Review of Hard Times, You Say? Smile, This Is The Great Depression
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Sindhu Srinath
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Review of Hard Times, You Say? Smile, This Is The Great Depression
[Following is a volunteer review of "Hard Times, You Say? Smile, This Is The Great Depression" by R. Leslie Howe.]
Let me dive right in. Hard Times, You Say? Smile, This Is The Great Depression by R. Leslie Howe is a great read. Reading about depression in passing is one thing, but vicariously living as people struggling through that phase of the Great Depression is a new experience altogether, and R. Leslie Howe delivers this in a very gripping way.
We are introduced to the characters of Gunther Miller III and Michael, two brilliant men who decide to turn to manual labor simply to earn money. They would prefer working in elite jobs, but with the economy and the struggle to feed their mouths, they both, via different paths, meet on the same path.
Though they come from different backgrounds, Michael and Gunther awkwardly befriend each other as the day goes by, and fights among the other hard laborers ensue. They learn about hobos and train hopping and decide to try their luck in a place called Shantytown, known to be a haven for people struggling through the Great Depression. Is it a real haven? Or are they just holding to the last shred of hope in vain?
I felt the descriptive nature of the story was done very well. It's so good for young adults just venturing into a thriller-style read. I thought that the flow was more suitable for young kids; however, due to the few romantic scenes (very artfully done, however, I should mention that there needs to be a level of maturity while reading it), it's a book for young adults.
There are morals throughout the story, too. That's why I felt the writing was more suitable for young children. I learned new terminology prevalent in the Great Depression era, and terms we might have misconstrued in modern day. Overall, a great thriller, though I must say, without any spoilers, that the pace picks up later in the book.
For a young adult read, I would have gladly given this book a full score. However, due to the many grammatical and spelling mistakes, I award it 4 out of 5 stars. This story is a great inspiration on many accounts, not just regarding the Great Depression, but life in general. There is a deep, meaningful tone and explanation given for romance, hard work, feelings, relationships, friendships, helpfulness, morality, ethics, growth, revenge, desperation, mafia, and so much more. With a few tweaks, I think this book will be an amazing masterpiece. Hats off!
******
Hard Times, You Say? Smile, This Is The Great Depression
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Let me dive right in. Hard Times, You Say? Smile, This Is The Great Depression by R. Leslie Howe is a great read. Reading about depression in passing is one thing, but vicariously living as people struggling through that phase of the Great Depression is a new experience altogether, and R. Leslie Howe delivers this in a very gripping way.
We are introduced to the characters of Gunther Miller III and Michael, two brilliant men who decide to turn to manual labor simply to earn money. They would prefer working in elite jobs, but with the economy and the struggle to feed their mouths, they both, via different paths, meet on the same path.
Though they come from different backgrounds, Michael and Gunther awkwardly befriend each other as the day goes by, and fights among the other hard laborers ensue. They learn about hobos and train hopping and decide to try their luck in a place called Shantytown, known to be a haven for people struggling through the Great Depression. Is it a real haven? Or are they just holding to the last shred of hope in vain?
I felt the descriptive nature of the story was done very well. It's so good for young adults just venturing into a thriller-style read. I thought that the flow was more suitable for young kids; however, due to the few romantic scenes (very artfully done, however, I should mention that there needs to be a level of maturity while reading it), it's a book for young adults.
There are morals throughout the story, too. That's why I felt the writing was more suitable for young children. I learned new terminology prevalent in the Great Depression era, and terms we might have misconstrued in modern day. Overall, a great thriller, though I must say, without any spoilers, that the pace picks up later in the book.
For a young adult read, I would have gladly given this book a full score. However, due to the many grammatical and spelling mistakes, I award it 4 out of 5 stars. This story is a great inspiration on many accounts, not just regarding the Great Depression, but life in general. There is a deep, meaningful tone and explanation given for romance, hard work, feelings, relationships, friendships, helpfulness, morality, ethics, growth, revenge, desperation, mafia, and so much more. With a few tweaks, I think this book will be an amazing masterpiece. Hats off!
******
Hard Times, You Say? Smile, This Is The Great Depression
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
