Series: Y
Genre: Literary FictionPublisher: WiDoPublishing (November 2011)
THE STORY:
In this sequel to Gowen’s debut novel, Uncut Diamonds, she follows sisters Cindy and Marcie as they reach a crossroads in their lives. House of Diamonds tells the story of two women, one facing opportunity the other tragedy. Can their bond endure? Marcie pursues her dream of becoming a published writer while Cindy faces a terrible tragedy. In this gripping story of faith, loss and the transcending nature of sacrifice, Gowen gives voice to a beloved baby who has none. She shows the incredible power that comes to families when they pull together to overcome challenges. It is at these times that a house of pain can become a house of diamonds.
WHO'S WHO?
WHO'S WHO?
- Marcie McGill takes us through this second instalment of her and her sisters Cindy’s life. It’s mainly through Marcie’s perspective that the story of the two sisters is told to us.
- Cindy is Marcie’s youngest sister and she is going through a terrible time in her personal life as a parent and financially.
- Shawn McGill is Marcie’s husband who is looking more and more like an absent father through no fault of his own.
- Karl is a school teacher and very active member of the his church. He is also the slightly overwhelmed husband of Cindy, a guilt ridden father who believes his past behaviour has somehow contributed to their youngest son’s condition.
- The candor with which family dynamics are dwelt with is both amazing and uncomfortably realistic. Karen doesn’t make this a novel pegged for happy endings but to reflect a real life experience. As an outsider you empathise, encourage, get happy for, get angry with and even want to condemn the sisters for their thoughts and actions. Very much what we go through in daily life. It’s not perfect but is a series of choices and experiences.
- House Of Diamonds has a significant but not overwhelming spiritual element and I’ve never read a book that has the Mormon background in it so I found the bits of detail about the faith quite interesting. Especially the similarities in terminology in comparison to the Christian faith as well as the bits that showed the fundamental difference in the basis for belief.
- A supporting character that really engaged me was the old professor who made his mission to exterminate Marcie’s writing career. He feels she is a charlatan who breeds with no regard for the consequences of overpopulation. I must say I also can’t imagine what possesses a woman to get pregnant 7 times in one life time and in the eighties. I suspect I’d also have been looking down my nose at her a bit. I must say I particularly loved the way Karen developed this character. He was a surprisingly strong influences on Marcie’s decisions and feelings towards her writing career.

NOT SO HOT:
- On very few occasions I found little repetitions of things that had been said before. For example of something that we had witnessed previously being told back to us again by one of the significant characters, usually Marcie as she either thinks about it or brings us up to speed.

OVERALL:
Karen has an amazing talent for rich and meaningful prose. The moment you open the first page you are captivated by her writing style. Through her narrator she gets into a conversation with you and it feels as though her characters are letting you in on their deepest thoughts and feelings. I was so pleasantly surprised by how deeply I enjoyed this book, it was a real treasure. Well done Karen and congratulations.
Rating: A well deserved,
Rating: A well deserved,





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Note:
- I recieved this eBook from the Author: Karen Jones Gowen (author) from Coming Down the Mountain in exchange for an honest review.
- If you're interesting in reading more about Karen on this blog check out her blog post: Karen Gowen Talks Book Reviews
Great review! See, Karen, nothing to be afraid of :o) And nice to meet you, Wendy! New follower :o)
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you Jessica. Thanks for the follow.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, Wendy! I better not tell you how many children my husband and I actually have LOL. (But here's a clue: #9 spent two years in South Africa and calls it his "homeland.")
ReplyDeleteP.S. I am truly touched by your praise of my writing. *blushing*
ReplyDeleteYay!! Five sparkly golden beautiful stars for the equally amazing KarenG!!!!! Awww brilliant!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy!
Take care
x
Wow! What a great review. It is obvious you actually read the whole book from beginning to end. Unlike so many other reviewers today. I don't personally know Karen that I've been reading a good amount of her writing lately and I have found much of what you have said to be the same as my own opinion. I love how you did a summary of each character and their motivations and I appreciate your suggestions for improvement. I will definitely be back to this site to read more book reviews, thank you so much for your hard work
ReplyDeleteWhat a great review. I agree. The book is exactly how you say.
ReplyDeleteFive stars! You had no worries, Karen.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for coming by to read my super super long reviews. I always worry that I go on for so long that the reader will get put off. So I deeply appreciate your comment Donna. Karen did an awesome job.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read both these books.
ReplyDeleteExcellent review. I liked the book, too. As Wendy said, there were some repetitions, but overall it's a very good read. I especially liked the writing group sequence that I thought was filled with very credible suspense.
ReplyDeleteAnn Best, Memoir Author
Fabulous review! Congrats to Karen :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review. Count me in as your newest follower.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan, awesome.
ReplyDeleteExcellent review, Wendy. I'm glad to have found your site.
ReplyDeleteAnd hurrah for you, Karen. I wish you much success.
Great review! I haven't read this one yet, but did her last two. I really liked them a lot.
ReplyDeleteYay for Karen. Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteWendy, great review. I've seen the cover around but haven't read a review of the book before.
ReplyDeleteReally love the format of your review, Wendy. And I'm glad to hear you enjoyed House of Diamonds so much, even though it was different from what you normally read. I read the book to, and have to say I agree with your assesement. :) Congrat's, Karen!
ReplyDelete