Donna Everhart's book, "The Forgiving Kind," was a difficult read but was well worth it. I was warned before I read it that it would be hard to read, not because of technical issues (written well), but because of the emotional aspect of the book. I don't read these kinds of books normally as it is reminiscent of parts of my life, but I felt it was time I could read this book. I am so glad that I did. This book is the second fastest book I've ever read in my 47 years of reading.

I loved the book because of the realism. I could see these characters as real people, painting a picture of each of them in my mind. The situation was all too real. In this way, it might feel like you know exactly what's going to happen, but that doesn't detract from the story at all.

I have a family that grew up anywhere from 1900 to the 1950s. Yes, I was lucky to nearly finish high school with my great-grandparents. I heard stories just as bad, and I believe this book is an accurate portrayal not just of the period, but also of the area in which it was set. This accuracy of the period only lends authenticity to the story. While I appreciate stories that draw attention to the issues of yesterday and even today, it's hard to read. It should be.

I believe the story flowed at a pace that is acceptable for the story. Any longer and it would have been too much, but any shorter and it wouldn't have felt as real. The relationship between the Creech siblings was typical of three-sibling families. I got a kick out of some of their antics. Though I only had one brother, we acted very similar in many instances. Daniel was a character that I read nearly instantly. It didn't take long to figure out what the issue was. You felt bad for Daniel in several different ways throughout the story. It is so hard to comprehend the actions that people have suffered and this story hits home for many people, of that I'm sure.

If you want to read a fictional story that sounds like real life and experience a wide range of emotions, then this book is definitely for you. I suggest everyone would get something out of this book even if you don't like it as much as I do. ( )

I just rated Where the Crawdads Sing and here's another book set in 1950's North Carolina with a young female protagonist but a very different story. Twelve year old Martha 'Sonny' Creech is a cotton farmer's daughter with a gift for water divination. When her father suddenly dies, she and her mother and brothers need to find a way to make ends meet. Enter Frank fucking Fowler (I added the middle name), the wealthy neighbour from the farm next door who offers to help them out... But at what cost?

The story is told in first person by Sonny and Everhart has given her a strong, clear, and powerful voice. Although she sounds like a twelve year old at all times, with the confusion of that age, the fears, and the loss of her father she still manages to convey some very adult themes throughout.

While the book was fairly predictable (for me, anyway, but apparently I'm quite good at seeing things a mile away... Unless it's my own life in which case I'm knocked on my ass regularly), it was absolutely no impediment to my sincere enjoyment of watching the story unfold. I can even admit that there was one difficult scene in particular during which I had my hand over my mouth and found reading it downright gruelling. But that's only a credit to the powerful storytelling and my investment in the characters.

From her comfortable farm clothes to her tomboyish nature, and bright, inquisitive mind, Sonny definitely has a Scout-ness about her. The adult themes that are dealt with through her eyes also bring to mind that most famous of novels.

In the end, Everhart manages to tread well-trodden ground and still come up with a beautiful and fresh story. She tackles difficult subjects with grace and delicacy and has woven a tale which was well worth my time. ( )

As a farmer's daughter growing up in the 1950's, I really enjoyed reading The Forgiving Kind by Donna Everhart. The story centers around a twelve year old girl and the pitfalls that happen to her and her family. Losing her father , Martha "Sonny" Creech, her mother, and two older brothers try to work the cotton farm as their father would have if he were here. A neighbor, Frank Fowler, comes over, helps the family financially, and takes over their lives. What happens next has me engrossed with so many emotions while reading, i.e, love, hate, grief, loss, forgiveness. I loved the authors descriptions of farm life and how hard farming can be, so rewarding when good crops come in and despair when a farmer has a bad crop. I'm now a fan of Donna Everhart and look forward to reading more of her books! ( )

I will be honest. I started to give this book a 3 star rating. But, after I finished, and continued to think on it, I changed that to a 4 star rating. Why did I do this? Because, after reflecting more on the book, I could see just why the author wrote what she did, why she created the characters the way she did, and why it was actually a really gripping novel.

The characters. Oh how I loved them, and some, I loved to hate! As a mama myself, I could feel the emotions that Sonny's mama went through. As a daughter, I hated the feeling. As a reader, I was in awe of the amount of feelings I could go through with Sonny and her family. I smiled, I cried, I wanted to throw the book a time or two when Frank was centered on.

That said, the plot line, albeit a raw, emotion, sometimes tender filled one, was slow. That's what threw me off in the beginning and made me want to give it a 3 star rating. I struggled to get into the book, I struggled to finish it. I am more of a fast-paced kinda gal. But, I pushed through, I conquered, I endured, and I am happy to be able to reflect and learn from this Southern Fiction novel.

Overall, this is a book I can say is worthy of 4 stars. If you are looking for a talented author who created a Southern Fiction novel that will make your heart both happy and hurt at the same time, then grab this one up. If you are looking for a book that is centered around family, even a misguided, broken one, then this is one you need to grab. You'll be seeking forgiveness, you'll be holding tight to those you love, and you'll become a new fan of Everhart's. Despite the slowness of the story, I am looking forward to reading more of this author's work!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Publishing Company and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.* ( )

Do you ever wonder how an author comes up a story that will invoke every emotion there is possible within the reader? A story that is warm and beautiful, dark and terrifying, a story full of goodness and evil, love and hate? A story that is breath-taking? Donna Everhart did it with her newest book THE FORGIVING KIND. I read the last page, closed the book, took a deep breath and thought “How did she do it?”

THE FORGIVING KIND took me back to my childhood days. A time that was carefree. Growing up in a rural area I am very familiar with the sights and smells and tastes Donna describes in this beautiful book. Even the characters’ dialogue brought back childhood memories. “No honey, I ain’t seen hide nor hair of it.” I was awed with the imagery she paints with her words – “freshly plowed soil looks like that rich chocolate powder Mama uses for baking.”

In 1955, the Creeches were a fairly typical farming family in rural North Carolina. Their main source of income was their cotton crop. Twelve-year-old Sonny and her brother Ross loved working in the cotton fields. Their brother Trent wasn’t quite as enamored with farming. Then one day their idyllic life comes to an end.

When Sonny’s father dies the family fights to save their farm. No longer able to get a line of credit they are unable to buy the seedlings needed to plant their next crop. Their seemingly magnanimous neighbor Mr. Fowler steps in to assist. But Sonny, Ross, and Trent soon learn that Fowler presents one face to their mother and a vastly different one to them.

In her author’s note, Everhart writes “for all of the idyllic living, the Southern hospitality, the genteel way of life, intolerance and narrow-mindedness can still be found”. This is heartbreakingly evidenced in the character Daniel, Sonny’s closest friend.

This is a story sure to remain in your heart and mind long after the last page has been read and the book placed aside. The characters have become a part of you, embraced and taken lovingly into your forgiving heart. ( )