Review: Truly a Novel of Compassion and Human Dignity
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 18, 2014
Ginger Myrick’s latest literary achievement, But for the Grace of God, is a novel filled with compassion, dignity for human life, and a remarkable insight into the prejudices of past generations.But for the Grace of God isn’t told with backstory per se, but in five installments, each a short story in itself. The five segments that compose this book are cleverly placed and exactly where they need to be, moving the story along without a break in stride or action.Hannah Carter and her little family rescue a wounded, enemy soldier, never hesitating to worry about his background or how he came to be on their land. Although the Civil War is in full swing, the little farm is far from the battle lands and its occupants possess an honorable serenity the recovering soldier finds remarkably rare during this time of strife. Especially since Hannah’s ‘family’ is a black couple, Jeb and Ginny who together with Hannah, prefer to live by the laws of God and not those made by man.But for the Grace of God is an exquisitely written tale and my personal favorite of all Ginger Myrick’s books, so far, and I’ve loved all of her novels. Myrick digs deeply into the souls of each character so profoundly in But for the Grace of God, her passages brought tears to my eyes, it was that good.I’d like to extend my thanks to Ginger Myrick for sharing her delightfully pure, historical genius in this spectacular novel. But for the Grace of God belongs on any devoted historical fiction fan’s bookshelf. Quite simply, it deserves to be read.