Beyond Deserving

by Sandra Scofield

A 1992 National Book Award finalist and a highly acclaimed novel of family conflict and the redeeming power of love. Scofield tells a complex, moving tale about a colorful, contentious clan living in Southern Oregon who love members of their family "beyond deserving." "An intelligent, wickedly observant novel."--New York Times Book Review. Reading tour.

Genres: Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1991

Reviews

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Confused by this book in many ways. A national book award nominee with under 100 reviews on Goodreads?

Reading it was like listening to older people telling you their stories: interesting at first, then meandering, then lots of names dropped in as if you remember who they are, then you realize there’s no point/plot to the story and it’s just a bunch of recollections, then you sit patiently to be polite and wonder how much longer it will go on, then it morphs into another story that’s similarly basic and unremarkable….

There were some nice details here and there but nothing ever happens and the characters are pretty bland, just ordinary folk with ordinary problems and not a novel point of view about much.

[Bill Mayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well told story, set in my old home town and valley.

[Susan Beecher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fine novel with exceptionally well-developed characters. Highly recommend.