Review: A gripping and well-detailed historical fiction novel
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 16, 2012
May Rose was an obedient, hard-working wife until a devastating turn of events forces her to become self-sufficient in the hardscrabble logging town of Winkler in the year 1899. Author Carol Ervin paints vivid characters and adds lush historical detail to Winkler and its citizens. As the pages turn, May Rose faces challenge after challenge, and slowly the timid "Girl on the Mountain" become a confident and poised woman.The Girl On The Mountain is a gripping tale. Ervin does her homework and writes Winkler as a believable town at the turn of the nineteenth century. Perhaps Ervin's true strength, however, is her ability to bring to life a colorful cast of characters, including the spunky, wild Wanda and the taciturn Mr. Townsend whose aloof nature may be hiding a secret attraction for May Rose.The story seems to be building toward a standard conclusion, but Ervin veers, taking May Rose in a different, more empowering direction, which I appreciated. The growth of May Rose throughout the novel is a true achievement for Ervin and a win for readers who get to see her stand up to challenges and discover her own inner strength.(This book was provided to Compulsion Reads for review by the author.)