Raymond L. Atkins

This was my first book by Mr. Atkins. It was for school summer reading, and I knew nothing about it when I started it. I had never even heard of it. I learned a lot of new words from this book (sarcastically) and I now wish I hadn't read it that year, because I could have appreciated it a lot more if I was older/more mature. This was not a good introduction to realistic fiction for me- I needed something a little less harsh and intense. I don't regret reading it, I just wish I had been older so I could understand it better.… (plus d'informations)

“ Wow!”, that was all I could say when I finished the book.The book made me laugh, cry and really sad that it was over. Not many books these days evoke that feeling from me. Sorrow Wood takes you to my beloved south and is both a love story and a murder mystery. The characters are true to the south and show that not every town in the south is “Mayberry”. The love story of Wendell and Reva is shown over decades that shared joy and sorrow. Reva has a sense of bad things happening and refers to this as the “bear”.The bear shows up several times in their lives and Reva believes she has had many past lives when she and Wendell were together.To me the love story was the central theme. Keep in mind it is not a mushy chick lit type of love story. It is simply the story of two people who feel in love, weathered the storms and are still in love decades later. The murder story lines ties several things together, but I have to say I did not expect some of the twists and turns. This book will be one that you cannot put down and will be sorry when it is over. I look forward to reading many more books by Raymond Atkins.… (plus d'informations)

When I first started this book I thought it was going to be a mystery. Before long I realized Sorrow Wood is a love story about Wendell and Reva. Wendell is a sixteen year old boy who fights against his father, eventually running off join the Navy during World War II. Reva has had a life of bad luck, losing both her family and her leg. When she eventually meets Wendell they are instantly attracted to one another. This is not the only time Wendell and Reva have been in love. Reva believes they've met each other several times throughout the course of history.

When a burned body is discovered at a farm, it appears to be that of a local witch with a reputation for promiscuity. While the mystery does propel some of the story, mystery fans should not read this book thinking it a mystery novel. This is a story primarily about relationships and the devotion Wendell and Reva have towards one another.

The story is written using alternating chapters to jump from the present time to the past and back. The reader gradually learns more about Wendell and Reva and their history together. At the end of every chapter, there's a few pages that describe a man and a woman throughout different periods of history and soon, we realize it's the continually reincarnated souls of Wendell and Reva.

I thought the book was beautifully written and had a lot of humor. I almost didn't read it because it starts out with Wendell investigating a dead dog. To be honest, I just skimmed through that part. I hadn't heard of Raymond Atkins before, but he has several books available that deal with southern literature, humor and small towns. I'm going to give Front Porch Prophet and try next.
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