Thursday, January 11, 2018

PERENNIALS, by Julie Cantrell



This is a novel, a work of fiction. It is written in the Christian genre. Julie Cantrell begins her book with a Prologue. She spreads her actual content, the novel's material, across 34 chapters. She ends with a brief Author Note, Acknowledgements, and Discussion Questions. These questions seem to be intended for group discussion because of the title. The author wraps it all up with Activity Sparks which are ideas from the book meant to inspire activity and an author bio. Julie Cantrell has written multiple novels that have won awards, such as Christy Award and the Carol Award. She is currently a finalist for many literary awards, including the Southern Book Prize.

This book is a wholesome book and not heavy on theology. That is what I expected. And because of the subject matter, I found it fascinating and read it in only a few sittings. This book begins with a horrific tragedy that results in an estranged family relationship. Many Christian novels are rather boring and predictable. There is at least one conversion at the end. This book has bittersweet endings. It ends with two tragedies. The estranged sisters have some something of a reconciliation. But it is not a full reconciliation. And their partial reconciliation happens only near the end of the book. And the reconciliation is rather one-sided. While I found this ending rather disappointing, I know that this is how life works. Life is full of disappointments. And not all issues or sins get fully resolved, even in this life. And so this novel is true to life and realistic while it is also optimistic.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a wholesome novel and an alternative to the steamy, sexy novels that are so available. We need more youth versions of books like this.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review of this book. I wasn't required to give a favorable review of this book.

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