This story follows a
Mormon family and how they deal with the fallout from a tragic family event. It is told from the point of view of all
members of the family – Ian, a Mormon Bishop and maths teacher, stands firm in his
faith, but his wife Claire has lost hers and has retreats inside herself.
We meet sixteen year-old Zippy who is
experiencing first love and is desperate for some motherly advice; fourteen year-old Alma who finds
the Mormon faith tedious and dreams of becoming a famous football player and
seven year-old Jacob who thinks he can work miracles and hopes to mend his
broken family. It is an emotional read,
but it doesn’t become too heavy as the author cleverly interlaces the sadness
with moments of laughter and pure joy. The
characters were so realistically drawn that I felt I got to know each one. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it gave me an
insight into the Mormon faith, something I knew little about. Carys Bray is one of the authors appearing at
Parisot Literary in October this year and I’m looking forward to meeting her.
