Valerie M. (pacific-princess) reviewed The Homecoming of Samuel Lake: A Novel on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
It took me awhile to settle down and read this book. I suspected from the start that it would break my heart. It is amazingly written and so easy to fall into the world this novel creates. The character development is incredible and the story will keep you turning pages way past bedtime.
I read THE HOMECOMING OF SAMUEL LAKE for the May 2015 pick in my online book club, The Reading Cove.
I thought it was a surprisingly dark Southern tale set in 1950s Arkansas that left a rather bitter taste in my mouth by the end.
The title hints at the uplifting religious theme that takes center stage by the end as you witness events of vicious abuse, manipulation, rape and murder. Not to mention one of the most heinous, unredeemable characters every written...and that's no exaggeration!
So in the end, the writing was good, the setting brought vividly to life, and I did enjoy it overall...however I'm not sure how quickly I'd want to read another book from the author. B-.
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*: (= :) :*
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I thought it was a surprisingly dark Southern tale set in 1950s Arkansas that left a rather bitter taste in my mouth by the end.
The title hints at the uplifting religious theme that takes center stage by the end as you witness events of vicious abuse, manipulation, rape and murder. Not to mention one of the most heinous, unredeemable characters every written...and that's no exaggeration!
So in the end, the writing was good, the setting brought vividly to life, and I did enjoy it overall...however I'm not sure how quickly I'd want to read another book from the author. B-.
::: (\_(\
*: (= :) :*
.. (,()()¤°.¸¸.´¯`»
Check out the full review on Kritters Ramblings
What I would describe as Southern fiction which has heart and soul, but for me it didn't go far. Set in a family that starts with crisis and ends with crisis the middle dragged a bit. Swan Lake is the daughter of Willadee and Samuel and as she attends the yearly family reunion, tragedy strikes, and her family must help pick up the pieces. They stay in town for many reasons and life goes on until another tragedy occurs - I may sound vague, but if this book is your thing, I can not ruin it for you.
What I would describe as Southern fiction which has heart and soul, but for me it didn't go far. Set in a family that starts with crisis and ends with crisis the middle dragged a bit. Swan Lake is the daughter of Willadee and Samuel and as she attends the yearly family reunion, tragedy strikes, and her family must help pick up the pieces. They stay in town for many reasons and life goes on until another tragedy occurs - I may sound vague, but if this book is your thing, I can not ruin it for you.
