TLC Book Tours: The Crooked Path by Irma Joubert
The Story:
From the bestselling author of The Girl From the Train, comes another compelling coming of age story of delayed love, loss, and reconciliation in WWII-era South Africa.
Lettie has always felt different from and overshadowed by the women around her– this friend is richer, that friend is more beautiful, those friends are closer. Still, she doesn’t let this hold her back. She works hard to apply her mind, trying to compensate for her perceived lack of beauty with diligent academic work and a successful career as a doctor. She learns to treasure her friendships, but she still wonders if any man will ever return her interest.
Marco’s experiences in the second world war have robbed him of love and health. When winters in his native Italy prove dangerous to his health even after the war has ended, he moves to South Africa to be with his brother, husband to one of Lettie’s best friends. Marco is Lettie’s first patient, and their relationship grows as she aids him on the road back to restored health.
In the company of beloved characters from The Child of the River, Marco and Lettie find a happiness that neither of them thought possible. With that joy comes pain and loss, but Lettie learns that life—while perhaps a crooked path—is always a journey worth taking.
Read what others on the tour are saying about the book!
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My Thoughts:
Irma Joubert is a name I have not heard of and as a reader of Christian fiction, I haven’t really seen much publicity on online forums either. It’s quite unfortunate. While The Crooked Path left me with mixed feelings, I was so happy to read a book set in Italy and South Africa. I loved the change of scenery! The American Christian fiction market definitely needs to travel more!
As I noted, I have mixed feelings about the story in general. I absolutely loved the first parts of the book. Both Lettie and Marco’s stories from adolescence through WWII and beyond were simply heartbreaking, both in different ways. Lettie’s struggles with body image as a teen in South Africa and Marco’s fight for survival in the Italian mountains and later in a concentration camp were the parts of their stories that really socked me in the gut. After that, The story really lagged and seemed to try too hard. I felt a distance from the characters, which sucked since the first few chapters were so gripping.
That said, The Crooked Path was a unique read in the Christian genre. I’m glad to have read it and wish more stories had such great settings! If you enjoy stories set during WWII and the years that follow, you might want to pick up this book.
~ My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ~
*I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
Happy Reading!
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