Rose is unsettled, curious, and bored. Life in a hippie commune in the ‘70s is her parent’s dream come true, not hers. She doesn’t share their passion for living off the land, nor does she enjoy the isolation that is thrust upon her. When she convinces them to send her to public school in the nearby town, a new world opens up to her.As she pursues her education, Rose chooses a different path, … different path, leaving her parents heartbroken at her insistence they are hiding something from her. She’s convinced her father isn’t the man her mother married.
Although she finds love far away from her roots and upbringing, her wounds only deepen as she keeps her family at arm’s length. What she loses during those years can only be retrieved with her understanding that “a Rose by any other name is still a Rose.”
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I received a copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers only. This is a gentle story of how love between parents and children is always present, no matter the trials and tribulations you all go through in life. It was interesting to read about a way of life so different from the busy and noisy life many of us experience and how circumstances can lead you back to a life that was once seen as undesirable. Worth a read, but not fast paced, and not the type of book I usually read, but an eye opener into how other people live their lives
4 Cranky Stars
Rose was raised in a hippie commune which had been started by her mother, father and their best friends. Glory, River, Uncle Jacob and Aunt Fern, these were names they had chosen for themselves to be more part of Mother Nature. They lived off the land and had acres of fruit trees, bushes and vegetable gardens. They grew everything that the whole commune needed as more people joined in their way of life, with their animals as well. That which was left over they sold at a road side stall and they canned the fruit. They bargained for everything they needed furniture for example and went to the thrift shop for needed clothing. Rose and her cousin Destiny had the choice to go to the local school, which they both opted for. Years started going by and when Andrew, Jacob’s nephew came to stay for a while Rose fell head-over-heels in love with him, but he never noticed her. Being 2 years older he was already at high school where he met a girl and broke Rose’s heart without even knowing it. It was Rose that wanted out of the commune way of life and even though Destiny enjoyed her school life and the social life that went with it, when she finished school realised that she had no education to speak of to take her any further whereas Rose had studied hard and got a scholarship to college. Destiny was the pretty one that took care of her looks, but Rose didn’t blossom until she went to college. Her roommate helped style her hair and shopped for suitable clothes. Her first social night out and she met up with Andrew again, who took notice of how beautiful she really was. They became an item that developed over the years. Rose’s curious mind could not let go that she thought there were secrets being held within the family. This book then turns into her search for the truth……..but is it what she wanted and what price did she have to pay for it?
This was truly everything I hoped it would be. It is such an interesting perspective to read about a life from. It’s got it all – great language, fantastic life-retelling and of course, family secrets.
Rose is a relatable, lovable character. The way she recounts her life, her experiences, her relationships was just so articulate and dead on.
This story is a true coming-of-age, figuring out who you really are kind of story. Highly recommend if this kind of storytelling appeals to you! One of the best books I have read this year.