Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Grace in Thine Eyes - Liz Curtis Higgs

This novel is set in the summer of 1808, in parts of south west Scotland and the Isle of Arran. The main character is seventeen-year-old Davina McKie; the only daughter of a gentry family who is exceptionally gifted musically, but has been unable to speak since childhood. Her protective younger brothers hold the secret to her silence, which is slowly revealed in a story, loosely based on the biblical story of Dinah, the only daughter of Leah and Jacob.

Through some shocking and powerfully-told events, on midsummer’s eve, Davina’s innocence and carefree childhood disappear forever, to be replaced by impossible decisions and difficult secrets, which are gradually uncovered by unexpected subplots.

Throughout this sensitively crafted tale Davina extends forgiveness through huge measures of grace to those who have hurt and betrayed her, longing to see her loved ones walking the same path of self-sacrifice.

Each of the book’s eighty-two, short chapters commences with an intriguing epigraph, hinting at its direction, and ends on a precipice, which as the reader will discover, is more than just a metaphor.

Grace in Thine Eyes is the sequel to a trilogy of historical novels, which develop some of its characters. Nevertheless it can be read alone, with the reader catching glimpses of earlier events in their lives. As one of those readers, I look forward to enjoying further novels by Liz Curtis Higgs.

Additions to the story are hand drawn maps of the areas, author’s notes, questions for group or personal study and a Scottish glossary – which I wish I’d discovered earlier.

A beautiful, if harrowing story, which has much to commend it.

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