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The Forgiving Kind
In this masterful new novel, set in 1950s North Carolina, the acclaimed author of The Road to Bittersweet and The Education of Dixie Dupree brings to life an unforgettable young heroine and a moving story of family love tested to its limits.
For twelve-year-old Martha “Sonny” Creech, there is no place more beautiful than her family’s cotton farm. She, her two brothers, and her parents work hard on their land—hoeing, planting, picking—but only Sonny loves the rich, dark earth the way her father does. When a tragic accident claims his life, her stricken family struggles to fend off ruin—until their rich, reclusive neighbor offers to help finance that year’s cotton crop.
Sonny is dismayed when her mama accepts Frank Fowler’s offer; even more so when Sonny’s best friend, Daniel, points out that the man has ulterior motives. Sonny has a talent for divining water—an ability she shared with her father and earns her the hated nickname “water witch” in school. But uncanny as that skill may be, it won’t be enough to offset Mr. Fowler’s disturbing influence in her world. Even her bond with Daniel begins to collapse under the weight of Mr. Fowler’s bigoted taunts. Though she tries to bury her misgivings for the sake of her mama’s happiness, Sonny doesn’t need a willow branch to divine that a reckoning is coming, bringing with it heartache, violence—and perhaps, a fitting and surprising measure of justice.
For twelve-year-old Martha “Sonny” Creech, there is no place more beautiful than her family’s cotton farm. She, her two brothers, and her parents work hard on their land—hoeing, planting, picking—but only Sonny loves the rich, dark earth the way her father does. When a tragic accident claims his life, her stricken family struggles to fend off ruin—until their rich, reclusive neighbor offers to help finance that year’s cotton crop.
Sonny is dismayed when her mama accepts Frank Fowler’s offer; even more so when Sonny’s best friend, Daniel, points out that the man has ulterior motives. Sonny has a talent for divining water—an ability she shared with her father and earns her the hated nickname “water witch” in school. But uncanny as that skill may be, it won’t be enough to offset Mr. Fowler’s disturbing influence in her world. Even her bond with Daniel begins to collapse under the weight of Mr. Fowler’s bigoted taunts. Though she tries to bury her misgivings for the sake of her mama’s happiness, Sonny doesn’t need a willow branch to divine that a reckoning is coming, bringing with it heartache, violence—and perhaps, a fitting and surprising measure of justice.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2019
1754 people are currently reading
13511 people want to read
About the author
Donna Everhart
10 books2,290 followersDonna Everhart is a USA Today bestselling author known for vividly evoking the challenges of the heart and the complex heritage of the American South in her acclaimed novels When the Jessamine Grows, The Saints of Swallow Hill, The Moonshiner’s Daughter, The Forgiving Kind, The Road to Bittersweet, and The Education of Dixie Dupree.
She is the recipient of the prestigious SELA Outstanding Southeastern Author Award from the Southeastern Library Association and her novels have received a SIBA Okra Pick, an Indie Next Pick, and two Publishers Marketplace Buzz Books selections.
Born and raised in Raleigh, she has stayed close to her hometown for much of her life and now lives just an hour away in Dunn, North Carolina. Please visit Donna Everhart online at DonnaEverhart.com.
She is the recipient of the prestigious SELA Outstanding Southeastern Author Award from the Southeastern Library Association and her novels have received a SIBA Okra Pick, an Indie Next Pick, and two Publishers Marketplace Buzz Books selections.
Born and raised in Raleigh, she has stayed close to her hometown for much of her life and now lives just an hour away in Dunn, North Carolina. Please visit Donna Everhart online at DonnaEverhart.com.
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January 14, 2019
On a cotton farm in 1950’s North Carolina, a family working hard together, getting by, are happy and content with life as it is. We meet a sweet young girl Sonny Creech who inherits from her father a love of the land and the power of divining. Their lives are changed forever when her father suddenly dies. At first I thought this was going to be a commonly told coming of age story of a 12 year old girl, a family story with characters you cared about and reacted to as they made their way through this family crisis, and it was in a lot of ways. I wanted to smack Sonny’s brother Trent, hug her friend Daniel and tell him it was okay to be different, and shake her mother into opening her eyes to what was going on when a neighbor preys on them during a time of loss, grief and financial instability. It was was a slow burn until this story that I thought would be predictable, wasn’t, and until this wasn’t a run of the mill coming of age story, but one depicting serious issues of bigotry and racism. It is also about a mother whose decisions are blinded by the need to provide for her children. It’s about friendship and grief and an unforgettable character named Sonny Creech. The ending for me was unexpected, but made for a very satisfying read. Recommended !
I received an advanced copy of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley. .
I received an advanced copy of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley. .
January 1, 2019
1950's North Carolina
"Water Witch", twelve-year-old "Sonny" Martha Creech loves her cotton farm. The farm, and her family are her entire world. Her father, her two older brothers, her mother and she work the land. It is all she has ever known, and she loves it just as much as her father. Then one day tragedy strikes, and it changes all of their lives forever. As the heartbroken and grieving family try to move on and farm the land, their greedy neighbor, Mr. Fowler, comes over and offers them a deal. Sonny is instantly on edge. She does not like this man and her best friend, Daniel, knows that the man has ulterior motives.
Mr. Fowler makes fun of Daniel and often makes statements which make Sonny uncomfortable. "He's just a man" her mother tells her. A man who does indeed have an ulterior motive, an angry man, a bigoted man, a cruel man, an intolerant man. There are also those in this small farming community who hide behind masks, who target those who are "different."
This is a coming of age tale for Sonny, but it is also a story about loss, decisions, bigotry, friendship, grief, abuse, heartache, doing the best you can, regret, prejudice, forgiveness and survival. The setting is the 1950's on a cotton farm and the Author did her research. There are descriptions of farming and the cotton plants which help to set the stage and provide the reader a glimpse into the hard-long days of work these farmers put in. I found this book to be well written and carefully plotted. Boy, did I want better for this family and Sonny friend's Daniel.
This is another book where I encourage readers to read the Author's note at the end. She discusses how she approached writing certain characters and how some scenes were hard for her to write. Some of those scenes will be hard for readers to read.
Enjoyable, thought provoking, riveting and well researched.
This was my first book by this Everhart and I look forward to reading more of her books.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
"Water Witch", twelve-year-old "Sonny" Martha Creech loves her cotton farm. The farm, and her family are her entire world. Her father, her two older brothers, her mother and she work the land. It is all she has ever known, and she loves it just as much as her father. Then one day tragedy strikes, and it changes all of their lives forever. As the heartbroken and grieving family try to move on and farm the land, their greedy neighbor, Mr. Fowler, comes over and offers them a deal. Sonny is instantly on edge. She does not like this man and her best friend, Daniel, knows that the man has ulterior motives.
Mr. Fowler makes fun of Daniel and often makes statements which make Sonny uncomfortable. "He's just a man" her mother tells her. A man who does indeed have an ulterior motive, an angry man, a bigoted man, a cruel man, an intolerant man. There are also those in this small farming community who hide behind masks, who target those who are "different."
This is a coming of age tale for Sonny, but it is also a story about loss, decisions, bigotry, friendship, grief, abuse, heartache, doing the best you can, regret, prejudice, forgiveness and survival. The setting is the 1950's on a cotton farm and the Author did her research. There are descriptions of farming and the cotton plants which help to set the stage and provide the reader a glimpse into the hard-long days of work these farmers put in. I found this book to be well written and carefully plotted. Boy, did I want better for this family and Sonny friend's Daniel.
This is another book where I encourage readers to read the Author's note at the end. She discusses how she approached writing certain characters and how some scenes were hard for her to write. Some of those scenes will be hard for readers to read.
Enjoyable, thought provoking, riveting and well researched.
This was my first book by this Everhart and I look forward to reading more of her books.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 10, 2018
4.5 Stars
“Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”
--Mark Twain
Chapter 1
“1955
Daddy never wanted to do nothing much other than grow cotton, and the way he’d gone at it, we figured that would be the thing to kill him, but it wasn’t.”
Martha “Sonny” Creech is a twelve-year-old girl who has inherited the gift of water divination from her father, a gift that is helpful in Jones County, North Carolina for those families, like hers, who live on a cotton farm. A three hundred acre farm, which is just enough for them to get by, most years, with all of them pitching in. Sonny would rather be outside than inside, there is no place she’d rather be than on that land. She loves the way the soil looks when it’s been freshly plowed, the heart-shaped leaves on a cotton plant, the pale pale yellow of the buds as they first begin to bloom, changing to a pale pink, which darkens and turns the field into the prettiest sight she can imagine.
As this family grieves the sudden, tragic loss of the father, that loss is followed by drought, and with that drought comes fear of what they have to lose. At the same time, Violet begins to take in sewing and other jobs, hoping to find a way to make enough money to buy the seeds they’d always bought on credit in the past, but those days are no more. Sonny and her two brothers help out in whatever ways they can, selling eggs, taking small jobs. And then a neighbor, Frank Fowler, steps in to offer his help by financing the cotton crop for that year.
Sonny doesn’t want her mother to accept Fowler’s offer, but it’s her best friend Daniel’s belief that Fowler has an ulterior motive that really frightens her. Sonny doesn’t trust this man, and she worries that her mother is going to make the wrong choice, for all of them.
Around them, this farming community has a somewhat hidden element, neighbors, men who hide their identity to inflict punishment on those whom they deem “different” – and so they justify their actions based in narrow-minded intolerance.
A coming-of-age story of heartbreaking loss, endurance, resolve and perseverance against the odds, and ultimately forgiveness, The Forgiving Kind will have you cheering on this unforgettable young girl and her family, as she struggles to find a way back to the life they knew.
Pub Date: 29 JAN 2019
Many thanks for the ARC provided by the author, Donna Everhart
“Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”
--Mark Twain
Chapter 1
“1955
Daddy never wanted to do nothing much other than grow cotton, and the way he’d gone at it, we figured that would be the thing to kill him, but it wasn’t.”
Martha “Sonny” Creech is a twelve-year-old girl who has inherited the gift of water divination from her father, a gift that is helpful in Jones County, North Carolina for those families, like hers, who live on a cotton farm. A three hundred acre farm, which is just enough for them to get by, most years, with all of them pitching in. Sonny would rather be outside than inside, there is no place she’d rather be than on that land. She loves the way the soil looks when it’s been freshly plowed, the heart-shaped leaves on a cotton plant, the pale pale yellow of the buds as they first begin to bloom, changing to a pale pink, which darkens and turns the field into the prettiest sight she can imagine.
As this family grieves the sudden, tragic loss of the father, that loss is followed by drought, and with that drought comes fear of what they have to lose. At the same time, Violet begins to take in sewing and other jobs, hoping to find a way to make enough money to buy the seeds they’d always bought on credit in the past, but those days are no more. Sonny and her two brothers help out in whatever ways they can, selling eggs, taking small jobs. And then a neighbor, Frank Fowler, steps in to offer his help by financing the cotton crop for that year.
Sonny doesn’t want her mother to accept Fowler’s offer, but it’s her best friend Daniel’s belief that Fowler has an ulterior motive that really frightens her. Sonny doesn’t trust this man, and she worries that her mother is going to make the wrong choice, for all of them.
Around them, this farming community has a somewhat hidden element, neighbors, men who hide their identity to inflict punishment on those whom they deem “different” – and so they justify their actions based in narrow-minded intolerance.
A coming-of-age story of heartbreaking loss, endurance, resolve and perseverance against the odds, and ultimately forgiveness, The Forgiving Kind will have you cheering on this unforgettable young girl and her family, as she struggles to find a way back to the life they knew.
Pub Date: 29 JAN 2019
Many thanks for the ARC provided by the author, Donna Everhart
January 28, 2019
Absolutely loved this one! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Donna Everhart, author and North Carolina native, is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Her stories are filled with unforgettably endearing characters and a sharp honesty about the times in which these characters are living.
The book is set in 1950s North Carolina, which, by the way, my dad grew up in NC during this time, though not on a cotton farm, and not in Jones County, where the only way of life was farming.
The Forgiving Kind is the story of twelve-year-old Martha “Sonny” Creech and her family, and what happens when her beloved father who runs the farm passes away. My heart stopped for this family, and I wondered about situations like this in those days. How would they make do, how would they live? Family could possibly help, but all this family has is eccentric Aunt Ruth.
Enter Mr. Fowler. Sonny gets an evil read off of him from the start. He is a bigot in every sense of the word, and Sonny’s mother makes the only choice she feels she has and marries Mr. Fowler to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. But Mr. Fowler’s malevolence bleeds into every aspect of their lives.
Sonny comes of age in this story, but The Forgiving Kind is about so much more. In North Carolina in the 1950s, it was difficult to be a woman, and it was even more challenging to be “different.” In this lovingly and sensitively told story, you’ll meet Daniel, Sonny’s best friend, who is a victim of Fowler at every turn. Sonny’s loyalty to Daniel deftly illustrates the most beautiful aspects of childhood friendship.
Donna Everhart has outdone herself with her most recent effort. The Forgiving Kind is important and emotional, and I was left feeling that even though we think we’ve come a long way since the 1950s, we still have a long way to go.
Thanks to Kensington Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Donna Everhart, author and North Carolina native, is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Her stories are filled with unforgettably endearing characters and a sharp honesty about the times in which these characters are living.
The book is set in 1950s North Carolina, which, by the way, my dad grew up in NC during this time, though not on a cotton farm, and not in Jones County, where the only way of life was farming.
The Forgiving Kind is the story of twelve-year-old Martha “Sonny” Creech and her family, and what happens when her beloved father who runs the farm passes away. My heart stopped for this family, and I wondered about situations like this in those days. How would they make do, how would they live? Family could possibly help, but all this family has is eccentric Aunt Ruth.
Enter Mr. Fowler. Sonny gets an evil read off of him from the start. He is a bigot in every sense of the word, and Sonny’s mother makes the only choice she feels she has and marries Mr. Fowler to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. But Mr. Fowler’s malevolence bleeds into every aspect of their lives.
Sonny comes of age in this story, but The Forgiving Kind is about so much more. In North Carolina in the 1950s, it was difficult to be a woman, and it was even more challenging to be “different.” In this lovingly and sensitively told story, you’ll meet Daniel, Sonny’s best friend, who is a victim of Fowler at every turn. Sonny’s loyalty to Daniel deftly illustrates the most beautiful aspects of childhood friendship.
Donna Everhart has outdone herself with her most recent effort. The Forgiving Kind is important and emotional, and I was left feeling that even though we think we’ve come a long way since the 1950s, we still have a long way to go.
Thanks to Kensington Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
March 5, 2019
4.5 Stars
GREAT READ!
A 1950's cotton farm. A loving, happy family....until tragedy strikes....until the deal....until evil enters their lives.
THE FORGIVING KIND is an atmospheric coming-of-age story told thru the eyes...and heart...of 12 year old Sonny as she, her family and a good friend traverse good times and the very worst of times.
Racism, bigotry, abuse and intolerance are found here, but handled subtly.
As for the ending....totally satisfying!
(Thank you Susan W. for referral.)
May 25, 2019
𝕭𝖊𝖆𝖚𝖙𝖎𝖋𝖚𝖑. 𝕮𝖔𝖒𝖕𝖊𝖑𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖌. 𝕳𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖙𝖜𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖎𝖓𝖌.
This was an evocative story that I found simultaneously heartwarming and heartwrenching. 1950s North Carolina 12-year-old Sonny loves her life with her family on their cotton farm. She shares a passion for the land as well as the ability to divine water with her beloved father. When Sonny’s father meets with a tragic accident it is up to her mother, her two older brothers, and herself to maintain the family farm. In order to keep the farm a float Sonny’s mother makes a deal with their reclusive neighbor Mr. Fowler, a deal that will change everything.
This was a beautiful coming-of-age story, but it was also so much more. Sonny was a remarkable character with such a beautiful spirit. I loved her friendship with Daniel and even more than that I loved how she didn’t even really realize that he was different (for lack of a better word). Her relationship with her brothers was touching, even though Trent was a bit of a jerk.* Sidenote my oldest son is named Trent, so it was kind of funny seeing this character who definitely had A bad side with the same name* I was so conflicted when it came to Sonny’s mother. On one hand I really wanted her to open her eyes to how despicable Mr. Fowler was, and on the other hand I do realize she did not have many choices. This part of the book really made me think, I was able to get out of a bad marriage, but a lot of that was because I had an amazing support system. What happens when you don’t have that support system? Where she was in the 1950s in North Carolina where they wouldn’t even give her credit to purchase seeds? Mr. Fowler was a bigot with a heart full of hate and he made me cringe more than once.
The story was so beautifully told... Donna Everhart really brought life on this cotton farm to the pages of this book. The hard dirty work and the love for the land was so evident. But as much beauty as there was in this book, there was also so much ugliness. The racism, the bigotry, the abuse,
. Simply put this was an extremely well told story with an ending that left me satisfied.
*** many thanks to Kensington for my copy of this book ***
This was an evocative story that I found simultaneously heartwarming and heartwrenching. 1950s North Carolina 12-year-old Sonny loves her life with her family on their cotton farm. She shares a passion for the land as well as the ability to divine water with her beloved father. When Sonny’s father meets with a tragic accident it is up to her mother, her two older brothers, and herself to maintain the family farm. In order to keep the farm a float Sonny’s mother makes a deal with their reclusive neighbor Mr. Fowler, a deal that will change everything.
This was a beautiful coming-of-age story, but it was also so much more. Sonny was a remarkable character with such a beautiful spirit. I loved her friendship with Daniel and even more than that I loved how she didn’t even really realize that he was different (for lack of a better word). Her relationship with her brothers was touching, even though Trent was a bit of a jerk.* Sidenote my oldest son is named Trent, so it was kind of funny seeing this character who definitely had A bad side with the same name* I was so conflicted when it came to Sonny’s mother. On one hand I really wanted her to open her eyes to how despicable Mr. Fowler was, and on the other hand I do realize she did not have many choices. This part of the book really made me think, I was able to get out of a bad marriage, but a lot of that was because I had an amazing support system. What happens when you don’t have that support system? Where she was in the 1950s in North Carolina where they wouldn’t even give her credit to purchase seeds? Mr. Fowler was a bigot with a heart full of hate and he made me cringe more than once.
The story was so beautifully told... Donna Everhart really brought life on this cotton farm to the pages of this book. The hard dirty work and the love for the land was so evident. But as much beauty as there was in this book, there was also so much ugliness. The racism, the bigotry, the abuse,
. Simply put this was an extremely well told story with an ending that left me satisfied.
*** many thanks to Kensington for my copy of this book ***
August 1, 2025
3.5 rounded to 4 stars
This is Sonny’s story. She is the young narrator of this book.
She, her parents and her 2 older brothers live in North Carolina in the 1950’s where her dad had a cotton farm. She loved to work with him and he taught her all that he knew about farming. One day while her and her brothers were working with him he was bitten by a rattlesnake and died.
Their neighbor, Mr. Fowler offered to make a deal with their mom to help them plant cotton and get a crop if they would give him a percentage. Sonny’s mom agrees and life gets worse for the whole family from there.
As Sonny tells the story you will learn that Mr. Fowler is a rotten, racist, homophobic, evil man.
There are not a lot of bright spots in this book but there are probably a lot of people that need to read this coming of age story to learn about how recently in the United States’ history that the klan was an acceptable part of society.
I closed this book with a pit in my stomach thinking about the fact that there are still too many people in this world like Mr. Fowler
If you are in an abusive relationship and need help please call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233
https://www.thehotline.org/
This is Sonny’s story. She is the young narrator of this book.
She, her parents and her 2 older brothers live in North Carolina in the 1950’s where her dad had a cotton farm. She loved to work with him and he taught her all that he knew about farming. One day while her and her brothers were working with him he was bitten by a rattlesnake and died.
Their neighbor, Mr. Fowler offered to make a deal with their mom to help them plant cotton and get a crop if they would give him a percentage. Sonny’s mom agrees and life gets worse for the whole family from there.
As Sonny tells the story you will learn that Mr. Fowler is a rotten, racist, homophobic, evil man.
There are not a lot of bright spots in this book but there are probably a lot of people that need to read this coming of age story to learn about how recently in the United States’ history that the klan was an acceptable part of society.
I closed this book with a pit in my stomach thinking about the fact that there are still too many people in this world like Mr. Fowler
If you are in an abusive relationship and need help please call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233
https://www.thehotline.org/
January 14, 2019
4.5 stars
The year is 1951 and 'Sonny' Martha Creech, a 12 year old girl, lives a happy life on a cotton farm in North Carolina with her parents and two older brothers. Sonny adores her dad and wants to be just like him. One day, when Sonny and her brothers are tending the farm, a terrible tragedy strikes and Sonny's dad suddenly dies. Sonny can't imagine anything worse than life without her father, but sadly, a string of bad luck is just about to hit the Creech family. Struggling financially and with a long drought, Sonny's mother tries hard to make end meets but it isn't enough. When their rich neighbour Frank Fowler offers financial help, Sonny's mother has no choice but to accept it. Sonny dislikes Frank Fowler instantly, as he bosses them around, makes fun of her friend Daniel and even bans him from visiting her. Sadly, Sonny's mother does not see Frank's dark side at first and when she does, it is a bit late.
Sonny's relationship with her dad was touching and the grief and emptiness she felt after his death, heartbreaking. The novel reminded me a little bit of To Kill a Mockingbird with some of its themes. It is a coming of age story, depicting a stark contrast of the characters - the loving parents teaching their children to treat everyone the same and with respect, and the evil character of Frank Fowler, a narrow-minded, ignorant and prejudiced man who does not want to hear opinions different from his own, using violence to silence the others.
Kudos to Donna Everhart for tackling so well so many important issues in this thought provoking novel - family abuse, homophobia, bigotry and race. This book is beautifully written and despite the heavy topics, it was a delight to read.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The year is 1951 and 'Sonny' Martha Creech, a 12 year old girl, lives a happy life on a cotton farm in North Carolina with her parents and two older brothers. Sonny adores her dad and wants to be just like him. One day, when Sonny and her brothers are tending the farm, a terrible tragedy strikes and Sonny's dad suddenly dies. Sonny can't imagine anything worse than life without her father, but sadly, a string of bad luck is just about to hit the Creech family. Struggling financially and with a long drought, Sonny's mother tries hard to make end meets but it isn't enough. When their rich neighbour Frank Fowler offers financial help, Sonny's mother has no choice but to accept it. Sonny dislikes Frank Fowler instantly, as he bosses them around, makes fun of her friend Daniel and even bans him from visiting her. Sadly, Sonny's mother does not see Frank's dark side at first and when she does, it is a bit late.
Sonny's relationship with her dad was touching and the grief and emptiness she felt after his death, heartbreaking. The novel reminded me a little bit of To Kill a Mockingbird with some of its themes. It is a coming of age story, depicting a stark contrast of the characters - the loving parents teaching their children to treat everyone the same and with respect, and the evil character of Frank Fowler, a narrow-minded, ignorant and prejudiced man who does not want to hear opinions different from his own, using violence to silence the others.
Kudos to Donna Everhart for tackling so well so many important issues in this thought provoking novel - family abuse, homophobia, bigotry and race. This book is beautifully written and despite the heavy topics, it was a delight to read.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 11, 2018
Captivating Historical Fiction, Unforgettable Characters
Donna Everhart once again achieves the difficult task of expertly weaving light into a dark story, this one rooted in a 1950s cotton farm where, much like the delicate bolls in the field, uncontrollable circumstances can shred vulnerable fibers overnight. In THE FORGIVING KIND, we come to know the family of feisty Sonny Creech, a devoted daughter who has inherited her daddy's gift of dowsing water, and her best friend Daniel, with whom she conjures scenes from his favorite movies.
Donna Everhart once again achieves the difficult task of expertly weaving light into a dark story, this one rooted in a 1950s cotton farm where, much like the delicate bolls in the field, uncontrollable circumstances can shred vulnerable fibers overnight. In THE FORGIVING KIND, we come to know the family of feisty Sonny Creech, a devoted daughter who has inherited her daddy's gift of dowsing water, and her best friend Daniel, with whom she conjures scenes from his favorite movies.
One of the things I admire most about Everhart's storytelling is her ability to write flawed characters, especially the heroes. Readers will undoubtedly identify with the self-centric twelve-year-old who wants what she wants, brushing away potential risk to her best friend, and feel empathy for a mother who so badly needs to believe she's making the best choice for her children that she handicaps her own intuition.
This North Carolina farming community is infected with neighbors who wield powers of intimidation and physical abuse under the cowardly hoods of bigoted ideology. The author has done her research and perfectly captures the hardscrabble farming life, the cancerous growth of power cultivated in evil hands, and, much like the water below the surface, the indiscriminate nature of bounty vs lack. Everhart tenderly midwifes the debilitating weight of regret into the liberating fullness of forgiveness, both of others and self. The Forgiving Kind
January 29, 2019
When is 5 stars not enough? When a book transports readers to another time and place, a cotton farm in North Carolina in 1955, a brutally hot summer filled with drought and despair. When the story of a grieving family fills readers with anguish and heartache and fear and hope. When the author is able to get into the mind and motivations of a desperate mother; a narrow-minded devious man; a confused twelve-year-old boy; and, the heart of the story, Sonny Creech, a young girl who misses her old life as much as she’s trying with all her might to preserve a future for herself and her family. Donna Everhart has once again given readers a riveting story of survival, determination, persistence, and forgiveness. Readers will be compelled to turn pages...pulse-racing, heart-pounding, with a lump in their throat and tears in their eyes.
January 31, 2019
4.5 stars
“Even when you believe someone else might be in the wrong, sometimes the best way is to simply forgive them. Don’t you think?”
What exactly does it mean to be the forgiving kind? What does it take to forgive? Is there a line beyond which you could no longer forgive another person? And do the same standards apply if you have to forgive yourself?
These were all questions I pondered after reading Donna Everhart's terrific novel The Forgiving Kind but although the title suggests forgiveness would be the major theme I'm not so sure. The book forced me to think upon so many other things - the family's love of the land and each other, the difficulties of being a farmer, grief, survival at (almost) any cost, familial love, bigotry, domestic violence and so much more. In fact it was difficult to pinpoint any one specific element as the stand out because it was so well executed throughout.
From the first page the narrator, twelve year old Sonny, makes clear her love of the land. Daddy said the land’s soaked into me the way blood soaks into wood, a permanent, everlasting mark. Almost immediately there is a tragedy which steals her much loved father from the family tipping their world upside down. In the wake of this trauma life becomes tough and then tougher still.
Throughout Sonny's voice was perfect. She may only have been twelve but don't be mistaken this was not young adult fiction. Then again she wasn't one of those twelve year old's with more wisdom than her years should allow. She was at times insightful yet naïve at others. She wanted her parents to be proud of her. She wanted things to be the way they were before. She despaired of some of the decisions her mother made. She loved her friend Daniel fiercely yet innocently, and loathed her new step father equally passionately. Her struggles, and those of the family, felt real and invoked in me a range of emotions including happiness, sadness, anger, love, hatred, disappointment, anxiety and relief.
Every once in a whole you discover a book (or in this case get recommended a book - thanks Angela) which ticks all the boxes - story, characters, writing. I hope you'll try this one for yourself, especially if you enjoyed books like One Good Mama Bone or If The Creek Don't Rise.
My sincere thanks to the author, to Kensington Books, and to NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review which it was my pleasure to provide.
“Even when you believe someone else might be in the wrong, sometimes the best way is to simply forgive them. Don’t you think?”
What exactly does it mean to be the forgiving kind? What does it take to forgive? Is there a line beyond which you could no longer forgive another person? And do the same standards apply if you have to forgive yourself?
These were all questions I pondered after reading Donna Everhart's terrific novel The Forgiving Kind but although the title suggests forgiveness would be the major theme I'm not so sure. The book forced me to think upon so many other things - the family's love of the land and each other, the difficulties of being a farmer, grief, survival at (almost) any cost, familial love, bigotry, domestic violence and so much more. In fact it was difficult to pinpoint any one specific element as the stand out because it was so well executed throughout.
From the first page the narrator, twelve year old Sonny, makes clear her love of the land. Daddy said the land’s soaked into me the way blood soaks into wood, a permanent, everlasting mark. Almost immediately there is a tragedy which steals her much loved father from the family tipping their world upside down. In the wake of this trauma life becomes tough and then tougher still.
Throughout Sonny's voice was perfect. She may only have been twelve but don't be mistaken this was not young adult fiction. Then again she wasn't one of those twelve year old's with more wisdom than her years should allow. She was at times insightful yet naïve at others. She wanted her parents to be proud of her. She wanted things to be the way they were before. She despaired of some of the decisions her mother made. She loved her friend Daniel fiercely yet innocently, and loathed her new step father equally passionately. Her struggles, and those of the family, felt real and invoked in me a range of emotions including happiness, sadness, anger, love, hatred, disappointment, anxiety and relief.
Every once in a whole you discover a book (or in this case get recommended a book - thanks Angela) which ticks all the boxes - story, characters, writing. I hope you'll try this one for yourself, especially if you enjoyed books like One Good Mama Bone or If The Creek Don't Rise.
My sincere thanks to the author, to Kensington Books, and to NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review which it was my pleasure to provide.
January 24, 2019
Rating: 4 stars (with a Trigger Warning)
This latest book from Donna Everhart, ‘The Forgiving Kind’, is a heart-tugging gem. It had me in a high state of anticipation or anxiety from about page thirty, onward. I knew this story, as it continued to unfold, probably wouldn’t end well; but the writing and plot line were so good. I couldn’t look away.
Trigger Warning:
The book is told from the point of view of 12-year old Sonny Creech. Sonny is the youngest child in a tight-knit rural North Carolina cotton farming family. It’s the 1950’s. Jim Crow and the KKK are still alive and well in the area where they live. Sonny loves the process of growing cotton, and more than anything she loves her Daddy. She and her Daddy share an innate skill of being able to detect water underground by ‘dowsing’. They’ve just discovered her skill. Sonny was beginning to get comfortable this skill when a cataclysmic event, the death of her father, changes her family forever.
From there we watch what remains of her family try to keep themselves together, and hold onto their family farm. Sonny’s two older teen-aged brothers handle the death of their father in different ways. The older brother, Ross, takes on more responsibility and tries to become the man of the family. The younger brother, Trent, continues with his slacking and selfish habits. In order to get their cotton crop planted, eventually their mother reluctantly agrees to accept the aid of their nearest neighbor, Frank Fowler. They are to share the profits of that year’s crop 60/40 with Mr. Fowler. After they strike the deal, he starts hanging around the Creech household more and more. It starts with a supper here or there, and soon escalates to breakfast, lunch and dinner as he tries to insinuate himself into Mama's good graces
Fowler is a man who is adept at wearing the mask of a civilized person in front of Olivia, Sonny’s mother. But around the kids he doesn’t care if they see his true colors. He revels in taunting and commanding them to do things when Olivia is out of earshot. He takes special pleasure in tormenting Daniel Lassiter, who is Sonny’s best friend, when Daniel visits the farm. Eventually he bans Daniel from visiting the farm at all.
There are bits of lovely prose in this book. Several times I had to stop and re-read striking lines. Here are a couple of excerpts I had to pause and savor:
“She smelled of cigarettes, Jergens hand lotion, and sorrow.”
“There was a section missing in our familial loop, our way of living, thinking, and doing spilled out of the brokenness, creating a weakness whereas we’d always been so strong.”
This is not a bucolic story of country life in the 1950’s. It’s a story fraught with the consequences of poor choices, and white men acting with impunity outside of the law. I learned a lot more about growing cotton in the 1950’s than I expected. Surprisingly, I enjoyed gaining that knowledge. I rooted for Sonny. She reminded me a bit of Scout in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. She was spunky and had a strong sense of right and wrong. How her friend Daniel was treated by Frank Fowler was just wrong, and she was indignant about that. I was frustrated by the way Sonny’s Mom downplayed her kid’s concerns about Frank.
I didn’t see the book’s ending coming in the way it did. Which is another good thing about the book. I recommend reading the Author’s Afterword. It laid out why she chose to tell the story the way that she did, and it helped me understand why she included some of the intense scenes that she did. It was a time when differences were not accepted, and people felt free to ridicule and persecute those who were different, or below them in the social strata.
I’ve just got to say, “Go Sonny go!” Don’t let anyone steal your own unique ‘soulshine’.
‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, Kensington Books; and the author, Donna Everhart; for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
(Any quotes shown above were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.)
This latest book from Donna Everhart, ‘The Forgiving Kind’, is a heart-tugging gem. It had me in a high state of anticipation or anxiety from about page thirty, onward. I knew this story, as it continued to unfold, probably wouldn’t end well; but the writing and plot line were so good. I couldn’t look away.
Trigger Warning:
The book is told from the point of view of 12-year old Sonny Creech. Sonny is the youngest child in a tight-knit rural North Carolina cotton farming family. It’s the 1950’s. Jim Crow and the KKK are still alive and well in the area where they live. Sonny loves the process of growing cotton, and more than anything she loves her Daddy. She and her Daddy share an innate skill of being able to detect water underground by ‘dowsing’. They’ve just discovered her skill. Sonny was beginning to get comfortable this skill when a cataclysmic event, the death of her father, changes her family forever.
From there we watch what remains of her family try to keep themselves together, and hold onto their family farm. Sonny’s two older teen-aged brothers handle the death of their father in different ways. The older brother, Ross, takes on more responsibility and tries to become the man of the family. The younger brother, Trent, continues with his slacking and selfish habits. In order to get their cotton crop planted, eventually their mother reluctantly agrees to accept the aid of their nearest neighbor, Frank Fowler. They are to share the profits of that year’s crop 60/40 with Mr. Fowler. After they strike the deal, he starts hanging around the Creech household more and more. It starts with a supper here or there, and soon escalates to breakfast, lunch and dinner as he tries to insinuate himself into Mama's good graces
Fowler is a man who is adept at wearing the mask of a civilized person in front of Olivia, Sonny’s mother. But around the kids he doesn’t care if they see his true colors. He revels in taunting and commanding them to do things when Olivia is out of earshot. He takes special pleasure in tormenting Daniel Lassiter, who is Sonny’s best friend, when Daniel visits the farm. Eventually he bans Daniel from visiting the farm at all.
There are bits of lovely prose in this book. Several times I had to stop and re-read striking lines. Here are a couple of excerpts I had to pause and savor:
“She smelled of cigarettes, Jergens hand lotion, and sorrow.”
“There was a section missing in our familial loop, our way of living, thinking, and doing spilled out of the brokenness, creating a weakness whereas we’d always been so strong.”
This is not a bucolic story of country life in the 1950’s. It’s a story fraught with the consequences of poor choices, and white men acting with impunity outside of the law. I learned a lot more about growing cotton in the 1950’s than I expected. Surprisingly, I enjoyed gaining that knowledge. I rooted for Sonny. She reminded me a bit of Scout in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. She was spunky and had a strong sense of right and wrong. How her friend Daniel was treated by Frank Fowler was just wrong, and she was indignant about that. I was frustrated by the way Sonny’s Mom downplayed her kid’s concerns about Frank.
I didn’t see the book’s ending coming in the way it did. Which is another good thing about the book. I recommend reading the Author’s Afterword. It laid out why she chose to tell the story the way that she did, and it helped me understand why she included some of the intense scenes that she did. It was a time when differences were not accepted, and people felt free to ridicule and persecute those who were different, or below them in the social strata.
I’ve just got to say, “Go Sonny go!” Don’t let anyone steal your own unique ‘soulshine’.
‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, Kensington Books; and the author, Donna Everhart; for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
(Any quotes shown above were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.)
July 2, 2019
I will not be writing a summary, instead I will write about my likes/dislikes.
The voice of the narrator is completely spot on. The narrator (12 yr old girl) keeps that young innocence and inexperience in her voice throughout the novel, even when describing an adult topic she has witnessed for the first time. My favorite thing about her use of language was the ability to hear the accents and see their expressions while reading. The characters are authentic and genuine, especially for this setting (North Carolina, 1950s).
The author creates the epitome of all antagonists in this story. The emergence of the antagonist into the life of the main character and her family is deviously conceivable and unfortunate.
It was very hard not to like anything, but I can't say I was 100 percent satisfied with the ending. Not enough to take a star off or go into details about though. Definitely worth the read.
Notable topics not for the weary hearted: rape, physical abuse, emotional abuse, murder, Klu Klux Klan, racism, sexuality
The voice of the narrator is completely spot on. The narrator (12 yr old girl) keeps that young innocence and inexperience in her voice throughout the novel, even when describing an adult topic she has witnessed for the first time. My favorite thing about her use of language was the ability to hear the accents and see their expressions while reading. The characters are authentic and genuine, especially for this setting (North Carolina, 1950s).
The author creates the epitome of all antagonists in this story. The emergence of the antagonist into the life of the main character and her family is deviously conceivable and unfortunate.
It was very hard not to like anything, but I can't say I was 100 percent satisfied with the ending. Not enough to take a star off or go into details about though. Definitely worth the read.
Notable topics not for the weary hearted: rape, physical abuse, emotional abuse, murder, Klu Klux Klan, racism, sexuality
March 28, 2019
This is my first book by Donna Everhart, but it will not be my last. Hailing from my home state, I enjoyed her southern voice and the engaging host of characters that peopled this complex and intriguing story. A coming of age story about a twelve-year-old girl, Martha ‘Sonny’ Creech, growing up on a cotton farm, it takes place in Jones County, NC in the 1950s. She loves the farm like her Daddy, loves cotton planting, the rich soil, her family, and her best friend, Daniel. Daniel is different from the other boys that go to Sonny's school, different from her brothers, too. He keeps his hair long instead of a crew cut like the other boys. He doesn't rough and tumble with the guys and doesn't take up for himself. He thinks about movies and becoming a director. On a homemade stage, Sonny and Daniel act out their plays and sometimes dress the part.
In Sonny’s family, children are taught to respect their elders, not talk back, say the blessing, and do as they’re told, say yes ma’am, no ma’am. It’s good manners and in this story, it’s a way of life. With slow pacing that builds in intensity, Everhart’s writing has a rhythm that reminds me of everything I love about close-knit families. The people we can count on when everything else goes awry. Even Sonny’s relationship with her wild brother, Trent, who is a tad mean, is something she mostly accepts. Ross, most like her Dad, at age sixteen, is not yet ready to be a man, but has everlasting patience for his sister. And Sonny, with all the sweetness and innocence that a pre-adolescent can muster, captures my heart with her optimism. Did I mention she’s a dowser? Will she be able to find water when drought threatens the cotton? Circumstances will conspire to tarnish Sonny’s innocence, and the reader will discover that beneath Sonny’s sweetness is a little fire, no bad thing in this story.
I love the way Everhart writes about 1950s life in North Carolina. I was born on the tail end of the decade, in 1957, but the cooking, the clothes, going to school, having a telephone party line, the cigarette smoking; all of it rings true. In Sonny’s life, economics center around the family’s 300-acre farm. Everybody does their part, and Sonny flourishes doing work she enjoys. When disaster strikes, Sonny’s Mom takes in ironing, hemming, sewing, and Sonny sells eggs, and her brothers do what they can. When a neighbor, Mr. Fowler offers to help the family buy seed, so they can get their cotton in the ground, things will begin to derail. Mr. Fowler exemplifies intolerance and bigotry. There are rumors about him in town. Is it just gossip or is there some basis for truth? Is this a man to be beholden to?
There were times in this story when I wanted to smack Sonny’s mother because she couldn’t see the forest for the trees. However, I think Everhart does a good job of writing what it was like for many women in the 50s. Many rode their husband’s shirttails, and couldn’t stand on their own two feet, cause they never had, and didn't know they could. There are sexual abuse encounters. If this is a trigger, be aware. The ending is satisfying in one way and not in another. Sonny’s mother will take control in an unexpected way. Forgiveness is indicated as a possibility. I enjoyed this author’s unique storytelling voice.
In Sonny’s family, children are taught to respect their elders, not talk back, say the blessing, and do as they’re told, say yes ma’am, no ma’am. It’s good manners and in this story, it’s a way of life. With slow pacing that builds in intensity, Everhart’s writing has a rhythm that reminds me of everything I love about close-knit families. The people we can count on when everything else goes awry. Even Sonny’s relationship with her wild brother, Trent, who is a tad mean, is something she mostly accepts. Ross, most like her Dad, at age sixteen, is not yet ready to be a man, but has everlasting patience for his sister. And Sonny, with all the sweetness and innocence that a pre-adolescent can muster, captures my heart with her optimism. Did I mention she’s a dowser? Will she be able to find water when drought threatens the cotton? Circumstances will conspire to tarnish Sonny’s innocence, and the reader will discover that beneath Sonny’s sweetness is a little fire, no bad thing in this story.
I love the way Everhart writes about 1950s life in North Carolina. I was born on the tail end of the decade, in 1957, but the cooking, the clothes, going to school, having a telephone party line, the cigarette smoking; all of it rings true. In Sonny’s life, economics center around the family’s 300-acre farm. Everybody does their part, and Sonny flourishes doing work she enjoys. When disaster strikes, Sonny’s Mom takes in ironing, hemming, sewing, and Sonny sells eggs, and her brothers do what they can. When a neighbor, Mr. Fowler offers to help the family buy seed, so they can get their cotton in the ground, things will begin to derail. Mr. Fowler exemplifies intolerance and bigotry. There are rumors about him in town. Is it just gossip or is there some basis for truth? Is this a man to be beholden to?
There were times in this story when I wanted to smack Sonny’s mother because she couldn’t see the forest for the trees. However, I think Everhart does a good job of writing what it was like for many women in the 50s. Many rode their husband’s shirttails, and couldn’t stand on their own two feet, cause they never had, and didn't know they could. There are sexual abuse encounters. If this is a trigger, be aware. The ending is satisfying in one way and not in another. Sonny’s mother will take control in an unexpected way. Forgiveness is indicated as a possibility. I enjoyed this author’s unique storytelling voice.
August 16, 2019
Well, that's all right, mama
That's all right for you
That's all right mama, just anyway you do
Well, that's all right, that's all right.
That's all right now mama, anyway you do – by Arthur Crudup, recorded by Elvis Presley
Snakes hide in grass – people, behind their lies. – Unknown
All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was. – Toni Morrison
1955 on a small cotton farm in North Carolina. Twelve-year-old Sonny Creech and her older brothers, Ross and Trent, live with their Mama and Daddy, growing cotton, working together, stretching the bills and loving each other with all their hearts. Until Daddy dies from a rattlesnake bite, and then suddenly the world is an unrecognizable place. For Sonny and her brothers, that one tragic incident shuts the door on the warmth of sunlight and opens the curtains to the darkness of mankind, in ways they had never fathomed.
As events unfold after their father’s death, and as Mama becomes distant and makes choices her children can’t understand, Sonny even seems to lose her “water witch” ability, a wonderful power that only she, of all the family, shared with her Daddy. Sonny leans on her longtime friend, Daniel, as confidante and burgeoning crush, to help her sort through the losses and turmoil. But Daniel has a secret that he hasn’t shared with Sonny, and a wedge slowly forms between them. Then one day another tragic event occurs, this time involving Daniel, and Sonny and her brothers are forced to witness firsthand the evil snake that can coil within men's hearts and strike down the most sensitive of us.
The Forgiving Kind is a beautiful coming of age book, and an excellent representation of the South and the times. It addresses many of the issues that were, and in many ways still are, a part of Southern culture. Bigotry, hate, and abuse are central themes in this story, but threaded throughout are love, kindness, and strength of character.
Every character in the book is believable and seemed so real to me. My heart ached for Sonny and the impotence and frustration of a child who sees wrong but is powerless to stop its onslaught. I hurt for Daniel and his secret, in a time and place that were unforgiving to anyone who was “different.” I was angered and disgusted by the men in the story who had reckless disregard for humanity, in all its colors and forms. And I felt frustration and understanding, and finally satisfaction, with Mama, who, throughout, was doing the best she could in an impossible situation.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington books for an ARC of this haunting novel in exchange for my honest review. 5 stars.
That's all right for you
That's all right mama, just anyway you do
Well, that's all right, that's all right.
That's all right now mama, anyway you do – by Arthur Crudup, recorded by Elvis Presley
Snakes hide in grass – people, behind their lies. – Unknown
All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was. – Toni Morrison
1955 on a small cotton farm in North Carolina. Twelve-year-old Sonny Creech and her older brothers, Ross and Trent, live with their Mama and Daddy, growing cotton, working together, stretching the bills and loving each other with all their hearts. Until Daddy dies from a rattlesnake bite, and then suddenly the world is an unrecognizable place. For Sonny and her brothers, that one tragic incident shuts the door on the warmth of sunlight and opens the curtains to the darkness of mankind, in ways they had never fathomed.
As events unfold after their father’s death, and as Mama becomes distant and makes choices her children can’t understand, Sonny even seems to lose her “water witch” ability, a wonderful power that only she, of all the family, shared with her Daddy. Sonny leans on her longtime friend, Daniel, as confidante and burgeoning crush, to help her sort through the losses and turmoil. But Daniel has a secret that he hasn’t shared with Sonny, and a wedge slowly forms between them. Then one day another tragic event occurs, this time involving Daniel, and Sonny and her brothers are forced to witness firsthand the evil snake that can coil within men's hearts and strike down the most sensitive of us.
The Forgiving Kind is a beautiful coming of age book, and an excellent representation of the South and the times. It addresses many of the issues that were, and in many ways still are, a part of Southern culture. Bigotry, hate, and abuse are central themes in this story, but threaded throughout are love, kindness, and strength of character.
Every character in the book is believable and seemed so real to me. My heart ached for Sonny and the impotence and frustration of a child who sees wrong but is powerless to stop its onslaught. I hurt for Daniel and his secret, in a time and place that were unforgiving to anyone who was “different.” I was angered and disgusted by the men in the story who had reckless disregard for humanity, in all its colors and forms. And I felt frustration and understanding, and finally satisfaction, with Mama, who, throughout, was doing the best she could in an impossible situation.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington books for an ARC of this haunting novel in exchange for my honest review. 5 stars.
April 15, 2022
This is my second book by Donna Everhart and I am about to start my third. She is a gifted writer, whose interesting prose is very easy to read and never dull. I liked her characters and their flaws and the challenges they work to conquer. This book deals with the most serious concerns that most mother's think about but may never voice. What would I do to keep my children safe, if I no longer had my spouse? Today, women are a vital part of the work force but that has not always been the case nor was that option available to white women. It wasn't until the early 70's that it was even possible for professional women to compete with men for jobs other than nursing, teaching or minor administrative tasks. This book set in the 1950's explores a very possible scenario and recaps the concerns of a house wife would experience. It was the era that my parents began their family and it was very clear that despite my mother's great intelligence and academic scholarship, her opportunities were non-existent, when she was married at twenty (later in early 1980's she became self taught with computers and had a responsible career in her 50's). I was so excited by her persistence and hard work!
We observe the happy farming family in a tiny community in NC. Our narrator, “Sonny” Creech is only twelve, when tragedy strikes leaving her and her two older brothers suddenly fatherless. The timing couldn't have been worse, as they were just about to start planting cotton and now the farm won't supply they can produce, will honor the past financial agreement made, now that their father is gone. A nearby neighbor that most don't like or trust offers their mother, Vi the opportunity to have financial help needed to plant, in return for a share of the profits. Drought strikes and productivity is dramatically effected and her mother makes a decision, no one wants!
This story incorporated themes of man against nature and man against man. Sonny's voice is very clear and authentic as she sees events of the worst sort challenge her very naive awareness and experience with the world. She often feels helpless and even challenged to address in words the things she witnesses first hand. It is painful just to "hear" her try to make sense of some of these events.
The outcome of the mother's dreadful choice has extreme consequences that no one anticipated. Forced to react in severe circumstances, Sonny's mom makes a decision to escape, one that the reader will foresee, accept and maybe even cheer-lead, though it is dire. We have heard stories like this in the news. We may even know someone who has faced similar scenarios (hopefully not). Everhart delivers a tale with such the right level of intensity and manages to handle grieving, abuse, rape, racism and other very serious societal issues with great finesse. One chapter will have you gasp and the next will have you chuckling, quite a feat!
This may trigger some, so be proceed with caution if you find these topics uncomfortable or triggering.
We observe the happy farming family in a tiny community in NC. Our narrator, “Sonny” Creech is only twelve, when tragedy strikes leaving her and her two older brothers suddenly fatherless. The timing couldn't have been worse, as they were just about to start planting cotton and now the farm won't supply they can produce, will honor the past financial agreement made, now that their father is gone. A nearby neighbor that most don't like or trust offers their mother, Vi the opportunity to have financial help needed to plant, in return for a share of the profits. Drought strikes and productivity is dramatically effected and her mother makes a decision, no one wants!
This story incorporated themes of man against nature and man against man. Sonny's voice is very clear and authentic as she sees events of the worst sort challenge her very naive awareness and experience with the world. She often feels helpless and even challenged to address in words the things she witnesses first hand. It is painful just to "hear" her try to make sense of some of these events.
The outcome of the mother's dreadful choice has extreme consequences that no one anticipated. Forced to react in severe circumstances, Sonny's mom makes a decision to escape, one that the reader will foresee, accept and maybe even cheer-lead, though it is dire. We have heard stories like this in the news. We may even know someone who has faced similar scenarios (hopefully not). Everhart delivers a tale with such the right level of intensity and manages to handle grieving, abuse, rape, racism and other very serious societal issues with great finesse. One chapter will have you gasp and the next will have you chuckling, quite a feat!
This may trigger some, so be proceed with caution if you find these topics uncomfortable or triggering.
blog-tours
May 26, 2019Thank you to Suzy Approved Book Tours, Kensington Books and Donna Everhart for my copy of this book!
This year one of my goals was to read genres outside of my comfort zone (aka thrillers, suspense, rom com) and when this book came on my radar I decided that I should give it a chance. I wasn't really sure what to expect but I think it's more powerful then I thought it would be.
Sonny is a young girl who lives and works on a cotton farm with her family. She lives and breathes the lifestyle. She loves it and the way that she's able to bond with both her brothers and ultimately her Dad. One day, a tragic accident happens to her father and he suddenly dies. The family is not sure how to go on. That is until one day a "friend" of the family tries to make a deal with Sonny's mom. People are telling Sonny how this guy has ulterior motives. Sonny is a talented girl and is one of the best at divining water - which she got from her Dad. Unfortunately this does not help the "deal" that her family has made with Mr. Fowler. Sonny and family go through trials, tribulations and she continues to fight for Justice just as she deserves.
This book is powerful in many ways. It's both a story of family and also how people fight through injustice and tragic events. It also showcases how racism played out among families back then. As hard as that is to read about, I think it's important and I also love when the people that I'm hoping will come out on top, do. This is also a story where you do really root for the underdogs and as much as they may get pushed down, you hope and pray that they will come out on top for being the better people. It was really great to watch Sonny come into her own and how much she would do for a family that she loved so much.
This year one of my goals was to read genres outside of my comfort zone (aka thrillers, suspense, rom com) and when this book came on my radar I decided that I should give it a chance. I wasn't really sure what to expect but I think it's more powerful then I thought it would be.
Sonny is a young girl who lives and works on a cotton farm with her family. She lives and breathes the lifestyle. She loves it and the way that she's able to bond with both her brothers and ultimately her Dad. One day, a tragic accident happens to her father and he suddenly dies. The family is not sure how to go on. That is until one day a "friend" of the family tries to make a deal with Sonny's mom. People are telling Sonny how this guy has ulterior motives. Sonny is a talented girl and is one of the best at divining water - which she got from her Dad. Unfortunately this does not help the "deal" that her family has made with Mr. Fowler. Sonny and family go through trials, tribulations and she continues to fight for Justice just as she deserves.
This book is powerful in many ways. It's both a story of family and also how people fight through injustice and tragic events. It also showcases how racism played out among families back then. As hard as that is to read about, I think it's important and I also love when the people that I'm hoping will come out on top, do. This is also a story where you do really root for the underdogs and as much as they may get pushed down, you hope and pray that they will come out on top for being the better people. It was really great to watch Sonny come into her own and how much she would do for a family that she loved so much.
October 5, 2019
It's the 1950s. Twelve year old Sonny Creech and her family own a cotton farm in North Carolina. Sonny, like her father, loves the land and has inherited his gift for divining water. But when tragedy strikes, taking the life of Sonny's father, the family is left struggling to get by. Sonny's two older brothers try to keep the farm going, and their mother does her best to bring in a little money. But when a drought threatens to ruin the crop, their wealthy neighbor, Frank Fowler, steps in offering financial help.
As Frank integrates himself more and more into their lives, Sonny begins to worry about his intentions. She seeks comfort from her best friend Daniel, who is dealing with his own difficulties.
While Frank does his best to charm Sonny's mother, Sonny sees the evil that lurks in Frank's soul. As things escalate, Sonny does her best to remain loyal to her family and Daniel, loosing her innocence and sense of security along the way.
Told through Sonny's voice, this is a touching, heartbreaking and poignant coming of age story, that deals with bigotry, bullying and abuse.
Sonny captured my heart from the start and never let it go.
As Frank integrates himself more and more into their lives, Sonny begins to worry about his intentions. She seeks comfort from her best friend Daniel, who is dealing with his own difficulties.
While Frank does his best to charm Sonny's mother, Sonny sees the evil that lurks in Frank's soul. As things escalate, Sonny does her best to remain loyal to her family and Daniel, loosing her innocence and sense of security along the way.
Told through Sonny's voice, this is a touching, heartbreaking and poignant coming of age story, that deals with bigotry, bullying and abuse.
Sonny captured my heart from the start and never let it go.
February 28, 2019
I really liked the southern slag in this book. Everhart had it down pat. I cried and I was angry. This is one of those books that you love to hate. Sonny was my favorite character and she made the whole story. I wanted to kill Mr. Fowler with my bare hands. This was really good, gritty, edgy, Southern fiction. I can't wait to read more of Everharts books.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
May 16, 2019
This is an exceptionally well-written period piece set in the 1950s south. Heavily themed with intolerance, racism and misogyny, its deeper messages are carefully weaved into an engrossing story about a twelve-year-old girl named Martha 'Sonny' Creech and her family as they struggle to save their cotton farm after the untimely death of her father.
September 4, 2018
If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. Donna Everhart has once again given us a young main character who in many ways is wise beyond her years as she tells us the story of her early years. The setting is rural NC in the 50s. The descriptions are so well done that you can feel the heat when the family is planting cotton and chopping weeds and you can feel the joy of the rain after a drought. The characters are so well done that you can feel their tiredness after a long day in the fields. you can feel their pain when their father dies and their fear of the person that they hated. You will know them so well that you'll laugh with them and definitely cry with them as you cheer them on throughout the novel. In other words, this is a must read and I highly recommend it.
Twelve year old Sonny lives on a cotton farm with her parents and two brothers. Like her father, she feels a real connection to the land and loves her life there. When an accident causes the death of her beloved father, the family is unsure whether they will be able to continue farming until a neighbor offers to help them and then share the profits at the end of the season. When it turns out that the neighbor is interested not only in the land but in her mother, Sonny and her brother know that life is abut to get more difficult but they have no idea how terrible their lives will be.
This book is not only beautifully written but is also very well researched. The author has everything well suited to the time period of the 50s and is very knowledgeable about cotton farming. Most importantly is that this is a book you don't want to miss. It's going to be one of my top books of the year.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Twelve year old Sonny lives on a cotton farm with her parents and two brothers. Like her father, she feels a real connection to the land and loves her life there. When an accident causes the death of her beloved father, the family is unsure whether they will be able to continue farming until a neighbor offers to help them and then share the profits at the end of the season. When it turns out that the neighbor is interested not only in the land but in her mother, Sonny and her brother know that life is abut to get more difficult but they have no idea how terrible their lives will be.
This book is not only beautifully written but is also very well researched. The author has everything well suited to the time period of the 50s and is very knowledgeable about cotton farming. Most importantly is that this is a book you don't want to miss. It's going to be one of my top books of the year.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
January 19, 2019
Donna Everhart can only be described as an exceptional writer with an innate gift for storytelling that from my earliest childhood I've always associated with sitting on my grandparent's front porch in either a rocking chair or a wooden swing, the southern air wrapping its steamy, fragrant arms around me while listening with rapt attention to stories of bygone days of when they grew up...stories so deeply ingrained in my southern roots that reading Everhart's books vividly brings them to life, especially since I've lived most of my life in North Carolina, the setting for her novels, including her newest, exceptionally outstanding novel, The Forgiving Kind.
There's something about Everhart's writing that is beyond captivating as she transports you to another time and place making you a part of the story she so expertly weaves, which is one reason that I call her a master writer and storyteller--some authors only write words on paper, but Everhart, like the greatest of authors, creates art with her words, paints a picture that sends you on an emotional journey while exploring the facets of human nature.
It's 1950s North Carolina and main protagonist Sonny Creech is a twelve-year-old free-spirited, feisty girl who is suddenly grief-stricken at the tragic death of her father. It's a loss that's especially devastating for the entire family, her mother Violet and older brothers Trent and Ross since they discover his death has left them in dire financial straits without even enough money to plant cotton for one year's growing season. The family is left to manage as best as they can, to pull together, which they do since love is strong in the Creech family although grief has left its mark. But that won't be enough to keep food on the table and bills paid...
They're forced to accept help from their wealthy neighbor, Frank Fowler, a man filled with bigotry and hate, yet it seems that only Sonny and her best friend Daniel can see behind the mask he wears when around Violet; that is until it is too late, and Violet understands that he's not "just a man" as she had so often told Sonny when she complained of his behavior.
Frank's outright contempt and abuse of Daniel broke my heart and left me in tears just like it tore at Sonny and Daniel's friendship. It was horrible to read about his actions towards children, as well as his other abusive behavior, but I know that it wasn't uncommon for the era or North Carolina during that time. Horribly and embarrassingly enough, having lived in the south for over four decades, I've seen and heard my share of his type of hate and bigotry to know that although things have improved, there's still a long way to go here in the south before that type of bigotry is erased.
Everhart's characters are what I fell in love with in this story because they're so realistic and flawed, even Sonny a teenage girl on the precipice of self-discovery and wonder, afflicted by tragedy and full of mistakes, still is able to find joy and laughter in life's everyday moments. This is a story about friendship, self-discovery, and coming of age, but it's also so much more since Everhart writes about grief, loss, survival, love, abuse, bigotry, homophobia, homosexuality, perseverance, and what it really means to forgive, both others and yourself. I love how Everhart tackled some huge issues in this book and did so with grace and sensitivity, as well as with great empathy. Oh, and make sure you read the Author's Note..it explains some important parts of the book and how she wrote them; it's a definite "must-read"!
If you haven't read Everhart's books yet, then I highly recommend that you pick one up, starting with The Forgiving Kind, which releases on January 29, 2019. Yet they are all perfect and her other books, The Road to Bittersweet and The Education of Dixie Dupree are also on my all-time favorite books shelf along with this one. Trust me, you won't be disappointed in reading The Forgiving Kind!
**Thank you, Lulu Martinez, at Kensington Books and Donna Everhart for the beautiful ARC copy to read and review in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. **
There's something about Everhart's writing that is beyond captivating as she transports you to another time and place making you a part of the story she so expertly weaves, which is one reason that I call her a master writer and storyteller--some authors only write words on paper, but Everhart, like the greatest of authors, creates art with her words, paints a picture that sends you on an emotional journey while exploring the facets of human nature.
It's 1950s North Carolina and main protagonist Sonny Creech is a twelve-year-old free-spirited, feisty girl who is suddenly grief-stricken at the tragic death of her father. It's a loss that's especially devastating for the entire family, her mother Violet and older brothers Trent and Ross since they discover his death has left them in dire financial straits without even enough money to plant cotton for one year's growing season. The family is left to manage as best as they can, to pull together, which they do since love is strong in the Creech family although grief has left its mark. But that won't be enough to keep food on the table and bills paid...
They're forced to accept help from their wealthy neighbor, Frank Fowler, a man filled with bigotry and hate, yet it seems that only Sonny and her best friend Daniel can see behind the mask he wears when around Violet; that is until it is too late, and Violet understands that he's not "just a man" as she had so often told Sonny when she complained of his behavior.
Frank's outright contempt and abuse of Daniel broke my heart and left me in tears just like it tore at Sonny and Daniel's friendship. It was horrible to read about his actions towards children, as well as his other abusive behavior, but I know that it wasn't uncommon for the era or North Carolina during that time. Horribly and embarrassingly enough, having lived in the south for over four decades, I've seen and heard my share of his type of hate and bigotry to know that although things have improved, there's still a long way to go here in the south before that type of bigotry is erased.
Everhart's characters are what I fell in love with in this story because they're so realistic and flawed, even Sonny a teenage girl on the precipice of self-discovery and wonder, afflicted by tragedy and full of mistakes, still is able to find joy and laughter in life's everyday moments. This is a story about friendship, self-discovery, and coming of age, but it's also so much more since Everhart writes about grief, loss, survival, love, abuse, bigotry, homophobia, homosexuality, perseverance, and what it really means to forgive, both others and yourself. I love how Everhart tackled some huge issues in this book and did so with grace and sensitivity, as well as with great empathy. Oh, and make sure you read the Author's Note..it explains some important parts of the book and how she wrote them; it's a definite "must-read"!
If you haven't read Everhart's books yet, then I highly recommend that you pick one up, starting with The Forgiving Kind, which releases on January 29, 2019. Yet they are all perfect and her other books, The Road to Bittersweet and The Education of Dixie Dupree are also on my all-time favorite books shelf along with this one. Trust me, you won't be disappointed in reading The Forgiving Kind!
**Thank you, Lulu Martinez, at Kensington Books and Donna Everhart for the beautiful ARC copy to read and review in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. **
January 6, 2023
What does it take to actually forgive? Is their a point where you can no longer forgive? This novel will make you ask those questions. It take place on a cotton farm in North Carolina in the 1950's and is told through the eyes of twelve year old Sonny. She is part of a happy, loving family. Tragedy strikes and an evil person enters their lives taking them from good times to the very worst of times.
This story is both heartwarming and heart wrenching and at times was very uncomfortable and disturbing to read. It's about a mother blinded by her desire to provide for her three children and how Sonny reacts to the confusion this has caused her. It deals with the serious issues of homosexuality, racism, bigotry, intolerance and sexual, physical, and mental abuse. Despite this, it was an amazing book of what it was like growing up in North Carolina in the 1950's and it ended with a very satisfying ending.
"All that mattered was Daniel had sent me a sign by way of a tiny, twinkling light, an offer of forgiveness, and for me, that little light was big as the night sky above us."
This story is both heartwarming and heart wrenching and at times was very uncomfortable and disturbing to read. It's about a mother blinded by her desire to provide for her three children and how Sonny reacts to the confusion this has caused her. It deals with the serious issues of homosexuality, racism, bigotry, intolerance and sexual, physical, and mental abuse. Despite this, it was an amazing book of what it was like growing up in North Carolina in the 1950's and it ended with a very satisfying ending.
"All that mattered was Daniel had sent me a sign by way of a tiny, twinkling light, an offer of forgiveness, and for me, that little light was big as the night sky above us."
May 9, 2019
I love this book! I was addicted to this story from the opening pages! The book starts off very grounded and family-oriented. But just wait – there is a whole lot more to this book than what initially meets the eye.
Lloyd and Olivia Creech are the proud owners of a successful cotton farm. It is a family effort to keep the farm running and whether they like it or not, even the kids – Ross (16), Trent (14), and Sonny (12) – all must pitch in. Tragedy strikes the Creech family when Lloyd unexpectedly passes away. Now the family must figure out how to go on without him and not lose their home and farm.
This book is beautifully written and rich with detail. I was right there in North Carolina on the cotton farm with the Creech’s. I found Sonny and her dad’s relationship to be very touching and quite special. They share a gift that not everyone can appreciate or even believe is real.
“Girl, you’re the first Creech female ever with the gift. That’s what divining water is, what you did, right there. That’s it!”
After Lloyd’s passing, Olivia and the children are heartbroken. Lloyd was the backbone of the family and farm.
There was a section missing in our familial, our way of living, thinking, and doing spilled out of the brokenness, creating a weakness whereas we’d always been so strong.
They knew they had to put their grief aside so that they could push forward and do what they had to do to keep the farm going. It was admirable the way they picked themselves up and took whatever odd jobs they could to make the money they needed to get the cotton planted. Unfortunately it just wasn’t enough. This is where Frank Fowler, a neighboring farmer, enters the story.
Ugh!! Frank drove me nuts! He is a horrible horrible man. He is unfriendly, mean, and opinionated. Things went from bad to worse and just when I thought things could not possibly get any worse – they did!!
This book is intense, raw, and heartbreaking. If you are expecting a light and fluffy read this is not it! It is a book about family and loss, but it also quite dark and tackles tough issues like bigotry and racism. The characters are unforgettable and it is a testament of a mother’s love and how far she will go for her children.
The Forgiving Kind will no doubt make my top ten list of the year. It is one of those books that I will not soon forget. This is my first book by Donna Everhart and I cannot wait to read more of her books in the future!
Lloyd and Olivia Creech are the proud owners of a successful cotton farm. It is a family effort to keep the farm running and whether they like it or not, even the kids – Ross (16), Trent (14), and Sonny (12) – all must pitch in. Tragedy strikes the Creech family when Lloyd unexpectedly passes away. Now the family must figure out how to go on without him and not lose their home and farm.
This book is beautifully written and rich with detail. I was right there in North Carolina on the cotton farm with the Creech’s. I found Sonny and her dad’s relationship to be very touching and quite special. They share a gift that not everyone can appreciate or even believe is real.
“Girl, you’re the first Creech female ever with the gift. That’s what divining water is, what you did, right there. That’s it!”
After Lloyd’s passing, Olivia and the children are heartbroken. Lloyd was the backbone of the family and farm.
There was a section missing in our familial, our way of living, thinking, and doing spilled out of the brokenness, creating a weakness whereas we’d always been so strong.
They knew they had to put their grief aside so that they could push forward and do what they had to do to keep the farm going. It was admirable the way they picked themselves up and took whatever odd jobs they could to make the money they needed to get the cotton planted. Unfortunately it just wasn’t enough. This is where Frank Fowler, a neighboring farmer, enters the story.
Ugh!! Frank drove me nuts! He is a horrible horrible man. He is unfriendly, mean, and opinionated. Things went from bad to worse and just when I thought things could not possibly get any worse – they did!!
This book is intense, raw, and heartbreaking. If you are expecting a light and fluffy read this is not it! It is a book about family and loss, but it also quite dark and tackles tough issues like bigotry and racism. The characters are unforgettable and it is a testament of a mother’s love and how far she will go for her children.
The Forgiving Kind will no doubt make my top ten list of the year. It is one of those books that I will not soon forget. This is my first book by Donna Everhart and I cannot wait to read more of her books in the future!
May 27, 2019
This one was an emotional, touching read you guys. It follows Sonny, a young girl living in 1950’s North Carolina and follows her after her father passes away. This is definitely a beautiful coming of age story but also so much more than that, it’s not that simple. It’s heartbreaking, sometimes uncomfortable, thought provoking and just beautifully well written. If you haven’t read this you should, it’s fantastic! TFK in three words: Evocative, Thoughtful and Beautiful ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 2, 2024
Why is ZERO stars not a thing?!? 🤬 This travesty does not even deserve one star ... but here we are.🙄 I loathed this story from the first chapter to the last. Our protagonist/narrator, 12 year old Sonny, is a complete and utter idiot ... and I don't do well with stupid people. Fowler and Mama and a few secondary characters... well Hell is too good for them and, of course, the author let them off with no real repercussions for their actions. Yes, even Fowler's demise was WAY too easy and good for him. Slow torture over a period of months would have been a *little* more appropriate. Mama was actually rewarded for her horrible behavior and treatment of her children. This may well be the most unpleasant literary experience of my life. What possible purpose does this story serve? Unless you're a sadist, masochist, psychopath, or sociopath (or, of course, racist, bigot, and/or homophobe)... I suggest you stay away from this monstrosity! I dearly wish I could wipe it from my mind! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
November 29, 2018
I loved everything about Donna Everhart’s novel, “The Forgiving Kind”. “The Forgiving Kind” has all the ingredients of an amazing,intriguing,intense, captivating, riveting, enthralling and thought-provoking Novel. The Genres for this book are Fiction, Suspense, Mystery and History. The timeline for this book is set in the 1950’s in North Carolina. The “Forgiving Kind” has a flavor of “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.
This is a coming of age story. It is a story of good and evil. It is a story of prejudice, bigotry, hatred and bias that existed in the 1950’s. It is a story of good people who farm the land, cotton and soil. It also is a story of survival, family, love and hope. The author describes her colorful cast of characters as complex, complicated, ignorant, good and evil, and dysfunctional.
Twelve year old Martha “Sonny” Creech loves working with the soil, and has inherited the skill of finding water from her deceased father. The other children make fun “Sonny” and call her a “water witch”. Sonny finds comfort with her friend Daniel, who has his own quirky personality and problems. Mrs. Creech and her two sons and Sonny are left in a financial dilemma when her husband dies. Mrs. Creech is forced to accept an offer of help from Frank Fowler a neighbor that has motives of his own. In order to survive, the Creech family has to grow cotton, pick it and sell it. Rumors are circulating that there will be a drought. How will the Creech family survive?
Sonny finds that there are some secrets in her family. Donna Everhart vividly describes the land, the soil, and the process of planting. There are twists and turns. It is a long hot summer and it is dangerous. If only certain people would get their just desserts.
I appreciate that the author discusses important issues as homosexuality, race, color, laws, bigotry and prejudice, ignorance, justice and hope. I highly recommend this important novel to those readers who enjoy a thought -provoking story.
This is a coming of age story. It is a story of good and evil. It is a story of prejudice, bigotry, hatred and bias that existed in the 1950’s. It is a story of good people who farm the land, cotton and soil. It also is a story of survival, family, love and hope. The author describes her colorful cast of characters as complex, complicated, ignorant, good and evil, and dysfunctional.
Twelve year old Martha “Sonny” Creech loves working with the soil, and has inherited the skill of finding water from her deceased father. The other children make fun “Sonny” and call her a “water witch”. Sonny finds comfort with her friend Daniel, who has his own quirky personality and problems. Mrs. Creech and her two sons and Sonny are left in a financial dilemma when her husband dies. Mrs. Creech is forced to accept an offer of help from Frank Fowler a neighbor that has motives of his own. In order to survive, the Creech family has to grow cotton, pick it and sell it. Rumors are circulating that there will be a drought. How will the Creech family survive?
Sonny finds that there are some secrets in her family. Donna Everhart vividly describes the land, the soil, and the process of planting. There are twists and turns. It is a long hot summer and it is dangerous. If only certain people would get their just desserts.
I appreciate that the author discusses important issues as homosexuality, race, color, laws, bigotry and prejudice, ignorance, justice and hope. I highly recommend this important novel to those readers who enjoy a thought -provoking story.
March 2, 2019
Donna Everhart books are always a priority. I requested this one as soon as I saw it on Netgalley, because her other two books had been favorites of mine. And while THE FORGIVING KIND was a different experience for me, I still believe Donna Everhart is a wonderful writer and this is a great and important book.
While I loved reading the first chapter and getting to know Sonny and her father, I admit I lost some interest when he died and the family had to continue with the business. I found the first half of the book rather slow, but I kept on going because I knew it wouldn’t disappoint me. And I’m so glad I did! This is a touching story about a family, about grief, love, racism, and friendship. And the importance of loyalty and never losng hope.
From one particular event on, I found this book unputdownable, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. This is not a thriller or a fast-paced aventure, but I was so consumed by the story that I needed to know what would happen next. My favorite storyline was the one involving Sonny’s friend, Daniel. There were some scenes that broke my heart and the ending almost made me cry… it’s not a happy story, but it remains hopeful.
This is a book that talks about many important themes and even though it’s set in the 50s, it’s still relevant today. Also, I have never heard of divining water (I’m sorry!), and I found it fascinating. I believe that, like all three books by Everhart, this novel would translate beautifully to the big screen (picture something like The Secret Life of Bees).
While I loved reading the first chapter and getting to know Sonny and her father, I admit I lost some interest when he died and the family had to continue with the business. I found the first half of the book rather slow, but I kept on going because I knew it wouldn’t disappoint me. And I’m so glad I did! This is a touching story about a family, about grief, love, racism, and friendship. And the importance of loyalty and never losng hope.
From one particular event on, I found this book unputdownable, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. This is not a thriller or a fast-paced aventure, but I was so consumed by the story that I needed to know what would happen next. My favorite storyline was the one involving Sonny’s friend, Daniel. There were some scenes that broke my heart and the ending almost made me cry… it’s not a happy story, but it remains hopeful.
This is a book that talks about many important themes and even though it’s set in the 50s, it’s still relevant today. Also, I have never heard of divining water (I’m sorry!), and I found it fascinating. I believe that, like all three books by Everhart, this novel would translate beautifully to the big screen (picture something like The Secret Life of Bees).
Want to read
January 9, 2019I hate to say I disliked The Forgiving Kind,but I really did. It's a dark story with serious issues throughout. It doesn't appear that way, but it's evident in the story once you start reading. I wasn't looking for a story full of issues, so I didn't enjoy this one.
March 27, 2019
A remarkable story that I won't forget. This pulled me in deep and had me holding my breath at times. I'm a fan of Donna Everheart ,her stories of the deep south are my favorite. They just keep getting better. A compelling read that stays with you long after the end.
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