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Book Review: Dinner with Lisa by R.L. Prendergast & Giveaway

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Dinner with Lisa by R.L. Prendergast is a depression era novel taking place in 1933 that takes you away to a time and place where people went hungry, where jobs were scarce if there were any at all, and people lived in fear of even knowing if they’d be able to make it another day. R.L. Prendergast brings all that and more to life for us in Dinner with Lisa.

The novel opens with Joseph, a widower with four young children, traveling by train to the small town of Philibuster. His brother and his wife live there and Joseph is hoping to find work and the means to support his children. His brother had told him about a job and he applied via mail and was told to report to work on a certain date. Poor Joseph shows up but unfortunately his job was given away just the day before. Joseph is devastated – just how is he going to support his family now? As Joseph battles setback after setback he becomes increasingly worried about how he and his children are going to survive. Many things happen to Joseph and his family along the way in this tale but the one thing that ultimately shines through the pages is the power of love, family, and most of all hope even in the hardest and harshest of times.

I really liked Joseph. Even though he lost his wife in childbirth he was still trying to do his best for his children. He was an admirable and honest man who only wanted to work hard to support his family. His brother Henri is hilarious and a scheme he hatches with a buddy of his is quite funny. There is even a tiny bit of romance in this novel with a woman I’ll just call Lisa for now. I really found myself rooting for Joseph and his family and only wanting the best for them. I have to commend the author as well for bringing the depression to life within the pages of this book. His vivid descriptions of life in that era and the hardships that people endured really have you feeling as though you are living through them yourself and at the same time thankful that you’re not. I also really appreciated the historical significance of the novel. I learned many things about my own country of Canada that I hadn’t known previously.

I think this book really appealed to me on two levels. I live in one of the prairie provinces and I really enjoyed hearing about places and things that were familiar to me like Fort Edmonton, the Stanley Cup, the radio program The Shadow, or even the beginnings of the railroad in Alberta. Another was the era it takes place in which was the 1930’s and the descriptions of the rough times and scarcity of so many things brought me back to the stories my parents tell me of their own growing up years. Both of my parents grew up in the 1940’s and times were tough. Many times my grandparents went hungry in order to feed their children just as Joseph does in this novel. They lived through the times where your livelihood depended on your crops and how devastating it was when something happened to destroy them. This novel gave me more insight into what life would have been like for my parents and for that reason it really captured and held my attention. I think a novel is always better for a person when they can relate to it in such a such a personal way. I enjoyed it thoroughly and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys books that take place during the depression.

I read Dinner with Lisa by R.L. Prendergast for his book tour with Premier Virtual Author Book Tours.  Be sure to pop by the other tour stops to see what everyone else is saying about the book.  You can find Rod on his website, Facebook, or Twitter.  Your own copy of Dinner with Lisa can be purchased here in the US or here in Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I am pleased to offer up a copy of Dinner with Lisa by R.L. Prendergast to my readers. The giveaway is for a print copy or eBook copy of the book to Canadian or US readers or an eBook copy only to international readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and just let me know so 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 Canadian and US residents for a print copy or eBook copy and to international entrants for an eBook copy only.  I will draw for the winner on Saturday, April 7/12.  Good luck!

Source: Review copy provided by Premier Virtual Author Book Tours and the Author. No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.

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Comments

  1. This book sounds awesome. My parents grew up in the 30’s & 40’s & I remember stories that they and my grand parents told me about how hard times were. My grandfather left me a shotgun that he bought from a man so that he could buy food for his family. Thank you for the giveaway. I truly hope I win though I’ll get the book either way. Please give Sammy a special hug from me.;-)

  3. My mother grew up during the depression and has told me stories all of my life. I would love to read this.

  6. I haven’t read very many Depression Era novels, but this sounds good, and I’m fascinated by the cover. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Extra entry – GFC follower

  7. This book would be memorable. Depression era novels are a favorite of mine. many thanks. I subscribe via e-mail.

  8. thanks for this great review and a book that I would enjoy greatly. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  11. Thanks for the chance to win and read what sounds like an interesting book. I follow via email.

  13. Hello Darlene,

    Thanks very, very much for the great review.

    It’s interesting how you (and some of your readers) have mentioned that this book reminded you of stories your parents told about the Depression, because the novel was inspired by stories my own family told me!

    If any of your readers choose this book for their book club I would be happy to take part in the discussion (over the phone). You can contact me at rod(at)RLPrendergast(dot)com.

    Thank you again.

    Regards,

    Rod

  16. This book looks interesting! I’ve read so many US novels that the cultural icons there seem familiar to me, but it’s always nice to see a book with places and things from closer to home.

  17. It sounds like a really great novel that evokes a dark time and has interesting characters. I would love to read this one Dar, and your review was amazing. This is one that I will be on the lookout for, but just to hedge my bet, I will enter your giveaway as well!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  18. Thanks so much for taking part in the tour. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book! I rooted for Joseph throughout the book as well.

  19. Sounds like a wonderful read. Please enter me in your giveaway. Thank you. 🙂 Jeanne

  22. I have been following the blog tour trying to win this one. It sounds like a great book.

  24. What a beautiful cover. I remember seeing the Mona Lisa in Paris many years ago (behind bulletproof glass) and was surprised by how small it was.

    pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

  28. I think this would be a really good book. My parents,aunts and uncles have all told stories of growing up in that era.
    I must admit, I never thought about how it might have been in Canada. All the info I ever heard was from the States. I think that part would be interesting all on its own.
    Thanks for the chance to win Darlene,
    I follow you email too.

    cjay (at) iavalley (dot) edu

  32. Sounds like you definitely enjoyed this one more than I did. I do always find that when a book is set in a place I’m familiar with, there is always an immediate connect.

  36. 1+ I find books about the depression era very interesting so this sound good!

    2+ blog follower

    3+ tweeted

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  39. I love this author and can’t wait to read the newest.
    deanna_boocock (at) hotmail.com

  42. I must admit the surname of the author was the first thing that caught my eye as he shares it with my husband! I read the review and it sounds like a fantastic book and one that I definitely want to read. My parents lived through the depression and I have heard countless stories about it. Looking forward to a good read!

  43. I loved your review…this is the second one that I’ve read and you both have made me want to experience this book for myself!

  44. This book sounds really interesting. I really like the storyline and the time line of the book. Please enter me. Thanks!
    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net