The Farm by Randy O'Brien is an emotional but highly captivating story set during World War II on a farm in Tennessee. It centers on the Wright family, especially Mary Lou and her daughters Millie, Annie, and Snaps. These women work tirelessly to keep their farm running and survive tough times without men around. The book does a great job of showing each character's personality and dreams through their conversations and actions.

O'Brien's writing captures the essence of the era, portraying the challenges and attitudes of the time accurately. The story is filled with moments of hardship, love, and determination. Despite the difficulties faced by the characters, the novel ends on a hopeful note, making it a satisfying read. The writing is clear and engaging. Randy O'Brien has created a story that is both moving and memorable.

A key aspect of the novel is its take on women's rights, reflecting the struggles and decisions faced by women in a male-dominated society. The characters' efforts to maintain the farm could be a reflection of the broader fight for women's independence and equality. This theme is especially relevant today, adding contemporary significance to the historical setting. The detailed depiction of life in rural Tennessee provides a look into the social and cultural view of those times, making the novel not just a personal story but also a historical exploration, something author Randy O'Brien is quite good at, as he proved in his last novel, Gettysburg by Morning.

Highly recommended.

I couldn't wrap my head around this one. Should have been really good but was not written in a way that was engaging to me.

One of the things I like about reading historical fiction set during WWII is that you can always learn something new. While this is true for The Farm, parts of the book reads more like a documentary than a novel. The storyline and characters felt one-dimensional. This was not a book I could get into and get to know the characters. I felt on the outside looking in. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend The Farm to others. Thanks to author Randy O'Brien, Addison & Highsmith Publishers, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!