The Kiminee Dream: a novel by Laura McHale Holland

The Kiminee Dream: a novel Reviews

• 
  Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews

  Her family and the entire town knew Carley Mae Foley was gifted from the minute she was born.
  
  She could read at two years old, she could paint as though she were a professional artist at seven, and could play the violin like a master.
  
  When a tornado made its way into Kiminee and took away her father, found her mother doing things she shouldn't be doing, and buried Carley under a chicken coop almost left for dead, the town was worried.
  
  THE KIMINEE DREAM has sweet characters, some complicated characters, some odd characters, and a lighthearted theme with drama of course and one big crime.
  
  Something was always going on in the town, and the reader is treated to multiple interesting story lines but has you wondering how they fit together. You will see that it all comes together in the end for a sweet read and all circling around to Kiminee.
  
  I enjoyed the small town aspect and how everyone pulled together when things got tough.
  
  The author's easy writing style made the book even more enjoyable.
  
  THE KIMINEE DREAM is a book you will want to read if you enjoy going back in time to a less complicated lifestyle and a little bit of magic.
  
  Enjoy if you read this book. 4/5
  
  This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews

  This historical novel is ultimately about family. Family may not always mean blood relatives, but those that you care about or care about you and your well-being. Families often fight and not get along, but overall they do care about each other.
  
  Carly Mae is a unique child and some might say a prodigy. Is it genetic or just a strange fluke of nature? All is going well in her family until a tornado twists its way through town and rips apart a family and town that might barely be held together.
  
  The book jumps around to different perspectives of the different characters. While the majority of the time it is from Carly Mae's perspective, there are times when it is from her mother, father, siblings, or other citizens of the town including Tam-Tam, one of the oldest residents of Kiminee. The book spans approximately ten years but there are some flashes to the past and certain situations that created some tension between people and it assists in setting up the current family dynamic and the mystery that lies within.
  
  The book has a mystical aspect to it as well. There is the field of Black-Eyed Susans that turn red at exactly 5:05 pm, the animals that seem to know who needs to be led to other characters, and just the interaction between everyone and their beliefs.
  
  I enjoyed being swept away between reality and fantasy. Of course, the mystery aspect had me wondering who was this young woman at the beginning of the book that disappeared? What was the feud between Missy and Tam-Tam about? What happened to Damon after the tornado? Why does Emily get sick every time she is in Kiminee? So many questions and all were answered at some point in the book. Some had heartwarming conclusions and others were sad but had an upbeat resolution. It was fascinating to see how each storyline came together by the end of the book.
  
  There were times when we would get a glimpse of what was happening with someone and I wanted to know more but had to wait until further in the book. Definitely teaser moments.
  
  Overall, an enjoyable story and we give it 3 1/2 paws up.
• 
  Sarah

  **review to come**
• 
  Jody ➡️ Blogs At Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense

  I appreciated the small-town 60s vibe and the multitude of characters, but for me, that was about it. The numerous storylines became perplexing and it began to drag on near the end of the book. This was a satisfactory debut, but an author with abundant potential.
  
  I would like to thank Laura for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
• 
  Zeljana

  I was provided with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
  
  This was a fun, whimsical novel with a splash of magical realism recalling Alice Hoffman or Laura Esquivel. The author titled this "love poem to Illinois disguised as a novel". You can feel the love she has for small-town America and its eccentric inhabitants. Interestingly, I got very strong southern vibes from this, and it was difficult for me to place this in Illinois (which I know very little about). The language is very poetic which from the onset set my expectations really high. Somewhere around the first 50 pages, I went on to research whether Laura McHale wrote anything else because I really liked her style.
  However, the latter part of the novel dragged on a bit, and I lost the satisfaction of reading which I had in the beginning.
  For me, this novel fell flat in the main story, which somewhere around the middle became very predictable. The many storylines didn't help, and at times it was difficult to remember who everyone was. I do think that a more inquisitive editor could've made this a much better experience.
  But, I can't seem to shake off the fuzzy, comfortable feeling I had while reading this. Like a childhood memory of summer when all the people we loved were there in one place.
  In that sense, Laura McHale Holland did a very good job.
• 
  Elle

  * Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. *
  
  There is a group of magical realism reads that tend to remind me of Sarah Addison Allen's work. Allen is a master of the original magical realism and anyone who can follow successfully in her footsteps can write a story I'll love to read. This book falls quite nicely into that camp. Built around a small town where magical things just seem to happen, The Kiminee Dream is a well-written novel with a lot packed into a nicely paced plot.
  
  Holland's writing is beautiful and lyrical, flowing easily and smoothly. It didn't take long for me to get wrapped up in the story and start falling in love with the town and its inhabitants. The entire story only took me two days to read, as caught up as I was in everything that was happening.
  
  Writing a magical realism novel well takes some real talent, melding the believable with the magical in a way that still feels natural. This is well done in this case. There is one small scene near the end of the book that I felt left the confines of what felt natural for the genre and the book, but beyond that everything just seemed to fall rightly into place. The progression of the plot makes sense while still remaining mysterious and intriguing.
  
  While I am more often drawn to a plot-driven novel, I also need reads where I can find myself interested in the characters. There was no short supply of interest in this case. The characters are clearly written with great care, with even minor characters having very distinct personalities and being built quite dynamically. This wonderful cast, combined with the magical elements that are sprinkled here and there, bring the small town to life and create a home base for this narrative that begs you to return. The true magic to a magcial realism read is having a town that makes you want to visit. Kiminee is that place. Even as the plot meanders here and there, gathering bits of story, there is always the anchor of Kiminee holding it all together and drawing the reader even more closely in. The multiple story lines build on one another and give great depth to the overall picture.
  
  The Kiminee Dream is incredibly imaginative, sometimes terribly heartbreaking, and full of magical whimsy. Highly recommend for those who love a magical realism tale built upon a charming town.
• 
  Nicola Hancock

  I absolutely love reading the prologue before the story and this simple introduction to the book got me immediately excited. Who was it that carried out the rape? The only way to know what simply to carry on reading.
  
  Carly Mae is an exceptional young child, born into the world, in the town of Kiminee. The book is a beautiful easy light hearted read and you adore Carly Mae from the moment you realise how talented she is.
  
  The story begins, you soon start to pin point the prologue to Velda without it being confirmed of course, Carly Maes mum. The descriptions of the devastation from a twister are so beautifully described. As the journey of Velda running away and Carly Mae’s life being handed over to Jasper. You just want to know more constantly. If your a dog lover you’ll sparkle at Carly Mae’s and busters friendship between human and dog. Not a mans best friend for a change but 100% a girls best friend.
  
  The chapters throughout aren’t too long making it exciting to read everytime a new chapter starts. This is a big hit for me considering how big the book is. The writing style is easy to follow and not complicated. The characters are sensational. I absolutely adore it touched on the moment Charley Mae was born and time hops in the the next few years. Sometimes when books do that you think you’ve missed out. But the author sums up everything wonderfully throughout. You don’t get lost at any point and there’s no need to re read paragraphs to make the information stick in.
  
  I absolutely loved this book so much and I really don’t want to give anything away. But do pick up this book it’s brilliant.
• 
  Grace J Reviewerlady

  I wasn't entirely sure what to expect with this one but found it to be a mystical, imaginative read.
  
  Kiminee, Illinois, is a town like no other. In this close knit community, magical things occur. Everyone knows everyone else and they all love Carly Rae, a young girl with never ending talents. When the town gets hit by a twister which whisks Carly Rae off, she is hurt and it affects everyone. Her father disappears at the same time and with no certainty as to what happened to him, her mother takes off leaving her and her twin siblings in the care of her grandmother and Buster, the one-eared dog who is Carly Rae's constant companion. But all is not well in the town, and old grudges rise to the surface causing the residents to be unsettled and, when a crime occurs, no one is really sure if the town can keep the closeness nurtured over the years.
  
  This is a splendid story, with lots happening. Beautifully written and easy to read it reminds me of fairy tales like Snow White and films like The Christmas Chronicles or Brigadoon. There is a whimsical air about this novel and it is a marvellous, entertaining read. I loved all the characters - the good and the bad; each one is fully developed and, I imagine, it took some planning to incorporate everyone without any slip-ups! A delightful, satisfying read with, in my opinion, the perfect cover given the content. A charming book and one I'm happy to give 4.5*.
  
  
• 
  Gina Mitchell

  This story is truly magical. I was hooked from the opening paragraphs and read it in one day.
  
  I loved the mysterious small town of Kiminee. The author creates a wondrous world with rich characters and believable but far-fetched escapades.
  
  One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “the past is the past; nothing can change it. All we can do is change how we feel about it.” This seems to be a lesson we can all learn.
  
  The residents of Kiminee are each enchanting, whether in a loveable or curmudgeonly way. Coming from a small town in Illinois myself, I know the power, good and bad, that towns like this carry. They truly can be magical. I appreciated the explanation at the beginning of the book on who the main players were. I referred to this several times while reading.
  
  The author is an extraordinary storyteller. This art seems to be rare in today’s world, where instant gratification is the norm. The slow-building of the story, the twists in the path, and how it all ties together in unexpected ways at the end make this one of the best books I’ve read in a while. I think it will stay with me for a long time, which is quite a tribute to the author and her words.
  
  I hope you give this amazing book a chance. It’s a rare gift to the reading world.
  
  This review was originally posted on ginaraemitchell.com.
  
  I received a copy of the book for an iRead Book Tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
• 
  Marilyn Wilson

  After finishing The Kiminee Dream I realized I wasn't sure exactly what to say in my review. First - I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. But beyond that I liked it, how do I give future readers an idea of what to expect? That is not easy.
  
  I am an avid reader of all kinds of genres, but the style of this book was unique in a very interesting way. The people inhabiting this small town, the animals, the flowers, the nature surrounding it, even the weather are all strongly connected. What happens - both positive and negative - affects every single part as if they are all part of a single organism. There is that hint of magic to this story, but in a way that is very subtle. Just one note.
  
  While the central character is Carly Mae Foley, we actually move between the perspectives of many of the characters that live within these pages. And the author manages that change of perspective beautifully. Many bad things happen to the people who live here, and there are some truly difficult flashbacks to the past, and yet that touch of magic softens the impact of these stories. And in the end the town, the surround flora and fauna, and all the characters find a way back to peace and a new solid, strong bond.
  
  A story of pain, past memories, the dynamics of a small town, connections and yes all touched with a big of magic.
• 
  Dawn Vogel

  (This review originally appeared at History That Never Was.)
  
  The Kiminee Dream by Laura McHale Holland is a surreal and beautiful slipstream novel about the inhabitants of a very unusual small town in Illinois.
  
  The novel primarily follows the story of Carly Mae from her birth (a momentous occasion for the town) through her early teen years. Along the way, she exhibits talents in a variety of fields, but encounters numerous setbacks that rob her of these talents. Throughout it all, though, she’s got friends and family helping her out, sometimes in unusual ways.
  
  This might seem like a normal sort of coming-of-age novel, but the town of Kiminee is anything but normal. The town itself is almost another character in the story, with a peculiar sort of personality. It, and its inhabitants, also hide many secrets, which come out over the course of the book.
  
  If you like a sort of slice-of-life story with surreal elements and beautiful prose, you may enjoy The Kiminee Dream!
  
  Content notes: sexual and physical assault are elements of the plot. While the former is not described with any detail, the latter is on occasions.
  
  The author provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for review consideration.
• 
  Cheryl

  I found this book to be a charming read. The townsfolk were interesting. There were many people to get to know. Not all of them good but most were. Some had secrets as well.
  
  I liked Carly Mae. This partly had to do with the fact that I was introduced to her in the beginning of the story. The first several chapters were a bit more focused on just a few characters, so, I got to form a bit of a bond with them. In regards, to all of the various characters in this book; I agree with other readers that there were a lot. Maybe too many or at least I would have liked the timing of them to be spaced out a bit more so that I could get to familiarize myself with who everyone was.
  
  I did untangle it all the further I got into the book. The latter half of the story was better. This is because by than I had everyone figured out and what their storylines were. So, I could just sit read and enjoy the story. I would try another book out from this author.
• 
  Olivia

  Laura McHale Holland makes a strong showing with her first novel. Her background as a short-story/flash fiction writer and oral storyteller is obvious in chapters that read like vignettes, following a large cast of characters in the magical town of Kiminee, Illinois, primarily in the 1960s. Their adventures flow and lap over each other, eventually coming together in moments of revelation. Even with all of those characters, I did not have a hard time keeping track of who was who. What I really appreciated about Holland's writing—what I always appreciate—is her ability to find lightness even when scenes get incredibly tense, dark, and dangerous. She's not afraid to put her characters into perilous situations, feet to the fire. The magic realism fits seamlessly in the telling.
• 
  Ann

  This is a great story with a hint of magic or fantasy. Kiminee, Illinois is a small town where everyone knows what's going on. When Carly Mae Foley is born the town knows she is something special. She could read by two, became a well know artist by 10 and is destined to greatness until a storm devastates the town. Carly is found unconscious under a shed and is in a coma for a long time. Her art sponsor moves her to Chicago with better hospitals and she does recover but her art and music careers are over. She moves back to Kiminee and lives a long life with lots of small town politics. This is a good story of family and friendships. The story is a fun read . I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
• 
  Virginia Winfield

  This is a tale of laughter, sadness and everything in between. The town of Kiminee, Illinois is a town with happy and sad people. It also is a town like other towns where there are many secrets that want to be told. This is a book about a town that seemed to revolve around what happened to one very talented young girl. Carly Mae Foley is a great character. This story revolves around her and her family and how they handle life’s challenges. The people of this town are great. I did not want to put this book down until I knew all the secrets. I received a copy of this book from ireadbooktour for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
• 
  Monique Mulligan

  The Kiminee Dream is a warm-hearted small-town tale filled with quirky characters. While it's charming and whimsical, it's not all light - there is plenty of shade cast on the characters and their personal journeys to give the story depth. And there's a nice element of mystery to keep the pages turning.
  
  For me, McHale Holland's lyrical prose was the standout aspect. She has a talent for poetic description that I really admired. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.
• 
  Joan Fernandez

  If you are in the mood for a psychedelic-colored fanciful romp that careens into reality and bounces out again, this novel will charm you. Each of the individuals living in Kiminee comes alive with loving, quirky whimsical detail. The story patiently stitches together the residents’ pasts so that mysteries gradually unravel even while tragedies strike. The book is a mix of magical realism and folklore and mystery where oddities are normal and the unexpected doesn’t disappoint!
  
• 
  Ann Philipp

  Laura Mchale Holland is a consummate story teller, and knows how to capture the essence of the human spirit. Her characters dance with magic and surprised me over and over again. The Kiminee Dream took me to a different place, yet somehow remained familiar and relatable. I thoroughly enjoyed this fun read, and strongly recommend it.
• 
  Misty

  THE KIMINEE DREAM by Laura McHale Holland made for quite the read. The magical feel of the book really drew me in, but it was the elements of mystery mixed in which held me tight as I simply needed to find out how things would end. While I enjoyed the whole book it was the ending of the book which was my favorite by far!
  
  
• 
  Rhiannon Johnson

  *review to come*