Brenda's Reviews > The Sojourner

“But a good man would never choose the evil.” “No. He compromises, Jan. Or he does nothing. Sometimes he only says nothing. He could have put up a small barrier, but he leaves the way clear for the evil to move in.” The boy nodded. ...

When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure if I would be able to finish it. I too had a mother who adored my older sister and treated me like a nothing. It was as if I went through life wearing a badge (that I didn't earn) that announced that I was unlovable and an irritation. So I commiserated with Ase. But I must say I think he perservered in the best way he knew how. He learned and coped, yet there were deep heartaches that he reflected on towards the end of his life.

Good people came into his life and helped guide and mold him. Although, he didn't quite learn to verbalize what he needed to express - especially as a father. I couldn't quite figure out Nellie (although I wish I could cook and keep house the way she did). She was a good wife to Ase but I don't think she really loved him.

I don't want to write too much and give away the story. So much of it seems allegorical but I don't know that I'm smart enough to decipher it all. This would be a great book to read for Book Club... so much to discuss. The writing was superb - the story flowed and the setting and the characters came to life for me. I even dreamed about Uncle Benjamin one night (note to self: get a Real Life). I would highly recommend reading this.

This old hymn kept going through my mind as I read this story:

This world is not my home
I'm just a passin' through
My treasures are laid up
Somewhere beyond the blue.

Somehow I think Ase has found his treasures.