Synopsis: Amaryllis in Blueberry explores the complexity of human relationships set against an unforgettable backdrop. Told through the haunting voices of Dick and Seena Slepy and their four daughters, Christina Meldrum's soulful novel weaves together the past and the present of a family harmed—and healed—by buried secrets.
Meet the Slepys: Dick, the stern doctor, the naive husband, a man devoted to both facts and faith; Seena, the storyteller, the restless wife, a mother of four, a lover of myth. And their children, the Marys: Mary Grace, the devastating beauty; Mary Tessa, the insistent inquisitor; Mary Catherine, the saintly, lost soul; and finally, Amaryllis, Seena's unspoken favorite, born with the mystifying ability to sense the future, touch the past and distinguish the truth tellers from the most convincing liar of all.
When Dick insists his family move from Michigan to the unfamiliar world of Africa for missionary work, he can't possibly foresee how this new land and its people will entrance and change his daughters—and himself—forever.
Type: fiction
Quick Take: Highly Recommend - Every once in a while I discover a book that I need to read slowly, I believe a great book should be read slowly...why rush to finish a wonderful experience?
I loved this novel - from the time spent in America and the events leading up to the decision to go to Africa, to the traditions of an African tribe and, how these traditions impact on the Slepy family.
Told from different points of view, this is a story filled with secrets and explores the struggle of being loved vs loving someone. Mix in African traditions versus American values and this book will keep you on your toes.
Please visit Christina Meldrum's website to learn about her personal journey and to listen to an interview and more.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Country/Region: West Africa
Source: Review Copy