Between the years of 1869 to 1939 more than 100,000 poor British children were sent across the ocean to Canada with the promise of a better life. Those who took them in to work as farm laborers or household servants were told they were orphans–but was that the truth?After the tragic loss of their father, the McAlister family is living at the edge of the poorhouse in London in 1908, leaving their … 1908, leaving their mother to scrape by for her three younger children, while oldest daughter, Laura, works on a large estate more than an hour away. When Edna McAlister falls gravely ill and is hospitalized, twins Katie and Garth and eight-year-old Grace are forced into an orphans’ home before Laura is notified about her family’s unfortunate turn of events in London. With hundreds of British children sent on ships to Canada, whether truly orphans or not, Laura knows she must act quickly. But finding her siblings and taking care of her family may cost her everything.
Andrew Fraser, a wealthy young British lawyer and heir to the estate where Laura is in service, discovers that this common practice of finding new homes for penniless children might not be all that it seems. Together Laura and Andrew form an unlikely partnership. Will they arrive in time? Will their friendship blossom into something more?
Inspired by true events, this moving novel follows Laura as she seeks to reunite her family and her siblings who, in their darkest hours, must cling to the words from Isaiah: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God”.
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What a beautiful story! Five Big Hearts!!! It is heart rendering to read the story and learn the history of the home children and such sadness, but this story, while showing the realty of this history, is filled with hope and tender compassion! The writing is exquisite! The characters are well developed and so easy to love or hate! I love historical fiction that flows so beautifully!
Sadness and sorrow overshadow this very interesting historical story interlaced with hope and love as well. The story highlights the sad lack of law and oversight at the time in dealing with children whose families had been beset by illness and/or poverty. The children, most often removed from their homes, were frequently shipped to Canada as farm and domestic laborers. They became known as British Home Children. This very unique story about these children is based on historical facts woven into a fiction story highlighting one family.
Set in 1909 London, the book tells the tale of the McAlister family, a family that includes a mother and four siblings. Laura, the eldest of the McAlister siblings, is twenty-one and working as a ladies maid north of London. Katie and Garth are fourteen, both trying to assist the family finances in one way or another and the youngest, Grace, is seven. The McAlister family falls upon hard times, particularly when Mrs. McAlister falls extremely ill.
Little does she know what lies ahead for her three younger children as they are taken into group homes for poor and destitute children. The home then ships them to Canada without their mother’s knowledge or approval. The prejudice the children endure as a result of being British Home Children is astounding. They were often treated very poorly as a result of the prejudice, misinformation resulting from the disregard and lack of rules in the emigration system and lack of child labor laws.
The book details Laura’s search and journey to find her siblings and return them to their family and home. Her decisions, often made quickly, and her choices, although done for the right reason, are not always well thought out, but her heart is in the right place. How far would you go to try and save your family? Read this very unique story that tells a tale similar to the orphan trains utilized in the United States during the years 1854-1929.
This ARC copy was received from Waterbrook Multnomah and Netgalley.com. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
#NoOceanTooWide #NetGalley
If you haven’t read a novel by author Carrie Turansky, you have missed some truly memorable stories. I hope you, the reader, will take this as encouragement to read her newest release, No Ocean Too Wide, the first in the McCallister Family series.
Normally, at this point in my reviews, I like to provide a brief, no spoilers synopsis. Such was the emotional impact of this well-written historical story, I find myself without the words with which to do the novel justice.
I’ve often read authors relate of how involved they become with the story, it’s characters and personalities; almost as if each one of them were quite real with a story they relate to the author. At the time of writing this review, I cannot recall a story in which the characters are telling me their story, almost audibly so. Truly emotionally in No Ocean Too Wide, I cried when I read the last pages…not because it was a poorly written novel, but because its people are so beautiful and now a part of me.
A fictional account of the early 1900’s in London England, of what happened to the children who were orphaned or given into the care of the orphan’s home due to the poverty or illness of one or both family members, it can be said that hundreds, thousands of todays Canadian citizens can trace their heritage back to the events of the early 1900’s. To a time that helped build a country.
Add this novel to your TBR pile, as a matter of fact, place it at the very top.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and am under no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions therein are solely my own.
No Ocean Too Wide is a gripping story about the British Home Children, some of whom were separated from their families by mistake. It tells the tale of a sister’s love and determination to find her three siblings after they’ve been sent to Canada. It’s truly heart wrenching what happened to one of the children and brings to light all of the pitfalls associated with ‘foster’ care before regulation and oversight really came into being. I found myself appalled and yet sadly not surprised by some of the scenarios so vividly described. I cannot imagine what it must have been like for those who suffered such unconscionable treatment.
Laura McAlister and Andrew Fraser are willing to fight the system in order to bring restoration to the McAlister family and so many others. Their romance brings joy and light to the story and is well done. But then I expect nothing less from this author. 🙂
I highly recommend No Ocean Too Wide to enthusiasts of historical fiction, especially those who like it based on actual events. I received a copy of the book from the publisher. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. No compensation has been received.
This is a wonderfully poignant story about a family separated by misfortune out of their control. The big sister is willing to go to extreme lengths to reunite her family. It was a very emotionally gripping story that reminded me of the fact that our Heavenly Father has and continues to go to extreme measures to reunite us with Him. I really loved this story and am eagerly looking forward to the next installment. Meanwhile, I encourage any one looking for a good book to get a copy of this book. I received a complimentary copy of this story, but I have chosen to freely give my honest opinion of the book under no compulsion.
No Ocean Too Wide #1 McAlister Family by Carrie Turansky
Set in 1908 London and Canada, No Ocean Too Wide takes the reader on an unforgettable journey. When the McAlister family is met with hard times they had no idea of the shocking events that would take place. Thus taking them on a journey that was not easy and heartbreaking. The McAlister siblings, Laura, Katie, Garth and Grace, captured my heart and I grieved for them and their plight. Carrie Turansky weaves a story that captures your heart and brings tears as the children face such appalling situations thrust upon them. The characters experience struggles and challenges, surprises, family dedication, loyalties, love and enduring faith, bringing to life historical accounts in a vivid and heartwarming story.
~I received a copy of this book from the author/Barbour publishing (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~
I absolutely couldn’t put it down! I finished this book in one evening. I can hardly wait for the next novel in the series. This will be one of summer’s must reads.
No Ocean Too Wide is a perfect title because for Laura McAllister the ocean isn’t big enough to keep her from searching for her siblings. The British Children’s Home is shown from several viewpoints. For a few children, the emigration to Canada was a blessing in disguise. For so many others, it was a living nightmare. Katie, Laura’s fourteen year old sister, was one who lived this nightmare. Their faith in God was what allowed them all to move forward.
When their mother falls seriously ill, the younger McAllister siblings are sent to children’s homes in England to await transport to Canada. Laura doesn’t learn of their fate until they have already started the process. During her journey, solicitor Andrew Frazier comes to her rescue and helps shed light on the problems with the emigration system. Along the way, they develop feelings for each other and continue to trust in the Lord. You’ll have to read the book to find out the unexpected ending. Carrie Turansky has wrote another incredibly good novel. I was sent an ARC and this is my honest opinion. Can hardly wait for the next book. Keep up the good work, Carrie!
I like that it was based on true happenings.
I wasn’t aware of the tragic history of the British Home children. This was a wonderful historical fiction tale regarding a family departed due to the policies of that era. The book was beautifully written and it was easy to become immersed in the lives of the relatable characters.
I liked this book. I liked the characters as well as the storyline. I was not aware of the situation with orphans in England being sent to Canada in the late 19th to early 20th centuries until I read the book. It gives you details of a time that we should never forget of how children and families were treated. Children were literally treated like slaves for the most part. Some were made to be part of the family but others were treated badly and if anything went wrong they always received the blame. Carrie Turansky has given us a book that is tragic but at the same time one that gives hope and faith in God the Father. The developing romance between Laura and Andrew is one I enjoyed very much. I recommend this historical book to anyone who loves history and learning about happenings in our past. This was a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Carrie Turansky has done a fabulous job of mixing a historical event with a plot and characters of her own imagination. I loved no Ocean Too Wide and am anxiously awaiting the next book…please write faster! LOL. The descriptions were breathtaking, although sometimes not in a good way! I loved all of the McAlister family and Andrew Fraiser is a dreamy hero! The subject of British children being torn from their families and sent to Canada and Australia was a heartbreaking event in British history. I highly recommend this book! So grab your teapot and biscuits and settle in for a great read!
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.
Turansky has knocked it out of the park with her newest novel, No Ocean Too Wide! This is my favorite Turansky novel to date.
The author has obviously done her research of the child emigration from England to Canada in this first novel in her newest series. Rich in historical detail, with a strong faith thread, this is an incredible story of family.
Turansky paints a beautiful story of hope that begins with a heartrending situation of a family separated through a series of unfortunate circumstances. The courage and love displayed by an endearing cast of characters will captivate the reader. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
My favorite Carrie Turansky novel to date! A moving tale that shines a light on historical events that I didn’t even know happened, namely the British Home Child immigration program. Where “More than 100,000 poor, orphaned, and abandoned children were sent to Canada and promised a better life, but many suffered from neglect, abuse, and prejudice.” Author Carrie Turansky has done her research well, and weaves a compelling story that gives us a taste of what this experience must have been like. No Ocean Too Wide is a prime example of why I love historical fiction. Well done!
3.5 stars
“What did she expect? This was what happened when you made a hasty decision, compromised your convictions, and tried to manipulate the situation.”
Laura McAllister didn’t start out to be deceptive, one thing just led to another, and before she knew it her misrepresentations of the truth landed her in a situation that demanded an explanation . . . to none other than the son of her former employer, Andrew Frasier. However, drastic measures had been Laura’s only available recourse after discovering that her younger siblings had been removed from their home and placed in a precarious location; a British children’s home where dozens of assumed orphans were being emigrated to Canada at an alarming pace.
Andrew Frasier is shocked to see his mother’s former lady’s maid traveling under an assumed identity. As a young lawyer, he was still trying to gain experience and expertise under the tutelage of Henry Dowd, who had been granted a government commission to study the practices of British orphanages and their subsequent placements of children. Seeing Laura in her current position compromises his initial impression of the lovely young woman. Just what is she up to? And can their brief acquaintance be useful in his current investigation?
Carrie Turansky’s rich, relaxed writing voice serves her well in this engaging story where she meticulously places flesh and bones upon a skeleton that most readers never knew existed in the closet of Biritish history. Cleverly leaving a few questions unanswered, the next book in the series will, without a doubt, be highly anticipated.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
It’s an honor to receive an Advance Reader Copy of Carrie Turansky’s latest historical novel, “No Ocean Too Wide”, from the publisher and write a review to share my own impressions with potential readers. The author has gone to great lengths to research Britain’s child emigration movement of the 19th and 20th centuries in order to create realistic characters, dialogue, setting, and plot. The four McAlister siblings and their ailing mother are representative of the countless families torn apart due to circumstances beyond their control. Misunderstandings and misconceptions play a role in the three younger children being shipped to Canada, as was true of more than 100,000 British Home Children. The first of a two-part series, “No Ocean Too Wide” focuses primarily on Laura McAlister’s attempts to search for her missing brother and sisters. When Laura encounters two English gentlemen assigned with evaluating the child migration scheme, she enlists their help in her quest. Despite the hardships faced by each of the characters, it is clear that “God had not forgotten any of them, and He was unfolding His plan for each of their lives even through this tragic series of events” (page 175). Carrie Turansky’s writing has impacted me personally, since it echoes the story of my own British Home Child grandparents, who overcame much adversity to build a new life in Canada.