A Pinch of Salt

Happy Friday!  The Girls of Mulberry Lane by Rosie Clarke is the first book in The Mulberry Lane series.  I will be sharing my review of this novel on August 27.  I hope you will stop by and see what I have to say!

A Pinch of Salt by Eileen Ramsay takes readers to 1910 in Scotland.  Kate Kennedy is only thirteen years old when her mother passes away giving birth.  Kate now is responsible for taking care of her father, her siblings, and the house.  The years pass by quickly for Kate in the mining town as she cares for her family.  She loves her family and wants to see her siblings get opportunities that were not available to her.  After World War I, Kate finds herself going from her father’s household to her husbands.  She starts a bakery business while raising a family.  Kate transfers her aspirations (that she had for her siblings) to her oldest son, but at what cost to her other two children.  Life is full of ups and downs especially when the world is on the brink of another war.  Will Kate get the better life for her children she so desires? 

A Pinch of Salt is a gritty, realistic story.  It is a book of hardship, loss, and love.  It has some good writing, but lacks a good flow/pace.  I found it a little difficult to read A Pinch of Salt.  The first half of the book was better than the second.  If the book had better pacing, it would have been easier (and a more enjoyable) book to read.  The story could have done with some shortening (it went on too long).  There are parts that are rambling.  Kate is a difficult character to like.  Kate is stubborn, hard woman (which fit in with the town and era), but she kept making the same mistakes.  I wish we could have seen some growth in her character.  I am giving A Pinch of Salt 3 out of 5 stars.  The ending of A Pinch of Salt felt incomplete.  I wish the author had included an epilogue that allowed the readers to see how Kate’s life played out.  I appreciated the mention of one of my favorite authors, Mazo de la Roche (just love the Jalna series).  I felt that A Pinch of Salt could have been a good book with just a little polishing.  While A Pinch of Salt is the third book in Flowers of Scotland series, it can be read alone.

I appreciate your visit today to read my latest review.  I am still struggling with this cold/flu thing that I am currently experiencing (I am just miserable).  May each of you have a fantastic Friday!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader