Saturday, April 01, 2023

My Review of Across the Winding River by Aimie K. Runyan

by Aimie K. Runyan
(Aug, 2020, about 300 pages, over 13,000 ratings)

I enjoyed this historical novel set for the most part in Germany during WW2. It starts out, however, in Southern California, 2007, when Max, now in a nursing home with failing health, begins sharing with his daughter Beth a bit of his heretofore unknown past. She brings him a box of his memorabilia and asks him about a war picture of him as a medic holding a beautiful, young woman who is obviously pregnant. This would not be her mother, of course, as Beth's parents met after Max got home from Europe.

It's a good premise and teaser. The author then takes us back in time to two other storylines that eventually come together - Max's days as a medic on the front lines in France, and a woman named Johanna, who is a pilot and engineer working in the Luftwaffe developing war planes for Nazi Germany. She is a reluctant participant in the war and her family story, with their uncertainties and reservations, is well told.

How Johanna's and Max's stories come together is part of the developing plot, so no spoilers here. Jewish ancestry plays a role, so there's a hint. Suffice it to say that the author did a good job interweaving these three stories (one modern and two historical) into an effective and interesting narrative. Once you get used to the time jumps and point-of-view changes, it's easy and enjoyable reading. In addition, the historical elements were well placed and referenced.

Now, for action lovers, this book begins without much fanfare - no 'in medias res' thrills and suspense here. But the slow and gentle pacing served the rest of the novel well. This is a drama slash love story, but not necessarily of the heart-thumping kind; the telling here is not rushed. Overall, a good technique. However, I felt that some of the intense and urgent scenes could have had a bit more punch to them. Plus, there were a few 'hmm, not sure about that' coinkydink moments. Still, the story was compelling overall and refreshing. Sad at times, but with a satisfying ending, which I was hoping for.

If you enjoy women's fiction and historical novels set against the backdrop of war, this is a good one. It's feminist in perspective, but not annoyingly so. (In other words, I didn't sense an ax to grind or a chip on the author's shoulder.) A good choice for a book club discussion, I think. For me, 4.5 stars and a nice break from my usual fare of action thriller and suspense. (FYI, here's my review on Goodreads.)

Amazon Affiliate Link to Across the Winding River.

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My 52 Week Challenge: Read and Review 52 Books in 2023 (Week 13)
(Books listed in reading order, not review order. And I'm behind, lol.)

1. Razored Land by Charles Gramlich - post-apocalypse (review TBD)
2. The Stroke of Winter by Wendy Webb - mystery (reviewed Jan 11)
3. Feast of Fools and Other Tales - S&S anthology (reviewed Jan 19)
4. Clovel Sword Saga (Vol 1&2) by Gordon Brewer - S&S (review TBD)
5. The Hike by Susi Holliday - mystery/thriller (reviewed March 7)
6. Valengetrix: Ghost of Aratania by J.R. Cason - sword & sorcery (reviewed Feb 25)
7. Swords & Heroes - Sword & Sorcery Anthology (edited by me! review TBD)
8. The Viking Gael Saga by J.T.T. Ryder - historical fiction (reviewed March 15)
9. Blackfoot Dawn by John Legg - a mountain man western (reviewed March 10)
10. Across the Winding River by Aimie K. Runyan - historical drama (reviewed above)

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Currently Reading...
+ Laws and Prophecies (Sword's Edge Book 3) by L.S. King (sword and planet)
The Troubleshooters by William W. Johnstone (western vigilenta justice)
+ Boy Battles Bot (Space Invaders #1) by A.K. Meek (MG sci-fi adventure)

On My TBR List...
XLZABK001 by Jon Zaremba (fantasy and sword & sorcery collection)
The Song of Sangr by Gustavo Bondoni (sword and sorcery)
Skallagrim - In the Vales Of Pagarna by Stephen R. Babb (sword and sorcery)

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In Real Life...
+ Going to try a different church tomorrow, more liturgical, near San Juan.
+ Then wer're going to check out the ferry that runs from Cataño to Viejo San Juan.
+ Getting the condo ready for both daughters and their husbands when they visit in May.

(Already bought a grill, some rooftop patio furniture, and items for the guest rooms. Still need to buy that stackable washer and dryer, but am hesitating since stores don't deliver to third floor apartments here! Yikes! So may just hire a guy off the street to help me carry them up three flights of stairs! lol)

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Weekend Blog Hops
+ Sunday Post from Caffeinated Reviewer
+ Sunday Salon from Readerbuzz
+ Stacking the Shelves from Reading Reality

Drop a comment and a link to your blog and tell me what you're reading! Have a great weekend.






(This is Sunday Roundup #11)

32 comments:

  1. Interesting reading list — completely different from what I read!

    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm amazed at the variety of different readers I encounter during these blog hops. Thanks for stopping by. Lyn

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  2. Interesting list of books. I haven't read any of them. I hope you enjoy them and have a great week!

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    1. Should be a good day today, thanks. And thanks for dropping by.

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  3. I have not heard of any of your books. Good luck trying the new church tomorrow. I hope it works out for you. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.

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    1. You bet, and thanks for the well-wishes. We sort of settled on a church but I'm still kind of looking. That's wishywashy I know, lol.

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  4. This does sound like my kind of read! And I have to love that you used the word coinkydink in your review!

    Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, I recommend it. And I'll try to use kerfuffle in my next review. ;)

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  5. Replies
    1. Definitely enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. Good luck getting the washer and dryer up three flights of stairs! I do not envy that at all. But you'll love having it when it is installed.

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    1. I've been putting it off for ages. But I'm tired of going to the laundromat!

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  7. Sounds great. Reminds me a little of Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole, for the medic in France angle and dual timelines. Very different books but that similarity just jumped out at me.

    Anyway... good luck with the new church!

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    1. Looked up Letters from Skye and it looks good. Thanks for mentioning it. And for the well-wishes. I don't want to be a 'church shopper' but I'm still not settled.

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  8. World War II stories are always so compelling. I'm glad to see how much you enjoyed this one.

    I hope you are able to find a church that feels a little more liturgical. And good luck in getting that washer/dryer upstairs.

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    1. I haven't read a WWII novel for a long time and I'm trying to start a book club here at our apartment complex and it seemed like a good choice. I was happy it turned out to be a good one. And yes, I miss the more liturgical style from our church in the states. We feel we need an English speaking church here in PR and there are limited options. This one is about 50 minutes away and a bit too far, but we'll see. And thanks for the well wishes, all appliances will soon be accounted for! ;-)

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  9. Lyn, I hadn't heard of Night Agent and will check it out. I've appreciated the suggestions people give me as we never get to see previews unless it's on a DVD. You have quite a varied list of books read across many different genres!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. Night Agent is a conspiracy thriller, not bad, but a bit hyped up on adreneline, lol.

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  10. Hi Lyn - you might not recall me, but you included one of my short stories in your lovely anthology 'While the Morning Stars Sing'. Lovely to see you here! I hope the week is a good one.

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    1. I do, of course! And I have the e-book for you of that antho! Send me your current email address. Hope all is well and thanks for dropping by!

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  11. Yea, going to the laundromat stinks. I have not read any of these, they are different from my genre. Enjoy 😊

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    1. Lots of different readers in this blog hop for sure. Love the variety I'm exposed to. Thanks for stopping by. I'm off to the laundromat again this week! lol

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  12. Good luck with the new church, and getting the washer/dryer up to the third floor! Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks for the well-wishes. I really enjoyed the new (to us) church we attended this morning. Still nervous about buying the wsher and dryer!

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  13. Wow, getting a stackable up three flights of stairs would be a challenge. Good luck! Nice to hear you enjoyed Across the Winding River. The cover is beautiful!

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    1. It was a good book. And yeah, still figuring out the appliance situation! lol

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  14. Good luck on your trip!

    Here’s my Sunday Post

    And my Sunday Watch for movie and TV fans!

    Rabbit Ears Book Blog: WORLD’S WEIRDEST BOOK BLOG!

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    1. Thanks for dropping by! Happy reading this weekend.

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  15. I have been staying away from war books for a bit.

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    1. I can understand that. A lot of uncertainty in the world. I still won't read any books set in the pandemic. Hope you have some good reading ahead of your this week.

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  16. Good luck with getting the washer/dryer up three flights of stairs.
    Have a great week.

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    1. Thanks. Still no progress, but one day! Thanks for stopping by.

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Keep it clean and positive. (And sorry about the word verification, but the spmb*ts are out in full force!)