About Under the Mercy Trees
• Paperback: 352 pages• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; Original edition (January 18, 2011)
(Provided) Thirty years ago, Martin Owenby came to New York City with dreams of becoming a writer. Now his existence revolves around cheap Scotch and weekend flings with equally damaged men. When he learns that his older brother, Leon, has gone missing, he must return to the Owenby farm in Solace Fork, North Carolina, to assist in the search. But that means facing a past filled with regrets, the family that never understood him, the girl whose heart he broke, and the best friend who has faithfully kept the home fires burning. As the mystery surrounding Leon’s disappearance deepens, so too does the weight of decades-long unresolved differences and unspoken feelings—forcing Martin to deal with the hardest lessons about home, duty, and love.
My take on the book: The author wrote this book like a well composed and played symphony. The book really flowed well. It was one of those books that let each character have their chance to tell their thoughts related to what was going on in the story line. Most of it was about the past but it would related to the previous persons story line to keep the story moving along which was focus on finding Leon.
I'm not one who normally enjoys a book that keeps switching from character to character but this one was different. Each had their part just like each instrument has their part in the orchestra. I don't ever recall reading a book with this many viewpoints that flowed so well.
The story works through the disappearance of Leon which causes the characters to bring to light their past or present conditions, they work through these issues, chipping away and building up to what the climax is of the book.
The characters pull you in as you watch layer by layer unfolding to carry the book to the end. The book made me wonder what would be written about me and my family during a crisis! It does seem that a crisis can bring about the good, the bad and the ugly! I really enjoyed this first time novel from the author, Heather Newton.
Click to get to know more about Heather at her website and on Facebook. This is definitely one author that I'm keeping on my "stalking their website until the next book is released" list!
Heather’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS
Tuesday, January 18th: Book AddictionWednesday, January 19th: Sara’s Organized Chaos
Thursday, January 20th: Rundpinne
Tuesday, January 25th: Book Reviews by Molly
Thursday, January 27th: Amy’s Creative Side
Monday, January 31st: Chefdruck Musings
Wednesday, February 2nd: The Book Faery Reviews
Tuesday, February 8th: In the Next Room
Wednesday, February 9th: Wordsmithonia
Thursday, February 10th: Scraps of Life
I love the way you describe this book as a symphony with each character like an instrument - what a great analogy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being on this tour. It sounds like this book was a great fit for you!
I'm heartened to know that someone connected with this book more than I did. I just couldn't get into it. Thanks for the review.
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