All the Forgivenesses

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Perfect for readers of Demon Copperhead and inspired by the author's own family lore, this exquisite novel paints an intimately rendered portrait of one resilient family's challenges and triumphs—helmed by an unforgettable heroine—in Appalachia and the Midwest during the turn of the 20th century.

Growing up on their hardscrabble farm in rural Kentucky, fifteen-year-old Albertina "Bertie" Winslow has learned a lot from her mama, Polly. She knows how to lance a boil, make a pie crust, butcher a pig, and tend to every chore that needs doing. What she doesn't know, but is forced to reckon with all too soon, is how to look after children as a mother should...

When Polly succumbs to a long illness, Bertie takes on responsibility for her four younger siblings and their dissolute, unreliable daddy. Yet no matter how hard she tries to hold the family together; the task is overwhelming. Nine-year-old Dacia, especially, is resentful and stubborn, hinting at secrets in their mama's life. Finally, Bertie makes the only choice she can—breaking up the family for its own survival, keeping the girls with her, sending the boys off to their grown brothers, long gone from home.

Ever pragmatic, Bertie marries young, grateful to find a husband willing to take on the care of her sisters, and eventually moves to the oil fields of Kansas. But marriage alone cannot resolve the grief and guilt she carries over a long-ago tragedy, or prepare her for the heartaches still to come. Only by confronting wrenching truths can she open herself to joy—and learn how to not only give, but receive, unfettered love. Inspired by stories told by the author's mother and aunts,
All the Forgivenesses is as authentic as it is lyrical—a captivating novel of family loyalty, redemption, and resilience.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This emotional story of deep hardship is told in Bertie's distinct voice and is recommended for readers who enjoyed Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell and Jane Hamilton's The Book of Ruth." —Library Journal

"A strong protagonist is at the center of Hardinger's debut, an early-1900s tale of a resolute girl in a Midwestern family that's burdened with hardship...The characters in this story are vividly portrayed, with nuanced, complex personalities. The resilience and strength of the narrator will stay with readers long after they've finished." —
Publishers Weekly

"A wrenching read...this book stayed with me for a long time because it so vividly brings to life how poverty and lack of choice so profoundly affect a person." —
Historical Novels Review

"The author pulls no punches detailing the hardships of life on a Kansas farm at the turn of the twentieth century. Bertie is a classic Midwesterner: tough, stubborn, and resilient. What starts out as a tale of hardscrabble historical fiction turns into an uplifting story of forgiveness and grace, and would be a good crossover for Christian fiction readers." —
Booklist

"Not since Daniel Woodrell's
Winter's Bone and Bonnie Jo Campbell's Once Upon a River have I met such an original, strongyoung woman, full of resourcefulness, passion, and courage, dedicated to saving her family no matter the personal sacrifice. This is an extraordinary, unforgettable novel, with a haunting voice that follows you into your dreams at night. Elizabeth Hardinger carves the geography of the human heart and teaches us the lessons of the forgiveness and the redemption that is possible for those of us strong enough to bear the burden and gift of love." —Jonis Agee, award-winning author of The River Wife and The Bones of Paradise

"Elizabeth Hardinger has given us a heroine for the ages. In the face of unimaginable hardship, where survival is the only thing that matters, she learns strength and courage, and discovers joy in unexpected places. Her voice is strong and authentic and unforgettable. Equal parts tender and brutal,
All the Forgivenesses is a rich, exquisite novel." —Alex George, author of A Good American

"It won't take a page to know this is an abiding story told in an utterly captivating voice. I fell into this novel in a way I've only experienced when reading Kaye Gibbons, Louise Erdrich, Dorothy Allison, and Alice Walker. The sense of place and time, of family, guilt, grief, and love are so richly layered, reading
All the Forgivenesses is mesmerizing. No one writes like Hardinger. Thank goodness she does." —Sandra Scofield, National Book Award finalist for Beyond Deserving

"Composed with unassuming wisdom and grace,
All the Forgivenesses is an exhilarating testament to the human spirit. You'll fall in love with the remarkable Bertie, whose unwavering loyalty to family delivers her a life rich with meaning and hard-won transcendence. A captivating debut by an exciting new voice in fiction." —Wayne Harrison, author of The Spark and the Drive

About the Author

Elizabeth Hardinger was born and raised in Kansas. She holds a BA in English from McPherson College and an MFA from Wichita State University. She lives with her husband in Eugene, Oregon, where she occasionally copyedits technical and academic books. All the Forgivenesses, her debut novel, draws on family lore about life in a tarpaper shack during the Kansas oil boom of the 1920s. Find the author on Twitter at: @ElizHardinger, and visit her Website at ElizabethHardinger.com.

Review:

4.5 out of 5

89.23% of customers are satisfied

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!!

K.M. · September 15, 2024

This book was so well done. Every page was like being there, the characters were deep and relatable. It's historical fiction but the story was told so well I wanted to see the pictures of the families she mentions. A book inspired by stories the author was told by her family, may we all be so fortunate to know where we've come from.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great story!

L. · July 2, 2024

So many bad things happened early in this story that if I didn’t belong to a book club I may not have put myself through it! I am glad I stuck to it. I was hoping for a different ending but the ending as written makes sence.

5.0 out of 5 stars Grabs you....

m. · July 15, 2024

...but not at first. You have to get used to the down south way of talking and when you do, the book takes off and it is a wonderful poignant, heart-wrenching story of love, survival, disappointment and triumph. Historical for sure, wondrous and written in such a way it takes you to the early 20th C. where poverty, local customs and backward beliefs reign in the early Midwest.Loved this book, its characters and its quiet message that proves inner strength and true love are your best virtues.

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating and beautifully written

S.R. · July 25, 2024

What a powerful book; I felt like I became part of Bertie the more I read. The author’s descriptive passages, the folksy expressions, the emotions so well conveyed and the story line itself all blew me away.This book could end up a classic. Highly recommended.

4.0 out of 5 stars So Good

k. · June 12, 2024

Truly a beautiful story filled with such emotion. The story captivates you from the very beginning . You feel as if you are part of the story. So good!

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it

m.j. · September 21, 2024

I wasn’t sure when I started this if I would like it, but by the end, I almost wish I could’ve been friends with all those people. It was a really heartfelt read for me.

3.0 out of 5 stars Threw it in the Trash, then Fished it Out

A. · November 20, 2023

This book was well written and interesting--I would have given it more stars, but the subject was soooo depressing. Actually, I threw it in the trash after reading chapter 7! Then I just had to know what happened to this long-suffering girl, so I fished it out and finished the book. I'm glad It did, because her life improved dramatically when she married a wonderful man. I'm going to see if the author wrote any more books, hopefully on a cheerier subject.

5.0 out of 5 stars A tribute to Grace

P.N.B. · August 24, 2024

Such wonderful character development slowly then boom. I loved this book, I related to this book and maybe not as graphic as the author but the same group of misfits mixed with the Bible. A great read go for it.

Excellent book. Could not put down.

K.C. · August 16, 2024

Read if you can. Really makes you appreciate what you have Excellent book and well worth the time and cost

Too sad

s. · March 11, 2024

a great story that held my attention from start to finish just too sad for my liking,

All the Forgiveness

P. · June 20, 2022

This book was so emotional and sad I was going to put it down but I couldn’t,I had to know what happened to all of those beautiful children.I loved it

Absolutely loved this book

A.H. · July 16, 2023

I loved this book. The story, the writing, the characters. I found I was genuinely invested in the characters and was reluctant to end the book and say goodbye. I immediately went to see if she had other books I could buy!

All The Forgiveness

A.C. · November 5, 2022

This is a really good read..Bertie is the oldest girl child, who needs to look afterthe little ones as her mom is either sick or pregnant it seems . When thefamily moves she meets Alta Bea and they become great friends, when theygo to a dance Bertie sees Sam, the man she knows she will marry

All the Forgivenesses

4.4

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