I
typically review Christian fiction; while This Tender Land
is a coming-of-age story of a young boy's desperate search for an
accurate view of God, it is definitely outside the realm of Christian
fiction. It did, however, give me a lot to think about as I share the
love of God with those whose life experiences have caused them to
view Him as uncaring and even cruel.
Odie
and his brother, Albert, are orphans placed in the care of the
Lincoln Indian Training School, although they were not Native
Americans. There they were often beaten and isolated. Any glimmer of
hope was almost immediately extinguished. Circumstances led them to
flee from the school and the law accompanied by six-year-old Emmy and
a mute Sioux named Mose. Their paths crossed those whose actions
contributed to Odie's view of God, sometimes confirming, other times
softening.
Outside
of frequent vulgar language, the story is very well written, and I am
grateful to have had the opportunity to read it. I was provided a
copy from Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest
opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and
received no monetary compensation.
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