you get, and that's all you get. Melanie dropped out of college and developed an online life-coaching business around her cafeteria-style spirituality--a little of this, a little of that, whatever makes you happy. Now, at Melanie's insistence (and against Olivia's better judgment), they are embarking on a hike in the Porcupine Mountains of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. In this remote wilderness they'll face their deepest fears, question their most dearly held beliefs, and begin to see that perhaps the best way to move forward is the one way they had never considered. Michigan Notable Book Award winner Erin Bartels draws from personal experience hiking backcountry trails with her sister to bring you a story about the complexities of grief, faith, and sisterhood.
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Add this copy of All That We Carried to cart. $43.21, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2021 by Fleming H. Revell Company.
Add this copy of All That We Carried to cart. $78.37, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by Fleming H Revell Co.
Add this copy of All That We Carried to cart. $114.07, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by Fleming H Revell Co.
All That We Carried is the first book that I have read by Erin Bartels. The author�s descriptive writing allows the reader to visualize the scenes especially the Porcupine Mountains and the beautiful waterfalls. The author created realistic characters. Melanie and Olivia Greene are as different as two sisters can be. Olivia is a prosecutor who is detail oriented and a planner while Melanie is a life coach and blogger. Melanie embraces a variety of spiritual and religious concepts and practices which baffles Olivia. The sisters bickering was realistic (speaking as someone who has bickered with her own sister). The trip was stressful with both sisters holding grudges (which leads to squabbling). The story is well-written, but it is slow paced (courtesy of the detail-oriented writing). We get to see things from each sister�s perspective (it alternates point-of-view between Melanie and Olivia). Melanie and Olivia get a chance to discuss their religious beliefs and if they believe in God. Their hike through the mountains is a metaphorical representation of the obstacles in their relationship. You wonder if they can resolve their conflicts before they finish their journey. I thought the ending was anticlimactic. There could have been a better wrap-up. Forgiveness is one of the main themes in the book. Olivia has yet to forgive the man who killed their parents. Her bitterness is holding her back. The story has a parable quality to it with Josh who I believe is meant to be Jesus. The get a little guidance during their journey from a kind man. All That We Carried was not what I expected. My journey through All That We Carried was not enjoyable. I found myself bored, frustrated, and annoyed. I have heard good things about Erin Bartels previous novels, though, I will check them out. While All That We Carried did not work for me, I suggest you obtain a sample to check it out for yourself.
