This
is a touching novel about a small family during the Vietnam War
years. The book is character driven, seen through the eyes of the
daughter Annie, a recent high school graduate. The story centers
around changes in family dynamics as Annie's older brother, Mike,
decides to enlist in the Army instead of wait for his draft notice.
The
effect of war on a family is a strong issue in the novel. Annie and
Mike's father had been in the Korean War. Upon his return, he was
unstable and abandoned the family. Mike had become the responsible
man in the family and now he was leaving for war. We see how Annie,
her mother and younger brother deal with the change. Through a series
of events, the father is back in the picture after being gone over a
decade. Another part of the novel is how the family members react to
him.
The
plot was a tad bit predictable. There is no suspense. There are no
surprises. There is some romance with Annie but I found it a little
puzzling and unsettled. The strength of the novel comes from
Finkbeiner's writing style. Her work is a pleasure to read. This is a
book for readers who would enjoy a novel centering on family
relationships in troubled times.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
Susie
Finkbeiner is a CBA bestselling author. She serves on the Breathe
Christian Writers Conference planning committee and volunteers her time
at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She speaks at retreats
and women's events across the state. She and her husband have three
children and live in West Michigan. Photo credit: Bree Rose Photos.
Revell,
448 pages.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My
comments are an independent and honest review.
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