I want to share a review of Ruth White’s A Month of Sundays. I like the tone of this book.
April Garnet Rose is unhappy when her mother leaves her with her with Aunt June and heads to Florida in search of work. At fifteen, Garnet has never met her father, August, or the rest of his family, but she slowly gets close to everyone, especially Aunt June as they travel to different churches each Sunday in search of God. One Sunday, Garnet meets Silver, a reluctant youth minister. They connect instantly while sorting feelings about their mothers.
White has captured the wonder, skepticism, and excitement of discovering loved ones for the first time while ferociously holding on to the ones you have known all along. The rural area of Black Rock, Virginia, filled with nosey neighbors, good food, and family time watching television stations that “sign off” at night, gives the novel a “homey” and simple tone all while dealing with complex “contemporary” issues: abandonment, first love, illness, and death. It is not until the end that White seems to force plot points, particularly concerning the fate of Garnet’s first love, Silver. Fans of quaint, historical settings, strong characters faced with difficult decisions, and love conquers all themes will enjoy this book.
KaaVonia Hinton, VOYA, 34(4), Oct., 2011
April Garnet Rose is unhappy when her mother leaves her with her with Aunt June and heads to Florida in search of work. At fifteen, Garnet has never met her father, August, or the rest of his family, but she slowly gets close to everyone, especially Aunt June as they travel to different churches each Sunday in search of God. One Sunday, Garnet meets Silver, a reluctant youth minister. They connect instantly while sorting feelings about their mothers.
White has captured the wonder, skepticism, and excitement of discovering loved ones for the first time while ferociously holding on to the ones you have known all along. The rural area of Black Rock, Virginia, filled with nosey neighbors, good food, and family time watching television stations that “sign off” at night, gives the novel a “homey” and simple tone all while dealing with complex “contemporary” issues: abandonment, first love, illness, and death. It is not until the end that White seems to force plot points, particularly concerning the fate of Garnet’s first love, Silver. Fans of quaint, historical settings, strong characters faced with difficult decisions, and love conquers all themes will enjoy this book.
KaaVonia Hinton, VOYA, 34(4), Oct., 2011
