Have You Ever Been Drunk on a Good Book?
I’m not sure what else to call the mind-numbing stupor that has taken over me in the hours after finishing this book. The only reason I’m writing the review now is that I’m afraid I’ll forget some of the things I want to say.
This is only my second Rachel Hauck book, and while I really enjoyed the first, I was kind of afraid to read another. Too often first books by over-recommended authors are um… disappointing at best.
I’m so grateful that this book was not that book
Instead, The Fifth Avenue Story Society is probably going to sit on the top of my favorites of 2020… maybe of all time. I haven’t related so thoroughly and so deeply with a character since I “met” Francie Nolan from A Tree Grows in Brooklyn back when I was twelve.
Except that in this book, I related to all five of the principal characters. Each of them represented a part of who I am and oddly enough, are nothing like me at the same time. I want so much to discuss and investigate those deeper insights, but I can’t. If I attempt that, I’ll be dumping spoilers all over the place. Not a good idea, you know?
Instead, I’ll say that brilliant characterization, an intricate plot that never once felt convoluted or kludgy, and slow, subtle unveilings of spiritual truths combine to create a story that I know I’ll reread probably once a year. The subtlety of the spiritual content hovered on the edge of “hidden” for quite a while, but in the end, Hauck added only what readers needed for this story’s purpose. No more. Seriously brilliant.
In the whole book, I have only one objection that I can recall.
Those who know me will not be surprised that I was bothered by one character hearing the audible voice of God speaking to her. My understanding of Scripture doesn’t allow for that, so I mention it only because I know it is an issue for some people (like me!).
Still, it wasn’t used as a crutch of a plot device, so I chose to look at it as a difference of theological opinion and to move past.
Look, I might read this book in six months and wonder why I raved about lit like I am (doubt that), but as of right now, today, it touched me, laid open things I needed to read and see within myself, and offered hope and healing for wounds I didn’t know I had.
If that’s not a brilliant book, I don’t know what is.
Recommended for lovers of solid Christian fiction that doesn’t preach but does offer spiritual insight. Furthermore, those who love excellent psychological women’s fiction without preachiness will find Rachel Hauck’s novel a welcome relief after so many offerings that only weigh down and use pretentiousness to hide bad writing.
One other thing The Fifth Avenue Story Society did is to plant Rachel Hauck on my “just buy it” list of authors I don’t hesitate to purchase when I see one I don’t have. Looking at the list in the front of this book, my bank account is about to get a workout. Sure am glad I requested a free review copy of this one!
