Cover Image: The Life and Times of Rowan Daly

The Life and Times of Rowan Daly

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Member Reviews

An excellent story set in the mid 1930s Applachia. When this young woman suddenly becomes a widow, she refuses to feel sorry for herself. During this period in American history, women did not work outside their homes, much less take on a job that would have them outside, on horseback, in all kinds of weather. Her interactions with the mountain peoples is fascinating. This book is so well written, you would swear it was nonfiction.

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Rowan Daly has been widowed at 18 years old and alone in the world with no way to support herself. She is offered a chance to be a Pack Horse Librarian in Kentucky, which has always interested me. The strength of the women who do this job is inspiring. Rowan finds friends and a mentor to help her through. This is a well written and interesting book which will keep you reading.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #BooksGoSocial for this ARC. This is my honest review.

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2 stars.

I so wanted to like this book. The premise is extremely interesting and I had high hopes. Unfortunately for me, I really disliked Rowan. I wanted to take her, shake her and tell her to grow a backbone. I also didn't appreciate how the narrative jumped around. What I really wanted to experience was the daily life and routines of these amazing librarians. I'm afraid I can't recommend this book.

Many thanks to both the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy to read in exchange for my honest opinion. My opinions are my own and not influenced by anyone. Ever.

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This is an interesting and informative read about life during this period, and Rowan is a plucky lady who goes on to success. Well written with interesting details of those she meets and works with. Overall a great read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Thank you for the novel.

This book had a very strong start. Rowan loses her husband and becomes a pack horse librarian. The characters were set up nicely and so was the plot. Then the author decides to jump forward a full year out of nowhere. Thens shortly after it's another year. Then Rowan goes to college and continues jumping in time. This is where the book lost me. I would have much preferred if it dived into her first year as a pack horse librarian and went into the characters of the families she visited, then add the slow burn romance with Lucas to make it a wholesome plot. I can't say I would recommend this book because it's just all over the place.

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As a career librarian, I was drawn to this book and its main character, Rowan Daly. In the day and time the book takes place, it was rare to find a strong, young single woman willing to do whatever it takes to survive. Rowan is inspirational and the story is a great reminder that the gift of literacy and literature are priceless.

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I was attracted to the publisher's description of a young widowed woman, who sets out to become a Pack Horse Librarian and from there masters her life through various trials.

I had not heard of this New Deal initiative of sending Pack Horse Librarians into remote appalachian locations to promote literacy among the Hill People. I was thus interested to learn about the Great Depression and its deprivations and the ingenious attempts to remedy them. The author also introduced me to the Dewey Decimal library system, as well as an early viewing device, namely Tru View, which was also used in this early mobile library. The book also touched on the Civil Rights Movement towards its end. I liked these educational aspects a great deal.

I was, however, not fond of the writing style, finding its short sentences staccato and jarring. I also struggled to get a feel for the characters, especially Rowan, who seemed to me a bit insipid, snivelling, and timid, needing to be pushed to success by a friend. I also found many spelling and grammatical errors as well as several inconsistencies, which were irritating and would have needed more rigorous editing and proof reading. For example, towards the beginning, Rowan unpacks the same suitcase in the boarding house on two different occasions, Delaware chickens were described as laying 14 eggs a day, etc. Irritants such as these really marred my reading pleasure.

Overall, this book could be an entertaining and educational read. Unfortunately, it did not quite meet the bar for me.

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Rowan Daly is widowed at an early age in an era where women had little independence from men. Alone and grieving, she is given an opportunity to thrive- one she seizes with both hands. Rowan is signed up as a pack horse librarian, visiting the inhabitants of the Kentucky mountain people. This is an interesting and informative read about life during this period, and Rowan is a plucky lady who goes on to success. Well written with interesting details of those she meets and works with. Overall a great read!

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5 stars, A unique librarian proposition

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ROWAN DALY by Rex Owens

Rowan Daly was widowed at 18-years-old by a coal mine. She is extremely distraught and is given the opportunity to become one of the famed Pack Horse Librarians and a future beyond her deepest imaginations.

Highly recommend it. Step into Rowan Daly's world and enjoy the ride.

Deepest thanks to #netgalley#rexowens #ckbooks for the complimentary copy of #thelifeandtimesofrowandaly I was under no obligation to post a review.

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This is a well written book that follows the path of a young woman and the mentor who befriends her. It opens on a tragedy that changes Rowan Daly's life forever. Several people step up to help among them the mentor who will guide her for years. Great story, bring tissues.

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