Summary:
They are the Pipers of Cape Breton Island — a family steeped in lies and unspoken truths that reach out from the past, forever mindful of the tragic secret that could shatter the family to its foundations. Chronicling five generations of this eccentric clan, Fall on Your Knees follows four remarkable sisters whose lives are filled with driving ambition, inescapable family bonds, and forbidden love. Their experiences will take them from their stormswept homeland, across the battlefields of World War I, to the freedom and independence of Jazz-era New York City.
My take: 3 looks
Not a title that I would normally choose, but I had finished all of my vacation books, and chose this from the collection at the condo in which I was staying. I usually enjoy epics because you see the full breadth of the characters’ lives, as well as a change in the time in which they live. Makes for a fertile novel territory.
This story, however, was a bit too heavy on the morose, for my taste. I looked for redemption in the evils, losses, and overall questionable decisions made throughout the story, but found very little to instill any kind of sympathy or caring for the characters. Between the abuses, both sexual and emotional, dysfunctional familial relationships, and failure of anyone to learn from their mistakes, I finished this one as a matter of curiosity more than anything.
After reviewing a few reviews by other readers, I find that this book it relatively polarizing. It is a nicely written book, aside from the actual storytelling, so it is not a difficult read. While it speaks to the soul of some readers, it failed to connect with me on any level at all. Because of the quality of the writing, I will probably pick up another title with MacDonald, but can’t recommend this one.
Not recommended.
