All That We Carried

November 9, 2020
Bartels (The Words Between Us) introduces estranged sisters Olivia and Melissa in this touching story set in rural Michigan. A decade ago, the sisters were hiking when their parents were killed in a car accident, and Olivia was further devastated to learn Justin, her best friend since grade school, was driving the car that hit her parents. While Olivia refused to forgive Justin, Melissa and Justin found peace and comfort in each other, and their bond deepened as Olivia’s anger and bitterness grew. In hopes of mending things with her sister, Melissa convinces Olivia to go on a hike together, just like they did on that fateful day. However, as they pick through their vastly different world views while hiking, the rift between them only grows: Olivia believes in nothing spiritual and rejects God or any higher power, while Melissa takes what suits her from many different belief systems. Just as emotions are running high and they fear they’ve gotten lost, they meet Josh, a fisherman who tries to get the sisters back on track in more ways than one. Bartels leaves subtle clues alluding to the possibility Josh may not be just an average fisherman. This subdued tale of learning to forgive is Bartels’s best yet.

Starred review from December 1, 2020

Sisters with opposite personalities embark on a strenuous hike through Michigan's Porcupine Mountains in an attempt to reconnect after years apart owing to a family tragedy. Olivia Greene is a successful prosecutor and believes in nothing but her own abilities, while her sister, Melanie, is a social media guru who believes a little bit of every philosophy and religion under the sun. Their bonding hike starts out badly in a rainstorm, and the sisters encounter one mishap after another as they try desperately to rekindle the camaraderie of their childhood. Bereft of modern conveniences, each woman discovers truths about herself, but they must still find the courage to face the past and accept forgiveness. As each reaches the end of her rope, a mysterious stranger named Josh opens their eyes to the possibility of miracles. VERDICT In a modern-day tale of Martha and Mary, Bartels (We Hope for Better Things) proves herself a master wordsmith and storyteller. Fans of Rachel Hauck and David Rawlings will appreciate hints of a world beyond our own, and anyone with sisters will relate to Olivia and Melanie's tumultuous relationship.--Christine Barth, Scott Cty. Lib. Syst., IA

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