Coming of Age in Crisis

In Val Brelinski’s well done and often moving debut novel, readers see the world through the eyes of a girl (Jory) just reaching puberty (13 turning 14), raised with two sisters (little Frances and older Grace), in rural Idaho, as a member of a small evangelical church, by parents who eschew the modern world of the 1970s. As she comes of age, she has to deal with 17-year-old Grace’s return from a mission in Mexico pregnant and claiming it to be the work of God, with parents (Oren and Esther) in turmoil and at odds, and with an older man (Grip, in his 20s), of dubious background, who befriends her, a relationship not a few may find creepy (though Grip reveals himself to be a noble character).

You’ll find the strengths of the novel in Brelinski’s gently melodic tone, upon which you’ll find yourself drifting, as if on the Enya’s “Orinoco Flow” (Pure Moods, Vol. I), and the change in Jory, both in her maturation, her personal strength, and the world beyond her church and insular religious school. In other words, this is a novel not so much about the mystical, which you might expect from the title, but one grounded firmly in the experiences of families dealing with crises and young women grappling with their new roles as young, social women. Read with this in mind and you’ll find it an impressive first effort. ( )

Coming of Age in Crisis

In Val Brelinski’s well done and often moving debut novel, readers see the world through the eyes of a girl (Jory) just reaching puberty (13 turning 14), raised with two sisters (little Frances and older Grace), in rural Idaho, as a member of a small evangelical church, by parents who eschew the modern world of the 1970s. As she comes of age, she has to deal with 17-year-old Grace’s return from a mission in Mexico pregnant and claiming it to be the work of God, with parents (Oren and Esther) in turmoil and at odds, and with an older man (Grip, in his 20s), of dubious background, who befriends her, a relationship not a few may find creepy (though Grip reveals himself to be a noble character).

You’ll find the strengths of the novel in Brelinski’s gently melodic tone, upon which you’ll find yourself drifting, as if on the Enya’s “Orinoco Flow” (Pure Moods, Vol. I), and the change in Jory, both in her maturation, her personal strength, and the world beyond her church and insular religious school. In other words, this is a novel not so much about the mystical, which you might expect from the title, but one grounded firmly in the experiences of families dealing with crises and young women grappling with their new roles as young, social women. Read with this in mind and you’ll find it an impressive first effort. ( )

I listened to the audiobook which seemed to go on for ever and the reader had really awkward pacing but I kept at it and I'm glad I did. The plot was great, lots of little twists and turns but nothing too complicated. a perfect fit for an audio book to put on while doing other things, minimal attention required. ( )

I loved this book. The characters were very human - Brelinski did a great job of drawing out the strengths, quirks, and flaws of all the characters in a beautiful was - and the story took you around twists and turns without feeling like a completely non-realistic thriller or fantasy. I also enjoyed reading and experiencing the story through Jory's perspective because she seemed to embody the tension between countercultural faith and "fitting in;" while the context was that of a high school girl, the complexities of finding your place and your self can translate to a number of life situations.

While the subject matter could have easily lent itself to ridicule, I thought Brelinski handles it in gracefully and offers a respectful critique of faith, culture, and relationships. I look forward to more from Val Brelinski. Go read this book! ( )

A very good coming of age story taking place in 1970. Jory's sister Grace is fervently religious, so much so that even her parents are afraid of her. When Grace is 17, she fulfills her lifelong dream of going on a mission. She leaves for a mission in Mexico, but comes back a short time later, pregnant and insistent that she is carrying God's child -that this is God's will and his plan for her.

Her father moves Grace and Jory away to a house far from their own, leaving the two girls to take care of each other and away from their family, church and community. What follows is a quirky yet wonderful coming of age tale for Jory. ( )