Under This Unbroken Sky by Shandi Mitchell

From the Publisher:

Spring 1938. After nearly two years in prison for the crime of stealing his own grain. Ukrainian immigrant Teodor Mykolayenko is a free man. While he was gone, his wife, Maria, their five children, and his sister, Anna, struggled to survive on the harsh northern Canadian prairie, but now Teodor-a man who has overcome drought, starvation, and Stalin's purges-is determined to make a better life for them. As he tirelessly clears the untamed land, Teodor begins to heal himself and his children. But the family's hopes and new found happiness are short-lived. Anna's rogue husband, the arrogant and scheming Stefan, unexpectedly returns, stirring up rancor and discord that will end in violence and tragedy.

My Brief Thoughts:

I had this book lying around for a few weeks before I picked it up. Once I did I was ashamed of myself for waiting as long as I did. I found it to be beautifully written. Each word was chosen with care in order to express exactly what it was the author chose for us to know or understand. I could clearly picture in my mind how it would be to live on the Canadian Prairie, how much strength and will one needed to posses to survive.

As far as the story itself I found it to riveting. The family dynamics were well fleshed out and thoroughly developed. Watching a family turn on itself was believable and horrible to witness. The ending horrified me for no matter how bad things got, I never thought it would end in death.

I encourage anyone and everyone to read this piece of art. It will be well worth the time.