Title: A Long Time Gone
Author: Karen White
First published June 3, 2014
432 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780451240460 (ISBN10: 0451240464)
Rating: 4.1
Overview
“The Walker women were known for their fierce spirit and unbreakable bond, but Vivien had always been the exception. She left the Mississippi Delta behind, hoping to escape the family curse that had haunted generations of Walker women.
However, when life throws her a curveball, Vivien is forced to return to the place she swore she’d never set foot in again. Her grandmother, the only person who ever understood her, has passed away, and her estranged mother is slipping away into the depths of her own mind.
As she navigates through the broken pieces of her past, Vivien discovers a shocking secret buried deep in the cypress swamp that surrounds her family home. Determined to break the cycle of loss that has plagued the Walker women for years, Vivien embarks on a journey of self-discovery, one that will take her to the darkest corners of her family’s history.
A Long Time Gone by Karen White is a heart-wrenching tale of family, love, and the unbreakable bond that ties us to our past.”
About the Author
Karen White is a bestselling author with a talent for crafting compelling stories that draw readers in with a mix of family drama, mystery, intrigue, and romance. Her Southern roots are evident in many of her novels, which are set in the South and feature intricate plot lines and strong, captivating characters.
Karen’s love of books and female characters began in the third grade when she was issued a library card and given a Nancy Drew Mystery to read. Despite not initially intending to become a writer, Karen later wrote her first book, In the Shadow of the Moon, which was published in 2000.
Her books have been nominated for national awards, including the SIBA Fiction Book of the Year.
With over 1.8 million books in print and published in eight different languages, Karen is known for her popular Charleston-set Tradd Street mystery series and her latest novel, Dreams of Falling, published in June 2018 by Berkley Publishing, a division of Penguin Random House Publishing Group.
When not writing, Karen enjoys reading, scrapbooking, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. She currently lives near Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two spoiled Havanese dogs.
Editoral Review
A Long Time Gone by Karen White is a gripping novel published on June 3, 2014. Karen White is a New York Times bestselling author and has written over 28 novels.
A Long Time Gone is a fascinating southern fiction that explores the themes of family, secrets, and betrayal.
The novel tells the story of a family feud that spans generations.
Genevieve “Jenny” Deveau travels back to her hometown in Biloxi, Mississippi, to attend her mother’s funeral. Jenny’s mother, Aimee Lou, never spoke about her family, and Jenny discovers secrets that will shatter her perception of the past.
The story shifts between the past and the present, revealing the events that led to the family feud. The main characters are the members of the Deveau family, including Jenny, her mother Aimee Lou, her aunt Ivy, and her grandmother Amalie.
The setting is vividly described as the Southern landscape, with its heartbreaking beauty and tragedy.
The author weaves family dramas over several generations, exploring how secrets can fester and how they can ultimately destroy lives.
The themes of loss, love, and redemption intertwine throughout the book, making it an emotional and captivating read. White’s writing is excellent, and her storytelling is immersive, pulling the reader into the story’s world.
The characters are complex and flawed, but their journeys are emotionally compelling. The pacing of the story builds gradually, creating a sense of anticipation and suspense.
The historical backdrop of the novel is significant, addressing the Civil Rights Movement and the Gulf War. White uses the historical setting to examine the challenges and hardships of the characters and to give depth and texture to the world they inhabit.
The novel is an excellent example of how historical fiction can highlight the relevance of the past to the present.
Overall, A Long Time Gone is a beautifully written and emotional novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy family dramas and historical fiction.
However, the story’s pacing may be slow for some readers, and some of the plot twists feel predictable. Nevertheless, Karen White’s elegant prose and character development make this novel a must-read.
In conclusion, A Long Time Gone is an engaging and well-written novel that will captivate readers from beginning to end. The Washington Post would recommend this novel to anyone interested in family dramas or historical fiction.
It scores an impressive 4 out of 5 stars.
