Erin Bartels’ first novel, We Hope for Better Things, is emotional, potent, and thought-provoking.  This book takes on a lot of heavy, intense topics that are sure to cause readers to reflect on themselves and society.  Readers will experience a myriad of emotions and hopefully emerge as stronger, more sensitive individuals.

The story begins with a mysterious request made to Elizabeth Balsam to deliver something to a previously unknown relative.  Although it should have been intriguing, it just felt flat–until later in the story when it becomes clear why the request was made and who the person was doing the asking. Even if there was nothing else to the story, which of course there is, it is worth uncovering this bit of information.  The delivery is pivotal and changes Elizabeth’s life forever.

The story chronicles the lives of three women who live during the Civil War, 1960s, and modern times.  The author chooses to jump back and forth between the three time periods.  At times this is irritating, because the reader just starts to delve into the story of one character and then the plot switches to a different era.  In some ways it would be nice to have one character tell or read the story of the previous one in its entirety, but I believe the author designed this to show the interconnectivity of the women.

The novel focuses on the difficult and sensitive topic of racial prejudice.  Readers should be prepared for an honest and raw look at historical and current views on the subject.  Emotions run high and deep.  Do not pick this up expecting a nice easy read to pass an evening, but pick it up to try and better understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by so many.

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Revell

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  1 religious profanity, 2 derogatory names. 

Violence/Gore:  Several references to an incident where a man destroys the camera of another; a person threatens another with a knife; a woman gives birth and blood is mentioned; reports of soldiers killed in battle; a man threatens a woman with a knife and draws blood (a racially motivated act); a report that a policeman shot and killed a young man; report of a barn being set on fire because of racial prejudice, there are casualties; report that a man was lynched; report of a young man being beaten during a race riot; it is implied that a person was fatally poisoned; the Detroit race riot is described in a 5 page scene, including deaths and destruction of properties; mention of assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Sex/Nudity:  Report that a person had an affair; a man removes bloomers from a woman giving birth and indication is she is unclad; a woman discusses how a master slept with his slaves, some against their will and others allowed it to protect themselves, no details given; a man says someone is not trying to sleep with his daughter; several implications that married couples are engaged in sexual activities, but no details; nursing woman refers to her breasts; man is seen leaving the house of a prostitute, this is referenced a few times; implication that a married woman and a man not her husband had sex, later an illegitimate child is mentioned; non-married characters kiss and embrace.

Mature Subject Matter:

Racial prejudice, slavery, Civil War, adultery, death of close family, riots, murder, hate crimes.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Person refers to fictitious drinking problems and drug addictions; characters try to use alcohol to start fires.