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A Gracious Plenty A Novel Sheri Reynolds 0045863803870 Books

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A Gracious Plenty A Novel Sheri Reynolds 0045863803870 Books

I was looking for a good read involving ghosts or the spirit world, and I came across this title on an ALA recommended novels list. I thought it sounded a bit strange, but I was up for something different.
When I first began reading about "The Mediator" and how the dead go on living their lives in the cemetery controling the weather and plants, I was a bit doubtful about continuing reading. But, I was drawn in by Finch's character. Scarred as a child by an accident, she became a sarcastic, bitter, but brutally honest recluse who was able to carry on a relationship with the dead. The dead were fascinating -- I was particularly interested in Baby Marcus's story, and why he would just scream and cry for 30 years, and Lucy's suicide.
The writing is poetic and there are some interesting insights to life and death that I never even would've thought of. I found this novel interesting and quite calming... it was soothing and I am currently looking at other works by this author.


Tags : A Gracious Plenty: A Novel [Sheri Reynolds] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Badly burned in a household accident when she was a child, Finch Nobles grows into a courageous and feisty loner who eschews the pity of her hometown and discovers that she can hear the voices of the people buried in her father's cemetery. Finally,Sheri Reynolds,A Gracious Plenty: A Novel,Three Rivers Press,0609803875,Reading Group Guide,Fiction,Fiction - General,Fiction Literary,Fiction-Literary,GENERAL,General Adult,Literary

A Gracious Plenty A Novel Sheri Reynolds 0045863803870 Books Reviews

If someone told me that one of the best books that I read this year would be about a disfigured woman who talks to the dead, I would have been incredulous. But after reading Sheri Reynolds' A Gracious Plenty, I was blown away from this moving, clever and beautifully written story.

Finch Nobles lives and works in a cemetery as a caretaker. Her face, neck, and arm were horribly scarred by boiling water when she was four. Considered a freak by most of those in town, she comes to consider the cemetery and the things that she grows there "the only family I have left." She is somewhat befriended by her old school mate and now policeman, Leonard Livingston. Livingston has his own scars, but none that can be seen. Finch has learned to see and talk to the dead in her cemetery. But contrary to popular belief, the dead are very active. "There is work required of all who pass away. The Dead control the seasons. Everything depends on them. In June, the Dead tunnel earthworms, crack the shells of birds eggs, poke the croaks from frogs. The ones who died children make play of their work, blowing bugs from weed to weed, aerating fields with their cartwheels...The Dead are generous with their gifts to the living."

When someone is buried, a Mediator welcomes them and gives them the ground rules. At first, the Dead are heavy. But they will lighten up after shedding their secrets. Eventually, they become light enough to fade away. Finch also tries to pass messages from the dead to the living, which makes her even more of an outcast.

The cast of characters (both dead and alive) are quite colorful. The dead include a cross-dresser, a poet, a child beauty queen who committed suicide, a baby who won't stop crying, and even Finch's own Ma and Papa. And although the dead are usually peaceful, when they're angry, they bring wrath upon the living. And right now, there is enough anger to go around to kick up a monstrous storm.

A Gracious Plenty is playful, thought-provoking, serious, and just plain wonderful. This is my first novel by Sheri Reynolds, but it definitely won't be my last.
Finch Nobles, the narrator of this story, was badly burned as a toddler when she pulled a pot of boiling water off the stove in her mother’s kitchen. Her father was caretaker of the town cemetery. When her parents die, Finch takes over the care of the land, living alone in the house on the grounds. Cruelly teased by the town children, Finch retreats into the world of the dead after she learns that she is able to talk to and see the spirits of the dead. Her isolation protects her from pain and rejection, but it also kept her from love and friendship. We soon find that most of the book’s characters have their own emotional scars.
It is evident that author Sheri Reynolds has some talent as a writer, but this isn’t brilliant stuff. It’s a fairly easy read that is simply written. The story itself moves fairly quickly and is somewhat engaging. But when we come to the climactic storm (which is summoned up by two of the dead spirits because some of the living refuse to accept their truths), the story starts to seem terribly contrived. My enjoyment of the book was also diminished by its rather stereotypical treatment of “religious” people (Ms. Reynolds would make a good television writer) and the strong influence of postmodern thinking.
Beautiful and clarifying vision of life beyond . I loved minute in her world and her heart. Amen I say.
This is on my favorites book shelf. A sweet, magical story.
Great story great book. It came recommended to me by a friend and I love it! I would recomend it to anyone who enjoys a good story and a quick read!
Quirky, page turner!! If this fellinto the right movie making hands it would quite possibly surpass popularity found in other dark themed stories. Honestly could not put it down. You will not be sorry...
I loved this book! It was beautifully written and so entertaining that I was sad to see it end. The imagery, the sheer magic of it stole my breath. Sheri Reynolds has now become one of my favorite authors. Suspend your need for belief and join Fitch as she speaks with the dead and finds hope for the living. I highly recommend this splendid book.
I was looking for a good read involving ghosts or the spirit world, and I came across this title on an ALA recommended novels list. I thought it sounded a bit strange, but I was up for something different.
When I first began reading about "The Mediator" and how the dead go on living their lives in the cemetery controling the weather and plants, I was a bit doubtful about continuing reading. But, I was drawn in by Finch's character. Scarred as a child by an accident, she became a sarcastic, bitter, but brutally honest recluse who was able to carry on a relationship with the dead. The dead were fascinating -- I was particularly interested in Baby Marcus's story, and why he would just scream and cry for 30 years, and Lucy's suicide.
The writing is poetic and there are some interesting insights to life and death that I never even would've thought of. I found this novel interesting and quite calming... it was soothing and I am currently looking at other works by this author.