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Thursday, June 7, 2012

After the Fog by Kathleen Shoop



What After the Fog is about:
In the steel mill town of Donora, Pennsylvania, site of the infamous 1948 "killing smog," headstrong nurse Rose Pavlesic tends to her family and neighbors. Controlling and demanding, she's created a life that reflects everything she missed growing up as an orphan. She's even managed to keep her painful secrets hidden from her loving husband, dutiful children, and large extended family.When a stagnant weather pattern traps poisonous mill gasses in the valley, neighbors grow sicker and Rose's nursing obligations thrust her into conflict she never could have fathomed.

The Three Reasons Review is a simple way to get your thoughts out there about a book.  The reasons are as follows complete with fancy button:


1.) Reasons you chose this book
I said yes to a review copy of this one because I loved the author's earlier book, The Last Letter, and was excited to read her sophomore creation.

2.) Reasons you liked or disliked this book
I was very interested in the subject matter of the book and love to read stories that are based in fact. I found myself to be very engaged into the story until around 3/4's of the way through the book and then I just became tired. I have to say too, that I felt all the swearing (I am not a prude by any means) by Rose just felt wrong and I didn't buy into that coming out of a woman's mouth during that time period. A couple of times, sure. But pretty much every encounter with this character....nope. I honestly felt that there was too much going on and it bogged the whole thing down for me. I will admit that I skimmed the last 50 pages or so....sorry!

3.) Reasons you are recommending this book
I really think that sometimes my reading goes off-kilter because of my mood at the time I'm reading the book. For whatever the reason, I just couldn't keep my head in the story. I loved the whole visiting nurse aspect of the story and actually found the mill and the deathly fog interesting. I just wish that the author would have cut the story by about a hundred pages and tightened up the plot.  But with all of that being said, I would read another book by Kathleen even though this one didn't work for me.

Rating: 7/10

Author: Kathleen Shoop
Published: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Create Space
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: SparkPoint Studio

Disclaimer: Thank you to Kim and SparkPoint Studio for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel. 

Review Book #15
© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
 

20 comments:

  1. I knew nothing about the Donora death smog so found that really interesting, interesting enough to do a little more research for my review but I didn't find Rose particularly likeable. I guess my expectations were higher after The Last Letter so a wee bit disappointing.

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  2. Thanks for the honest review Staci -- I also read Teddyree's review -- so thinking I will not be adding this to my list!

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  3. My mood can affect my reading enjoyment, so I get that. What takes away from my love of a book is when it could be edited by 100 pages. The story sounds interesting though.

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  4. Me too on swearing - such a turn off! The English language is so beautiful, and why take people out of the text by using all those swear words?

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  5. I never knew about his incident, which is one of the reasons I love reading so much. Even with fiction, you get to learn so much about history and culture.

    I do agree behavior that doesn't seem right for a character, given everything else about them, does tend to throw a book off the tracks.

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  6. From the cover and blurb, this does sound like an intriguing story. Too bad that you felt bogged down toward the end. That has certainly happened to me, too, and it is frustrating.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  7. The premise sounds really goods good, but maybe it could have used some editing. Love the Three reason format!

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  8. Oh no :/ Such a good beginning and then you ended up skimming the end

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  9. I hate when you find yourself unable to to focus on what you are reading. This one sounds as if it missed the mark a bit.

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  10. I've had my eye on this one, but now I'm thinking twice about reading it, especially if you were so tired of it you had to skim to the end. Ah well.

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  11. I feel sorry for the books I've read during my moody funk. I think I am out of it though!

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  12. Sounds like decent mix of history in fiction. Glad you liked it.

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  13. I find the mood I'm in effects the way I feel about what I read too. I'm pretty impulsive in my reading and usually read something that fits my mood.

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  14. I like the cover of this one and I think the premise sounds engaging. I have to say that swearing doesn't bother me even if it is excessive if its the character's personality thing. But it seems like it didn't work in this case. Thanks for the honest review.

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  15. There's nothing wrong with being honest and I applaud your effort for sticking with it. you know me, I ditch books so fast it makes your head spin

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  16. I'm bummed to hear that you didn't enjoy this one as much as you expected. I have it on Kindle and am planning on reading it sooner rather than later. I hope :) Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts on it!! And my mood affects my reading all of the time :)

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  17. Sometimes books read during weird moods or times in our lives do get the shaft, don't they? The part based on fiction sounds interesting.

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  18. Hi Staci, thank you for your honest review. No doubt, the book is rich in layers, historically and character development. I'm sorry if the mood didn't strike on this one but am most appreciative of you recommending it to your community of readers!

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  19. Sorry this one didn't work so good for you Staci. I really enjoyed it. I think it just depends on how a book hits you at the time you read it.

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  20. This sounds interesting for the same reasons you were drawn to it, but I think I'll pass. Thanks.

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