Greetings Bookworms!
I’ve been a busy reading bee when I’m not out watering my flowers and getting bitten by mosquitoes. Seriously, the fact that I’m so delicious to bugs and also adore gardening is like a cruel, cruel joke. But, the fact that I’m such a flower nerd was a huge part of the reason I picked up my latest read, The Peculiar Miracles of Antoinette Martin
Lily and Rose were as close as a pair of sisters could be growing up on a commercial flower farm in Kentucky (see? I heard the setting and I was sold. I’m so predictable.) They’ve been estranged for years, but as Rose’s health declines, she reaches out to reconnect with her sister. Rose’s 10 year old daughter Antoinette has special needs. Her diagnosis is murky, but it manifests through symptoms very similar to severe autism. She also has the ability to heal with her touch. You heard me. There’s some magical realism up in this piece. Or science fiction. I don’t know what to call it, but it’s definitely a bit peculiar. The thing is, this gift of Antoinette’s comes at a price. The more Antoinette heals people, the more health consequences she faces herself. She’s begun to have dangerous seizures as a result of her gift, and Rose is desperate to find a way to keep her daughter safe.
The whole thing had a Sarah Addison Allen vibe, but with a little less quirk and a little more emotional gut punch. It was a decent read, I just don’t think I was in the mood for something with quite so much emotional weight? I feel like a jerk for not being all effusive in my praise of it. Maybe I’m just a little too cynical for miracle stories, which DUH KATIE, “miracle” is in the title of the book. I probably wouldn’t have picked it up had it not been for the whole commercial flower farm thing, but I’m a sucker for flowers. So. Yeah. If you’re in the mood for a whole lot of feelings and a little big of magic, check The Peculiar Miracles of Antoinette Martin
Tell me something, Bookworms, do you find that your mood strongly influences your opinions on the books you happen to be reading?
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Megan M.
I think so! I was in a reading slump recently – everything I picked up was just dissatisfying and I actually thought, “Do I hate these books because they’re bad or do I hate them because I’m depressed?” It was probably a little of both.
DoingDewey
Oooh, fascinating! I’m all about SAA and magical realism, so this sounds like a book I should check out.
Karla C.
I liked the book and decided to have my book club read it when it was my turn (this month, actually). So far everyone who has made a comment have loved the book! I’m not super effusive, but I found this to be a hopeful book which is probably why I liked it!
wordsfor
Awesome!