Review: Just wow!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 1, 2014
I'm reluctant to leave a review--this book was so good that I don't know what to say! Funny, rich, and unpretentious.  I adored this book, and the amazing characters. There's a real story, rife with current and very relevant issues, complicated family relationships, small-town prejudices, political and religious tensions, and personal obstacles. The author's voice is so clever--and so very southern. I grew up in the South and the dialogue in this book is spot on. I raised my brows, shook my head, and literally laughed out loud (repeatedly!) at Wiley and Pepaw.  The descriptions are vivid; it was like sitting in the family room watching the story unfold. And good lord what a crazy family! I shed tears of humor true enough, but at many points, I found tears of compassion wetting my face.  It goes without saying that Noah will steal your heart. I just wanted to give him all the love in the world. In fact, I think the most remarkable thing about this story is how real the descriptions of Noah's gifts and challenges are, and how every word written about that child, including the less than appealing moments, resonates with love. It's really very rare that a fiction writer can convey this depth of emotion so authentically and convincingly. Well-chosen words brought Noah to life.I don't know anything about Nick Wilgus, but I feel as though I've just had a very honest conversation with him in which he used a lot of self-deprecating humor to point out that at the end of the day, despite flaws and imperfections on our part or theirs, there's simply no other way to love a child except with your whole heart.I recommend this book without reservation. Great characters, great theme, great story telling...funny and poignant but not sappy. This book is so unpretentious. It's not like a Hallmark card and it's not attached to the shiniest or best-wrapped gift on the table--no, it's more like the homemade borderline inappropriate card making fun of those bland Hallmark lovers, and more likely to be taped  to a newspaper wrapped box, which nonetheless holds the best gift of them all. It was an all around good time. I wish I could give it more than five stars. Kudos to you, Mr. Wilgus.