How Sweet the Sound

by Amy K. Sorrells

Wealth and etiquette can hide a lot of things in the South, as the esteemed Harlan family of sleepy Bay Spring, Alabama, knows. But behind the gentle facade of white pillared porches and acres of cultivated pecan orchards, family secrets smolder.

Young Anniston Harlan cares little for high society and the rigid rules and expectations of her grandmother, Princella. She finds solace working the orchards alongside her father and grandfather, and relief in the cool waters of Mobile Bay.

Anniston's aunt, Comfort Harlan, has never quite lived up to the family name, or so her mother Princella's ever-apparent scowl implies. When she gleefully accepts the proposal of her longtime boyfriend, Solly, a flood tide of tragedy ensues that strips Comfort of her innocence and unleashes generations of family secrets, changing the Harlan family forever.

While Comfort struggles to recover, Anniston discovers an unlikely new friend from the seedy part of town who helps her try to make sense of the chaos. Together, they and the whole town of Bay Spring discover how true love is a risk, but one worth taking.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Book Club, Historical Fiction, Contemporary, Coming Of Age

384 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2014

About the author

A long time believer in the power of story to change lives, Amy's stories feature strong female heroines who find hope in the midst of the unexpected. Recipient of a starred review from Publisher's Weekly, and reviewed by Library Journal, USA Today, and more, her work has been featured in a wide array of publications including newspapers and medical journals. Her novels have been shortlisted for the 2014 Inspy awards, semi-finalists for the ACFW Genesis awards, and a winner of the 2011 Women of Faith writing contest.

An Indianapolis native and graduate of DePauw University, Amy lives with her husband and beloved dogs in central Indiana. Together they have raised three sons. When she's not writing or working her day job as an RN, she enjoys DIY projects, gardening, birding, and long walks in the woods with her labrador retriever.

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the description of this book, I KNEW I had to read it. I find myself drawn to books about family life in the South, and this book definitely sounded like something I would enjoy.

How Sweet The Sound is the story of the Harlan family who own a pecan plantation in Alabama. Hidden by the facade of wealth and local notoriety, this dysfunctional family is surrounded by drama after a rape and two murders occur. It is also a sensitive, coming-of-age story which involves thirteen yr old Anniston, who has experienced more in her short life than many adults have.

I found the characters in this story to be full-bodied and highly convincing. When a writer creates characters that the reader becomes emotionally attached to, you know this is an author that you want to remember. The vivid setting also provides the perfect backdrop to further enhance the reader's involvement in the story. I found myself totally absorbed in this tale of a devastating family tragedy.

I find Amy Sorrell's writing style absolutely lyrical. Her sentences practically dance across the pages. How Sweet The Sound is the type of book that you won't be able to put down once you pick it up.

In conclusion, I have to say that I loved this book! It was all that I was expecting and more. This Christian-themed book was an emotional read for me, and I have already referred it to several of my friends. I don't think anyone who reads it would be disappointed by the content - it is a beautiful tale written by an extremely talented author that I will definitely be watching out for.

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I would like to thank that publisher and the author for the opportunity to review this book.

[Jordyn Redwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 4.5 stars!!

First, let me say that I have endorsed this novel and I was given a free copy by the publisher for review.

I've known Amy for a while-- we are not only agency mates but fellow nurses. She works with those crazy adults and I do pediatrics. We do not live close together but have bonded over these aspects of our lives and she is one amazing woman.

The thing I LOVE about Amy's writing is her prose. She wraps this heart-wrenching family tragedy in achingly, beautiful prose and I wish I could weave sentences with just the talent at the tip of her pinky finger-- my writing would grow that much!!

Another thing I loved was revisiting the late 70s, early 80s as a trip down memory lane.

The story itself is engaging. I view it as both a coming of age story and overcoming tragedy type of story. I'm not really familiar with women's fiction as I tend to read solely suspense/thrillers which lends to the four+ star rating. For me, I need a little feeling that the character may not make it to the end of the book and a few dead bodies/mysteries to be solved too.

However, don't let my feelings on the genre keep you from reading this book!

If you are a fan of women's fiction I think you'll truly LOVE Amy's writing and her handling of this family tragedy with large doses of hope and healing at the end.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks so much for the folks at net galley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy

I have mixed feelings about this novel and I admit that I am part of the reason. "How Sweet the Sound" started out very strong in my opinion, there was action right from the beginning and it definitely drew me in and taking place in the deep south just aroused my curiosity even more. At times it did tend to crawl along, but I was more than capable of handling that because excitement seemed to always lurk around the corner.

Not too far into this book, I began noticing that nearly everyone was dropping scriptures and/or talking with or about God and I started to think, ‘well Lord have mercy, this is just a bit preachy' and I found it to be immensely distracting at times. I was starting to believe that it rang like an after school special trying to teach me some good morals. Sometimes I need them. I began skimming those parts, and it wasn’t the devil that made me do it, I swanny. It wasn’t until the end that I went back to my catalogue and realized that I had chosen a Christian book. Ahhh, now I got it and I stopped disliking it for all of its sanctimonious banter and realized that I was in their territory and should review it as such.

In all seriousness, I am not opposed to religion and many family members would be thrilled that I read a Christian book (hallelujah!), but I have met many shady and extremely judgmental religious folk (I do live in the Bible Belk for God’s sake, pun intended) in my lifetime that threw around verses from the Bible and it just makes me cringe to have them thrown at me when I am reading (this is how I felt before I noticed that I ordered a Christian book). Unlike drowning it out as I have in the past, I chose to give the author my upmost respect and read this the way that she would like. It was my own fault for requesting a book without checking that part so clearly.

From the moment I began reading I was hooked. There was a very dramatic encounter in the beginning that had me so on the edge of my seat. I felt that there was a quick development of certain characters to have drawn me in so soon. The story is told from the perspective of two women: Anniston, who is just turning into a teenager and witnesses her fathers death at the hands of her uncle, and her aunt Comfort, who has lived a life of torment and torture by her own brother. After the death previously mentioned, Comfort becomes reclusive and frightful and hides in her home afraid to face the world as the town hears rumors of her that were generated by the man who took any ounce of joy from her life.

Anniston, just losing her father (he’s not the bad uncle that died), is just trying to get by. She wants so desperately for her aunt to feel love again and to enjoy life. Along the way, she meets a boy, Jed, who has spent his life in and out of foster homes, has a crooked eye and leg and has been abused by his foster parents in such a way that he has cigarette burns and scars all over his chest. He has a love for fossils, wildlife, minerals, and Anniston.

I can’t forget to mention Princella, (grandmother to Anniston and mother to Comfort). I would describe her as the woman behind all the madness in this dysfunctional family. It seemed that she only loved one of her children and he was the one who was raping her daughter. At one point she walked in on him raping her (he was 12 or 13 years older than her) and just turned around and left the room, mumbling something like “better her than me”. She was a raging alcoholic who couldn’t control her demons and took them out on every single person that she should have been protecting. I didn’t like her throughout the entire book and that’s a shame. I was hoping for something a little more profound than what I got from her.

THE INTERESTING:

Just about every character in the book has a very unusual name or at least the spelling is, except the dog, Molly. There are a couple others, but not many. Here is just a short list of some of the characters names:

Anniston, Comfort, Oralee, Princella, Qarla, Hettie Devine, Aamina, Ernestine, Vaughn, Rey, Solly, etc.

Metaphors:

I’m a sucker for metaphors. Seriously, I am always delighted when I see them sneak their way into the pages and I especially love it when an author thinks you clever enough to not point them out. Luckily, they were there for the picking without a bulls-eye on them. There seemed to be an abundance of them though, and I don’t know if that is because of the religious aspect, but at times it became a little overbearing for me, but not by very much. Here are a few:

1. Asters and Kudzu (plants).

Anniston gave Comfort Asters to plant and asked what they stood for and she was told,“asters mean you wish a story ended differently”.

If you are anywhere in the south/southeastern region of the US, then you should probably know what Kudzu is. If you don’t know it by name, you definitely have seen it and in some parts it is rare to NOT see it. For those who may not know, Kudzu is a root/plant that was brought over from the Asian regions. That sounds fine and dandy, except it smothers trees and plants preventing them from sunlight and it is nearly impossible to kill. So, it grows and grows and smothers all of the other plants for all of its resources. I most enjoyed this metaphor since I had already known this as a fact, yep, it made me feel like a smarty pants.

Anniston wrote a poem for Comfort in her English class for their annual poetry day.

so much depends
upon
a patch of
asters
pushing through
kudzu
beneath the oak’s
shadow

2. Jed feeling like a caged animal:

Jed talks of Comfort and how she shuts herself off from the world, and he speaks as though it comes from experience.

“..those tigers, how they pace back and forth, eyes staring past you, caged up but seeing freedom out past the bars all around them. Thing they like living in there?”

(Referring to abused people): “It’s like they’re locked up in a cage of fear. You can see in their eyes they want to get out and taste the world again, but they can’t, because they’re scared. Their prisons feel safe. Sometimes they don’t even realize they’re all locked up until someone believes in them and sets them free.”

Jed on the canary (which I believe that relates with himself):

“Someone let it loose. I see ‘em every once in a while. Folks buy themselves a pretty bird but get tired of ‘em singing all the time, so they let ‘em loose. Think they’ll live out here like any other bird. But they don’t Poor things don’t know what to do, free to fly after spending their lives in a cage. They’re used to someone feeding them all the time. Someone filling their water dish. They don’t know nothin’ about living on their own. And their color ain’t much good for hiding from predators.”

“I couldn’t face another day caught in the cage of other folks making my life into what they wanted.”

THE PARTS THAT I DIDN’T CARE MUCH FOR:

1. Vaughn: Vaugh was Princella’s husband, and Anniston’s grandfather. He came from wealth and privilege and went against his families wishes when he married Princella. Although Princella was in love with another man, of whom she was carrying his baby (Cole), he raised him as though he were his own. He basically neglected his other two children to satisfy her. Vaughn to me was a coward and wouldn’t stand up to his wife who was tormenting the entire family. He tried to explain why to Anniston one day:

“Anniston, what she did to you was wrong. The way she raised her children was wrong too. But deep inside, she’s got a good heart. See, sometimes the parts of a person most broken are the hardest parts for them to forgive in themselves and in others. Their hate of themselves comes out as a hate of everyone around them, even the ones they should love most. They’ll never change until they look their hurt in the face and take it on.”

…But, I loved Anniston’s reply to him…

“How’s she supposed to look hurt in the face if no one hands her a mirror?”

2. The whole Jacob’s latter bit:

The last half to three-fourths part of the book, a metaphor of Jacob’s Ladder was introduced. I found that it just created more confusion for the metaphors that I was already sifting through. It just didn’t do much for me where the story was concerned, although I know that it was supposed to be a big part of the story.

3. Ernestine:

She was basically the live-in nanny/cook, from Haiti, that had been in the family since Anniston’s father was a tot. At times she’s seems like a background piece strategically placed to move the story along or to drop in those Jacob Ladder metaphors. Each chapter begins with a quote written in English and what I am guessing is her language, since she is the only one who throws in sentences in another language, maybe Creole? I found this to be confusing because I didn’t sense that Ernestine was such a profound character. I thought that the characters that existed would have done fine to push the story along without so many metaphors or one of the others could’ve presented the metaphors instead of her. I don’t feel the story really connected her enough as an individual that her language was in quotes for every chapter. I found that to be a bit confusing.

4. The fact that Anniston seemed unaffected:

So, Anniston witnessed her uncle chasing her aunt with a shotgun trying to rape her and then when her father steps forward to protect her aunt, the final result was the two men shot and killed each other right before her eyes. That alone would have ruined me. I’ve seen 13-year-old girls more traumatized by their parents divorcing. But that’s not all. Her aunt was raped by her uncle for most of her life, her Grandmother slaps and humiliates her in front of a group of her peers, her boyfriend is abused and disappears-twice, her aunt attempts suicide and is hospitalized, her grandmother is an alcoholic and makes strange remarks to her, her aunt is known as the town slut, and her grandmother drops dead from too much alcohol consumption after a conversation with her.

I don’t find it nearly as strange that all of these scenarios are part of a Christian book as the fact that she hasn’t shut down and lost her mind. She behaves like a normal and healthy child that hasn’t seen so much freaking trauma. I found this to be too unbelievable. Also, if my boyfriend ran away without telling me, I wouldn’t be like, ‘well, okay’. I would be hurt and have a hard time getting close to him again.

CONCLUSION:

My review may seem harsh at times, but I just wanted to give an honest review. I was engrossed in the book on many occasions and loved the story as a whole. I think that this was an easy read and I read it in the whole of two day and therefore felt pretty connected to the story. I just had a hard time with the severity of mental illness in the family and how it didn’t seem to affect the granddaughter mentally. I think if there were morals to be told about overcoming adversity, then I would have found half the trauma was enough to convey that and would probably have been more believable to me. I teetered through the book between 3 and 4 stars and settled on 3.5 because I was invested in the characters, enjoyed the visuals of the South in the summer time, and yes the metaphors.

[AJourneyWithoutMap · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Southern novel of second chances, How Sweet the Sound is a coming-of-age story filled with dark secrets, family dysfunction, and the hunger for redemption. How Sweet the Sound is the first of two stand-alone novels written by Amy K. Sorrells and published by David C. Cook.

Young Anniston, a member of the Harlan family is the leading protagonist in this touching story of three generations of a family plagued by sin and devastation as they find redemption in this tender coming-of-age tale.

It is a charming story that is sweeping both in content and narration. It’s a novel of second chances you won’t want to miss. Amy K. Sorrells writes stories about broken places and the good that can come from them. Through prayer and pen, she tries to convey the truth of Joel 2:25, that God brings mercy to the years the locusts have eaten; and of Isaiah 61, that He heals the brokenhearted.

[Paula Vince · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book which reminded me a little of a modern "To Kill a Mockingbird" with its similar deep south setting. The main character, Anniston, is a wise and perceptive young girl, a bit like Scout Finch. Her family, the Harlans, are the cream of the district, but hiding a terrible legacy like a simmering volcano, making us wonder when it will erupt, and what we will discover.

We quickly find out that it's partly based loosely on the Biblical story of King David's daughter, Tamar, with Anniston's Aunt Comfort as Tamar, and her brothers Cole and Rey (Anniston's father) taking Amnon and Absalom's roles.

The beautiful writing style is not to be skim read, as descriptions and observations are often symbolic of something occurring in the plot. A good example is Anniston's memories of her father's words, telling her why pecan growers need to be slow and leisurely, noticing the small things in life. Some of the treasures Jed gives her are also significant, such as the geode, which is not ostentatious on the outside but holds a sparkling treasure within.

The story is full of interesting character studies. Princella, the grandmother, is a lady who reminds me of Cruella DeVil, but shows brief flashes of vulnerability. You can't help wondering at the magnitude of all she must keep hidden, and the final revelation inspires questions. She obviously thinks she'd put her past behind her and 'made it', yet the story is written so readers can't help reacting with repugnance at her unnatural behaviour, such as carrying on as usual when her two sons have just killed each other.

Even though the brothers were in the story for such a short time, they were well-rounded characters whose influence, either evil or good, never stopped. How sorry I felt about Rey's family losing him, even though he just had a few lines at the beginning of the story. We still get a sense of just what sort of a man he was, which was excellent writing.

When we do learn Princella's secret, we can't help wondering whether we've just made the crime of judging by appearances, since we were unaware of the depth of her past hurt until then, not that this consideration makes us like her any better. Her personality was warped by events from her past. Yet other characters, such as Jed, have chosen to react completely differently to a traumatic past. And much of the story deals with Comfort, and whether or not she will let pain overwhelm her or find a way to push through.

It's an engrossing read which I recommend. The horror and tragedy is matched just as hugely by hope and heroism. For every Cole or Jimmy presented, there's a Solly or Jed to balance him out. We are left with beautiful images, such as when the children saved the fish.

And like all good books, there's something for the reader to take away for themselves. One of my favourites was Ernestine telling Anni about Jacob's ladder and reminding her to look for the ladders in her own life, 'places where the sky opens and you can feel angels pulling pain outta your soul and replacing it with a song.'

I received a copy from NetGalley and David C Cook in return for an honest review.

[Gail Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Sorrells introduces a subject many prefer left inside the closet. She brings the unspeakable out in the open to reveal the heartache of the silent ones. Comfort and Anniston will forever abide in my heart. Princella will forever haunt me. The truth contained within the story will stay with me. It isn't an easy read. But for those who have experienced such heartaches, it's a story in need of telling. A story of truth. Sorrells has told that story. How Sweet the Sound is southern fiction writing at its best.

I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a review. My opinion is my own.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
There's no sweeter sound than amazing grace!

When tragedy strikes a small Alabama town, Bay Springs responds according to the rules of etiquette and prestige, rather than honesty and humility. A young teen finds herself caught in the crosshairs; having faced unfathomable loss, Anniston Harlan cannot help but feel that she is only gaining additional heartache. Expectations can't adequately cover ugly, dark family secrets, and the Harlan family has more than their share of them.

While one young woman's future hangs precariously close to self-destruction, Anniston manages to befriend a young man whose quiet, casual, steady attentions offer solace within the boundaries of her broken places. But even friendships, as solid as they may become, can never take the place of the One who offers light in the midst of the darkness; for "God says, 'Do your part, and I'll do mine.'"

A pure mix of poetry, literature and melody raising their voices in joyful prose, declaraing confidently that we can always be "climbing Jacob's ladders"!

[Kathryn Svendsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started reading How Sweet The Sound I had a difficult time connecting the title to what I was reading. There were so many awful things happening in the lives of the Harlan family. But as I continued to read I saw that it was a story of redemption and healing, and indeed, there was a sweet sound, and the sweet sound was the sweet sound of God’s quiet voice, as he speaks to his children.

I did not like the grandmother Princella in this story. She was selfish; she favoured her firstborn son Cole over her other two children Rey and Comfort and did not treat her husband with the respect he deserved. It was her secret that led the family into the legacy of tragedy that befell the family. Her secret was the reason for the bitterness and anger in her life. How Sweet The Sound shows us how important it is to confess those secrets and release ourselves from their captivity. It is those secrets that keep us alone and miserable. We need to let God in to heal us.

Once the secrets started to come out and the individuals started to let God in and bring healing to each one and their relationships, then the sweet sounds could be heard again.

How Sweet The Sound was a very touching story. At times it was very sad and painful. I wanted to cry for the terrible things some of these women were made to suffer through. It brought to mind that many of the women who suffer rape and incest suffer in silence, in secret, and we never know who they are. How awful this must be for them. But there is hope, and there is healing. And that is the sweet sound.

I liked that Ms. Sorrells also reminds us that it is not only women who suffer abuse. There are also boys and young men who are abused as well and it is just as important that they receive help too. God is there for them as well, but our social services needs to be there for them as well.

This is a beautiful story of hope. I think it will bring encouragement to many. I gave it 5 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the publishers through NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.

[Edythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is about the Harlan family and their family secrets as told by the teenage granddaughter, Anniston Harlan, “I thought I’d lived through everything by the time I was thirteen.” It starts out with her father and uncle killing one another, which leads to ‘Anni’ discovering the real reason leading up to their deaths. “Instead, I wondered how it came to pass that two brothers---one of them my daddy---were dead. I wondered which came first---the hate or the crime? I wondered if Cain always hated Abel, or if the hate that caused brother to kill brother happens in a flash of evil. Mostly, I wondered what I would do after the red clay covered my daddy and if any of us would ever recover.” The tale describes how abuse was dealt with inside a small Southern Alabama community.
Anni gives clear description of her feelings throughout the story, “…Sin settled in the boughs of [the] Harlan family years ago, and now the boughs were breaking….And yet I wonder what life might be like if we all knew the pain that lay beneath each others’ sleeves.”
One of the characters, Ernestine, their family’s Haitian nanny of thirty-five years, always had a different anecdote for all situations: “Before you laugh at those who limp, check the way you walk….God says, Do your part, and I’ll do mine….Words have wings.” I enjoyed each little epigram placed at the beginning of each chapter. They give cause for thought.
The story itself is compelling and thought provoking. It also gives way to feel compassion for Anni and how she handles numerous circumstances. The author, Amy Sorrells has added Book Club Questions at the end, along with an Author interview. Included are recipes from Bay Spring and the Harlan Family and Friends. I recommend this novel to teenagers and adults alike. They will find it attention-grabbing and most definitely enjoy the bonus recipes.
(I received this book from David C. Cook Publishing for review purposes only)

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Sweet the Sound is the story of how family secrets and lies can haunt someone way after things are buried…literally. We meet the Harlan family who is highly regarded in their community despite the truth that lies inside their family house. Anniston is the youngest member and in a small span of time she will lose her father, also her uncle and learn the devilish things he has done plus a whole set of family secrets that will rock her foundation to its core.

I won’t say exactly what she finds out because to do so would spoil the whole book but it is the unthinkable and something that has haunted this family for decades. It’s shocking and sad and something that must be broken. We see Anniston grow up and try to put her family back together piece by piece even as some try to continue to cover up the truth for appearances sake. I saw Anniston has a strong person who took it upon herself to stop the cycle and break free of the cover ups in order to live a pure life regardless of what others think. This was a touching, heartbreaking story but one that gives you faith that good will prevail. While the subject matter might be tough it’s one that must be told to help others.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

“How Sweet the Sound” wasn’t the easiest read, and nor should it be. It’s not intended to give the reader a stomach of warm fuzzies, but meant to cleanse the evil that has cloaked these characters and give them a hope beyond the desperate depths they have fallen into.

It’s not pleasant, it’s not comfortable, but I don’t want to talk about what the book is not. I want to say what the book is. Because it offers hope. Redemption. Love. Grace. Forgiveness. The opening of a flower to the glow of God’s love and warmth.

The story documents much what is happening in the inner workings of our main characters. I thought the pace was a bit sluggish, because so much of the story took place in the character’s retrospect, but there is much for how God plumbs the depth of our hearts, even into the darkest, most secret places we attempt to hide from His light.

Overall, I would recommend the novel to fans of Gina Holmes and lovers of emotional evoking women’s fiction.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through CFBA for my copy to review.

[Shari Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a distance, the Harlans appear to be the perfect Southern family, but wealth and local fame mask the drama and dysfunction going on in the family.

It's Thanksgiving, in 1979, and 13 year old Anniston thought that she had seen it all, but a tragedy explodes and brings together three generations of the family on their pecan plantation in Bay Spring, Alabama. Just as Anniston is dealing with the possibility of being in love for the first time, she must also deal with loneliness and grief.

This was a gripping story, with well drawn characters, and the author used great sensitivity with dealing with some delicate subject matter. The story is told mostly from Anniston's point of view, with some parts of the story told by Comfort, her beloved aunt.

This story is also partially based on the biblical story of Tamar; I was not familiar with that story before reading this novel, but it was easy to find it on Google.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for NetGalley:

“How Sweet the Sound” is a beautiful novel. The writing is poetic and simple, in a very good way. This book reminds me of “Into the Free” by Julie Cantrell. Both novels explore the issue of family violence. Comfort and Anni are beautiful women. Although we do hear more of Anni’s voice than we do of Comfort, we still get to know Comfort in a way that is chilling yet hopeful. I loved the music woven into the stories of each character. I can’t wait to read more by Any Sorrells. I know exactly to whom I will be recommending this book. This would be an excellent book to read and discuss in a group.

[Amy Magan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a bit to get into, but by about the third or fourth chapter, I had reached the "just one more chapter" bargaining stage with myself.

I should really go make dinner....after just one more chapter...

Sorrells detail helped provide visuals of a part of the country I've never been to, though sometimes I just wanted her to say "glass of water" instead of "fingerprint-smudged glass of crystal clear water reflective as the old mirror in the parlor."

All in all a book I would recommend. I look forward to reading Sorrells' next novel.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a young girl whose life is filled with horrors and their aftermath. Things no child should have to go through. My heart went out to Anniston and her friend, Jed. Though the grandmother had gone through similar things when younger I found it hard to sympathize with her. That old cliche is true...hurting people hurt people.

I like how the book ended...giving hope to a young girl whose life had none. A talented writer with a wonderfully written book. 5 stars.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Kathy Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreak has grown from the depths of the Harlan family history. It's as deep-rooted as the trees in the family pecan groves, and thirteen-year-old Anniston has witnessed more than her share of tragedy, despite her young age. But Anni is a survivor—and her story is filled with hope and recovery, despite the difficulty of what she and others around her have endured. A well-written debut, unfolding with musical prose from an author to watch!

I read this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story about a family who has too many secrets. There are two narrators in this book, Annistan, a 14 year old girl, and her Aunt Comfort. Comfort's two brothers shoot each other in a fight. Annistan's dad, protecting Comfort, brother Cole trying to rape her. This book touches on incest, alcoholism, coming of age and first love. This is definitely a Christian fiction story but not overly preachy. It is a sad book but has several uplifting sections.

[Lori Wasson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome free Kindle book! It was one of the best stories I had read in a long time. Amen to the theme of not keeping secrets and forgiveness! To talk instead of burying things. Loved the characters in the book, especially Oralee, Ernestine, and Jed! Loved the visit to the Women's and Children's Home. Can't wait for the next book to come out by this author. Can't believe this is her first book, as this was so well written. And she lives in the same state as me :).

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say that I've ever read a book like this. It was so deep with pain, and healing. Reading as the characters get to their lowest points, only to be lifted back up with faith. I would recommend this to everyone. Everyone could use some of the lessons within this book. It makes you see that, you aren't the only one hurting. It makes your sorrows seem so small and trivial. I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I did.

[Tammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. I'm not sure how to describe it except that it is like a wonderful blend of Francine Rivers, "Redeeming Love," and Harper Lee's, "To Kill a Mockingbird." I love the Southern setting, the time frame of the early 80s, and the age and adventures of Anniston Harley. Though heartbreak abounds, there is such sweetness in the story. I think the story exemplifies hope and redemption.

[CNickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christian story of pain and redemption in a Southern setting

The young Southern protagonist and her emotionally wounded aunt guide us through a rich tale of family grief and hope in South Alabama. Well written, complex and memorable.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite debut novel I've read so far this year! Recommend if you're into more literary Christian fiction.

[Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, this story is heart wrenchingly sad and yet still offers glimmers of hope. I loved it.

[Beckie Burnham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am leading a weekly Bible study called Faith And Fiction. My group studies a story in the Bible and an accompanying novel that is a re-telling or is inspired by the scripture. While it was easy to find novel from the Biblical fiction genre, I wanted to include a variety of genres to show how scripture is timeless and to give those in the study a wide variety of reading experiences. I hit a home run when I chose How Sweet The Sound by Amy Sorrells. While not a strict re-telling of 2 Samuel 13, it was inspired by the heart-breaking events that took place between Tamar, Amnon, and Absalom. If you are not familiar with this tragic time in David’s family, then get out your Bible and dig in. Then get Sorrells novel. It provides a different slant — one with the hope that God can give to the crushed and broken-hearted.

How Sweet The Sound is set in a small South Alabama town; a town where everyone knows everybody and their business. But not always their secrets. The Harlans are a leading family with a very prosperous pecan business and matriarch Princella who rules her family and the social scene of Bay Spring. But a family tragedy that cannot be hushed up explodes, with tragic consequences.

How Sweet The Sound is told from two different first person points of view — young teenager, Anniston, who is trying to make sense out of the tragic circumstances of her life and Comfort, a young woman whose voice remains silent to almost everyone around her. The two characters are instrumental at describing the true nature of the other characters and their relationships. The shocking topics of incest and sexual abuse are explored in an honest, yet careful way. Nothing is sensationalized, but truths are exposed to the light of day. While most of the story revolves around the Harlan family, I loved how Sorrells revealed the abusive stories of others in Bay Spring. Beautifully written, the novel is hard to read because of the topic, but also wonderful to read as it develops the hope that God promises to those who most need it. That was what our group liked most. The Biblical record of Tamar’s tragic life left us unsatisfied. Yet Sorrells’ novel showed that even in the depths of depression, despair, and desolation, God’s power shines through. It is was our hope that Tamar also was able to communicate with her Abba.

While the novel revolves around an uncomfortable and weighty subject, it was a wonderful reading experience. How Sweet The Sound was first published in 2014, but has been re-released this Fall. It is an amazing debut from an accomplished author. I am looking forward to reading the other books by Sorrells that are available.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults

(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[Ann Evans · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was full of incest, rape, murder, a suicide attempt, child abuse, etc. and so on ad nauseum. I am throwing this in the trash. The message that God provides ladders like He did for Jacob, and you just have to look for them was the only good thing about the book. I cannot think that this would be good for anyone I know to read.

[Allen Madding · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her debut novel, Amy Sorrells has established herself as a story teller and poet. How Sweet the Sound is a story of an Alabama family, the Harlans, and their generational struggle to bury the ugly pain that haunts them. All of their lives come crashing in around them when two brothers kill each other. The tension between the two had been brewing for years from dark family secrets of rape and abuse. Anniston, who lost her father in the double murder, struggles with all of the upheaval in her young life and her cold and hard-hearted grandmother.


I highly encourage you to read this well written book in a place where you feel safe to weep and have an ample supply of Kleenex at hand. It is a story of redemption and hope for those dealing with the brokenness in their lives - a stirring story of amazing grace and encouragement.

[Marsha Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh! How Sweet the Sound! Loved this book! Beautiful, heart breaking and touching.
(And I would have thought you were from Baldwin County, Alabama, Ms Sorrells)
Your descriptions paint a beautiful picture of this area.

[Laura Van Nice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant and meaningful

This is a heart-breaking and raw story about a topic that is, sadly, far too common. Based loosely on the story of Tamar, the difficult subject matter is handled with gentleness and sensitivity and the bulk of the story focuses on the aftermath as the family tries to pick up the pieces. It is very well written with realistic, emotional characters. The plot flows well and the Spiritual message is not to be missed. Not a light read, but we'll worth the time. I'll definitely look for more by this author.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed my attention from the beginning. I liked that it was written from Anniston & Comfort’s view point. Most of all, that God is always with us & loves us no matter what.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Anniston “Anni” Harlan is growing up in the south in the late 1970’s and comes from a good, socially prominent family. The family gathers together to celebrate Thanksgiving and the newly announced engagement of her aunt. Due to the wickedness of her uncle, her father dies and her aunt is left a broken woman. Anni must face the fact that her good, Christian family isn’t what she thought it was. In a small town, rumors spread. The only bright spot is a new friend she makes, but even that relationship is affected. Dark secrets become unveiled and only an abiding faith in Christ can bring healing.
All I can say about this “How Sweet the Sound” is “WOW, WOW, WOW!”
To be frank, I rarely read Christian fiction anymore. I am tired of the one-dimensional characters, the cliché dialog and the predictable situations. I was looking for something new to read, and after learning that this book was from the POV of a teen girl in the south and told in the first person, I picked it up. My expectations were low; after a few pages I usually get frustrated and toss whatever book I’m reading back in my library bag.
I was drawn in by the characters, the beautiful descriptions and the meat of the story itself. I don’t want to give anything away, but Anni Harlan was an intriguing protagonist and her narration of the events reminded me of Scout Finch’s narration in “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
For the first time in a long time, a book affected me and made me tear up. I felt like I was in the south when reading it and was convinced that the author, Amy K. Sorrells was a southerner. To my surprise, I learned she lives in Indiana, my home state! Kudos to this fellow Hoosier!