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Jana/Three (USA: WI) (2007/01/18):
The story is told in the format of letters to Alice's sister, which is one of my favortie formats. It seemed a bit slow to me at first, and the characters weren't very likeable. As the war raged on and Alice had to continue with life on the farm, the characters became much more engaging and real to me. I enjoyed very much.
Cynthia Welsh (USA: AZ) (2008/11/26):
Alice’s Tulips does a decent enough job of portraying what it was like on the home front during the American Civil War. Alice, like so many Civil War wives, was very young and left to care for herself without many skills or maturity. She is on a farm with her Mother-in-Law who at times seems harsh and unbending. Alice not only misses her husband but is very lonely for female company. The book consists of her letters to her sister. Through Alice’s letters we find out about not only Alice’s life but that of her sister and Alice’s soldier-husband. Sometimes, this frustrated me because it was a little confusing knowing exactly what was occurring. The letters do contain some comments by Alice about her sexual frustrations which are unnecessary to the plot and does not develop her character further. As the story unfolds, the reader discovers examples of the compassion and strength of those on the home front and the soldiers on the battlefront. I like to quilt so I enjoyed reading about the quilts that Alice is sewing after she finishes (or collapses with exhaustion from) her farm chores. Alice realizes the utility of her quilts she sends to the soldiers or gives to enfold babies, etc. She also acknowledges the value of her quilts as her artistic expression and her social outlet as she gathers with other women at quilting bees. The Author's note at the end of the book contains a list of books about quilts and the women who created them and some other general reference books about quilting. I always appreciate when an author includes this type of information.
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