Books - a gift that keeps on giving

I don’t call myself an avid reader! If the truth be known, I find as I age, my ability to stay focused on page after page, is where I fail miserably! So, if this is you, some of my favourite books may keep you wanting to turn the next page, with great expectations of what captivating adventures are ahead. Happy reading…

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

This very moving and heartwarming book is one that touches all the emotions ~ from the outset you are feeling compassion for the main character Jean Valjean. You see he has done wrong, but you understand why. He has a strong world view of justice but is willing to break the law to survive and bring about the needs he knows are there to be fixed. His deep desire for redemption to his fellow man and to God is admirable. Characters he encounters along his journey bring excitement and concern to your reading. At times you are sitting on the end of your seat wondering how he is going to overcome the obstacles that are put in his way ~ mostly by the relentless Inspector Javert who will stop at nothing to see Valjean behind bars.

Your heart will be captured by Fantine who sacrifices everything for her daughter Cosette and by the intervention of Valjean who tries to save mother and daughter. Tissues may be needed here.

Marius the young student and revolutionary is someone to admire even though a little reckless, you can’t help but love his heroic heart and love for Cosette.

Eponine has a beautiful soul. She is willing to give her all, even though she knows her love for Marius cannot be returned. A true heroin and the one who will bring tears to your eyes ~ even sobbing!

A little light heartedness and reprieve from all the drama are Eponine’s parents, Monsieur and Madame Thenardier. They are depraved and greedy to no end, but their hilarious relationship with each other and the lengths they go to for monetary gain will leave you gob smacked.

My favourite line in this captivating book is “To love another person is to see the face of God.” Oh, if only our world would live by these much needed and powerful words.”

As I mentioned in the introduction, my concentration span isn’t as good as it used to be, so this ‘engaging visual journey’ will keep you engaged page after page. I’m sure your love will know no bounds once you have read Hugo’s convincing dialogue, that love conquers all.

Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hunnard.

From all the books I have read throughout my life, I can confidently say that this is the book that has miraculously changed my life. Here is a little more than just a book review, but some background that will help you understand why this is my favourite book of all time. I especially love this edition, which was gifted to me by my eldest son and family, whom I mention further on. This edition is also a favourite as it is in the same style as my previous review, Les Misérables by publishers Living Expressions Collections. Aren’t they beautiful? The images, designs and artwork really do bring these two novels to life.

It was first handed to me in a paperback edition by a beautiful friend, Val, who was also a mentor and spiritual guide during some very dark days I found myself in during my 30s. Life had given me some dreadful blows, some because of my own rather rash choices and others, sadly, by no fault of my own. I’m sure, as we all look back over our lives (especially when older age is sneaking up on us quickly, with more time to reflect – yes, it is a hazard of ageing), we can say the same.

My personal connection with this Christian allegorical novel isn’t only because the main character is called Much Afraid, who does have many fears to overcome, but also because of the fact that the author Hannah Hunnard wrote it in 1955, the year of my birth.  Like Much Afraid, I had a foot structural abnormality at birth. Therapy, wearing a plaster cast affectionately called ‘Dolly Leg’, having shoes built up and then orthotics have allowed me to live a ‘normal’ life. Thankfully, no one would know – except when all my girlfriends were buying stiletto heels, and I had to explain why I couldn’t possibly walk in them. Life hasn’t been without its falls, bumps, sprains and shoe problems along the way though… gosh no, I was never the dainty one haha! I remember one of my physiotherapists, Meredith, who was treating me after a fall and sprain at the time, said, “Cathy, stop waddling like a duck! It’s heel-toe; heel-toe!!” Fancy saying that to me, knowing my love and devotion to the humble duck!

Hannah was from Colchester in England, a city where my eldest son and his new wife lived while teaching over there. We loved our visit to Colchester, which is England’s oldest Roman city. It is also where the English Romantic-Naturalism artist John Constable lived, and settled nearby at Stour Valley. Oh, how I love his artwork and how he paints his clouds. Hinds Feet was written while Hannah was living as a missionary in Israel, so I can only imagine what her life must have been like, away from her beloved England, to write such a deeply spiritual, yet at the same time, profoundly beautiful book.

Hannah’s amazing gift of visual story telling will take you to many places of darkness and light. I was captivated by the way she used nature in all its forms to bring you from fear and unrest to a place of beauty and peace. Such is the journey when you have the Chief Shepherd as your guide. Yes, even when you stumble, it can prepare you for the breathtakingly beautiful high places.

As you join Much Afraid through places which include the dark valley, the desert of testing, the shores of loneliness and many more, with her companions Sorrow and Suffering, you will feel so deeply proud of her and her story of endurance, persistence and reliance on the Chief Shepherd, as she climbs her way to the High Places. There she finds such amazing beauty, to finally gain her new name… but you will have to find that out yourselves – no spoilers here;)

The Lord God is my strength,

and He will make my feet

like the hinds’ feet,

and He will make me to walk upon