This week, CFBA is introducing The Messenger by Siri Mitchell.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Hannah Sunderland felt content in her embrace of the Quaker faith
...until her twin brother ran off and joined the army and ended up captured and in jail. Suddenly Hannah's world turns on end. She longs to bring her brother some measure of comfort in the squalid, frigid prison where he remains. But the Quakers believe they are not to take sides, not to take up arms. Can she sit by and do nothing while he suffers?
Jeremiah Jones has an enormous task before him. Responsibility for a spy ring is now his, and he desperately needs access to the men in prison, whom they are seeking to free. A possible solution is to garner a pass for Hannah. But while she is fine to the eye, she holds only disdain for him--and agreeing would mean disobeying those she loves and abandoning a bedrock of her faith.
With skill and sensitivity, Mitchell tells a story of two unlikely heroes seeking God's voice, finding the courage to act, and discovering the powerful embrace of love.
MY THOUGHTS:
I have so many
books to read, that as soon as I finish one, the next book is usually started within a few hours. Sometimes it can be hard to change gears to the new book when my mind is still on the old one.
I’m afraid that happened with The Messenger.
I just finished The Sweetest Thing by Elizabeth Musser (very good, by the way), which is set in the Depression era. Musser’s book is written in the first person with two main characters that each writes every other chapter – or sometimes switching perspectives several times within a chapter.
Siri wrote The Messenger the same way – in the first person with two main characters that each writes every other chapter.
I just had a hard time focusing on the story, after finishing such a similarly different (?!?) book!
Add to the fact that the time period was so different – colonial America/Revolutionary War AND that our main lady is a Quaker. The ‘Friends’ spoke a bit differently, saying ‘thee’ instead of ‘you.’ I use the KJV, so I have no problem with thee’s and thou’s; however this felt odd, as ‘thee’ seemed to be the only different form of speech while everything else is ‘normal.’
The plot sounds great, and I have enjoyed Siri’s books in the past. I just couldn’t get past the first 5 chapters and into this story! I believe if I pick it up again during a lull, I’ll be able to finish and enjoy it. I'll update my review when I do!
If you’ve read it, I’d be interested in knowing your thoughts!
AND FOR YOU, a peek into the book:
The Messenger
Thank you to Siri and Bethany House through CFBA for sending me a review copy!
**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**
