The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck January 5th 2010 by Thomas Nelson
Hardcover, 311 Pages
Borrowed- Compliments from Library
Book Synopsis
A redemptive story from multi-platinum recording artist Sara Evans.
Jade Fitzgerald left the pain of her past in the dust when she headed out for college a decade ago. Now she's thriving in her career and glowing in the light of Max Benson's love. But then Jade's hippie mother, Beryl Hill, arrives in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee, for Jade's wedding along with Willow, her wild younger sister. Their arrival forces Jade to throw open the dark closets of her past--the insecurity of living with a restless, wandering mother, the silence of her absent father, and the heart-ripping pain of first-love's rejection. Turns out Beryl has a secret of her own. She needs reconciliation with her oldest daughter before illness takes her life. In the final days leading to the wedding, Jade meets the One who shows her that the past has no hold on her future. With a little grace, they'll meet in the middle, maybe even before that sweet by and by......(Goodreads)
My thoughts:
The Sweet By and By is this months Christian Fiction Book Club selection hosted by Juju at Tales of Whimsy and is discussed by many bloggers who love CF books. My take on The Sweet is not so sweet, while I loved the cover, the redemption aspect to the story, I felt while reading it no draw to the main character Jade. Perhaps it was her overall disconnect from life, her family and living daily in her past mistake which made her feel outside of the story. When I cant emotionally connect with the protagonist I have a very hard time connecting to the book as a whole. Although the novel shifts between Jade and her mother, I found this novel far from charming, I guess the lightness or tone of the novel didn't work for me considering the seriousness of Jade's past. Granted the writing was lovely in a simple way and I found some aspects fun, like the wedding and vintage shop scenes, overall though it just wasn't for me. Some readers out there will love the lightness and breezy attitudes The Sweet By and By has to offer and I would recommend this to anyone who likes the lighter tone novel of serious situations.
Rating
Suitable to most readers and remains wholesome. Content includes: Dialog on abortion, sexual relationships, family drama, drug use, grief and depression.
Book Club Discussion Question:
1. In the opening scene, Jade struggles with sending a wedding invitation to her mother. A deep wound has distanced them. Have you or anyone you've been close to struggled with inviting a parent to a personal and family-oriented event? Is there ever any benefit to not inviting a parent to a child's wedding? Is there a benefit to putting the hurt aside for the day?
Ok- this is a pretty personal question.....I will answer by saying I think everyone has that someone in their family that makes things or situations hard to deal with. There is a member in my extended family who does drugs and I don't want this person anywhere near my kids. Its hard because I want to show them that they are worth it and that their life is worth fighting for, but at the same time I don't want their drugs, behavior or thieving fingers near me or my property. The benefit not inviting this person to family events is the safety of all our wallets. On the other hand though when this family member does come to events we as a family can practice letting go of past hurt, the anger of being stolen from and try to show this person forgiveness and plant seeds of hope.
I had the same issues with Jade. Not only was I unable to relate but I found her so unlikeable.
ReplyDeleteThe only people she was real with was her college buddies and we didn't get to see enough of that relationship.
Great review!
I am SO thrilled your participated.
I agree with you on your discussion question. It is personal and drugs and thieving hands is an awful thing to invite near you. I agree that everyone has someone they'd rather not be near in their family. I remember my sister in law put bricks in her gift card/money basket so one of her friends that is prone to stealing couldn't walk away with it.
Tina have you read any of Rachel Hauck's other books? I found the tone of this book to be heavier than her usual. I don't remember thinking it was light toned at all. But you know what's funny? I usually don't like women's fiction. LOL. I always think there's too much drama. And I really liked this one. Maybe the tone really was lighter (but heavier than what I'm used to) and that's why I liked it?
ReplyDeleteIts funny to see so many different reactions to this book, I think I read so many intense novels this one seemed very light to me.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it was difficult to connect with Jade. I could learn from her overall situation but didn't find her charming. I wasn't invested in what happened to her! . . . And I can relate to your situation with the difficult family member. Ours is no longer with us--but he was an addict and a user and stole from all of us. It was always a struggle to walk that line between reaching out and enabling. I'm glad you never put your kids in danger--I don't believe God would ever expect that! But finding little ways to show them they're worth something is worth the effort. At least my heart is at peace that I tried!
ReplyDeleteRenee Ann: Awesome point! It is a fine line between reaching and enabling.
ReplyDeleteJoy: I have the same issue with women's fiction ;)
I think we all have come to a consensus that Jade doesn't exactly earn the name "heroine." I saw her more as a main character because she plays the "woe is me" card too often. Thank you for answering the discussion question with such honesty. I can think of a few extended family members that I would be tempted to omit from guest lists. Unfortunately, you sometimes have to protect yourself emotionally from family members. That doesn't mean I don't love them, but I can only take them in small doses or I will give myself an ulcer LOL!
ReplyDeletePerfectly Imperfect: Amen to that ;)
ReplyDelete