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Joleen's Reviews > The Widow of Larkspur Inn
The Widow of Larkspur Inn (Gresham Chronicles, #1)
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Oh, where do I begin? This has been one of my favorite books lately. I was enjoying it so much and just getting into all the characters, thinking a plot twist was coming and it would be ending soon, when I thought to see how far along in the book I was. To my surprise, my kindle said I'd only read less than 25%. I was DELIGHTED. Usually when that happens I think to myself, "Ugh, you mean I have to suffer with 75% more of this book?"
Character after character was introduced, but the development of each character was done so well that it wasn't overpowering. Rather it was like you were becoming familiar with friends: some you like right away, and some you have to learn a lot more about before you trust yourself to like them... Just like in our own lives.
There is so much to this book to give an adequate synopsis, and I'm sure others have given decent story details to satisfy, so I won't go into it.
I love when a book can tell stories about how someone grows in their own heart and we are allowed to learn from their process without the author preaching. I'm a Christian through and through, so it's not that I don't want to learn more about my faith or how God works in others lives. But far too many authors I've read lately give little thought to the actual plot, or characters, or even the reader's enjoyment. Instead they become preachers in their novel, and the art of good writing is lost. Ms. Blackwell, however, teaches plenty without losing that art. She weaves these beautiful theological, apologetical truths into the musings, the discussions and even the mishaps of nearly all the characters.
Oh, not exactly a spoiler, but there is one character I learned the most from, and it wasn't the vicar. It was the actor who suffered from something akin to bipolar disorder, who, through his reasonings and impressive conclusions I learned the most.
I have never read anything by this author until this book, but I fully intend to read many more after this. This is one book and one author I will not forget. Bravo!
Character after character was introduced, but the development of each character was done so well that it wasn't overpowering. Rather it was like you were becoming familiar with friends: some you like right away, and some you have to learn a lot more about before you trust yourself to like them... Just like in our own lives.
There is so much to this book to give an adequate synopsis, and I'm sure others have given decent story details to satisfy, so I won't go into it.
I love when a book can tell stories about how someone grows in their own heart and we are allowed to learn from their process without the author preaching. I'm a Christian through and through, so it's not that I don't want to learn more about my faith or how God works in others lives. But far too many authors I've read lately give little thought to the actual plot, or characters, or even the reader's enjoyment. Instead they become preachers in their novel, and the art of good writing is lost. Ms. Blackwell, however, teaches plenty without losing that art. She weaves these beautiful theological, apologetical truths into the musings, the discussions and even the mishaps of nearly all the characters.
Oh, not exactly a spoiler, but there is one character I learned the most from, and it wasn't the vicar. It was the actor who suffered from something akin to bipolar disorder, who, through his reasonings and impressive conclusions I learned the most.
I have never read anything by this author until this book, but I fully intend to read many more after this. This is one book and one author I will not forget. Bravo!
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The Widow of Larkspur Inn.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
January 18, 2013
–
Finished Reading
March 26, 2013
– Shelved
February 4, 2017
– Shelved as:
boarding-house
Comments Showing 1-3 of 3 (3 new)
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by
Marlene
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rated it 4 stars
Aug 12, 2017 06:41PM
I just hopped over here to see whether you've tried this author. My GR friend Kav, who writes reviews which are worthy of book blurbs compared book two to a Jan Karon novel, so I wanted to recommend Blackwell to you if it looked like you have read her works. And look at that - you like it!! 😃
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haven't. haven't read her works. :-)
Ha! Yes, I've read a few of her books. They're all a bit long, but they always keep my interest. She has one of the best character development abilities I've ever enjoyed.I never thought of her as Jan Karon-esque, but I guess the way she makes you want to be friends with everyone in her books is similar, now that I think of it.
This had to be one of my first Goodreads reviews. I more or less just rated books before this.
