About the Book:
Book: An Unpresentable Glory
Author: Eleanor K. Gustafson
Genre: Christian, contemporary, literary fiction
Release Date: July, 2018
“I trusted you, and some day, you may know just how much you hold in your hands.”
Linda Jensen leads a relatively quiet life in Westchester County, New York, as the owner of a highly acclaimed garden. Inherited from her parents, the garden is her pride and joy. It is not so joyful finding a strange man sprawled near her delphiniums! The mysterious man is sick, unable to do anything more than drink water—and beg for secrecy. Ignoring all alarm bells, Linda sees to his needs, but her caring act takes on unexpected significance, and unpresentable glory.
Seeds of trust, and perhaps love, are planted in Linda’s garden haven. But as secrets are revealed and scandal hits the headlines, the act of caring for this man threatens to tarnish both of their reputations. Like weeds in Linda’s garden, circumstances threaten to choke out their fledgling relationship, and small moments prove to be the biggest influencers—on a national scale.
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My Review:
So much is happening in this book. While it seems like one kind of book, soon it's totally different. It becomes a story full of flawed and struggling people who are swept into something bigger than themselves. True, they could have made a few different choices up in the first few chapters of this story. However, since that didn't happen as it often doesn't in real life, you just keep reading about what occurred after that.The man Linda Jeanson helped, a stranger, was not just any ordinary stranger. Her act of intended kindness has pulled her, and us as readers, into a much larger picture. This book has love and misplaced love. It has strength and weaknesses shown in various characters. My heart often hurt for Glynneth as well as being upset with her. Larwrie needs to figure himself out, and Linda. Oh, Linda. As she and others often prayed over issues they were dealing with, I was close to tears on a few occasions.
This book was very different than most books in its genre. It's not afraid to mention that three lettered word that's always missing from "clean" reading, but it's not graphic. Instead, it shows emotions that are present or missing between a husband and wife and those issues happen to be crucial to the story. The writing style is rather back and forth from conversations to almost narration without a narration overtone.
5 Stars
About the Author
Ellie grew up in Branchville NJ, in a county with more cows than people. She attended Wheaton College in Illinois as a music major, then married a pastor/college professor/tree farmer/organist and writer. Together, they have three children and eight grandchildren.
Music was Ellie’s first love until she tried on the cloak of writing and found it a comfortable fit. However, early writing attempts saw friends—and even her mother—advising her to stick to music as a career. She pushed manfully along, though, and An Unpresentable Glory is her sixth novel.
“God first touched me through story,” Ellie says, “and made the bigger Story come alive. I love Him passionately!”
More from Ellie
What’s An Unpresentable Glory about? Here’s Linda’s point of view: Linda Jensen, a noted gardener, finds a stranger sprawled near her delphiniums, obviously ill. She gets him into her house and puts him to bed, deciding that water is the only safe thing to give him. Water in, however, must come out. He is helpless; she must serve him; but in doing this unpresentable task, she feels the presence of angels. [See the book Preface for my personal experience with this.]
Jay’s point of view: Jay finds himself ill and helpless on the lawn of a wealthy but caring gardener. He can’t even reveal his real name. When he leaves at week’s end, he sees the relationship as hopeless because of who he is and enormous repercussions if the hidden week comes to light. Tragedy and disaster haunt him, but a dual set of mentors leads him through churning waters. Will he ever get back to the garden?
* * *
Linda’s sun tea was “mostly Darjeeling with lemon and a sprig of mint.” After reading her description, I tried it and found it tasty, indeed!
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 23
Pause for Tales, March 24
Godly Book Reviews, March 25
Creating Romance, March 26
Girls Living For God’s Glory, March 27
Inklings and notions, March 27
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 28
2014 an Beyond!, March 29
The Becca Files, March 29
Blogging With Carol, March 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 30
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 31
Texas Book-aholic, April 1
janicesbookreviews, April 2
Bigreadersite, April 3
Real World Bible Study, April 3
A Reader’s Brain, April 4
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, April 5
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Ellie is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Butpee Flower gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/ddb4/an-unpresentable-glory-celebration-tour-giveway
A WONDERFUL review, Carol! I am grateful! Your first line--"So much is happening in this book,:and also "This book was very different than most books in its genre"--is quite like several others I've gotten: “This was quite an unexpected novel for me."
ReplyDelete“This is the most interesting novel I have read for a while.” “How do I review this unique book? I'm not sure even how to rate it.”
: )
If nothing else, I have shaken up a few reviewers—which is NOT what I set out to do. You got the major points and liked the journey along the way, and I deeply appreciate your good words. Blessings on you, Carol!
And thanks for a few tears. No matter how many times I read it, I still have trouble with the letter-reading at the end. I care for these people.