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Book Review: The Personal History of Rachel DuPree by Ann Weisgarber & Giveaway

November 2, 2011 by Darlene

 

When a story opens with a family lowering one of their younger daughters into a well because they are desperate for water you become invested in the story quickly. That is exactly what happened to me with The Personal History of Rachel DuPree by Ann Weisgarber. This novel takes you to another time and place in history when things were a lot tougher. When not getting rain meant life or death or even worse no food to feed your children. It is heart wrenching and real and an absolutely wonderful novel.

When Rachel first sets eyes on Isaac DuPree she is a cook in his mother’s boarding house. Rachel has always wanted a man with ambition and Isaac is exactly what she wants in a man. However he is not interested in marriage at all. All Isaac is interested in is owning land and it is in this that Rachel succeeds in getting Isaac to marry her. Rachel is able to stake a claim on her own piece of land and that is a huge attraction to Isaac. With this they strike a bargain. Isaac will marry her for her land and after a year she can leave and come home. Isaac never expects her to be able to survive the harsh life of the Badlands of South Dakota.

Isaac underestimates Rachel though. She’s a strong and ambitious woman. She wants a home and family and ultimately that is what she gets. Fourteen years later she has her children and her home. She and Isaac have built a life but it hasn’t been easy. The Badlands are a tough place to survive and prosper. The work is hard and there are very few women. Rachel finds herself lonely a lot of the time.

The drought and her latest pregnancy really steals Rachel’s spirit. She wants more for her children than this life. She wants them to experience friends and dances and most of all love. More and more she realizes that this won’t happen for them in the Badlands and Isaac will never agree to leave. Should she leave and go home to her mother? Will it be the best the best thing for her children? These are the decisions that Rachel has to make as she contemplates what is best for her and her children.

Ann Weisgarber writes of the landscape and harsh realities of the Badlands in such a realistic way that you feel you are there breathing in all that dust. You can feel your mouth dry and gritty because there is no water. Your stomach growls with hunger. You can see the vast openness of the land and feel the loneliness of living out in the middle of nowhere as a homesteader. I would definitely recommend this novel to those who enjoy reading about African American history and those who enjoy reading stories that take you back to the time when homesteaders struggled just to live. This is an excellent novel well worth reading!

I read The Personal History of Rachel DuPree by Ann Weisgarber for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. You can see what others on the tour think of the novel here. Be sure to pop in and visit Ann’s website as well. You can purchase your own copy of The Personal History of Rachel DuPree here in the US and here in Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS
I have one copy of The Personal History of Rachel DuPree by Ann Weisgarber to share with my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and please let me know in a comment so that I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, November 26/11.  Good luck!

My copy of The Personal History of Rachel DupPree by Weisgarber was received for review from TLC Book Tours and the publisher.

 

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Filed Under: 2011 Challenges, 2011•100 Books or More Challenge, 2011•ARC Tracking Challenge, 2011•eBook Tracking Challenge, TLC Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. vivienne says

    November 2, 2011 at 2:29 am

    This sounds like a rather powerful book. One that tears at your heart strings. Eeep!

  2. wall-to-wall books-wendy says

    November 2, 2011 at 4:21 am

    This book sounds great!!
    Please enter me.

    I am a follower.
    I posted it on my sidebar.

    forevereading at gmail dot com

  3. Lisa Garrett says

    November 2, 2011 at 5:03 am

    This book sounds like one that I wouldn’t be able to put down. Thanks for the giveaway.

  4. Lisa Garrett says

    November 2, 2011 at 5:04 am

    I follow via GFC.

  5. Lisa Garrett says

    November 2, 2011 at 5:09 am

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/131689128243896321

  6. bermudaonion (Kathy) says

    November 2, 2011 at 7:02 am

    Wow, this sounds like a very powerful book. Thanks for the giveaway!

  7. zibilee says

    November 2, 2011 at 9:10 am

    I think I am going to be starting with this one next week for the tour, and can’t wait to get started with it. It sounds wonderful! Great review, Dar!

  8. nomadreader says

    November 2, 2011 at 9:24 am

    I loved this one too. I’m so glad to see you did as well!

  9. Shannon says

    November 2, 2011 at 9:36 am

    Just added this to my TBR list!

    I follow and I’ll retweet

  10. Margaret says

    November 2, 2011 at 10:26 am

    I have not heard of this one but so glad to see it in a giveaway. Thanks!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

  11. Margaret says

    November 2, 2011 at 10:27 am

    I’m a follower

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

  12. Carol Wong says

    November 2, 2011 at 10:57 am

    I can picture the family lowering the little girl into to well. This must be a very powerful book.

    Please enter me in this giveaway.

    CaroLNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  13. Carol Wong says

    November 2, 2011 at 10:57 am

    I am a GFC follower of your blog.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  14. Carol Wong says

    November 2, 2011 at 10:59 am

    I tweeted:

    http://t.co/DraLTzhg

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  15. ann says

    November 2, 2011 at 11:01 am

    I would love to read this powerful book of times of hardship and love. Makes us think of how good we have it .

  16. ann says

    November 2, 2011 at 11:02 am

    GFC follower – amhengst +1

  17. ann says

    November 2, 2011 at 11:02 am

    GFC follower amhengst +2

  18. Ellie says

    November 2, 2011 at 11:27 am

    This emotional novel would be memorable. many thanks.

  19. Ellie says

    November 2, 2011 at 11:28 am

    I am an e-mail subscriber.

  20. Nise' says

    November 2, 2011 at 11:46 am

    Sounds like my kind of book.

    I am a follower.

  21. Anne says

    November 2, 2011 at 11:47 am

    A great giveaway. heartfelt and special. thanks.

  22. Anne says

    November 2, 2011 at 11:48 am

    I am an e-mail subscriber.

  23. Patricia N says

    November 2, 2011 at 12:39 pm

    Great review for what sounds like a powerful book! Thanks for the giveaway –
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  24. Patricia N says

    November 2, 2011 at 12:39 pm

    I follow your blog via GFC as Patricia N
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  25. Patricia N says

    November 2, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/131802833774313472
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  26. Vicki says

    November 2, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    Your review definitely makes me want to read this book! I’d love the chance to win it!
    irbratb(@)gmail(.)com

  27. Vicki says

    November 2, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    I follow via GFC and email.
    irbratb(@)gmail(.)com

  28. Vicki says

    November 2, 2011 at 12:55 pm

    TWEET: https://twitter.com/#!/irbratb/status/131806428485791744
    irbratb(@)gmail(.)com

  29. AmandaSue says

    November 2, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    I’d love a chance to read this thanks.

  30. AmandaSue says

    November 2, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    i’m a follower thanks.

  31. Rachel R. says

    November 2, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    This book sounds just BRILLIANT! Thanks for teh great review! Please enter me in the giveaway. (BTW I am a follower)

  32. Staci says

    November 2, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    Excellent review of this one…I must read it!!!

  33. Linda Kish says

    November 2, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    This sounds like a very interesting story. One that I would love to read.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  34. Linda Kish says

    November 2, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    I am a GFC follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  35. mamabunny13 says

    November 2, 2011 at 6:39 pm

    Sounds great!
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  36. mamabunny13 says

    November 2, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    I already follow you via gfc – mamabunny13
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  37. mamabunny13 says

    November 2, 2011 at 6:58 pm

    tweet https://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/131897299923251200
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  38. Karen Wapinski says

    November 2, 2011 at 7:54 pm

    Sounds intense, wow. Thanks for the giveaway.
    I am a GFC follower

  39. Renee says

    November 3, 2011 at 6:42 am

    sounds like a great story; please enter me

  40. Renee says

    November 3, 2011 at 6:43 am

    I follow on GFC

  41. Ann Weisgarber says

    November 3, 2011 at 9:33 am

    Darlene, thank you for this wonderful review. I’m thrilled and appreciate your willingness to read Rachel DuPree.

    Just to share a little inside information, I got the idea for the well scene when I read a short essay written by a woman who had been lowered into a well to scoop water when she was a child. As soon as I read that, I pitched the original first chapter and started again.

    Since publication, I’ve met people who told me their brothers had been put into wells to scrub the walls. They didn’t think a thing of it.

    Times have changed and that’s fine with me!

  42. Audra says

    November 3, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    Great review — I’m reading this for the tour and really looking forward to it — I spent some of my early teenage years in western South Dakota and found the landscape frightening and beautiful.

  43. nfmgirl says

    November 3, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    This one has been sitting on my Wish List for quite awhile now! Please count me in.

    +1 I follow

    +1 Blogged:
    http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2011/10/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-10-29-11.html

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

  44. Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours says

    November 4, 2011 at 10:43 am

    Thanks for the great review for the tour! I’m featuring it on TLC’s Facebook page today.

  45. Gabi says

    November 4, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    I hadn’t heard of this book before. Just from your discription, I’m already emotionally invested in Rachel! I’d love to read it. New follower. GFC: Gabi

  46. Sheila K. says

    November 4, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    Sounds like a good read—please enter me to win!

  47. Sheila K. says

    November 4, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    I’m a GFC follower (skkorman)!

  48. Sheila K. says

    November 4, 2011 at 5:15 pm

    I tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/#!/skkorman/status/132596639998291969

  49. Shannon says

    November 4, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    sounds like a great book – would love to win. I do follow your blog

  50. Beth C says

    November 5, 2011 at 9:11 am

    Very good review. I’m anxious to read it.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  51. Beth C says

    November 5, 2011 at 9:11 am

    GFC Follower
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  52. Beth(bookaholicmom) says

    November 5, 2011 at 3:53 pm

    This is the first I have heard of this book. Your review has me sold, Dar! I have never heard of people going down into wells either or sending their children down them. You caught me right away with that statement. I would love to read this book! Thanks for offering it as a giveaway.

    bthgordon(at)yahoo(dot)com

  53. Beth(bookaholicmom) says

    November 5, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    I am also a google follower under bthgordon

    bthgordon(at)yahoo(dot)com

  54. Samantha says

    November 6, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    This sounds like a really good read and like you I was instantly captured by the idea of lowering your child into a well for water. How interesting…I’m gonna have to pick up this book at some point. Great review Dar!

  55. Patricia Boyle says

    November 7, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    Thank you for offering this book contest. I would like to enter my name in the draw. Thanks!

    pboylecharley(at)hotmail(dot)com

  56. Amanda says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:05 am

    Ooo I was almost on this tour. This book sounds like I’d like it.

    Thanks!

    I’m a follower of your blog and I’m tweeting about it at vegasbookgirl

    Cheers!
    Amanda
    libraryofmyown at gmail dot com

  57. RJB says

    November 8, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    Please enter me in this great contest.
    Thanks so much.

  58. Barbara Anne Waite says

    November 10, 2011 at 8:37 am

    This sounds like an amazing book. I like books that provoke me to think, and challenge me. This sounds like just my kind of book! Happy to enter your contest.

  59. Sandra K321 says

    November 10, 2011 at 8:59 am

    Sounds like a book I would definitely enjoy. Thanks.

  60. Sandra K321 says

    November 10, 2011 at 8:59 am

    I follow with Google Friend Connect as Sandra K321.

  61. ikkinlala says

    November 11, 2011 at 10:37 pm

    This looks like an interesting book.

  62. Kitty says

    November 16, 2011 at 12:16 pm

    Sounds fascinating.

  63. Kitty says

    November 16, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    follow and email subscriber

  64. Kitty says

    November 16, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/maynekitty/status/136885831838343168

  65. Beth says

    November 16, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    Sounds like a great read! Please enter me in the drawing 🙂

    I’m a follower.

    Beth
    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

  66. Margie says

    November 17, 2011 at 8:13 am

    Sounds like a book with a strong female character. Thanks for the giveaway.

  67. Margie says

    November 17, 2011 at 8:14 am

    follow by GFC and email

  68. Hoot says

    November 19, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    I love the sound of this book

  69. Hoot says

    November 19, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    I follow via GFC as Jessy

  70. Hoot says

    November 19, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    I tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/hootowl1978/status/138074654685413377

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