Hurricane: Of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane

Rating:
Summary: Galveston's Hallowed Ground
Review: "Hurricane" is a well rounded book and like so many TV shows today, is fast paced with defined scene changes. I was swept up in the current of Hurricane's characters. I saw the skies turn from blue to gray, heard the roar of waves, the hideous howl of an unstoppable wind. The fictional islanders who lived through the worst natural disaster in history of this country had lifechanging experiences and for many the skies proved bluer the sky sunnier. The story was very real to me because my husband and I like to go to Galveston for Dickens on the Strand. We have seen the documentary "Storm" at the theatre in Galveston. Every time I'm there I'm haunted by the hallowed ground. I had no idea that the orphanage sat on the existing Walmart property.



Rating:
Summary: Survival of the Human Spirit
Review: "Hurricane", although a work of fiction, vividly describes a most amazing event in Texas history, the Galvestion hurricane of 1900. Until I read this book, I had no idea of the magnitude or devistation of the hurricane or the effect it had on the lives of everyone on the island. The story of the Sisters of Charity, especially, touched my heart. What an amazing group of women! Anyone interested in Texas history or in the survival of the human spirit will enjoy this book.


Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Story
Review: As a Floridian, I have seen that hurricanes can cause devastating losses to lives, property, and communities. I have also seen how these monster storms can reveal heroism hidden in the most fearful hearts. In her new novel, Hurricane, Janice A. Thompson tells the realistic, gripping story of the survivors and victims of one of the most destructive hurricanes ever to strike the coastlines of the United States. In 1900 Galveston, Texas, even the weather experts believed the expected storm could not harm the island city. But as the unthinkable began to happen, the courage of ordinary citizens rose higher than the flooding waters, revealing their faith and valor in the midst of the tempest. Through the eyes of her characters, each with a unique view of the drama, Thompson takes her readers on a thrilling ride through nature's wild fury and reveals that, no matter how bad the storm, God is a safe haven for all who call on Him.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Best I've read in a while...
Review: Galveston Island, September, 1900. Brent Murphy is coming home. After years away pursuing a career in journalism, Brent has a need to face his demons at home. Namely, his father, a stern man Brent never seemed able to please.

Sister Henrietta Mullins, novice at St. Mary's Orphan Asylum, discovers the difference between childhood dreams and reality. As the days pass, her commitment to the Sisters of Charity, once embraced willingly, becomes harder to bear. Not to mention the Texas heat.

Everett Maxwell, editor of the Courier, Galveston's local newspaper. Discouraged there was nothing happening, nothing newsworthy to write about, Everett will now do just about anything for a story.

Emma Sanders, newly `capped' nurse, eagerly faces her first day on the job at the local hospital. She quickly becomes overwhelmed at the enormity of what each day brings.

To the east, across the Gulf of Mexico, a deadly storm was brewing that would change these lives and Galveston forever.

HURRICANE is a day-by-day count-down to the cataclysmic storm that all but wiped Galveston off the map. In the characters Janice Thompson introduces to us we see attitudes change, goals shift, and watch as selflessness takes hold and the determination to save just one life overcomes fear.

Through despair, devastation and death, Ms. Thompson gives hope. Determined, dogged faith prevails over doubt and discouragement. And God's love and mercy shines through.

A tremendous read. Janice Thompson, a native Texan, has done her research and put together a compelling fictional account of the most catastrophic natural event of the twentieth century in which 6000 lives were lost. I highly recommend this one.


Rating:
Summary: A Torrent of Emotion
Review: Growing up in southeast Texas, the phrase "The Galveston Hurricane of 1900" was part of our cultural language, the same as "Remember the Alamo"-something for history books and legends. Janice Thompson, in her book, Hurricane, brought this catastrophic event to life for me. As the characters changed and their priorities altered, I was reminded again of what is really important in life and how the Creator has endowed us with the ability to rise above adversity.

Rating:
Summary: AN EXCITING PAGE-TURNER
Review: I love this book, I read it in one day. It was a real page-turner. It was very suspenseful. It kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I got totally involved in the characters. The author did a lot of research and it showed. I heartly recommend this book. It is a great way to learn history and be entertained at the same time.

Rating:
Summary: Hurricane
Review: Janice Thompson took the worst natural disaster in American history and wove a wonderful fictional tale of the days before, during and after the great storm. I highly recommend this book. I read it in a day and enjoyed every minute of it.
The days leading up to the storm you get to know the main characters. You begin to connect with them and want to yell at them to leave the island, because you know what is coming. During the storm, you hold your breath right along with the characters, praying for their safety. After the storm, you cry for those that were lost and rejoice with those spared.
The characters face both inner and outer storms. They learn to deal with both emotional and natural obstacles. Prodigals can indeed return home. Hope replacing fear. Seemingly inconceivable battles can bring victories.


Rating:
Summary: Hurricane Took My Heart By Storm
Review: Thompson did a masterful job of weaving fact into fiction as she brought to life the tragedy of the Galvestone Hurricane of 1900. I read most of the book in one evening, captured by the unfolding drama. I ached as her characters lived in shallow oblivion to the coming storm, focused on their surface lives, forcing down and ignoring the deep things inside that cried out for their attention. As the hurricane hit I lived their horror with them, watched their acts of selfless bravery, and mourned their loss. Finally, through many poignant moments, I rose with them as they became the deeper, more beautiful people God meant them to be. I cheered as they set aside petty attitudes and learned to live, change, and care for each other.

Rating:
Summary: An all night reading
Review: When I started reading Hurricane, I was sitting in an airport waiting to fly home when I thought I would just read a few chapters of the book. 3 hours later, I was deep into the book and very disappointed that the plane had landed! I will guarantee to anyone who wants to be caught in the midst of a story that within the first few chapters, you will want to just keep reading till the book it over. What an AWESOME story it is!

Rating:
Summary: Storm Warnings
Review: Wow! No one warned me I would lose sleep, cry, reflect and ponder the spirit of people faced with life changing tragedy. I loved the characters, they sound like people I know. I wept for the terror and sadness they had to endure. And how amazing and true that even in the midst of tragedy love can triumph and people can change the very essence of their way of life. I felt I was there worrying about the characters with them. I almost expected to walk outside to see what I was reading in the book. I totally got lost in the book! This is one I will have to read again and again.