Book Review: Keeping Misery Company by Michelle Larks
Keeping Misery Company by Michelle Larks
Genre: (Christian fiction)
Rating: 10 (EchelonBooks); 5 (Amazon)
Review by Tavares S. Carney
“Umbrella with Holes”
Who would’ve ever guessed that Queen Esther and Bishop, heads of the prominent Clayton first-family, were hiding such deep familial secrets? Living publicly as the “perfect family,” over a period of time, their children Ruth and Ezra learn that being birthed into a first family does not necessarily guarantee “a covering” from everyday, worldly goings-on. Ruth soon discovers that the imaginary protective covering she had was due to an “at all costs” facade imposed by none other than her mother, Queen Esther, the only daughter of a prominent Chicago minister. The family pastoral legacy did not prepare Ruth and her brother Ezra for the emotional hurt and sometimes, physical trauma experienced as members of the Clayton first family. Keeping up appearances was Queen Esther’s primary concern. Turning her back on her son due to his indiscretions and coercing her granddaughter to cover a dark secret, Queen learns later in life how her impositions have hurt her family, gravely, including her own husband. Both Ruth and Ezra lean on each other to miraculously bring the Clayton family full circle based on basic premises of God’s word – compassion, truth and forgiveness. Readers will experience how one family overcomes the odds of falling apart having been faced with issues such as premarital sex, adoption, AIDS, false accusations, non-communication and extramarital affairs. Characters are appropriately developed and the plot offers several twists and turns, offering true-to-life scenarios. Readers will find themselves feeling the characters emotions, engulfed in the story and yearning to know how things turn out for the Clayton family.
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