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Nun's Drift
In the charming, quaint yet mysterious English village of Nun’s Drift, twenty-six-year-old Meg seeks refuge and healing with her aunt. As Meg settles into village life, she encounters the enigmatic and attractive Barny, whose presence stirs something within her. But Meg is haunted by a past she can’t seem to escape. As Meg starts her journey of healing, readers are drawn into the lives of the village’s residents through their varied perspectives. Barny, the perpetual runner – will he discover the courage to stay, and the life-changing power of perseverance? Rosemary, a long-time Christian crippled by doubt – can she learn the profound lesson of prioritising love and empathy over religious ritual? And Jason, the vicar, who struggles to maintain the façade of a perfect life…
Each character’s journey intertwines, revealing deeper themes of forgiveness, perseverance, doubt and faith. Nun’s Drift is a heartfelt exploration of faith, doubt and honesty.
Sheila Jacobs crafts a poignant tale that resonates with anyone who has ever questioned what they believe, or grappled with the complexities of life. Through its richly drawn characters and compelling storylines, the novel promises a gripping and profoundly real experience that will linger with readers long after they turn the last page.
Each character’s journey intertwines, revealing deeper themes of forgiveness, perseverance, doubt and faith. Nun’s Drift is a heartfelt exploration of faith, doubt and honesty.
Sheila Jacobs crafts a poignant tale that resonates with anyone who has ever questioned what they believe, or grappled with the complexities of life. Through its richly drawn characters and compelling storylines, the novel promises a gripping and profoundly real experience that will linger with readers long after they turn the last page.
128 pages, Paperback
Published December 3, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 10, 2024
A delightful novel, set in the typically English village of Nun’s Drift. It follows the stories of four individuals, across a year in village life, each with their own reason for being there, with each of their life journeys intertwining to reveal deeper themes.
For me, structure is such a vital part of a story, and the structure used here is one if my favourites. A deep dive into one character at a time, allowing the reader to really get to know them and their motivations. In this case it repeats this with four characters, allowing us to see how they relate, cross over and fit into each other's story.
Each is in a certain season of life when they are searching, and the answer to their search is ultimately the Good Shepherd, Jesus. Not all of them are happy to see this as the answer, not unusually. Their searches are triggered by trauma, insecurity, loss of religion (fascinating to consider that losing faith in a religion can lead to finding faith in Jesus) and a drive to be perfect.
The characters all encourage empathy from the reader, showing the truth that pretty much everyone has a story to tell, a reason why they are where they are and a reason why they should be forgiven and accepted.
My only criticism of this book can be that it is too short! I would love to have spent much more time with each of them, really getting under the skin of their motivations and hearing more of their journey.
It is a story about community, people of different shapes and sizes rattling along together finding peace and harmony in a small peace-bringing village, with the church at the hub.
See more reviews of Christian books at https://www.robseabrook.com/category/...
For me, structure is such a vital part of a story, and the structure used here is one if my favourites. A deep dive into one character at a time, allowing the reader to really get to know them and their motivations. In this case it repeats this with four characters, allowing us to see how they relate, cross over and fit into each other's story.
Each is in a certain season of life when they are searching, and the answer to their search is ultimately the Good Shepherd, Jesus. Not all of them are happy to see this as the answer, not unusually. Their searches are triggered by trauma, insecurity, loss of religion (fascinating to consider that losing faith in a religion can lead to finding faith in Jesus) and a drive to be perfect.
The characters all encourage empathy from the reader, showing the truth that pretty much everyone has a story to tell, a reason why they are where they are and a reason why they should be forgiven and accepted.
My only criticism of this book can be that it is too short! I would love to have spent much more time with each of them, really getting under the skin of their motivations and hearing more of their journey.
It is a story about community, people of different shapes and sizes rattling along together finding peace and harmony in a small peace-bringing village, with the church at the hub.
See more reviews of Christian books at https://www.robseabrook.com/category/...
March 13, 2025
Within the book, “Nun’s Drift”, is four short stories about four different characters, whose lives intertwine. Nun’s Drift is a small English village where everyone knows each other’s business. The characters are realistic and relatable. I recommend this book to you as one which is good for a short read.
Meg arrives in Nun’s Drift to be with her Aunt Lou, and soon she realises this is a place she can call home.
Barney, who is always running away, learns to face his past and finds his place in Nun’s Drift.
Rosemary is in a season in her life where she is doubting her faith. By the end of her story she finds the Good Shepherd and realises that faith is all about relationship and not works and effort.
Jason, the new vicar, struggles with a voice from his past telling him hes’s not good enough. He has a significant part to play in the lives of each of the above mentioned characters and is able to help them all despite his own difficult past.
In one way or another, each of these characters are learning how to forgive themselves, receive healing and begin, or continue, a journey of faith. Each one of them is loved and has been found by the Good Shepherd who has been pursuing them.
There is scope for the author to write more about these characters and I would be interested in reading more of their stories and the people of Nun’s Drift.
I was given a free copy of this book in return for my honest review.
Meg arrives in Nun’s Drift to be with her Aunt Lou, and soon she realises this is a place she can call home.
Barney, who is always running away, learns to face his past and finds his place in Nun’s Drift.
Rosemary is in a season in her life where she is doubting her faith. By the end of her story she finds the Good Shepherd and realises that faith is all about relationship and not works and effort.
Jason, the new vicar, struggles with a voice from his past telling him hes’s not good enough. He has a significant part to play in the lives of each of the above mentioned characters and is able to help them all despite his own difficult past.
In one way or another, each of these characters are learning how to forgive themselves, receive healing and begin, or continue, a journey of faith. Each one of them is loved and has been found by the Good Shepherd who has been pursuing them.
There is scope for the author to write more about these characters and I would be interested in reading more of their stories and the people of Nun’s Drift.
I was given a free copy of this book in return for my honest review.
June 17, 2025
This is a gentle read, encompassing one community from the perspectives of four very different people. Meg is struggling to come to terms with loss. Barny is finding life uncomfortable and is planning to leave, as he usually does when things get difficult. Rosemary is having a crisis of faith, and Jason - rudely referred to by some as 'old Dazzles' - is far from the comfortable country vicar living the easy life that's assumed by some of his parishioners.
Their stories are told one after the other and yet they still intertwine. Fundamentally, all of them remind us that we can't outrun our past. Sooner or later things from our earlier life will catch up with us, and they always influence us, one way or another. We're also reminded that it's very easy to make assumptions about someone else's life or situation, and that those assumptions are frequently (usually?) wrong. I particularly like the thoughts Barney has after his encounter with Jason, about living a day at a time when there's a lot to process, and also when he thinks that he wants to 'live before he dies, and live well'. Isn't that the hope all of us have?
I felt especially sorry for Rosemary, and it was such a joyful thing to see her cast off the suffocating shackles of 'religion' and rediscover the gentle caring of faith. Her story was probably my favourite of this book. What would yours be, I wonder.
Nun's Drift is a lovely read, perfect to pick up and put down, and surprisingly deep and meaningful. A lovely book to give to a believing friend.
Their stories are told one after the other and yet they still intertwine. Fundamentally, all of them remind us that we can't outrun our past. Sooner or later things from our earlier life will catch up with us, and they always influence us, one way or another. We're also reminded that it's very easy to make assumptions about someone else's life or situation, and that those assumptions are frequently (usually?) wrong. I particularly like the thoughts Barney has after his encounter with Jason, about living a day at a time when there's a lot to process, and also when he thinks that he wants to 'live before he dies, and live well'. Isn't that the hope all of us have?
I felt especially sorry for Rosemary, and it was such a joyful thing to see her cast off the suffocating shackles of 'religion' and rediscover the gentle caring of faith. Her story was probably my favourite of this book. What would yours be, I wonder.
Nun's Drift is a lovely read, perfect to pick up and put down, and surprisingly deep and meaningful. A lovely book to give to a believing friend.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews