Jacob Have I Loved

A Newbery Award Winner

By: Katherine Paterson

Narrated by: Moira Kelly

Katherine Paterson's remarkable Newbery Medal-winning classic about a painful sibling rivalry, and one sister’s struggle to make her own way, is an honest and daring portrayal of adolescence and coming of age.

A strong choice for independent reading, both for summer reading and homeschooling, as well as in the classroom, Jacob Have I Loved has been lauded as a cornerstone young adult novel and was ranked among the all-time best children's novels in a survey published by School Library Journal.

""Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated . . ."" With her grandmother's taunt, Louise knew that she, like the biblical Esau, was the despised elder twin. Caroline, her selfish younger sister, was the one everyone loved.

Growing up on a tiny Chesapeake Bay island, angry Louise reveals how Caroline has robbed her of everything: her hopes for schooling, her friends, her mother, even her name. While everyone pampers Caroline, Wheeze (her sister's name for her) begins to learn the ways of the watermen and the secrets of the island, especially of old Captain Wallace, who has mysteriously returned after fifty years.

The war unexpectedly gives this independent girl a chance to fulfill her dream to work on the water alongside her father. But the dream does not satisfy the woman she is becoming. Alone and unsure, Louise begins to fight her way to a place for herself outside her sister's shadow. But in order to do that, she must first figure out who she is...

I remember this book from my school days.

I remember this book from my school days. I enjoyed reading it a gain. Moira Kelly did a beautiful job reading it. I highly recommend this audiobook.

Stunningly Beautiful Prose

I read this book years ago, always planning to return to it. Audible was the perfect resource. Paterson's stunning prose so wonderfully brought to life through narration.

Good

It was a nice read. Nothing amazing but enjoyable and makes you ponder a bit.

Slow to Capture Me

The storyline was a bit slow in keeping my attention, but staying with it, the plot thickened and kept my interest. By the near end of the work, I was invested, only for it to quickly wrap up as it did.
I grasped the title’s symbolism and meaning well enough, however would have appreciated a more dramatic style in getting it done. I like time pieces, so WWII era is always good with plenty to choose from wartime rationing to awaiting the troops to come home to the uncertainty of global conflict.
I am glad I read it although did not connect with it as I did the author’s other work, “Bridge to Terabithia”.

One of my favorite young adult books ever!

I love this story of feeling overlooked and forgotten by God, then realizing he has a plan for you all along.