Friday, September 30, 2011

The Homecoming of Samuel Lake: A Novel



Every June the Moses clan gathers on a sprawling Arkansas farm owned by Calla and John Moses. Married for years, with adult children and grandchildren, the couple live a separate existence in the rambling old farmhouse. Calla runs a self serve grocery in the front of the house while John runs an all-night bar out the back. For most family members, the return 'home' is just a quick trip down the road but for Samuel Lake and his wife Willadee, the trek is a sacrifice and one that Samuel does not embrace. With their three children in tow, they make the long trip from what ever small church Samuel is currently serving as minister. The Lake children look upon the reunion as an escape - a week-long reprieve from the expectations of being 'preacher's kids'. This particular summer, Eleven-year-old Swan Lake and her brothers find their visit extended when, during the reunion, John Moses dies and Samuel finds that he has been relieved of his church appointment. The family stays on and in the coming weeks and months they mutually discover much about this place, their family and Samuel's true calling. It is Swan Lake who cleverly lays out the events in Jenny Wingfield's beautiful debut novel. Wingfield's characters are complex, quirky and wonderful people to spend some quality time and who make you wish that you were part of their clan.

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