Lake in the Clouds by Sara Donati Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Lake in the Clouds
Book Review: A Bit of a Let Down, but Still Entertaining
Summary: 3 Stars
Of the three books so far in the series, this is my least favorite, and I am sure it is because the focus has shifted from Elizabeth and Nathaniel Bonner to Hannah, Nathaniel's daughter by his first wife, who was an Indian. Hannah is just entirely too noble for this reader to relate to comfortably, and, indeed, I found that the Bonners & many of their neighbors are starting to become a little too politically correct for their time period. In the first book of the series I felt that because Elizabeth was a follower of Mary Wolstonecraft Shelley her feminist point of view was understandable, and her character is still consistent with those principles. The fact that most of the other "good guys" feel the same way is perhaps stretching the truth of the time period a little thin, although Donati does give a more balanced portrait of a conflicted character in bounty-hunter Liam Kirby. Hannah's determination to become a doctor couldn't have arrived at a worse time, as even female midwives were being forced out of practice in the more populated areas because the use of obstetrical forceps were reserved for men. However, in this book Hannah being part Indian is more of a barrier to becomming being a doctor than being a women, which is just not realistic. The fact that she is half Indian and cannot decide for much of the book which side of her heritage has the bigger claim is the main plot driver. That also brings in one of the more appealing characters in the book, the Indian Strikes the Sky. The most interested parts of the book in my opinion are the ones that take place in New York City, and involve the Almshouse, manumission of slaves, and the Tammany Society. In other words, the closer Donati stayed to history the better the book.
Still and all, this book is a cut above the run of the mill historical romance -- although Bantam has not, rightly in my opinion, classifed it as a romance novel, but rather as a straight historical. It is full of rich detail, and has an earthy quality that is missing in so many books that deal with this period, when it is dealt with at all. For those who are looking for an enjoyable novel set in post-Revolutionary War America this is a good choice.
Book Review: A Much Welcome Return!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book, the 3rd in the Wilderness series, was an extremely welcome return of both the characters and Donati's style and form showcased in the 1st book, but absent in the 2nd. In my opinion, of course. The characters are now back on US soil which makes for a better read. In Dawn on A Distant Shore, most of the story takes place on the high seas and in Scottland which had the characters out of their element. In, Lake in The Clouds, Donati returns readers to Paradise, NY, and many of the original secondary characters reappear. Much of this tale focuses on Hannah Bonner, her medical education, and her journey into womanhood. Hawkeye, Nathiel and Elizabeth Bonner play a major role in the plot surrounding Curiosity Freeman and her family. The pace is fast, filled with danger, villains, and intrigue. Although I was disappointed in the fate of a particular character, Liam Kirby, I was satisfied with the conclusion. This book is a must read for Donati/Wilderness fans.Book Review: Back home 10 years later.
Summary: 4 Stars
After having read the first two books in the series I wasn't sure what to expect other than Sara Donati's excellent style of writing. The first book was outstanding, the second one okay but the third one...Hmmmmm On the first reading I was a little disappointed but only because I wanted more Elizabeth and Nathaniel but got a lot of Hannah and some Lily. Hannah has grown into a strikingly beautiful young woman who turns out to be an exceptional "medicine woman". An ironic twist is that she is studying under and working with, Richard Todd, who long ago claimed her as his own daughter. After rereading, the book became a favorite. The initial disappointment came from less of the two main characters and more of their children which tends to happen in a family series. There is a lot of 18C medical practices which proved to be very interesting and as expected, Hannah ended up marrying an Indian and going off with him to his home. When she leaves her uncle Otter, who brought her future husband to Lake in the Clouds, leaves also along with Hawkeye. It leaves one with the fear that we'll never see Hawkeye again but who knows what's in store for the next book. The all time favorite was Into the Wilderness with Lake in the Clouds second and Dawn on a Distant Shore third in interest. I eagerly await the next book in the series though.Book Review: Captivated....
Summary: 4 Stars
Since reading Sara Donati's Lake in the clouds i have been astounded once again with how well she can write. During reading the book I would sometimes find myself lost in the book and losing track of time. I felt like i was actually their with them. Not as one of the characters but just being around them all. At other times i would be mad as an ox at the deception of jemima southern kuick, Never knew i could want to throttle someone through a book :D. And sometimes i would nearly cry for hannah when it seemed the scarlet fever attack on the town would never end and the heartbreak that it brought her and Elizabeth back from her memeorise from when robbie died from a different sickness that hit the town a while back. Anyways any one who is going to read this book i give a huge thumbs up but you really must start from into the wilderness otherwise your going to be very confused. Beautiful work by Sara Donati canr't wait to read the 4th book and for the 5th one to come out!Book Review: Excellent! Wonderful read!
Summary: 5 Stars
Sara Donati has a way with words, settings, and characters that will not let you go. This is one book you will not put down--and will reread many times. Historical fiction is a challenge, and Sara Donati has risen to it. Her dramatiazation of the problems of slavery, immigration, and poverty in the early 19th century is the way historical fiction is supposed to be.