The Mason Jar by James Russel Lingerfelt is a heart-wrenching tale of new love being lost through unexplainable circumstances. It pops the question, "Can you lose the One?", and if so what happens when you think you have and what happens when you find out you haven't? Continue with me in my review as I explore my thoughts and shockingly similar experiences I had with the main character while reading The Mason Jar. Summary
What if your old college roommate called, raving about a book someone sent her, calling it the most beautiful book she’s ever read? “But,” she said, “it’s about you.” The author is your college ex.
In The Mason Jar, Clayton Fincannon is a Tennessee farm boy raised at the feet of his grandfather. He and his grandfather leave letters for each other in a Mason jar on his grandfather’s desk; letters of counsel and affirmation. When Clayton attends college in Southern California, he meets and falls in love with a dark, debutante, named Savannah. However, when an unmentioned past resurrects in her life and she leaves, Clayton is left with unanswered questions.
Clayton goes on to serve as a missionary in Africa, while he and his grandfather continue their tradition of writing letters. When Clayton returns home five years later to bury his grandfather, he searches for answers pertaining to the loss of the young woman he once loved. Little does Clayton know, the answers await him in the broken Mason jar.
A story about a girl who vanished, a former love who wrote a book about her and a reunion they never imagined.
Written for the bruised and broken, The Mason Jar is an inspirational epic, romance, tragedy which brings hope to people who have experienced disappointment in life due to separation from loved ones. With a redemptive ending and written in the fresh, romantic tones of Nicholas Sparks, The Mason Jar interweaves the imagery of Thoreau with the adventures and climatic family struggles common to Dances with Wolves, A River Runs Through It and Legends of the Fall.
My Thoughts
This was an unexpected read for me. Not my typical book which is a great break from the books that I usually do read. The best way to explain The Mason Jar is that it's a book within a book. There is a lot of present/past POVs that are changed from chapter to chapter. It wasn't confusing to follow at all, so don't be intimidated if those types of books do! Pretty easy to follow.
Going back to the shocking similarities I had with the main character Finn I have lived in most of the places he has. He's been to Santa Monica (so have I) he's been to Africa (so have I so). It was kind of cool to be like "Hey, I know what this place looks like." Other than that though Finn and I don't have any other similarities. Back to the review~
As for the story, I liked it and then I didn't know how I felt about it. I guess where I had some issues was with Eden's (the girl that disappears) story. I don't know why and it's hard to write about because it would basically give everything away. Yet, I didn't hate any of the characters, just want to put that out there. I admired Finn and Eden both for their selflessness and how much they gave of themselves to others. So maybe it was the hopeless romantic in me that had issues with Eden's story because it hurt Finn for so many years. But this is where the healing process begins in the book, another key element of this novel, so I guess it had to happen...I'm still at ends thinking of how I feel about it all. This book will make you think how you would react if you were in the same position as Finn and Eden.
This book is a fast read and is not your typical Christian romance novel. I think if you want to try something new it's something you might like.
What are some of your favorite "not your typical Christian romance novels"?
Rating: 3 out of 5 bookshelves
I received a free copy for a honest review from Litfuse Publicity Group.
About the Author
James Russell Lingerfelt writes inspirational, romantic realism. He attended college through a theatre scholarship, acting in the Broadway musicals Annie and Big River. . He paid his way through
college working as a bookkeeper at his hometown bank and on the college
maintenance crew, scrubbing toilets and mopping floors. The Mason Jar feature film is scheduled for pre-production in 2015. Lingerfelt will serve as Writer/Producer.
Link to Author's: Facebook, Website, Twitter, and Goodreads
Links to Purchase The Mason Jar: Amazon and B&N
James Russell Lingerfelt's debut novel, The Mason Jar, is hot-off-the-press and causing quite the buzz. It's even been optioned for a feature film and is in pre-production.
Catch the spark by entering James' Kindle Fire giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- The Mason Jar by James Russell Lingerfelt
In His Grace,
Taylor Reid
No comments:
Post a Comment