Tuesday, September 19, 2023

9.19.2023 - The Heart of It All

The Heart of It All by Christian Kiefer 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Melville Publishing House for gifting me a digital ARC of this beautiful novel by Christian Kiefer - 5 stars!

Set in failing small town in central Ohio, this quiet novel focuses on three families:  the Bailey's, a white family who have deep roots in the community and are undergoing a very personal tragedy; the Marwats, an immigrant family that owns the town's largest employer, and whose parents have just moved in with them from Pakistan; and the Shaws, a Black family consisting of Anthony and his aunt.  

This book is a definite must read - putting aside national politics and unrest, this is how a community should work.  It's how people step up for each other, putting aside their differences.  I related to so much in this book, besides the fact that I'm from Ohio and recognize this world.  I empathized with Mary Lou and the Marwat's, expanding their family to include their elders, no matter the personal consequence, and all the feelings that brings up, both good and bad.  Each sentence in this book seemed to invoke such beautiful feeling.  In the end, everyone has a story and remembering that would go a long way to making our towns and our country better.

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