Gabrielle
is fifteen when her parents are killed in a tragic automobile
accident. Her parents had designated in their will that she should be
taken care of by her aunt and uncle. So Gabrielle is taken from her
Chicago home to live on a ranch in North Dakota. The novel then takes
us through about the next twelve years of Gabrielle's life.
I
was not captured by this novel. Granted, it is youth fiction. That
might account for the simplicity of the writing style. I had the
feeling as I was reading this novel that I was reading about
someone's life, not actually being invited to take part in the
unfolding of that life. I never felt like I was right there with
Gabrielle, experiencing her struggles and changes. The writing is
uneven and at times I was just bored and, had I not agreed to review
this book, I would not have finished it.
Themes
in this coming of age story include the importance of music, both as
an expression of emotion and as a tool for healing emotions. There is
also a strong theme of forgiveness. While most of the characters are
strong Christians with faith essential to the novel, there is one
character who is not and he swears once. It surprised me to see that
in a youth novel, but the expression fit the scene and I was not
offended.
Laurel
Woiwode is a graduate of Jamestown College, earning BAs in English
and History. She works with ESL students, writes movie reviews, and
works on writing and editing projects. She grew up in rural North
Dakota. This, I think, is her first novel.
Crossway,
176 pages.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for
the purpose of this review.
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