a long time comin’ by Robin W. Pearson — Book Review

I’m not a big fan of most Christian fiction.  It’s often sappy and not particularly well written (at least in my opinion). However, this novel is an exception.  The family of Beatrice Agnew is portrayed honestly with all their problems and foibles.  Bea has a different relationship with each of her children, and the exploration of these family dynamics is the engine that moves the plot along. I found myself caught up in her story and wanting to learn more about her life and her secrets. Told from the viewpoint of her granddaughter, Evelyn, “Granny B.” comes to life as a complicated and well developed character. She reminded me more than a bit of my own grandmother.

Author Robin Pearson leads the reader on a journey through pain and hardship, guilt,  forgiveness, healing and grief while exploring the family relationships between Beatrice and her children and grandchildren. God is a real presence in the life of the characters. The faith portrayed is authentic, but not sentimentalized.

There are discussion questions at the end, so this would make a good read for your book club.  According to the blub, this novel is the first in a series of three, so if you like it (as I did), you can look forward to more.

VERDICT:  4 STARS.  An easy and enjoyable read.