The Meaning of Names

By: Karen Shoemaker

Narrated by: Karen Shoemaker

Stuart, Nebraska is a long way from the battlefields of Western Europe, but it is not immune to the horrors of the first Great War for Peace. Like all communities, it has lost sons and daughters to the fighting, with many more giving themselves over to the hatred only war can engender.

Set in 1918 in the farm country at the heart of America, The Meaning of Names is the story of an ordinary woman trying to raise a family during extraordinary times. Estranged from her parents because she married against their will, confronted with violence and prejudice against her people, and caught up in the midst of the worst plague the world has ever seen, Gerda Vogel, an American of German descent, must find the strength to keep her family safe from the effects of a war that threatens to consume the whole world.

©2014 Karen Shoemaker (P)2016 Red Hen Press

What if what if

I’m from Nebraska and in health care so I was excited about this book. What if the author would have relinquished the narrator roll!? She is a great author, but her novel reading was flat. I mean, it was FLAT in affect.

After going through COVID the novel brought a new understanding of what we missed in a pandemic as we had research and options in care. The of the proportions as the influenza during WW1 was horrific.

Again, I pushed through listening to the novel. It was worth it!

Original, well researched, compelling

The history in this stop well researched The story line drew me in - no one thinks of prejudice experienced by their ancestors, especially if you’re white! WW I and the world pandemic at the same time. The dialogue and thoughts of the characters is authentic and helps you know Gerda’s heart. A great read. And the story narrated by the author is a bonus.

Insightful

I piece of history I did not know. I understand now why my grandparents would not allow my father to learn his native language. Very interesting read.

Review of The Meaning of Names

I really liked this book. I felt I was there with Gerda with her life. How she struggles. I feel that it has more aspects to the story than the discrimination of the Germans in Nebraska. I felt the author was very detailed with her descriptions and fleshed out the characters well. The author read it, but at some points I feel she could of show my emotions with certain scenes in the book. Overall very enjoyable book.

Enjoyed this historical novel

Very good story. Amazing what people had to go through at that time. Thanks for sharing.