Carry the World

By: Susan Fanetti

Narrated by: Eleanor Caudill

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Eastern Kentucky, 1937.

After the death of her husband, Ada Donovan returned home to live again with her aging parents. She does all she can to help them keep the small family farm going. But times are hard, and there’s never enough.

During one of her infrequent visits to town, she sees a help-wanted notice for the Pack Horse Librarian Project, seeking librarians to ride up high in the mountains and bring books to the people there. Before her marriage, Ada was a teacher, and the thought of returning to the work she loved is impossible to resist. The mountains are her favorite place, books are her great joy, and her horse is her best friend.

But not everyone on the mountain is happy to see her.

Living in a crumbing cabin at the highest, most isolated point of Ada’s route, there’s a family that catches her attention. The father keeps to the shadows. There is no mother to dote on the happy, curious children. But soon, Ada comes to love them just as fiercely as the woman they lost.

And makes it her mission to bring them the world.

©2018 Susan Fanetti (P)2019 Susan Fanetti

Wonderful Book

Loved everything about this story! The voices were spot on! Cant wait for "Move the Sun" on audible my favorite book EVER!

A very sweet, touching, realistic story.

I loved this story of a life spent be in the 1800's, when there were few conveniences, and Life was hard.

Love it

Anything to do with pack horse librarians is great but this was a true love story

This book has it all!

Such a wonderful book! It has all the elements of an enthralling story, one of the best I’ve read/listened to in a long time, outstanding narration, too!

excellent

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

Beautiful story about at tough librarian

Wow did this story come to life! In great part to the beautiful narration, I was able to just sit back and close my eyes and allow the beautiful prose and landscapes of the story wash over me. It wasn’t an action/adventure or thriller mystery but I still found myself fully engaged and laughing, smiling, and crying with the characters. There is a lot of loss and hardship in the book but an immense amount of hope too. The love story is sweet and slow and very REAL feeling- you could see your own grandparents with similar circumstances and dilemmas. Since it’s set in the 30s and there’s some light references, there IS a sort of feeling of doom, like things were bad but about to get worse (that somewhat gets addressed in the epilogue). The horseback librarian aspect was really fascinating and well written and makes you want to learn more. I thought that Ada’s mom’s decision to live up the mountain seemed like a very convenient resolution to a number of problems but the ending was so satisfying any little quibbles are only that. It was a great and engaging story on so many levels- I’m so glad I read it!

Fantastic historical book!

I absolutely loved this historic novel about the pack horse library in Kentucky. The characters were vivid & likable. The story line was interesting & exciting! I would recommend this book for anyone that enjoys womens historical books!
I was given this book at no charge for an honest review.

Don’t miss this one

Excellent story, amazing narration, very well presented, such a very sweet love story with a few steamy moments. I very much enjoyed this book!! I’m wondering where are all the Jonah Walkers of the world????!!!

On the Precipice of Something...

This novel took me on an emotional and romantic journey with wonderful characters that drew me into the heart of their tale, capturing both my attention and my affection along the way. It takes place in eastern Kentucky during the Great Depression and focuses on two good people who have endured their share of hardship, pain, and loss, but who persevere out of love and a strong sense of responsibility for their families

When their paths cross, their lives are forever changed.

Ada Donovan is an educated woman, a former teacher (who was forced by the system to give up the position she loved when she married), and a widow. When her dear husband passes away, she returns to her aging parents' farm where they all do what they can in order to survive. When she has the opportunity to become a Pack Horse Librarian, bringing books to the people “the world forgot” in the Appalachian Mountains, it is the answer to her prayers. The position allows her to spend time in nature with her beloved horse, Henrietta (otherwise known as Hen), teach literacy, share stories, make enough money to care for her parents, and keep them all afloat.

It also brings her into the lives of reclusive widower, Jonah Walker, and his two children, Elijah Moses, and Bluebird Hope, who live high in the mountains away from civilization. Jonah, still grieving for the wife he lost several years before, lives only for his children, and works hard for all of their survival. He has no interest in strangers and isn’t welcoming when Ada first appears on the scene. Still, there is something about this 'book woman' (who is so good with his children) that allows her to slowly, but surely, find her way into their isolated existence and into their hearts. Jonah tries to keep her at a distance as he grapples with both his memories of the past and his attraction to her, but life has other plans...

When tragedy strikes, turning their worlds upside down, deeper feelings can no longer be denied.

I didn’t know anything about the Pack Horse Librarian Project so I appreciated learning more about it. The loving and intimate relationship that develops between Jonah and Ada was a pleasure to watch unfold. It was also lovely to witness the familial bonds that formed between Ada, Jonah, Elijah and Bluebird, and to share in all the touching, beautiful moments between them. Ada’s loving, respectful way with her parents and her adorable interactions with Hen spoke volumes to me about who she was. I had a good sense of why she was adored by so many of the people whose lives she touched.

Myriad aspects of this tale made my heart smile.

Ms. Fanetti’s emphasis on relationships, the gender dynamics of the time, and the realities of human behavior (both positive and negative), as well as on education and a passion for books, made this novel a joy to both read and listen to. Though some might perceive this to be a simple story, I feel there is a depth and wisdom revealed within these pages as the author takes us back in time. It shows how the connections we make, as well as the love we both give and receive, can bring hope, healing, and renewed faith on our human journey. And that unexpected answers and other blessings will sometimes manifest just when we need them most...

Eleanor Caudill gave a wonderful narrative performance and her voice had a warm, soothing tone that worked well for me. I was never at a loss in terms of which character was speaking at any given time and I truly enjoyed this audiobook.

So much so that I fully intend to listen to it again in future.

*** I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. ***

An Uplifting Story

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great audiobook. The characters were lovable and heartfelt. An impossible love story when the man is so isolated after the loss of his wife but manages a humble home for the sake of his children. Normally he rejects strangers but Ada brings books to his children and she inspires the joy of reading. They fall in love with her and her kindness and generosity of spirit works away at him over time. The narration was great.