In honor of the paperback release of The Roots of the Olive Tree (I LOVE the new cover!), I am re-running my review of the book, which I read in hardcover back in the fall. Instead of sending me a review copy, I asked that TLC Book Tours send one of you a copy, so read the review, then leave a comment to win your own.
I like my women’s fiction with creative use of language, sentimental yet not sappy storylines, and a strong setting. Courtney Miller Santo’s The Roots of the Olive Tree gave me all of those.
When the story opens Anna is 112 years old, and she doesn’t even feel anywhere close to her age. She lives in the family home in California amongst the olive trees that have been their livelihood ever since her father brought over some olive trees from Australia. Anna lives with her daughter Bets, and her granddaughter Callie. Callie’s granddaughter Erin returns home for her mother’s upcoming parole hearing. Deb has been in jail since Erin, who was raised by her grandmothers, was a young child.
The family has their secrets and their skeletons, but they aren’t told in an over-the-top sort of way. It’s life. We’ve all been there. I wondered if this would be one of those books that touched me in a way as to leave me sobbing at the end, and when I say it didn’t, I don’t want to leave the impression that I didn’t enjoy it. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I read it in large chunks, the story flowing easily and keeping me intrigued enough to want to keep going. In fact, if I had experienced a surge of emotion at the end, I think that I would have felt as if I had been manipulated. This story was told by strong and stoic women (and read by one as well!), and it stood firm that way.
The setting was so vivid that I found myself craving salty olives or rich fruity oil as I read it.
Leave a comment now if you’d like to win a copy (U.S. and Canada shipping addresses). We’ll announce the winner in our May 8 giveaway column.
- The winner of While We Were Watching Downton Abbey is #11 Bonnie.
- The winner of Beautiful Ruins is #6 Liz.
- The winner of Nowhere But Home is #5 Angel S.
Jennifer Donovan is thankful that she can take care of and support her 92-year-old grandmother, and equally proud to be raising up another strong young woman as well. She blogs at Snapshot about taking care of these and more.
Check out our current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter or on Facebook.
Sounds interesting! I would consider myself strong and stoic as well!
Sounds like a wonderful descriptive book! Looking forward to reading it!
This novel is captivating and special.
I would enjoy this memorable book.
You won! Please reply to this email with your shipping address.
Family sagas are wonderful.
Interesting and I can’t imagine living that long. Would love to win! Have a great week 🙂
I would love to win a copy of this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
“sentimental yet not sappy storylines” That’s the way I like my books as well! I’m glad you enjoyed this book. Thanks for being on the tour!
I would love to win a copy of this book. Thank you so much for the chance to win – I love your review and think The Roots of the Olive Tree would be a great book to read this spring!
Thanks
Seaside Book Nook
seasidebooknook at yahoo
thanks for this wonderful giveaway.
It sounds like a book I’d enjoy. I’d love to win!
I would love to win, the books seems like an interesting read 🙂
I’d love to win! 🙂 blessings!
Sounds like a very interesting book. I just love a novel that has secrets. Thanks for having the giveaway.
I would really like to read this and then pass it on to my mom.
Wow, another book that I want to read.