Fantastic review for Stephen Doster's novel Jesus Tree
I received Jesus Tree from Goodreads Giveaways.
What follows is my honest opinion of this book.
If you just read one book in 2015, let it be Jesus Tree. I had not read any of Mr. Doster's prior books but felt I would like Jesus Tree, as the setting for this story is my home state, Georgia. I have great appreciation for the incredible amount of research that Mr. Doster did prior to writing this book, delving into the murder of the white pastor in southeast Georgia during the depression and the subsequent 40 year prison sentence served by the black man who was wrongly convicted of the crime, which true event served as a basis for this story.
Beyond that though, the author spent a great deal of time in explaining the African culture of coastal Georgia, the belief system that dominated the lives of the blacks living in areas such as Sapelo Island; the culture that made Ben Jordan into the honest, god-fearing man he remained throughout his entire life.
This story was extremely well crafted and knitted together as Ben's story is told from birth to death; the predictions made at the time of his birth and how they all played out in the following 60 years or so. The descriptions of the root doctor and his conjures to the torture Ben endured in the prison camp seemed so real I felt I could have been there. The incredible emotion as Ben finally completes his journey back to Sapelo Island and his redemption were the ultimate great ending to the story that I was expecting.
I won't say more and spoil this book for anyone else. I can't say enough good things about this book and I trust anyone else who spends the time with Jesus Tree will feel the same.
If you just read one book in 2015, let it be Jesus Tree. I had not read any of Mr. Doster's prior books but felt I would like Jesus Tree, as the setting for this story is my home state, Georgia. I have great appreciation for the incredible amount of research that Mr. Doster did prior to writing this book, delving into the murder of the white pastor in southeast Georgia during the depression and the subsequent 40 year prison sentence served by the black man who was wrongly convicted of the crime, which true event served as a basis for this story.
Beyond that though, the author spent a great deal of time in explaining the African culture of coastal Georgia, the belief system that dominated the lives of the blacks living in areas such as Sapelo Island; the culture that made Ben Jordan into the honest, god-fearing man he remained throughout his entire life.
This story was extremely well crafted and knitted together as Ben's story is told from birth to death; the predictions made at the time of his birth and how they all played out in the following 60 years or so. The descriptions of the root doctor and his conjures to the torture Ben endured in the prison camp seemed so real I felt I could have been there. The incredible emotion as Ben finally completes his journey back to Sapelo Island and his redemption were the ultimate great ending to the story that I was expecting.
I won't say more and spoil this book for anyone else. I can't say enough good things about this book and I trust anyone else who spends the time with Jesus Tree will feel the same.
—
Lynn, winner of the Good Reads Giveaway
www.sdoster.com
Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com.
Published by Deer Hawk Publications www.deerhawkpublications.com
No comments:
Post a Comment