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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Review: Broken Wings

Broken Wings: A Novel

About the Book:
Onstage, the singing duo of Gabe and Mitzi Steiner captured America's heart for more than two decades. Offstage, their own hearts have throbbed as one for sixty years. Only now, Gabe has retreated into the tangles of Alzheimer's, leaving Mitzi to ponder her future alone.

On the other side of Tulsa, everyone believes Brooke Woodson has found the perfect man--a handsome lawyer with sights on becoming Tulsa's next District Attorney. If only Brooke felt more sure. If only her fiancé could control his anger. If only love didn't come with so many scars.

When an accident lands Brooke in the hospital where Mitzi volunteers, the two women quickly develop an unlikely friendship birthed by providence and bathed in grace. And with Mitzi's help, kindness, and insight, Brooke learns how to pick up the broken pieces of her life.

My Comments:
In Broken Wings Carla Baker does as good a job with an "issue" book as any I've seen.  Brooke is abused by her fiancee and every element of the classic abuse case is there--the charming man, the apology, the lies, the isolation from family, the adoption of a lifestyle not her own.  Gabe has Alzheimer's and we get a full run-down on what that means.  Still, Broken Wings manages to be a story that educates rather than a text book.  Mitzi remembers her childhood and early adult life and tells Brooke about it.  Brooke breaks free from the abusive relationship and claims the life she was meant to live.  In some ways the ending is too good, but I much prefer ending a book with a smile on my face to having tears streaming down my face.  

The book is Christian fiction but not in an in-your-face manner.  

I'd like to thank the publishers for making a review copy available via NetGalley.  Grade:  B.

5 comments:

  1. I'm writing an abusive husband at the moment...sounds like a good one to read, for perspectives on how it's done. :)

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  2. Alzheimers and an abusive relationship make me think it might be a heartwrenching story. Still it does sound like a good book to read.

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  3. I enjoyed the book, the abuse part was more anger-inducing than heartwrenching, though at the end, I felt a little sorry for the abuser--that cycle thing...

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  4. Nice to see that an "issue" book has been written well. I'm interested in reading this one but it's a little close to home at this point.

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  5. I seriously don't think I've seen a negative review for this one, especially with the subject matter.
    2 Kids and Tired Books

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