Review of Into the Moonbroch

[Ajay Pratap Singh Tomar]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Into the Moonbroch" by Debra Gomes Korbel.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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"Into the Moonbroch," an appealing narrative of the Mirante family's journey from the Azores to the Santa Clara Valley in California, is written by Debra Gomes Korbel. The struggles and victories of Portuguese immigrants who braved dangerous waters—literal and metaphorical—to make a life for themselves in America are skillfully portrayed by the author in a complex tale. With its "bountiful cherry blossoms" and "sticky sweet fruit," the Santa Clara Valley is well portrayed in the book, set against the hardships these settlers encountered to paint a vivid and unforgettable picture of a singular cultural experience.

Korbel writes in an engaging way, particularly when it comes to capturing the essence of the Valley of Heart's Delight. Anyone familiar with the area will find her descriptions of historical sites and local "hotspots" to be a genuine touch. In addition, the book provides an infinite number of historical details about the Portuguese, all of which are skillfully integrated into the narrative by likable people with complex personalities that arouse a variety of feelings.

But even with all of its positive aspects, "Into the Moonbroch" is not without its problems. The story's flow can be disturbed by the numerous generational switches, which add interest but also make the tale feel incomplete at times. For readers who prefer more direct storytelling, there are portions that appear excessively descriptive, which could slow down the pace. In addition, a few characters, while intriguing, could have benefited from greater development to make the group more well-rounded and unified.

I give this book 4 stars out of 5. Because of these small problems, I took away one star. However, drawbacks are surpassed by the book's many advantages. There is not a single typo or grammatical mistake in the editing, which demonstrates a very high level of professionalism.

All things considered, "Into the Moonbroch" is an engaging and educational book that masterfully communicates the essence of the experience of being an immigrant. Those who are interested in historical fiction and cultural heritage should definitely embark on this voyage.

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Into the Moonbroch
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[Yasmine Zaki Muhieddine]

I like historical fictions in general and I will add this book to my shelves. After reading the review, it feels like the story plot is interesting although intricate with all the generational switches. Hopefully the author will touch up the book to redress the few negative aspects mentioned in the review.

[Ray Thompson]

I loved how the story unfolded. The pacing was slow at first, but it picked up and delivered some great twists. The characters were relatable, which made it more enjoyable.