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There are currently 23 member reviews
for Solomon's Oak
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Mary M. (Lexington KY)
Heartwarming not mushy
This is a wonderful book about strangers who have had tragedy in their lives coming together to heal and form a family. The story is told at times in the voices of the main characters, Juniper, Glory and Joseph. Juniper's essay about foster children and the holidays will stay with me forever and should be required reading for foster parents everywhere. The book is heartwarming without being mushy and unbelievable. I loved it.
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Marsha E. (Woodland, CA)
The Power of Love
In her tenth novel, Jo-Ann Mapson crafts a story of life, loss and the redeeming power of love. From almost the first page, we move into Glory's rustic farm house along with her foster daughter, Juniper, and just make ourselves at home. Told from the perspective of Glory, Joseph and Juniper—each struggling with his or her own abandonment issues due to death, divorce and parental desertion—we experience their anger, fear and struggle to pull themselves out of the mire their lives have become.
In the back-to-nature setting Mapson has created, we can smell the goats, feel the horses wet coats, and snuggle - and laugh - with the dogs, humorously named Edsel, Cadillac and Dodge. And the healing power of nature is most symbolically embodied in the famous oak on their property. When Glory’s sister Halle remarks, "…your house reminds me of one of those Christmas cards put out by Leanin' Tree. Everything is so homey and cozy and Western…" It was meant as a put-down, but the scene that Mapson creates is so homey and cozy that you want to curl up on the couch along with them.
If this is Mapson’s tenth novel, I have nine new books to add to my TBR list!
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Martha L. (Warner, NH)
Touches the soul quietly
"Solomon’s Oak" by Jo Ann Mapson is book that touches the soul quietly, but lingers like a soft mist. The book is about loss and struggles. How much is too much? When does grieving leave? What is the cost of trust? Is anything really too much? Glory, Juniper and Joseph need healing. The tree, Solomon’s Oak is the setting for the three of them to find themselves and maybe each other. I liked it the realistic characters and the changes each wrought in each other. It is a book to savor and enjoy, not to rush through. It is a book that makes you think about what is important. And to count your blessings.
I think this would be good to read with a book club as it has many themes. It shows universal ideals and will appeal to many adult levels.
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Susan B. (Cape Coral, FL)
Against all odds a family restored
I loved this book, it was hard to come to the end of it. A book about three people, a young widow, neglected teenager, and a retired policeman in a lot of back pain, weaves a story of family that is true to life. Jo-Ann Mapson writes with truth and grace. Her characters are all broken and yet I came to love them and cheer them on to find their way to happiness. The ending seems a little rushed but I would recommend "Solomon's Oak" to anyone looking for a good read.
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Eileen E. (Asheville, NC)
Solomon's Oak offers hope....
A wedding chapel located under a two hundred year old oak tree, Solomon's Oak, provides a young widow, Glory Solomon, with a strong link to her memories of living on their California farm.
This is a story of three people, from three different walks of life and what they share by helping each other heal.
Glory, burdened by more responsibility than she can easily handle. Juniper, a fourteen year old survivor of her sisters disappearance that destroyed her family. Joseph, a former police officer who just lost his best friend in a meth lab raid.
These three lonely souls are bound by their common need. To love and be loved in return.
We become part of a beautiful journey to that end.
Excellent book for book clubs.
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Doris K. (Angora, MN)
Solomon's Oak
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone looking for a "good read,"
Jo-Ann Mapson skilfully brings together three people, scarred by their life experiences. She combines these experiences to tell a good story. A special bonus for dog lovers is that Glory's dogs play an important part in the book.
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Cam G. (Murrells Inlet, SC)
Solomon's Oak
Solomon's Oak, a one hundred year old tree, is the central focus around which three lonely strangers come together. They each have endured loss and tragedy in their lives.
This is a splendid story about a grieving young widow fighting to hang on to her farm, an angry but scared teenaged runaway, and a retired disabled detective who was injured in the line of duty. Mapson does a remarkable job of bringing compassion, understanding and healing to these hurting three individuals.
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