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Job's Corner Chronicles #1
The Remember Box
I stroked the satin wood in delight and confusion. Why should Uncle Stephen send it to me? The Remember Box was Aunt Kate's private place, the one we were sternly forbidden to open. Suddenly I was reluctant, even fearful--a modern Pandora, about to let out our own lost world. That box held one year I'd spent a lifetime trying to forget.
Summer in Job's Corner meant big trees, cool grass, and sweltering afternoons stretching endlessly under the Southern sun. Those were the days without plastic, microwaves, television, or air conditioning, a time when clocks ticked comfortingly in the night and a cool breeze was a gift. But as the long sultry summer of 1949 comes to an end, events will transform this sleepy Southern crossroads.
After losing her mother to polio, eleven-year-old Carley Marshall comes to Job's Corner to make a new start, along with her Aunt Kate and Uncle Stephen Whitfield and her cousins Abby and John. The family is welcomed warmly by this small North Carolina community as Stephen takes up the post of pastor to Bethel Church, a Presbyterian congregation. But their welcome begins to wear thin and covert criticism runs rampant as Stephen challenges age-old beliefs and traditions.
As Job's Corner confronts national struggles for civil rights, coal strikes, and hysteria over Communism, Stephen's voice of reason gets lost in the growing hostility of a vocal minority. Though this quintessential Southern community seems to be filled with people who are the salt of the earth, secrets and lies are hidden beneath the easy-going surface--and the truth must be revealed before an innocent man is convicted of murder.
With the dawning of a new decade, Carley learns to face her own family secrets. And discovers that we all must make the journey to truth alone.
Summer in Job's Corner meant big trees, cool grass, and sweltering afternoons stretching endlessly under the Southern sun. Those were the days without plastic, microwaves, television, or air conditioning, a time when clocks ticked comfortingly in the night and a cool breeze was a gift. But as the long sultry summer of 1949 comes to an end, events will transform this sleepy Southern crossroads.
After losing her mother to polio, eleven-year-old Carley Marshall comes to Job's Corner to make a new start, along with her Aunt Kate and Uncle Stephen Whitfield and her cousins Abby and John. The family is welcomed warmly by this small North Carolina community as Stephen takes up the post of pastor to Bethel Church, a Presbyterian congregation. But their welcome begins to wear thin and covert criticism runs rampant as Stephen challenges age-old beliefs and traditions.
As Job's Corner confronts national struggles for civil rights, coal strikes, and hysteria over Communism, Stephen's voice of reason gets lost in the growing hostility of a vocal minority. Though this quintessential Southern community seems to be filled with people who are the salt of the earth, secrets and lies are hidden beneath the easy-going surface--and the truth must be revealed before an innocent man is convicted of murder.
With the dawning of a new decade, Carley learns to face her own family secrets. And discovers that we all must make the journey to truth alone.
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
8 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Sprinkle
47 books94 followersAka Patricia Houck Sprinkle.
When I met and married Bob, he looked over our budget and demanded, "Why don’t you write a mystery to pay for all the ones you buy?" I immediately knew I wanted to put a body in a building where I’d once worked. However, being over-endowed with the Protestant ethic, I wrote "important" things first and only wrote the mystery in my spare time, so my first mystery, Murder at Markham (reissued by Silver Dagger in 2001), took thirteen years to complete. It took even longer for me to learn that any writing which gives me pleasure is important, whether fiction or non-fiction.
Since 1988 I have written twenty mysteries, four novels, and five non-fiction books. I am grateful to my readers and editors for letting me do what I enjoy most in the world. Bob has concluded that writing is not a profession, it's an obsession--my favorite vacation is to go to a place where somebody else fixes my meals and where I can write more than I do at home, without interruptions. Thanks, if you are one of the readers who keeps my fingers on the keys. I enjoy spending time with you at conferences, book clubs, and signing events.
When I met and married Bob, he looked over our budget and demanded, "Why don’t you write a mystery to pay for all the ones you buy?" I immediately knew I wanted to put a body in a building where I’d once worked. However, being over-endowed with the Protestant ethic, I wrote "important" things first and only wrote the mystery in my spare time, so my first mystery, Murder at Markham (reissued by Silver Dagger in 2001), took thirteen years to complete. It took even longer for me to learn that any writing which gives me pleasure is important, whether fiction or non-fiction.
Since 1988 I have written twenty mysteries, four novels, and five non-fiction books. I am grateful to my readers and editors for letting me do what I enjoy most in the world. Bob has concluded that writing is not a profession, it's an obsession--my favorite vacation is to go to a place where somebody else fixes my meals and where I can write more than I do at home, without interruptions. Thanks, if you are one of the readers who keeps my fingers on the keys. I enjoy spending time with you at conferences, book clubs, and signing events.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 6, 2009
this was one of book clubs books that I had not read. I had put it last on my list as I had never heard of the author before and the title sounded a little corny and like something I had already read.
What a great book1! It brought up a bunch of racial issues, it had hope, excitement, Christianity tested. I would so read another of her books, this was a pleasant, great surprise and read.
What a great book1! It brought up a bunch of racial issues, it had hope, excitement, Christianity tested. I would so read another of her books, this was a pleasant, great surprise and read.
March 4, 2010
Much better than a 3, but I would probably have given a 3-1/2 stars if possible. I originally picked up the book 'Carly's Song' at the library, because the cover caught my eye. Then I read the review and realized it was a continuation of 'The Remember Box' so I've decided to read this one first.
It was a nice story, but basically just several 'stories' from Carly's childhood. It was the kind of book that I read a few pages and then put it down and fell asleep. I didn't feel compelled to stay up late and read. I even almost put it down and decided it wasn't worth finishing. Not that it was a terrible book....just that there are other books on my list that seemed more exciting and worth my time. But I have a 'rule' for myself that unless a book is absolutely terrible or totally not my kind of book, I read at least the first 100 pages before I decide not to finish. This one took a few pages more than 100, but not many. It rapidly turned into a 'can't put it down' book!
The book is told from Carly's point of view. Carly loses her mother and is sent to live with her aunt and uncle, who is a preacher and just beginning with his newest church. It is a very tiny NC town, 1950, and racism and the fear of communism are in full swing. Uncle Stephen, the preacher, puts great effort into leading the congregation past this, and they resist. Sides are taken, there is a murder and a trial, and the church is divided over it all. It's a good story. I can't wait to start 'Carly's Song'!
It was a nice story, but basically just several 'stories' from Carly's childhood. It was the kind of book that I read a few pages and then put it down and fell asleep. I didn't feel compelled to stay up late and read. I even almost put it down and decided it wasn't worth finishing. Not that it was a terrible book....just that there are other books on my list that seemed more exciting and worth my time. But I have a 'rule' for myself that unless a book is absolutely terrible or totally not my kind of book, I read at least the first 100 pages before I decide not to finish. This one took a few pages more than 100, but not many. It rapidly turned into a 'can't put it down' book!
The book is told from Carly's point of view. Carly loses her mother and is sent to live with her aunt and uncle, who is a preacher and just beginning with his newest church. It is a very tiny NC town, 1950, and racism and the fear of communism are in full swing. Uncle Stephen, the preacher, puts great effort into leading the congregation past this, and they resist. Sides are taken, there is a murder and a trial, and the church is divided over it all. It's a good story. I can't wait to start 'Carly's Song'!
February 7, 2019
Great reading. This is the third book I have read by this author and all three of them have been excellent. Have one more on my Nook and will be reading that next.
January 17, 2019
A journey into the hearts of people who believe that their way of the split between black and white people is 'ok' and 'that's the way it is'. A story of a girl's journey from being taught about separateness then retaught by her loving Pastor Uncle that there is no distinction between white and black. This story took place in the South during the 1950's there is a lot of prejudice, fear and hate. There is a lot of love and endurance of one small family headed by a man who refuses to budge about equality for all and needing to teach that to his congregation. This story is voiced by the grown up niece who lived in that small southern town, it's a bit like To Kill A Mockingbird, but with a lot more light. She was given a box with items that had a story to tell of each events and tasked to write the truth of that first year living with her surrogate family (her own mother died of Polio). She remembers many painful moments but in the end writes the story that needed to be told.
July 14, 2017
I have been reading a lot of non-fiction so this fiction book was a nice change of pace. This author, Patricia Sprinkle, was unknown to me. I liked the plot and character development so much that I plan to look up if she has written any other books. The main character reminisces with the help of a "remember box' 1950 when she was 11 and lived in a rural are of NC with her aunt, uncle and two cousins. At age 11, she experienced many things that caused her to think and rethink what she had been taught, what she took for granted, and how she related to her family.
January 5, 2021
Set around 1950 during the time of civil rights issues and Communist hysteria, this story follows the life of 11-year-old Carley Marshall who comes to Job’s Corner to make a new start with her Aunt Kate, Uncle Stephen, and cousins. I struggled to get into the story, but by the end, it was hard to put down.
September 13, 2024
A very intriguing story.
This was about some of the hard times in our country. Times when things were changing and many years that we could find our way to grow to each other. So many struggle and So much hate with no true meaning to fix what is right or wrong. It was an education for me and I am glad I readit.
This was about some of the hard times in our country. Times when things were changing and many years that we could find our way to grow to each other. So many struggle and So much hate with no true meaning to fix what is right or wrong. It was an education for me and I am glad I readit.
February 15, 2018
PopSugar Reading Prompt: Book with an ugly cover
In 1949-50, racial tensions were high and the lines between what was acceptable to different people were blurring. All the different protocols that even a 10 year old girl was accepted to know and follow. A look into our country's past.
In 1949-50, racial tensions were high and the lines between what was acceptable to different people were blurring. All the different protocols that even a 10 year old girl was accepted to know and follow. A look into our country's past.
November 19, 2019
Written from perspective of 11 year old Carley Marshall. Carley lives with her aunt and preacher uncle in small town, North Carolina in 1949. Southern fiction. Well developed characters. The sequel is Carley's Song.
December 21, 2018
I just discovered this author. A beautiful book...
July 25, 2022
Fantastic
August 13, 2025
I loved seeing the world through Carly's eyes in 1950 and watching her family and the world change.
February 16, 2019
this was an enjoyable, insightful read. I wrote down some of the quotes that I gleaned from this book that I think are timeless pieces of wisdom.
"Saints sometimes forget God's love is too hot for folks to tolerate when they're frozen in their opinions"
"Fools light their way by the gleam of somebody else's money."
"Each of us has places our pride will not go"
"Darkness masquerades as light because even evil knows that good is more powerful"
"Saints sometimes forget God's love is too hot for folks to tolerate when they're frozen in their opinions"
"Fools light their way by the gleam of somebody else's money."
"Each of us has places our pride will not go"
"Darkness masquerades as light because even evil knows that good is more powerful"
July 6, 2015
Some books you read and expect an authenticity that resembles reality. This is not that kind of book. This book falls in the category of comfort reading. Yes, there are some all-too-real scenes within (racism, murder, child abuse) but the reality in this story is reality as it should be, where good comes out on top, where men of character can endure and men of wickedness fall prey to their own schemes. In this small town in North Carolina, life happens but it cleans up nicely before you leave. I love the reflection of small town 1950s USA that it brings to life. Too bad there are only 2 books in this series. I'd love more.
January 5, 2022
Remember Box: #1 Job's Corner Sprinkle, Patricia Houck* * 3 Hist.F Hist. WWII 40s small town Presbyteian minister wife,baby, cousin Carly move to manse, Carly adjusts to losing her mother to polio, leaving big Mama to move, Rev. new to town & Challenges long held belief about division between races, treatment of "help", African American man accused murder & accused of abusing mentally handicapped woman, Carly finds awful truth about father & comes to love current family 2017 8/5/2017 8/2/2017
March 21, 2012
A young 10 yr old going through many changes in her life, questions about her past. Carley finally gets some of those questions answered and then a new trial in her life comes. In this book God is a constant in her and her aunt's family life. Carley finally sees it through the town, Job's corner! This book takes you through a different and difficult time period in American 1950's! Author does an excellent job in sucking you in her character's lives and this young lady's story!
April 4, 2014
this book was hard to rate, plot wise there wasn't any...it talked about life in a small religious community...through a young girls eyes.
it was well written and through that writing it brought me into her life and made it seem real....i got to feel the emotions of a judging, prejudice, "religious" small town,during the fear of bombs, russia and the black people and the harm it can cause.
i found it hard to put down.
it was well written and through that writing it brought me into her life and made it seem real....i got to feel the emotions of a judging, prejudice, "religious" small town,during the fear of bombs, russia and the black people and the harm it can cause.
i found it hard to put down.
May 4, 2016
Tidy little story of things " in the good old days". Carley Rose loses her mother to polio and is sent to live with her Uncle Stephen, Aunt kate ( who seems to be suffering from depression) and cousin Abby and baby John. When Carley and Abbey are grown women their unckle sends them a remembering box. What makes this book so interesting is how Abbey and Carley interepret their memories. Otherwise this is just a pat little story with no substance.
October 8, 2008
I have long adored Patricia Sprinkle. She is a talented author plus being a special lady (and fellow Presbyterian!). Her 2-book series about Carley Marshall, an 11-year-old living in the South in 1959, imparts more history than any school book. The writing is witty, intelligent, and beautiful. Patricia is such an observer... I'm reading the sequel now.
September 12, 2009
Takes place in the South about 1949. You get a picture of racial prejudice as it was back then. Lazy southern ways and life events all come to a head when tragedy strikes. Truth comes out and one really feels the pain and joy. Great book.
February 3, 2011
Dealt quite a bit with racism in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s, touching briefly on McCarthyism and Communist scares, but the part I thought was interesting was the struggle to be "the minister's family."
February 4, 2013
I loved it! Finished it last night...wasn't feeling well, and couldn't put it down. It had some concepts that I could majorly apply to my situation....if you know me you know what I'm talking about. :)
June 23, 2007
The year in the life of an orphan in a small southern town 1949. It's like her journal of the good and the bad.
January 1, 2016
This is a good, light read. Very entertaining book about Carly, growing up in the 1940's in the south. She goes to live with her aunt and uncle - he's a preacher - after her Mom dies of Polio.
September 27, 2007
Very slow read, but it had a good twist in the end
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December 1, 2008LP Spr
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September 6, 2010I really enjoyed this book. It kept my attention and I enjoyed the characters. I will certainly read some more of her books.
November 5, 2010
Just a little too pat in the ending.
August 19, 2011
This took me a lot longer to read. It didn't catch my interest until near the end. Not sure if I will continue reading the series.
June 15, 2012
This story which took place in the early 1950s started out really slow but I kept at it. It was worth the read because I really liked the ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews