🍁🍂⛰️ "All That We Carried" (2021) ⛰️🍂🍁 - Book Review

 

MY REVIEW

 

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Revell (January 5, 2021)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800738365

ISBN-13: 978-0800738365

⬅️ Click Picture for Pre-Order Information

 

“Ten years ago, sisters Olivia and Melanie Greene were on a backcountry hiking trip when their parents were in a fatal car accident. Over the years, they grew apart, each coping with the loss in her own way. Olivia plunged herself into law school, work, and a materialist view of the world--what you see is what you get, and that's all you get. Melanie dropped out of college and developed an online life-coaching business around her cafeteria-style spirituality--a little of this, a little of that, whatever makes you happy.

 Now, at Melanie's insistence (and against Olivia's better judgment), they are embarking on a hike in the Porcupine Mountains of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. In this remote wilderness they'll face their deepest fears, question their most dearly held beliefs, and begin to see that perhaps the best way to move forward is the one way they had never considered.”

 

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books, for providing an advance review copy through Interviews and Reviews. A positive review was not required in any way, nor was it requested. All words are my own.

Last year for Christmas, my mother gave me “The Words Between Us” also by the author. I haven’t read that book yet, so this marks the first Erin Bartels book I’ve read. It is also the third (3^rd) book by her and is a standalone title thus far.

 

The premise of estranged siblings or family is always interesting because the reader often wonders why and as a result is drawn to the story to figure it out and see what happens.

 

This is no different.

 

The cover is artistic and beautiful, yet to me, it seemingly had nothing to do with the story. Bartels’ writing is a different aspect. Like this novel, or hate it, her writing is vivid, descriptive, almost immersive – it really puts you in the middle of the drama with the sisters. The title was definitely significant and had such a deep meaning – not only the physical things we carry, but the mental as well. Such as, overcoming grief and learning to forgive so we can lose the bitterness within us. It is also about learning to forgive even when it seems impossible to do so.

 

The main characters are younger sister Melanie and older sister Olivia. Right away I was drawn as to why the sisters hadn’t spoken to each other in ten (10) years –  when their parents died in a car accident. Melanie, at times, seemed very flighty, but likeable and sometimes relatable. Her depression, after the accident, leads her to want to help others. She also has a multi-faith belief system to the chagrin of her sister Olivia. Melanie tends more to prayer than Olivia. Olivia is almost, if not entirely an Atheist. This is an interesting perspective as you don’t tend to see it in Christian Fiction without the character having been and found “God” or is finding God.

 

I really disliked Olivia from the very beginning. There was, almost nothing likeable, relatable, or redeemable about her. She was, to me, a cold fish. Her job as a prosecutor is the only thing in her life – no boyfriend, no friends, no pets, no life (at least that’s how I saw it). She was probably not the worst part of the book but definitely didn’t give me a warm and cozy feeling. She treated the hike as a military operation rather than a re-connecting, scenic trip with her sister. She was also far too controlling and even when she was younger, rather mean to her sister. Olivia is eventually forced to deal with that.  I sometimes wondered if they weren’t adopted.

 

There are very few, if any, secondary support characters. There is one – Josh – who I really wanted more of. He seems to be more of a guide for the sisters. At one point, he gives them a compass “so you can find your way in the wilderness”. This proves to be a pivotal statement.

 

The hiking trip is a chance for Melanie to reconnect with her estranged sister, Olivia. Olivia is only on the trip to shut Melanie up. But, Melanie also has another secret. The secret that caused Olivia to stop talking to her sister.

 

One of their mother’s favorite sayings was “what’s done is done and can’t be undone”. Olivia takes this true to heart. Melanie is more or less a freer spirit about it.

 

Even as they’re heading to the hike site, the bickering begins. This is probably the most agonizing and annoying part of the story – the seemingly never-ending bickering between the two sisters. It isn’t until chapter five (5) that the reader learns the history of Melanie and Olivia’s statement. And, it is hard to reconcile if you’ve been there. While Melanie has “forgiven” the other party, Olivia is hard pressed to do so. As a result the estrangement occurred, and that also contributed to Melanie’s depression.

 

Bartels is honest with the depression issue and doesn’t make light of it. She really highlights Melanie’s struggles with it as well as the coping mechanism that Melanie chooses.

 

As readers will come to see, that Melanie has not only forgiven the other party – there is a far more personal connection. At one point Melanie notes to herself that Olivia used to stand up for her, now she seemingly stomps all over her. It is worse when Olivia learns the real reason why Melanie brought her on the trip.

 

Along the way there are falls, arguments, lost compasses, and a forest fire. Then, there is also a “guide” by the name of Josh who doesn’t take sides but offers food, guidance, and wisdom to the sisters. One question was about the purpose of the trip in relation to the hardships faced on it. He only helps to do as his dad did.

 

One interesting question at the halfway mark was “does Olivia love anyone”. The reader is never given the answer. She does begin to realize she’s treated Melanie rather bad for most of their life. But, there are no warm feelings towards her younger sister.

 

As the sisters begin making their way back to where they’ve parked, they’re caught in a forest fire leading Olivia to fall off an escarpment. This, in a way, ends up being what she needs in terms of a long-standing health issue, though that is sad in itself.

 

Even after a rescue, the sisters are still not ahead on their relationship. Yet, Olivia does decide to try to do better.

 

The trip is still non-redeemable, and Bartels keeps that realistic. There is no epiphany or “a-ha” moment in which Olivia sees the light. But, it is interesting that a ranger tells Melanie, those who don’t believe need the signs even more.

 

The reader then sees Olivia reconnect with the person who caused the accident that led to her parents’ death. There is some wisdom imparted on to her – that her obsession with things being fair hasn’t brought her any joy, only bitterness.

 

I can’t help but believe that Olivia was only a “little” (as in teensy amount) changed by the hike and accident.

 

The most changed character was Melanie who realizes that her online presence and “followers” is an empty and shallow place to be – something that really should resonate in today’s day and age. She begins to wonder if her ego is merely making her think she is making a difference in people’s lives. She decides to mentally clean house and “sign off”.

 

This is one of those books that as soon as you begin reading it, you have questions. Whether or not they get answered depends on how well you read into the story or read the story. The idea of putting random “memories” behind every chapter adds to the questions that were racked up.

 

This is a heart-breaking, reflective, as well as introspective read. These were some aspects that I really enjoyed and made the book worth reading. It leaves the reader questioning their own beliefs and belief systems. Despite being from a Christian/faith themed publisher, there are only slight references to God, and even away from God.

 

This was not a super addictive read, but I did want to keep reading as I was drawn in and curious. I did need to take frequent breaks from it because of the drama. It did have a rather unfulfilling end for me. It doesn’t give the warm fuzzies or “happy-ending” some might think it should. It is a deeply intense read though.

 

Some of my questions were not answered, and I was also trying to figure out what role or symbolic gesture that Josh portrayed in the story. I also wanted to know more about the car accident that claimed the Greene couple and why no charges were ever filed. I also wanted to know more about who might’ve started the forest fire as there are some references made to another group of people who are never heard from again. I did wonder what role they were supposed to have played in the story rather than just being “there”.

 

Fans of the author and genre might enjoy this read. It was a low four (4) star read for me.

RATING:

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Erin Bartels is the award-winning author of We Hope for Better Things (2020 Michigan Notable Book, 2020 WFWA Star Award-winner, 2019 Christy Award finalist) and The Words between Us (2020 Christy Award finalist, 2015 WFWA Rising Star Award finalist). Her short story, "This Elegant Ruin," was a finalist in the Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest in 2014, and her poetry has been published by The Lyric. A publishing professional for 18 years, she is the director of WFWA's annual writers retreat in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She lives in Lansing, Michigan, with her husband, Zachary, and their son. Find her online at www.erinbartels.com.

 

 

You can follow her on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErinBartelsAuthor/

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinbartelswrites/

 

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ErinLBartels/

 

 

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