The Flower Of Grass by James Robinson
FICTION / Christian / General
ISBN: 978-0-8254-6286-3
$13.99 paperback
256 pages
JULY 2008 (Available)
I mentioned this book on my blog last August. When the publisher sent me an email with a description of this title, I knew I wanted to read it!
From Kregel:
“John Allen had come back to say goodbye. But he was too late; there would be no atonement.”
John Allen returns to his hometown after the death of his alcoholic, abusive father. He has been gone 16 years and has become a successful writer, but with major addiction problems of his own. Now he struggles to make amends with his careworn sister and dropout younger brother-and, perhaps, to pick up the pieces of his teenage love affair with Jessie.
But Jessie has grown tired of waiting for letters that ceased to come, and has married. At what cost might their love be rekindled.
An exquisitely written, passionate and thoughtful novel, this is a classic love story framing deeper themes of morality and passing time, the true nature of faith, and the delicate balance of human relationships.
I spent my Thanksgiving Day reading this novel. If you want a poetic read, then this book is for you. The author creates wonderful pictures with his words and as you read the scenes, you’ll find that James R. uses his creative imagination to make images that you’ll remember for a long time.
John Allen returns home for his father’s funeral. However, he’s arrived too late, and his dad has already been buried. John, his maimed brother Joey, and his older sister Maggie still suffer from the emotional scars caused by their father’s abuse. John moves into his father’s cabin, hoping the peace and solitude will help him to pen another novel. Instead, he battles with his alcoholism as he struggles with his actions concerning Jessie, his former sweetheart.
Jessie has grown tired of waiting for John over the years, and has since married. When John comes back to town, she struggles with his unexpected meeting invitation. John’s reappearance wreaks havoc in Jessie’s life as her husband, Tuck, feels threatened by John’s homecoming.
This was a beautifully written emotional read. I especially loved the conflicts in this novel.