The Fence My Father Built, by Linda S. Clare

Review by Jen Nofziger

Muri Pond is seeking peace. She has packed up everything she owns and her kids, left Portland and headed to the land of her Native American ancestors in the Oregon desert. Muri's dad has passed away, her husband has fallen in love with someone else, and she has lost her job. She could use some peace, and maybe the rolling hills and rural life is where she will find it.

The Fence My Father Built, by Linda S. Clare, tells the story of Muri and of finding home. Muri hasn't seen her father since she was three, when her mother left him. Though Muri has fond memories of her father, her mother was sure to let Muri know that he was a religious nut with a drinking problem and Muri was better off without him. Still, Muri has always meant to find him, but he passes away and leaves his land to her before she does.

Muri learns of her father's death and that there is a battle for her father's land in a letter from her Aunt Lutie and Uncle Tiny - and off to Murkee she goes. Life does not get any more peaceful for Muri when she arrives in Murkee. Her father's land may not be hers for very long if the town “bully” gets his way, her fourteen year-old daughter runs away leaving no trace, and it turns out her aunt is as much an annoying religious fanatic as her father supposedly was. Through it all, Muri wonders, if this God of her father and aunt exists, how could he possibly care about or understand what is going on in Muri's life?

I enjoyed The Fence My Father Built. I found Linda Clare's storytelling style easy to read. I loved the themes of this story: home-coming, peace-seeking/finding, family-unifying. I especially enjoyed Joe Pond, Muri's father. He appears in the book through his journal entries and is easily my favorite character. Through his journal entries, he shares his love for his daughter, but the pain of having to live without her; his addiction to alcohol, but his desire to “live right”; his Native American heritage, and his faith in his God. The story is hard to follow in parts. The writing and time line is awkward in places, which was distracting and could get frustrating. There are times when there is too much detail, and times there is not enough. It's not great literature, but overall, it was a nice story.

P.S. If you have a Nook or Nook app, I can lend you this book. ;-)

The Novelist, by Angela Hunt

Review by Jen Nofziger

In The Novelist, Angela Hunt writes of Jordan Casey Kerrigan, a wildly successful author struggling with her grown, alcoholic son who appears to be spiraling out of control. In the midst of this, Jordan Casey Kerrigan undertakes a new task, teaching college students how to write their first novel. Here, she finds she has the opportunity to learn more than she could possibly teach. Challenged by an ornery student, confronting her faith as it relates to her work, and trying to reach her son, Jordan decides to create an allegory that she hopes will portray the love of God and his plans for his people.

According to her website, Angela Hunt has more than 100 titles to her credit. As far as I can remember, I have not read any of her books before this one. I am definitely going to read some more! I didn't want this book to end. I was drawn to the characters and to their stories. The story within the story is so well written; creatively and clearly sharing the author's vision of who she believes her God to be and what he is capable of. Between the two stories, we, along with the protagonists, explore faith, sovereignty, free will, creation, and creator.

Hunt shares many amazing truths about God in this story. One of my favorites is when the “creator” meets her creation and realizes what she has learned about her creator:

“You know what? I used to think the creator tested me to discover how strong I was. Lately, though, I've begun to realize he has an entirely different purpose in mind. The author of my life knows everything about me, so he already knows how strong I am. The tests come to me – and to you – so we know how strong the creator is when he carries us through what we can't handle alone.”

Hunt writes of an author who writes a story where she can work her will, as the creator, and develop her characters. In the end, she is reminded that her creator has done the same. A great lesson for us all. Sometimes we need to learn it, and sometimes we need to learn it again. This book is a delightful way to be reminded.