Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Teased: Tender Graces by Kathryn Magendie

teasertuesdays31

All my tiredness flies out of the window when I see Grandma Faith standing in the mountain mists that drift in and out of the trees.


Title
: Tender Graces
Author: Kathryn Magendie
ISBN: 9780982175620
Publisher: Bell Bridge books/2009
Pages: 316

Tender Graces is one of those books which stays in mind even after you put it down. One doesn't wish the book to end at all. One is with Virginia Kate right from the beginning reliving her saga at every moment. This book begins with the mountains of West Virginia and in a way ends there. Virginia Kate does find a home in the swamps of Louisana and also frees herself from the burdens of love for her momma, Katie Ivene. In a way the setting is a metaphor for the turbulent feelings within Virginia Kate, and her brothers Micah and Andy for their momma.

Frederick is a salesman but quotes Shakespeare at every step, meets Katie Ivene, a wildly passionate girl-woman, who wants the good life, and they elope and get married. They have three children, Micah, Virginia Kate and Andy. Their married life has its ups and downs but goes totally bust after a few years of marriage. Frederick goes back to Texas to get enrolled in a school. Katie wants him back but he gets married to Rebekha. This makes Katie mad at Frederick and she sends away Micah with them. Meanwhile Virginia Kate misses her brother Micah, and after a while, Katie sends her away too keeping Andy with her.

Virginia Kate resents being away from her momma but is happy to see her brother Micah, although she misses Andy too. Rebekha does her best to make both the children feel at home and cares for them. After a while she has a boy Bobby but she doesn't change towards the older children. Katie Ivene meets a man and Andy too is made to go to his father without as much as a goodbye. Micah and Virginia Kate are thrilled to be re-united with their brother. Both the boys hate their momma for giving them up but Virgina Kate has mixed feelings. She cannot come in terms with their momma giving up on them.

Rebekha is a good mother, she gives them a solid base, and although she doesn't say it, she loves them for themselves. There is a strong bonding between the brothers and Bobby too takes to Andy, always tagging behind him.

Katheryn Magendie has created solid characters, and is very clear about inter-personal relationships. There is a strong supernatural element in this book, which in no way intrudes but makes it flow smoothly. And just when things get harder to bear, Virginia Kate gets the wisdom from her thoughts, what to do next. Her Grandma Faith is with her, to guide her. Miss Darla too senses when the girl needs her.

Katie Ivene is in no way evil, although her father and sister were. She is one of those woman, high strung and wild, who do not know what they themselves want. The reader does not hate her. Or doesn't pity her either but accepts her as she is. Kathryn managed to do that and that is what is the best part of reading this novel. One gets an inkling why she sent her children away from her before Virginia Kate does.

One just can't help loving Rebekha, long before the children do. She might be quiet and in the first appearance colourless, compared with Katie Ivene but she is grounded and knows what is best for the children. Frederick pales in comparison to her. Right since childhood Micah has loved to draw and he follows that calling. Andy and Bobby to go about excelling in their callings. And Virginia Kate finally understands why their momma let them all go. In the same home, in her momma's room. And at last she is at peace with herself.

With beautiful setting, strong characters, Magendie has written a very good book. One of the best books I read so far. One simply resents it when it ends. Thanks Kathryn, for the ARC.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great teaser and great review!

Lisa (Southern Girl Reads) said...

Sounds like a lovely book! So glad you enjoyed it.

Sassy Brit @ Alternative-Read.com said...

Oh, how lovely!

Thats is a great tease. Glad you liked it. Here is mine!

Take care!

Sassy
:)

Caspette said...

What a lovely quote. Very pretty scene. Appropriate for me to as we have had a lot of fog lately.

My teaser is here.

Anonymous said...

Now that sounds wonderful - thank you!

Kaye said...

I loved this book too. The characters are unforgettable. Magendie is writing a sequel and I know I will read it. She has a beautiful style of writing, just putting you right in the scene.

Kathryn Magendie said...

Thank you for this lovely, wonderful review of my book - I am smiling this morning. I am also glad you were sympathetic to Katie Ivene, as she really is not evil at all . . .

I appreciative of the time you took to read my book and then review it; thank you.

Harvee said...

Nice change for a Teaser Tuesday - a review!

JoAnn said...

This sounds lovely - a teaser and a review.
Thanks!

Serena said...

great review and teaser. Anna really liked this one as well.

Teddyree said...

Beautiful teaser and review of what sounds like a wonderful book.

Unknown said...

Nice review..

Anonymous said...

Wow! You speak so highly of it, it must be good!

Rich Mom, Rich Dad. Poor Mom, Poor Dad. said...

Sounds like a great book! Here's mine!

kayerj said...

nice quote and a lovely review. I am here

avisannschild said...

Love the teaser! Not sure the book would be up my alley though.

zetor said...

Very good teaser and review.

Pam@iwriteinbooks said...

Thanks for the teaser. This is a beautiful review. This is definitely going on my TBR list.

Margot said...

Sounds like an excellent book.

jlshall said...

This book sounds like a wonderful read - it's definitely going on my TBR list. That was a really terrific review.

Kristen said...

Sounds like a great book, love your teaser.

Staci said...

I loved that teaser!!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for teasing me too! I'm passing along an award to you.
http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/thanks-so-much/

Alice said...

Love the teaser and that's a great review! :D

Icedream said...

I have book envy, I want to read this book so much! Your review was great and it just reinforces my belief that I will love this book.

Anna said...

Great review! I really enjoyed this book, too.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric