News from Heaven: The Bakerton Stories by Jennifer HaighMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I could not wait to read News from Heaven: The Bakerton Stories since I enjoyed Baker Towers so much. News from Heaven: The Bakerton Stories did not disappoint. Haigh filled in some of the missing links of individual lives and families that the reader was introduced to in Baker Towers. I would not say that reading Baker Towers is a prerequisite because the reader will enjoy these loosely connected stories nonetheless.
It is no surprise that my favorite story of the collection was about the rebel of the Novak family, Sandy. Sandy was the character from Baker Towers that I speculated about the most. I was excited when I came to his story and sadden by the ending. Joyce Novak is still as resilient as she was in Baker Towers. Then there are stories like the young Annie Lubicki’s journey from Bakerton, PA to work for a Jewish family in New York. There are also family stories such as a father coming to terms with selfish behavior and a return of an aunt changing an entire family dynamic. Only one out of the entire collection did not fit the mix for me. Haigh closes each story perfectly.
These stories were delightful and introspective. If you read Baker Towers there were times you were nostalgic when you read how the times have changed Bakerton. For the reader that picks up this book without any background on the city and people of Bakerton, they will not be lost. Haigh writes News from Heaven as if she is writing about old friends. I am glad she visited them again.
Advanced copy provided by the publisher. In no way does this influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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1 comment:
I don't usually pick up short stories but it looks as if this is something that will have to change. While arranging my books on new shelves las weekend I realized that I had 2 books of short stories and now your post is pushing me toward another a book of short stories. Will definitely try to check this one out at some point. Will you be doing anything special on your blog for Black History month?
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