Book Description: Anna Larson's daughter, Lauren, is confused, brokenhearted, and misguided. It's the turbulent 1960s and feeling alienated from her mother, Lauren chooses to stay with her paternal grandmother. However, repelled by the woman's manipulative and spiteful ways, Lauren returns to her mother, the river, and the Inn at Shining Waters.
There, Lauren begins to appreciate the person her mother is becoming - and she loves the river. However, her mother's romantic interest throws a wrench into the works and Lauren, jealous and angry, returns to her grandmother yet again.
But as time passes, and Lauren, now a mother to her own defiant teenager, faces a new crisis, one that puts the entire family at risk.
My Review: When I began reading River's Call by Melody Carlson I was captivated by the mother/daughter relationship of Anna and Lauren. To be truthfully honest Lauren reeked of being a spoiled, bratty, I'm.in.my.own.world older teenager. I realized that I truly disliked Lauren and thought wow! this is great fiction because I "feel" such dislike for a made up character!
Anna is a kind and gentle mom...maybe that's why Lauren is such a brat. Anyway, Anna seems to be able to lead Lauren through some fairly terrific battles and get Lauren to the "right" side os life. Through no help of her mother-in-law!
This is one of those reads, though set in the 1960's, really pertains to a lot of teenagers and their parents struggles in today's life. I think this book would be great as required reading for girls between the ages of 13-18.
It was not only Lauren's life and perspective but also Anna's unselfish, sometimes bordering on too giving, that opens the reader's eyes to the life and struggles of the generations.
Even though this is a great read it was also quite sad. My heart truly hurt for Sarah. I thought of the quote by Andrew Bernstein when pondering this read, "Nothing is given to man on earth - struggle is built into the nature of life, and conflict is possible - the hero is the man who lets no obstacle prevent him from pursuing the values he has chosen."
I didn't realize this was the second in the Inn at Shining Waters Series so I'm not sure I missed anything...this is also a great stand alone read, in my opinion. But like any good reader I wish I had read the books in order so that I could "see" the whole family picture.
*This book was provided by Glass Road PR for review*
Inn at Shining River's Series
| Format: Paperback Number of Pages: 288 Vendor: Abingdon Press Publication Date: 2012 |
I love encouraging kids/teens at my church to read so if I come across a book I know is good and in their age group at a used book store or garage sale I buy it and give it away at church. I think I will get this one on Amazon and give it away (after I read it).
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