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The Good Dream (2012)

by Donna VanLiere(Favorite Author)

4.04 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0312367775 (ISBN13: 9780312367770)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

St. Martin's Press

review 1: Wonderful!! Set in 1950, Ivorie is an "old maid" determined to live on her own on her parents' farm when a little boy comes into her life. I just loved this book! While there were very sad parts, overall it was such an uplifting story. The characters were so likable and each had such strong voices. I especially liked how VanLiere changed the point of view throughout the novel allowing you to see the story from all sides. For some reason this book really reminded me of The Three Miss Margarets which I also really enjoyed.
review 2: Since I'm a Southern girl from the mountains of North Carolina, I identified with this truly Southern novel which takes place in the mountains of Tennessee. I got the feeling that Donna Van Liere either grew up in Tennessee, or ... moresomewhere in the South. This story has a true Southern flavor. The Southern living with growing a garden, canning, and cooking homecooked meals from the garden, living in an home with no air conditioning, etc. is reminiscent of my own upbringing. My mouth watered at Ivorie's cooking pork chops and fried potatoes, and eggs and biscuits, and fruit cobbler. The Southern expressions are so authentic: "Tell your Mama I said 'hey.'" "The weather is tolerable." "Lord have mercy, Ivorie!" "I'll string some beans for supper." and "That dog nipped at my hind end!" And many more of those countryfied experessions made me smile. Besides the Southernness that I loved, this was a tender story. Richard Paul Evans, the author, endorsed this novel with the statement that is is "a heart-warming story of redemption." And that it is. Ivorie is a great heroine of the everyday variety. She is an "old-maid" by her own admission, but she shows her love and compassion as a natural mother when she takes in a homeless boy. Their story and her caring for another human being because it was the right thing to do is very touching. Her love is shown by action on her part, not just a "take a meal to someone" variety, but a life long commitment. Her service was truly Christlike. I will remember this story for a long time and will let it influence my heart and actions. less

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