Saving Cicadas is a wonderful work of fiction about a single mom who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant. Woven throughout the book are some great illustrations of the complexity of families and relationships. Our emotions often get the best of us and we sometimes don’t see past those emotions to learn the life lessons that we are meant to learn while we are here on earth.
This novel explores so many subjects that it is hard to imagine how they could all be woven so expertly into the story line without feeling like you are ticking off a list; however, the author skillfully does so. Saving Cicadas shares with us an adult unplanned pregnancy, we learn of a teenaged pregnancy, an estrangement from parents in a time of need, we get a window into what it is like for a parent to deal with life’s ups and downs while parenting a special needs child. Along with those issues we get exposed to the consequences of relationship failures and how they not only impact those in the intimate relationship; but also, into other peripheral relationships and how they are affected. This story explores the raising of children without fathers, it dives into adoption, abortion, abandonment, and the complicated layers of influence that religion plays on our decisions and our choices in our daily lives.
There are some definite artistic licenses taken with traditional Christian beliefs when it comes to exploring the concept of angels and the limits, or lack there of, that they play in our earthly lives. The line between our physical selves and our spiritual selves is explored too. I love how the story line explores the ramifications of what would have, should have, or could have been, in regards to the life of the unborn who’s lives were terminated through abortion. This may be a hard read for those who have been touched by abortion. However, the book also underscores the power of repentence and forgiveness which is exactly what scripture promises to those who truly seek it.
All in all, this book is a life affirming book which I believe makes it worth the time and emotional energy that the reader expends while unfolding the storyline. It is a good book and I like that the author takes the time to write questions at the end of the book which helps guide the reader’s feelings and understanding of the different areas of thought on these subjects.
The author is Nicole Seitz and the book was published in 2010 by Thomas Nelson Publishers. The publisher’s website can be found here: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/ and here is the author’s website: http://www.nicoleseitz.com/
The Road To Me- I Now Know Why That Caged Bird Sang, is an exploratory autobiography of a woman who has known abandonment, cancer, abuse, domestic violence, foster care, love and loss in many forms. Jessica Angelique is a very special woman. She has been to the depths of pain and loss and yet she has not built her life on dispair. She has also known love and life; and yet, she has not had a smooth storybook ending. This is a woman who deserves a great two- sided love which will be built out of mutual respect, admiration, decency and purpose.
Her life as a young child can be described as, one horror after another. Her definition of family was redefined by her experiences. She considers one certain foster family to be her parents and that would be Barb and Dave. Jessica considers their children Tony and Alyssa her brother and sister.
They were a foster family that had the care of Jessica within their family for one blissful year. They accepted her as their own until the foster care system decided to end her stay there. The tragedy is that she doesn’t know their last name or, what city in Indiana that they lived in. To top it off…the system will not allow her to try to trace them or contact them. It would be an amazing miracle to find them after all of these years. Her heart aches to reconnect with them and to tell them of their impact on her life. They gave her gifts that they may not realize that they bestowed upon the young girl who had never known unselfish love and acceptance. How different would her life have been had she been allowed to put down roots in this family and grown to flourish and flower? Read the rest of this entry…
Rainy’s Recommendations
