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Clif Hostetler

Captures the Spirit of Rural Kansas

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2017

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This novel contains all the necessary ingredients expected by a reader of literature: pathos, suspense, mystery and a suggestion of romance—it even has a happy surprise near the end. But it's obvious that the author also intends to deliver a sense of life today in western Kansas and an appreciation of history related to Carnegie Libraries—particularly Carnegie Libraries in the western half of Kansas. The story's contents also make it obvious that the author has a background in art and community centers.

The book's narrative is structured in a unique manner. The story is told in first person by three different women in a repeating pattern: (1) Angelina, (2) Traci, (3) Gayle. The pattern holds from beginning to the ending Epilogue except at the beginnings of Book One—news article about a tornado—and Book Two —extended excerpt from a 1910 diary. This construction effectively approaches the story from three directions told by three women with different personalities and life histories.

Readers who like dramas about women trying to figure out exactly where they are in life will find this book of interest. Each of the three narrators are at a crisis point, and as the plot develops each find new life that's a detour from the direction of their lives at the beginning of the book. As the historical elements of the story are brought into the narrative the three women narrators learn to identify with and take inspiration from the preceding generations of women. The lesson from history—stated bluntly—is that if it weren't for women there wouldn't be any culture in Kansas. ; )

I grew up in rural Kansas, and I believe myself to be almost qualified to pass judgment on a book about Kansas. I compliment the author on successfully capturing the spirit of rural Kansas in an interesting and respectful way. However, I don't recall any reference to the growing Hispanic populations in Dodge City and Garden City (at about 62% and 52% respectively and even higher percentages in the schools). However, the Anglo and Hispanic communities don't intermingle very much, so in that way this novel truly depicts typical life of the Anglos.

connie D.

A most enjoyable read

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2017

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Ms. Tilghman’s book serves as a reminder to us that things we take for granted were often accomplished through someone else’s dreams, sweat and tears. The story revolves around a group of diverse women coming together in unusual circumstances to build a cultural center just as women came together decades ago to build libraries in small towns assisted by funding through the Carnegie foundation.

If you love libraries, books, reading, the arts ,crafts, the midwest, history, strong women and stories of community then you will enjoy this book. The author has woven a modern story of women coming together to accomplish a dream while entertaining us with many interesting and unusual facts about Carnegie and his libraries. She brings us a story of life in a small town along with the politics and sometimes complicated relationships that occur. She shows us that despite diverse personal histories and opinions people can unite to achieve something wonderful.

I grew up in a Carnegie library in a small town located on the plains of western Nebraska. That library was my connection to a world I could only see in books. I can still see that library in my mind, smell the smells and hear the creaks and groans as I walked across the floors. Thank you, Ms. Tilghman, for refreshing those wonderful memories.

This is a great summer read for vacation, a long weekend or just sitting in a quiet place and indulging yourself for a few hours.

Cathy Callen

A Novel Idea....

Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2017

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"To the Stars through Difficulties" is not a dissertation, but has many elements that a dissertation might contain, and one wonders of it was originally intended to be one. This reader is glad that the idea for this collection of information has been interwoven with human stories, making it a novel and not a dissertation, for while a dissertation is written to fulfill requirements for an advanced degree, it is usually seen only by the student and a committee. A novel is written to fulfill a writer's wish to tell a story, and will hopefully be seen and enjoyed by many, as this book is sure to be.

Three protagonists share this story, three women challenged by the daunting obstacles of their lives. One is running out of time to complete her dissertation on the topic of Carnegie Libraries. One is running away from her harsh childhood and has lied in order to obtain a position as an artist, and one has run out of will and courage due to the devastation dealt to her personally and to her community by the ravishes of a tornado.

We are introduced to these women first as individuals, their three stories unfolding in a regular sequence. Later, as they meet, their stories begin to intertwine. We see them find strength in each other, much as pioneer women found strength in each other and used their combined resources not just to survive, but to build libraries and art centers across the flat plains of Kansas.

The book is built around relationships, and the change that can be effected when relationships grow. It is also a book rich with history, particularly about libraries, but also about Kansas, a state of chaming oddities, past and present. Art, architecture, photography, quilting and journaling all play a part. In addition, there are secrets and mysteries that niggle just below the surface, keeping the reader moving along.

A good book.

Amazon Customer

Enjoyable and heartfelt

Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2019

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As a lifelong lover and supporter of libraries, I couldn’t help but enjoy this novel with its rich history of the building of Carnegie Libraries in Kansas in the early 20th century. But this book is so much more. Set in modern day, it is a story about a group of women struggling to overcome adversity and find themselves and their connection to each other. With wonderful characters, emotional depth, a little romance and a wonderful twist that I didn’t see coming, this was a very enjoyable and heartfelt read.

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