★★★★★/★★★★★
Title: Making Faces
Author: Amy Harmon
Publication date: October 12, 2013
Page count: 405
“Maybe everyone represents a piece of the puzzle. We all fit together to create this experience we call life. None of us can see the part we play or the way we see are just the tip of the iceberg. And maybe we just don’t recognize the blessings that come as a result of terrible things.”
My first book of Amy Harmon surely left a mark on me. Making Faces is a beautifully written story of scarred people, both emotionally and physically, that will definitely melt your heart. It’s such an emotional book with a brilliant storyline and characters you will surely love.
Making Faces tells the story of Fern Taylor, Ambrose Young and Bailey Sheen, three people who share their passion in wrestling. The lives of these three are connected in such a way they live to support, care and love each other. Fern is one of those characters you will immediately love. She’s kind-hearted, loving and she cares so much for her cousin, Bailey, who has a muscular dystrophy. She doesn’t see herself as pretty but plain and she has the biggest crush on the handsome Ambrose Young who doesn’t see her. Ambrose is a wrestler in high school. It’s his sport, the one thing he lives for. Same for Bailey who loves wrestling, but because of his disease he can’t even lift his arm without Fern’s help.
“I want to be a hero.” Bailey looked at Fern gravely, as if he was disclosing highly classified information. “I don’t know what kind yet. Maybe like Hercules or Bruce Baumgartner. And if I can’t be a hero like that, then maybe I could just save someone.”
My heart broke for Bailey everytime. He’s a sweet guy, full of charms and his love for life made me want to hug him! He knew eventually he’s going to die but that doesn’t scare him, if anything it makes him want to live more, do more and enjoy everything to the fullest. He and Fern are so close they are practically brother and sister. He is also friends with Ambrose and the rest of the wrestling team since his father is their coach. He’s watched every camp his father had with them and with it formed a dream of becoming a great wrestler like Ambrose.
As the story unfolds, we see how Ambrose decided to join the military together with his friends. Fern and Bailey continue to care for each other, left in their little town. Life continues until people in Fern’s town receive a bad news. It’s a tragedy that will stay in them for a long time.
I’ve cried a lot of times because of this book. It hurt and my heart ached for everyone. Honestly, I know what will happen next but it still broke my heart. It’s deeply moving and it relays a beautiful message about beauty not only being physical. My first Amy Harmon book and I totally loved it!
“If God made all our faces, did he laugh when he made me?
Does he make the legs that cannot walk and eyes that cannot see?
Does he curl the hair upon my head ’til it rebels in wild defiance?
Does he close the ears of a deaf man to make him more reliant?
Is the way I look a coincidence or just a twist of fate?
If he made me this way, is it okay, to blame him for the things I hate?
For the flaws that seem to worsen every time I see a mirror,
For the ugliness I see in me, for the loathing and the fear.
Does he sculpt us for sure, for a reason I can’t see?
If God makes all our faces, did he laugh when he made me?”
Overall, Making Faces is a highly recommended book! An emotional book with brilliant storyline and beautiful characters.
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