Words [B&H Books (February 1, 2011)] by Ginny Yttrup was to be reviewed back in February. Winter storms delayed my review copy’s arrival until after the scheduled review date, and as a result delayed my reveiw. But now that I’ve received the book and have had a chance to read it, let me tell you: IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT!
Sierra Dawn has been in mourning for over a decade. Unable to forgive herself for her part in Annie’s death, she moves through life in a fog, finding enjoyment in little, and angst in everything. Even her highly sought-after art is driven by her deep-seeded and very personal anger and grief.
Kaylee Wren is living a life unsuitable for any 10-year-old girl, and yet she manages to find solace in the little things: a hollowed out redwood tree, a dictionary left behind by her mother when she left for the store and never returned, and words – beautiful words she has not spoken, and will not speak, but will instead tuck away in her mind to be brought out as protection when the evil encroaches.
Words is a beautifully written story about an ugly subject: the powerful hold of drugs, the evil of incest, and the innocent children who suffer. In Words, Ginny Yttrup pulls the reader into the depths of despair along with Sierra and Kaylee. Through all of the anger, frustration, and fear, however, a hope for a new life begins to blossom as Sierra learns to forgive and to love, even through the most difficult situations.
Words is not a book you will read and then set aside. It is a book that will stay with you for some time after you read the final page and close the back cover. The characters are haunting, the story is disturbing, and the power of forgiveness is overwhelming. It seems odd to describe this book as beautiful, but it truly is. I can’t recommend Words highly enough!
I received this book free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinions. Your experience may vary.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“I collect words. I keep them in a box in my mind. I’d like to keep them in a real box, something pretty, maybe a shoe box covered with flowered wrapping paper. Whenever I wanted, I’d open the box and pick up the papers, reading and feeling the words all at once. Then I could hide the box. But the words are safer in my mind. There, he can’t take them.”
Ten-year old Kaylee Wren doesn’t speak. Not since her drug-addled mother walked away, leaving her in a remote cabin nestled in the towering redwoods-in the care of a man who is as dangerous as he is evil. With silence her only refuge, Kaylee collects words she might never speak from the only memento her mother left behind: a dictionary.
Sierra Dawn is thirty-four, an artist, and alone. She has allowed the shame of her past to silence her present hopes and chooses to bury her pain by trying to control her circumstances. But on the twelfth anniversary of her daughter’s death, Sierra’s control begins to crumble as the God of her childhood woos her back to Himself.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Words, go HERE. Or, if you’d you’d prefer, watch the book trailer video:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ginny Yttrup is an author, freelance writer, and writing coach. As she writes, speaks, and coaches, her prayer is that God will use her words to replace the lies so many believe about themselves with the truth of His unconditional love and grace. To see someone grasp, perhaps for the first time, the truth of God’s love, is truly an honor. Through a relationship with the Truth, Jesus Christ, the bonds of shame are loosed and freedom abounds!
When Ginny is not working, she loves spending time with her two college-age sons or with friends. She is surrounded by the most amazing people–each a gift in their own way. If she can spend time outdoors with those she love, it’s even better. And she thoroughly adores her dog, Bear. He’s a book lover too.
She has two grown sons and lives near Sacramento, California. Words is her first novel.
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“I collect words. I keep them in a box in my mind. I’d like to keep them in a real box, something pretty, maybe a shoe box covered with flowered wrapping paper. Whenever I wanted, I’d open the box and pick up the papers, reading and feeling the words all at once. Then I could hide the box. But the words are safer in my mind. There, he can’t take them.”
