Flannery O’Connor published The Violent Bear It Away in 1960. I read a short story or two by her when I was in college and recently decided to give one of her two novels a try.
O’Connor provides much to ponder in this book that becomes a page-turner the closer you get to the end.
Her characters in this book are among the best devised I’ve ever read.
An old man who is a self-proclaimed prophet is raising his nephew Tarwater to follow in his footsteps.
A worldly-wise cousin wants to draw Tarwater into the “reasonable”, “modern” world of faithlessness.
Tarwater himself is torn between two worlds, wanting to be his own master but having to choose between what he believes his destiny is and a life of self-determination.
O’Connor was a one-of-a-kind author whose texts are satire filled with irony. You won’t read another like it.
This book has dark, but not graphic moments. So dark I couldn’t see how she would redeem them.
But she did.
A fascinating, faith-affirming book–but only if you read to the end.
Interesting. I have not read this one.
It’s so different from anything else I’ve ever read. Thanks, Melissa. God bless!
Thanks for sharing a little about an author I was unaware of.
You’re welcome, JD. Glad to hear you got some rain. Thanks for reading. God bless!
Thank you for this recommendation. I’m going to find a copy and read it. Thanks, Nancy!
Let me know what you think, Melinda. Thanks and God bless!
Interesting recommendation. You piqued my curiosity!
Thanks, Ava. Enjoy. God bless!
I’m eager to read this! I love seeing how light expels the darkness even when all seems lost. God can do anything!
All does seem lost in this book. I’m still astonished at how she ended on high note, not a perfectly optimistic one, but one that lends itself to character. Enjoy, Jessica. God bless!
I read a couple of O’Conner’s short stories when I was younger and that was it. I need, like you, to revisit her, Nancy.
This one is dark but gripping, and she does not disappoint at the end. Thanks, Mitch. God bless!
I have not heard of any of her works but this does sound intriguing. Thanks
Thank you, Yvonne. God bless.
Nancy, this book sounds so intriguing. I respect you so much as a writer, I trust your judgement in other reviews.
Thanks, Karen. It will be unlike anything else you’ve ever read. God bless!
The only thing I remember reading by Flannery O’Connor was the short story “Revelation.” I read it in college, and found it so profound I went back to my high school and taught a lesson on it in my old English class. Not sure how I pulled that off …
When books and stories make a difference like that, we can pull it off, as you say. She’s unlike any other. Thanks and God bless!
Nancy, I read some of Flannery O’Connor’s short stories. I have to say they gave me the willies! But they do make you think. Maybe I’d get more out of them now.
She most certainly knew how to make us think. Thanks, Debbie. God bless!