A fantastic and thought-provoking debut! Highly recommended!!
"We hope for better things" is a powerful and beautiful story about Elizabeth Balsam. As she encounters a box of old photos from a relative and ended up exploring her great-aunt's farmhouse, she is progressively discovering her family's past and secrets.
Told in three different timelines and multiple POVs (alternating between Elizabeth in modern-day Detroit, Nora in the 1960s and Mary in the 1860s), this historical fiction is compelling and absorbing! The characters were so deep and well-crafted that I could connect with all of them and the settings were beautifully described and remarkable - I was drawn into this complex storyline delivered by Erin.
The Detroit background in addition to the slavery/racism theme (also in a Civil war context) were utterly relevant and kept me engaged. I am glad that the author brought out these subjects in a captivating narrative. Furthermore, family drama, forgiveness and women strength were recurrent highlights.
"We hope for better things" is a fantastic and thought-provoking debut and I am looking forward to read more of Erin Bartels.
Told in three different timelines and multiple POVs (alternating between Elizabeth in modern-day Detroit, Nora in the 1960s and Mary in the 1860s), this historical fiction is compelling and absorbing! The characters were so deep and well-crafted that I could connect with all of them and the settings were beautifully described and remarkable - I was drawn into this complex storyline delivered by Erin.
The Detroit background in addition to the slavery/racism theme (also in a Civil war context) were utterly relevant and kept me engaged. I am glad that the author brought out these subjects in a captivating narrative. Furthermore, family drama, forgiveness and women strength were recurrent highlights.
"We hope for better things" is a fantastic and thought-provoking debut and I am looking forward to read more of Erin Bartels.