Assessment:

Plot: The grand plot may be of specific interest to those interested in Michigan history or farming, but the pace, tone, and characters create a storyline that is enjoyable for all.

Prose/Style: The Cut has simple and straightforward prose, but does not lack interest. Told in third-person, the story moves along at a mid-tempo pace and does not miss a beat on detail.

Originality: A love story wrapped in larger issues of the time is exactly what readers will find engaging. The format of the novel is familiar, but the depth in detail and historical depiction sets the book apart and makes for enjoyable reading.

Character Development/Execution: Main characters Lydia Cockrum and Alvin Price make up the fabric of this story. Readers will be swept up in their love story, their kindness, persistence, and realism. Secondary characters are fully realized and supportive of the plot and the worldbuilding.

Date Submitted: August 10, 2021