The Forgiving Kind

For twelve-year-old Martha "Sonny" Creech, there is no place more beautiful than her family's cotton farm. She, her two brothers, and her parents work hard on their land - hoeing, planting, picking - but only Sonny loves the rich, dark earth the way her father does. When a tragic accident claims his life, her stricken family struggles to fend off ruin - until their rich, reclusive neighbor offers to help finance that year's cotton crop.

Sonny is dismayed when her mama accepts Frank Fowler's offer; even more so when Sonny's best friend, Daniel, points out that the man has ulterior motives. Sonny has a talent for divining water - an ability she shared with her father and earns her the hated nickname "water witch" in school. But uncanny as that skill may be, it won't be enough to offset Mr. Fowler's disturbing influence in her world. Even her bond with Daniel begins to collapse under the weight of Mr. Fowler's bigoted taunts.

Though she tries to bury her misgivings for the sake of her mama's happiness, Sonny doesn't need a willow branch to divine that a reckoning is coming, bringing with it heartache, violence - and perhaps, a fitting and surprising measure of justice.

©2019 Donna Everhart (P)2019 Tantor

plain wonderful narrative, could not stop until it was finished

The reader did a fabulous job, Perfect rhythm and tone and seamless transitions between characters

The storyline

Was not crazy about the narrator, But the story was good! Recommend to those who like coming of age stories!

Excellent story, character development, narration

Engaging and even captivating, this story is worth the time and credit. I’ll definitely look for more by this author. Narration was spot on also.

love this aurhor

I have read several books by this author. when I have finished one of her books, I instantly start the quest for another.
This tale brings us to the northern end of the cotton belt. With a shorter growing season, work on the farm had close-knit deadlines. However, the children were content to work alongside there father to raise and harvest their own cotton.
The harvest profits were enough to keep them fed and living in a cozy old house.
But this idyllic life was about to change like a blink of an eye. When the rug is pulled out from under them, can the surviving parent deal
with debts and still buy expensive new cotton seed? Will the children be able to navigate their new "reality" and find a fresh start amid the chaos? And, how do they shape out a future, one much like the happy farm life when they were growing up?

Narration was spot on. Story was heartfelt, and kept me engaged. Great job with the characters.

No dislikes at all other than it started a bit slow. Glad I didn’t give up:)