You may never look at a homeless person the same: My review of Lucy Come Home by Dave and Neta Jackson
ABOUT THE BOOK
Fifteen-year-old Cindy worked long days beside her migrant worker family in Michigan's sugar beet fields in the early 1940s -- the "war years" -- until she met a dashing young man from a traveling carnival, bringing some joy and fun into her hard-scrabble life. But a tragic twist of fate -- and a dead field boss-- sent the two young people on the run, leaving behind family and everything she'd ever known.
Lucy Tucker, the crotchety old bag lady from the popular Yada Yada House of Hope series, is a veteran of Chicago streets and not about to give up her independence, even as she approaches her 80th birthday.
Until, that is, a young displaced woman with her gentle aging mother and a dog named Dandy seem to need her -- unsettling the secretive Lucy, who doesn't let anyone get too close. But just when it seems her past is catching up with her to bring her in out of the cold... Lucy disappears again. How these two tales intersect and intertwine between past and present gradually shines light into the dark corners of Lucy's murky past. But... why won't Lucy come home?
MY REVIEW
Have you ever wondered how it is that someone became homeless, wandering the streets, seemingly with few connections to others? Lucy Come Home is a book that explores how Lucy, one of my favorite characters from the Yada Yada House of Hope series, came to wander the streets of Chicago and live a life of homelessness, and it is a well-written book indeed! Dave and Neta Jackson have penned a novel that is bittersweet, interspersing flash-backs of Lucy's teen years and the loss of her family and being on the run, with her contemporary story of living on the streets. The authors use this technique well, as it keeps the story moving along with moments of tragedy balanced with moments of humor (especially the modern-day scenes where the reader gets to observe Lucy at her finest!). I found my heart breaking as the teen Lucy experienced one moment of loss after the other, and I was devouring the pages to see how everything would resolve. The book is true to life, not providing a perfectly happy-ending, but ultimately providing one that proves God's faithfulness through the tragedies of life. I finished the book with a smile on my face, glad that Lucy had finally found a place to belong. As I turn from its pages, I realize I may may never be able to look at a homeless person the same, but instead will ponder what circumstances led them to living the life they led.
If you have enjoyed the Yada Yada series, you are going to love this entertaining, moving read. The authors continue to excel at creating living and breathing characters who you come to care deeply about, and you won't want to miss Lucy's story!
I award this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.
An ebook has been provided courtesy of the authors and Litfuse publicity group, for the purposes of this unbiased review.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dave and Neta Jackson are award-winning authors living in the Chicago area where their parallel novels from the Yada Yada House of Hope and Harry Bentley series are set.
As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books.
Visit http://www.daveneta.com for more info.
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