A Long Way from Home

Rating:
Summary: Where is the rest of it?
Review: I enjoyed A Long Way From Home and it was a book that I couldn't put down because each chapter made you want to continue to the next. However, I was disappointed in some of the characters because you didn't know what happened to them. They just "disappeared" I wanted to know what happened to the father that ran off for his freedom. Nothing was ever said about him. There were too many gaps and too much time in between certain chapters. We left one chapter with a baby being born and the next chapter started with the baby being a young lady and another child also in the picture. I think the story should have talked more of how and when these other children were conceived. What happened during that time. It just seems to me that the book could have been connected in a better way as far as the time gaps. The story was great, but just should have been more informative. Too much was left to the imagination.

Rating:
Summary: THOROUGH!!!
Review: I found Briscoe's book entertaining, well written and very well researched. There were no inconsistencies and it was very realistic. The strory riveted me from chapter to chapter.

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Summary: I read all night and into the next day!
Review: I got the name of this book out of self magazine. I hadn't read in awhile, and it looked like it could be interesting. It far exceeded my expectations. I read it in less than 24 hours. Even though the story is sad at times, it leaves you feeling good. I couldn't wait to find out what happened to Susan and her family. Connie did a great job, and has a family history to be proud of.

Rating:
Summary: excellent and so sad
Review: i got this book in the mail and i waited to read it big mistake once i started it i couldnt put it down this was a excellent book i love briscoe's writing style and i am a big fan of all her books i highly reccomend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Ingenious
Review: I hate reading time pieces, and I hate books whose subject remotely deals with slavery, but I loved "A Long Way From Home." The idea of weaving a story from the perspective of a young girl, and from the female ancestory line was very creative and inventive. I read the book in five hours. I was captivated by the ingenious way that Connie told her story. BRAVO! Don't let the subject matter deter you from reading this novel..it's the method of writing that will interest you.

Rating:
Summary: NOT MS. BRISCOE'S BEST WORK!!
Review: I HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED MS. BRISCOE'S BOOKS AMD EAGERLY ANTICIPATED THIS ONE BUT I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED; SO MUCH SO THAT I COULDN'T EVEN FINISH IT. I JUST FOUND IT HARD TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT MOST OF THE CHARACTERS DID NOT WANT THEIR FREEDOM FROM SLAVERY AND WANTED TO STAY PUT. I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW THE DEPTH OF THE AUTHOR'S RESEARCH. NOT A BOOK THAT I WOULD RECOMMEND.

Rating:
Summary: A Pleasant surprise
Review: I have to say I was reluctant to read this book, cause I did not think I would like a book about slavery. But after hearing Ms Briscoe talk about the book at a recent booksigning I felt better about picking it up. I truly enjoyed this book. Ms Briscoe wrote about what she thought the thoughts of her great aunts would have been based on family history and research. The dilemna of being free or remaining a servant was well thought out. I truly enjoyed reading about Susan growing up and also about her mother and grandmother. I would recommend this book as it is an very good read about a very difficult time.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Read
Review: I normally do not have an interest in books of this era, however, a close friend suggested I try it. I just completed this work and it was excellent. It was totally different from Ms. Briscoe's other works, which I read. I am a native of Virginia and I found the historical information to be spellbounding. The characters were believable and they received my compassion and yes, sometimes anger at their actions. I thought she went from generation to generation smoothly without alot of cumbersome, insignificant information added. I was overjoyed at the end, especially to discover the author's relationship to the characters. I recommend this book to all fans of Connie Briscoe. You will be in for a treat.

Rating:
Summary: A decent read, but one sided
Review: I really did enjoy Briscoe's latest work, but I felt it was a little one-sided. From what I have read and researched about slavery, the slaves who were afraid to be free were few and far between. Briscoe did not give her characters enough credit, and thus refuess the give the reader credit. I also feel that it was one sided because she only told the story from the viewpoint of the privileged house slave instead of what most men and women were--field slaves. Perhaps if it had been told from both perspectives and Briscoe had kept it real (what slave really wants to be a slave?) I would have rated it higher. Overall however, it was a decent read.

Rating:
Summary: Best Book Ever Written
Review: I recommend this book for people of all ethnic backgrounds who believe in the importance of family. The characters are strong, beautiful, and intelligent people despite the struggles they faced on a daily basis. Anyone who is curious about ancestry, slavery, and American history should read this book. Once I started reading, I could not stop.