City of Tranquil Light by Bo Caldwell
September 2010 by Henry Holt and Co.
September 2010 by Henry Holt and Co.
Hardcover, 304 Pages
Review Copy
Book Synopsis
Will Kiehn is seemingly destined for life as a humble farmer in the Midwest when, having felt a call from God, he travels to the vast North China Plain in the early twentieth-century. There he is surprised by love and weds a strong and determined fellow missionary, Katherine. They soon find themselves witnesses to the crumbling of a more than two-thousand-year-old dynasty that plunges the country into decades of civil war. As the couple works to improve the lives of the people of Kuang P'ing Ch'eng— City of Tranquil Light, a place they come to love—and face incredible hardship, will their faith and relationship be enough to sustain them? (Goodreads)
Review
I’ve always wondered what it takes for a person to truly be called to leave their home, family and country behind to help spread the word of ones faith. Going into another culture, traditions and settings seem overwhelming to even think about. I found Will and Katherine’s story touching, romantic and brave.
The couple meet, fall in love and marry in North China while doing missionary work. Their life there sets the tone of this fictional story based on real life events of the authors grandparents. Will a missionary preacher and Katherine a nurse tell their story through past and present, the novel go’s back and forth between Will’s memories as an older man and Katherine’s journal of the events taking place. Together they are there for twenty some years and create friendships, build bonds in the community, face hardships including famine, illness and the horrors of war.
Besides the beautiful love story that unfolds for the reader, Caldwell also shined a bright light on the Mennonite religion (which I knew little about) and the aspects of missionary work in China during the early twentieth century. Faith and religion is what drives the missionary’s to China but the book truly focuses on love. Love of marriage, love of community and overall how much you would or will sacrifice in the face of tragedy. Most touching for me was how the community grew to love and care for these missionaries and welcomed them into their homes and hearts. Even as an old man back in the USA, Will feels his true home is China and even with the ending of their work there he would go back in a heartbeat. Beautifully written with honesty, tenderness and in your face boldness. I’m pleasantly surprised in the great treasure I found in Will and Katherine’s story.
Rating
City of Tranquil Light touches on missionary work, violence, death, depression, faith issues and Chinese culture. Remains a wholesome read and has a few adult subjects. Recommended to most readers and especially to those who love historical fiction, romance or Christian Fiction.
4/5- Christian-Fiction- Historical Romance-China
Special thanks to Audra Jennings, Senior Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.
Part of The First Wild Card Tours. If you would like to read the first chapter of City of Tranquil Light, get author info or find out more about First go HERE.
Sounds enlightening :) I love the beautiful cover too.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to get more into faith and Christian stories, so I'm adding this to my list. Great review, Tina :)
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