Accolades again to Barbara Whittington for her ability to create
stories from the small-town ordinary lives of people. Between these Ezra
stories and Vada Faith, she has put Putnam County, WV on the global
map.
Again, as in Vada Faith, her attention to detail pervades (and adds humor) and can be seen in some of the small-town anchors: McDonald's Big Macs, K-Mart, and the jobs people get at them after high school. The reader also observes much of the brokenness people must live with (marriages ended, parents leaving kids behind, marriages brought about by odd circumstances--like marrying to cover a potential pregnancy). I never thought a funeral parlor man would be found sexy.
Three powerful stories are the opening one ("Mabel") with the historical investigation of a life through belongings, "Delphine and Rainelle," and "Ezra." The author may have positioned them in that order for emphasis. All of the stories are good. They all take the plain people and show the complexity, the value of each. Rainelle doesn't know how to--or refuses to--come in from the rain.
In all of these stories, the reader is left wanting to bless the unfortunate, the ill, the person who has not realized goals in life. After reading "Ezra," the reader is left to ponder his or her own destiny and to wonder about those last moments of life when the heart of a loved one gives out. The reader longs to be reunited with loved ones and to hope for heaven, despite the occasional evangelist who may have us in his pocket.
Again, as in Vada Faith, her attention to detail pervades (and adds humor) and can be seen in some of the small-town anchors: McDonald's Big Macs, K-Mart, and the jobs people get at them after high school. The reader also observes much of the brokenness people must live with (marriages ended, parents leaving kids behind, marriages brought about by odd circumstances--like marrying to cover a potential pregnancy). I never thought a funeral parlor man would be found sexy.
Three powerful stories are the opening one ("Mabel") with the historical investigation of a life through belongings, "Delphine and Rainelle," and "Ezra." The author may have positioned them in that order for emphasis. All of the stories are good. They all take the plain people and show the complexity, the value of each. Rainelle doesn't know how to--or refuses to--come in from the rain.
In all of these stories, the reader is left wanting to bless the unfortunate, the ill, the person who has not realized goals in life. After reading "Ezra," the reader is left to ponder his or her own destiny and to wonder about those last moments of life when the heart of a loved one gives out. The reader longs to be reunited with loved ones and to hope for heaven, despite the occasional evangelist who may have us in his pocket.
Author, Barbara A. Whittington
Congrats on a wonderful and very deserved awesome book review! I'm on the third story and I have enjoyed reading every word. I feel like I know these characters and can see bits and pieces of people I know or have met in my life. (and I'm from Chicago!) I'll finish the book this weekend and give a review of my own...not that it carries as much weight as this one does! I hope others take advantage of the free offer to get this book.
ReplyDeleteYour review means so much to me, Yaya. Each review believe it or not helps sell books. So does giving books away free. Word of mouth still works.
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled you like the book and recognize some of the human characteristics that I believe we all have, regardless of our class or race etc.
Blessings!
Plus, Tom was great to do this for me. He's a poet and a good one!
HI BARB!! I just wanted to leave you a note and thank you for stopping by and commenting on my blog! I found no other way than here, leaving a comment, to contact you, Hope here is ok :) for thanking you. Though I love quilting and stitching, I love the written word also, and love to read your stories.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new book, and I will go check it out!
Well done Barb, I will definitely have to read your new book.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very exciting review-Congrats! Have a great week:@)
ReplyDeleteThis is so wonderful, and so deserved...So proud of you
ReplyDeleteAunt Bobbie, but then I have always known you were special!!
Hi, Barbara...I'm bj from Sweet Nothings. I am not sure how I got here but....I'm surely glad I did. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice review ....I know this kind of writing about you and your talent must thrill you each and every time. Congratulations.:)
I just linked up to follow you. Hope you will come by sometime.
This is such a nice, meaningful review, as well as a deserving review. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the review, Barbara. I've read some of the stories and they are very good. You are a very talented writer.
ReplyDeleteI finished Ezra and really enjoyed it. You are very talented and this review proves what I always thought! I enjoyed Vada too! Great review!
ReplyDeleteThrilled that you read.. If and when you have time and I do know you work, I would be delighted if you would leave a review, just brief, for my books. It really helps them sell on Amazon. So appreciate. Thanks much yaya.
ReplyDeleteBarb