When I got offered to review this book I automatically thought it would be something my wife would enjoy and like to read. She loves books, especially religious historical fiction and it was right up her ally. So from here on out it’s my wife’s (Dawn) review.
“The Spanish poet Juan Ramon Jimenez once said that if they give you ruled paper, you should write the other way. That’s pretty much the story of my life, writing the other way, across the lines, against the grain.” And thus begins the redemptive journey of Ellee in “My Mother’s Wish: An American Christmas Carol”, by Jerry Camery-Hoggatt. This is a wonderful and heartwarming story of a young girl who continually clashes with her overbearing mother in her efforts to define herself.
The author, who is a professional storyteller, writes the story in such a way that you feel as though you are sitting at his feet intently waiting to hear what happens next. In the course of reading you meet some very diverse and interesting characters who all share some beautiful and unique words of wisdom, some spoken and some unspoken. One of my favorite things that I gleaned from this reading was that sometimes things that our parents impress upon us, such as giving us our names, aren’t done in an effort to torment us. Rather they represent all of the grand dreams that they hold for us.
The book, like all great stories, holds a few surprises for the reader to discover at the end. My only regret about this book is that it ends too soon. I love getting to know characters in depth through the course of reading, and this one left me wanting to know more about Ellee. But the point of the story is conveyed beautifully and you are reminded that you can indeed go back home again. Which is a wonderful theme to celebrate at this time of year.
“My Mother’s Wish: An American Christmas Carol” is a quick, but delightful read. It would be a great book to pickup, put in your travel bag and read on your way to visit your family for the holidays. At one point in the book, Ellee notes that, “If hunger does strange things to a person, so does being fed.” I love this quote for all the implications that it has. But one thing is for sure. Reading this book will satisfy your hunger for a beautiful, feel-good holiday tale.
You can pick up a copy of “My Mother’s Wish: An American Christmas Carol” at your local Christian bookstore or you can also pick it up online.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/2
