Search - The Solace of Leaving Early

The Solace of Leaving Early
Larger
The Solace of Leaving Early
Author: Haven Kimmel

Book Information
Publisher: Anchor
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9781400033348 - ISBN-10: 1400033349
Publication Date: 5/13/2003
Pages: 288


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover

Book Description:
Using small-town life as a springboard to explore the loftiest of ideas, Haven Kimmel’s irresistibly smart and generous first novel is at once a romance and a haunting meditation on grief and faith. Langston Braverman returns to Haddington, Indiana (pop. 3,062) after walking out on an academic career that has equipped her for little but lording it over other people. Amos Townsend is trying to minister to a congregation that would prefer simple affirmations to his esoteric brand of theology.

What draws these difficult—if not impossible—people together are two wounded little girls who call themselves Immaculata and Epiphany. They are the daughters of Langston’s childhood friend and the witnesses to her murder. And their need for love is so urgent that neither Langston nor Amos can resist it, though they do their best to resist each other. Deftly walking the tightrope between tragedy and comedy, The Solace of Leaving Early is a joyous story about finding one’s better self through accepting the shortcomings of others.

Members who requested this book also requested:

Similar books to this author and title:
Crow LakeSomething Rising (Light and Swift) : A NovelA Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland, IndianaThe Clothes They Stood Up In and The Lady in the Van


Genres:

Top Member Book Reviews

Judy F. (Beachie) wrote on 9/3/2009...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I enjoyed reading this book. There are a few sections where the author goes on a little too much about religious theories, but once I started scanning over these parts, I discovered a very good book with a very good story. This book's description may sound like it involves a lot of religion, but it doesn't. I loved the book.

Erica H. (esh712) wrote on 3/10/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I really had a hard time with this one. I love intelligent books, but not if it comes down to risking the effectiveness of the characters. Truthfully, I'm not sure why I didn't put this down. I think maybe because the book moved along fairly quickly, I knew it would be over soon. The problem for me was that, aside from the two little girls (and even then, that was iffy), I couldn't bring myself to care about any of the main characters. I finally got into the book when there was perhaps 60 pages left. I still didn't much care about the characters or their transformation.

Lots of religious stuff in here too. Some of that material went over my head, as I'm not the most religious person, so perhaps that took away from my enjoyment as well.


That being said, I just didn't like the storyline. As far as Kimmel's writing style, I loved it. I would absolutely read other books of hers in the future based on this alone, but I would pay more attention to the subject of the plot before making my final decision.

Sharon C. (sharonc9630) wrote on 5/14/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Wonderful book. Sometimes I felt that "intelligence-wise," this book was above me, but over all the story was great! Love Haven Kimmel's books, and hope to read all of them...three down!!!

Pat R. (cats16) wrote on 11/24/2005...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

The story was good but I have to admit to being confused a lot of the time.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Carol L. wrote on 9/7/2006...


Story about finding ones better self through accepting the shortcomings of othrs.

Joan L. (Yoni) wrote on 7/6/2006...


I know I was supposed to love this book, (my sister raved about it, and we usually like the same books) but I couldn't finish it. Maybe I wasn't in the mood, maybe I will try it again some day...but I will mail it out to the wish list-er.

Marta J. (booksnob) wrote on 12/27/2005...


A beautifully written treasure. Loved it.


Book Wiki
Series
Original Publication Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
People/Characters
Real Places
Fictional Places
Important Events
Awards and Honors