Sadie's husband, Troy, is a deacon in the church; and much of their time and many of their activities center around the church. It is as an act of church charity, taking food to Allie's family in the time of their affliction, that leads Sadie to meet Allie's mother Judith and become friends with her. And through the tidbits of information she gathers from Judith and from a policeman friend, she comes to suspect that Troy might be the monstrous perpetrator. The very fact of her suspicion indicates how far her relationship with her husband has deteriorated.
On the one hand, this book has the scariness of everyday reality. Terrible things can happen to ordinary people doing ordinary things -- as in Jane Hamilton's A Map of the World.
On the other hand, this story realistically presents what to me feels like a foreign culture. You get involved in and come to understand the motivations and self-imposed limitations and expectations of a fundamentalist church community. This is not a book by an outsider, pointing out the limitations of such a society; or an indictment by a former member looking back critically. Rather, it is a sympathetic view, from the inside. You can feel for Sadie, understand her fears and concerns and aspirations. You keep routing for her to break free, as best she can.
But for her, the solution to the problem lies within the nine dots, not outside them.
Linda Hall adeptly makes a strong case for a humane and sympathetic interpretation of scripture of the role of the church in our everyday lives. Rather than reject the church, she has her characters strive to transform it from within.
On one level Sadie's Song is a realistic and engaging protrayal of spousal abuse. On another level it's a mystery story in which you strongly identify with the lead character and fear the imminent consummation of what you come to believe is the obvious outcome. At the same time, this book is a dramatic wakeup call to fundamentalist Christian believers -- to reexamine basic assumptions of their church-oriented life, and to face directly rather than ignore and hide problems and inadvertently encourage such problems as spousal abuse.
Regardless of your religious beliefs, this book deserves your attention. The characters soon feel like neighbors and friends of yours. Much of the drama comes from the environment which Linda Hall creates, in which what could happen and what could have happened loom large in the background. You'll find it very hard to put Sadie's Song down until you've finished it.
Other book reviews by Richard Seltzer
Published by B&R Samizdat Express, PO Box 320-161, West Roxbury,
MA 02132-002. 617-469-2269 seltzer@samizdat.com
Can we help you build an Internet business? Richard Seltzer is an
independent Internet writer/speaker/consultant. Click
here for details.
Opus authors -- contemporary
writers whose entire work is great
The Readers' Corner
and Writers Showcase
Return to B&R Samizdat Express
Sitemap with links to
every page at this site.
American Literature CD
-- over 380 books on a single CD that sells for $29
World Literature
CD -- over 470 books, including both English translations and originals,
when available, on a single CD that sells for $29
British Literature
CD -- over 720 books on a single CD that sells for $29.
Children's Book CD --
over 200 books on a single CD that sells for $29
List of recent updates
to other book CDs from Seedy Press.
| Internet Business Showcase: | |||
Dog Training and Pet Care Veterinary, Dog/Cat Veterinarians |
Viatical Settlements RFID Tags, RFID Readers Link Popularity & Link Exchanges |
Hair Restoration for Hair Loss Hair Restoration Plastic Surgery & Surgeons |
Used Cars Guide Homecoming & Prom Dresses Dropship & Wholesale Sources |