The Forgiving Kind

By: Donna Everhart

Narrated by: Tiffany Morgan

Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Engaging, if not Riveting

You may not want to listen to this one if you have a history of abuse. it might stir your emotions too much!

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.

Good

I appreciated this story, with some very grownup themes, being told from the perspective of a tween girl. It’s enlightening to experience stories from kids’ perspectives because we often dismiss or are ignorant to their feelings. It was a good story overall, but I was a little unprepared for a couple of pretty intense sexual moments. They were done subtly with no major details, but without giving many details, just beware that some parts may be triggering for some. I enjoyed the performer, but she reads a little slow. I had to increase the speed to 1.5x. Otherwise she was great.

Fabulous

It was a fabulous book and I really enjoyed the audible from it too. When I wasn’t reading it for myself I was listening to it.

Forgiving?

Poor cotton farmers, mean, rich landowner next field over, beloved father dies, mother has three children, unpayable bills, and a bad crop due to drought. Can you see where this is going. Very enjoyable Southern read.

Incredible

What a read!!!! The kind of book you hope for but rarely find. Goodness vs. evil with goodness prevailing despite all odds. The kind of feel good story that makes living in the aftermath of Trumpnation somewhat tolerable. I wish Everhart could write our own redemption ending.

Domestic Violence

A narrator who sounded appropriate for the charter, finally!!!

Good story showing how domestic Violence sneaks up on it's victims.

Pulls you In immediately

The characters are well developed and the story builds gradually with a few unexpected events.

Another Great Story

I loved the book. I loved the story. Some people don’t like the tensions of racism or of the way women were treated. The sad part is that it still exists and this book is a reminder of not how far we have grown. I lived the life of a battered woman until I had enough money saved to leave and not look back. It did not make this book difficult to read just waited for what I knew would happen. We survive!

Overworked theme

It was a compelling story. Well written and produced. I’m just frankly tired of the subject- this was really interesting in the 70s even 80s . But I’ll actively look for books that don’t have 50s racism and sexism as their primary backdrops.