The Homecoming of Samuel Lake: A Novel by Jenny Wingfield
Synopsis from Goodreads: Every first Sunday in June, members
of the Moses clan gather for an annual reunion at a sprawling hundred-acre farm
in Arkansas. And every year, Samuel Lake, a vibrant and committed young
preacher, brings his beloved wife, Willadee Moses, and their three children
back for the festivities. In the midst of it all, Samuel and Willadee’s
outspoken eleven-year-old daughter, Swan, is a bright light. Her high spirits
and fearlessness have alternately seduced and bedeviled three generations of
the family. But just as the reunion is getting under way, tragedy strikes,
jolting the family to their core and setting the stage for a summer of crisis
and profound change.
With the clear-eyed wisdom that illuminates the most
tragic—and triumphant—aspects of human nature, Jenny Wingfield has created an
enduring work of fiction.
My Review:
What a beautiful family story! I fell completely and totally
in love with the Moses-Lake family, through all their hard times and happiness
this story touched my heart it made me feel every emotion. Yes I cried a few
times but the way they handle the hardships will make you want to be part of
this family and never leave them. I was sad when this book ended.
Swan Lake the young heroine of our story will grab your heart
so fast you won’t be able to quit reading. I also loved that the Lake marriage
was a strong one and they were a wonderfully loving family. Also little Blade
Ballenger will have you wanting to rescue him too you will find yourself
wanting to plan right along with the Lake children. Blade’s father Ras
otherwise known as Satan’s Son is so despicable in the way he treats everyone
and everything.
If you can’t tell already I absolutely loved this book and
it will be on my best of 2012 list for sure. This book is Southern Fiction at
its best.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
“Moses Never Closes was something folks counted on. It was a
certain place in an uncertain world. Folks wanted it to stay the way it was,
because once you change one part of a thing, all the other parts begin to
shift, and pretty soon, you just don’t know what’s what anymore.”
“And she knew Life well enough to know that if one person in
a house gets really miserable for any length of time, the misery spreads like
smallpox.”
That last quote is from grandma Calla who has been through
so many hardships of her own but knows you have to put on foot in front of the
other and go on living life. Uncle Toy was also a favorite character the way
his character grows throughout this book is amazing.
Oh heck have I convinced you to read this yet?? This book is
a must read! Go on you too will fall in love with this family!
5 Stars
