The Valley

by Gayle Friesen

Gloria is the thirty-eight-year-old mother of a sarcastic teenage daughter and the vaguely dissatisfied wife of a loving husband. Compelled to return to the family farm in BC after a twenty-year absence, Gloria is not surprised to find that little has changed in this strict Mennonite the house she grew up in (Internet-inaccessible, much to her daughter’s dismay), her mother’s no-nonsense work ethic, and her father’s unwavering belief in “trust and obey.” Thrust back into a community she has avoided for her entire adult life, she is forced to confront the demons of her the estranged best friend, Des, whom Gloria abandoned when Des needed her most; the early love of her life, Gabe, as gorgeous as ever but now married to Des; and the ghost of her beloved twin brother, Jake, whose death as a teenager would deeply affect the lives of everyone around him for a generation. Gloria’s wry observations of religion and family mingle with an irresistible nostalgia as she struggles to find her way clear of the past. Gayle Friesen beautifully explores the subtle complexities of friendship, family, grief, and love in this thoughtful and engaging debut novel. Praise For The “[A] page-turner…Gayle Friesen has written several YA novels, and it shows in the expert way she captures the rhythms and rock ‘n’ roll of her characters’ speech…At the same time, however, [Friesen] succeeds at handling weightier moral and ethical questions in her fiction. Take, for example, the enormous question of faith. Rather than pontificate, Friesen has the teenage Gloria and her brother wrangle about Bible stories. Gloria takes every detail seriously, but Jake insists that they’re only stories, after all—that it’s believing in a merciful God that’s important. In a page and a half filled with sibling squabbling, Friesen brings us a profound reflection on the nature of belief. …[The Valley] will please many readers, and not just those who have fled small towns.” — Quill & Quire

292 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Gayle Friesen lives in Delta, British Columbia.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A thoughtful read of childhood faith and adult issues, and the journey of both. Disappointing, because the main character continually focuses on how her childhood faith has let her down, but refuses to step forward towards an adult faith with meaning.

[Helgaklassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written and I could relate to a lot the experiences of growing up in the Mennonite culture. Not sure if readers growing up in other faiths (or no faith) would feel the same connection to the book and characters.

[Lanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this one. It was a slow start but as I kept reading I found I really enjoyed the characters.

[Suzanne Montigny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was somewhat shocked by this novel in a few places. Ms. Friesen's writing is impeccable as usual and horribly fascinating, but what really took me by surprise was the fear and guilt revealed by the author regarding her Mennonite upbringing. I knew the group of girls she hung with in high school and they were truly the loveliest, fun girls around. I could never imagine that a child could live in fear of being left behind during the rapture and other things I can't reveal without giving away the story. However, I giggled several times whenever someone in the story exclaimed, "Now that's a blessing." But the death of Jake brought back sad memories of a young Mennonite man I once knew who was killed in an accident just as meaningless. Now my next question is: when is Ms. Friesen's next book going to come out. It's been too long and I've read every single one of them. I want more.

[Mar · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 is more accurate. i enjoyed it, but i could relate to some of the religous conservatisim of her mennonite upbringing. i'm not sure that everyone would enjoy that. the ending seemed somewhat rushed.

[Patricia Kadoche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking book...enjoyed the relationship evolve between 3 childhood friends as they try to love life after a tragic death...a good read!

[Phil Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gayle is a great weaver of tales and the characters that bring life to them. The story left me pondering the nature of the Mennonite upbringing experienced by the main character, Gloria, and her friends. I was left with the overall impression that Mennonite beliefs and practices were somehow harmful to her generation and that her (their) questions were aimed at mockery rather than intelligent inquiry.

This novel (at least the copy I have) is reviewed on the cover as Gayle's first 'adult' novel and I have to wonder just what that means. If it refers to the odd chunks of abusive language then perhaps it is valid, although I found such language gratuitous and not worthy of the overall story. Or perhaps 'adult' refers to coming of age and mocking beliefs and tradition that are undeserving of such. Or perhaps 'adult' could have meant owning up to real questions facing real people in all faith structures and answering those questions realistically - but Gayle decided not to go there.

It felt like Gayle was stepping out of her usual writing world and going for the shock value that might titillate a new readership - those outside the faith community.