it created such empathy and understanding of what life was like for them
926302
This book was very well researched by the author.  She brought the characters to life for me.  Although the violence against her ancestors and others was heart breaking and hard to read, it created such empathy and understanding of what life was like for them.  There was violence on both the white and Indian sides against innocent people that created a cycle of hatred and anger on both sides. There is violence, and anger in our world today that could be lessened if we extended kindness and understanding to others.  There are many lessons to be learned in this book about loving and accepting others by learning about their stories and trying to understand what makes people behave the way they do and why they are who they are.
1649770
In depth understanding of two people who have endured tragedy and find insight into a future with themselves and each other
4539128
I was in awe reading about what life was like under such circumstances. I couldn't imagine living like that and trying to keep it a secret as a child in order to save her family from the shame. Beautifully and bravely written.
1825398
I looked forward to listening to and reading this novel. I felt such empathy for the author. Many of us can relate to how easy it is to overspend. Her attitude change and slow embracing of a new life was very heartwarming.
2340919
This book is written with tremendous empathy that could only have been someone who went through the trauma of living with a narcissist. It is almost too lifelike with the words and phrases being only too familiar making it a very emotional read. Thank you Karyl for the tremendous help and insight this book gave me.
2845844
I was fascinated with this book as it was written w/different voices telling their stories.  The children were really amazing since their parents and helpers were often a mess - much alcohol use and bordering on child abuse.  I liked the skills that the children showed and their ability to cope in so many difficult situations.  I am curious how the children became as adults.
2066133
this was agood  read and the wish  of many parents to have such caring children.
1499622
Im about to finish my teaching degree and so I am ready to take on the world of educating the next generation and I thank my lucky stars that I have read Jeremy Griffiths book. Thanks to FREEDOM, particularly Chapter 8, I am able to comprehend what is psychologically and developmentally occurring at the individual level of the children. Where once I would have been reprimanding, Im now flooded with understanding and compassion. The classroom becomes an entirely different place. While some days its very difficult, I really feel as though I can be in their shoes so much more than I would have ever been able to without this book. I see their innocence and don't take that for granted. I feel their despair at the world and I can acknowledge that as legitimate and I can genuinely have hope for their futures knowing that, thanks to Griffiths insights, there is an answer now to the problems in the world and in their lives, and know that they won't have to grow up without understanding of the human condition.

Ive gone from being overwhelmed with despair; why don't their parents help them learn to read, why don't they have a proper lunch, why do their eyes seem so sad to basking in their gorgeous enthusiasm for life and loving their open, trusting, forgiving, innocent sensitivity for the absolute heaven that it is.
1450303
Before you even realize your mind becomes one with the characters.  I felt I could have been anyone of the three women - you can just feel yourself having compassion and understanding for hideously tragic events that consumed the lives of many
4724411
This book really captured the struggle that we as humans go through.  Each of the three prominent characters had been broken in life. They looked at others and thought that everyone else had it together. In reality they were all struggling with brokenness.  The thing I loved the most is that they learned what a little bit of kindness and self reflection can do to heal not only their own brokenness but that of others around them also.
1577766
Having lived during this era, it was so good to see events.
261691
By the time I had read thru this series of books I felt like I knew the people, the community, wish real life were like this, Very positive
1682528
Reading this book gave me a perspective I previously hadn't had, and answered some questions I had about the Holocaust in general, such as how they managed to do something so horrible to such a large minority. I hadn't previously realized that the Jews had their rights stripped first then were slightly mistreated, leading up to their being badly mistreated and eventually to their murders and the genocide that is now known as the Holocaust. After reading this book I'll never look at the situation from such an uninformed point of view and can more accurately what really happened.
Truly a masterfully crafted book relating a story, albeit with some fictional license, that appealed to both the emotional and intellectual. Emotional in that he told the story in such a way that it made the reader feel for the character, while telling the story in a well written easily readable format.
2251193
Having read much about the Holocaust, and having been to several Holocaust museums, I was somewhat prepared for this book. However, reliving it again through the eyes of the characters created brought new clarity to horror and inhumanity, coupled with tenderness and warmth of those who lived with this tragedy.  There will be many who have to answer for what transpired. I'm grateful for the fictional license taken to create a happy ending for some of the characters in this book.  The real joy came in the end of this war against humanity. I am so thankful there is a God, and a Savior who took upon the pains of those who suffered and caused suffering. I believe justice is being and will be meted out fairly.  Thank Heaven.
4111083
It was a touching story that made me feel the emotions of each character in a very real way.
2405445
While I knew about this period in English history, the novel gave me a sense of what it might be like to live during the time period.
3225168
She has an incredible gift of telling the story of these dysfunctional families.  I was sorry when the trilogy ended.  I had grown to feel like they were my friends.