The Wounded Healer

Young Vines by James Russell Lingerfelt is the most serenely beautiful contemporary novel about life, love, loss and good friends.

Home is not necessarily a physical place. It is also an emotional connection and when that is severed, it hurts so badly. The novel explores this theme of loss where memories keep us warm but there is still a huge hole in our hearts. We need to learn how to live again and how to adapt to a new type of normal.

Sometimes in order to live again, we need to revisit our past. We may find old memories will draw us back to a former way of life.

There is a contrast in the novel between the busy academic Pepperdine and the freedom, life and warmth of a Tennessee vineyard. In one life is hectic but empty. In the other it is busy but fulfilling. There is a time for family and love and laughter.

We all need good friends. “Good friends know how you like your coffee.” We also need friends who love us enough to tell us the truth about ourselves.

The novel is written in the first person and as such it is easy for the reader to ‘experience’ the novel. We ‘feel’ the emotions of deep love, loss and sorrow. We also ‘feel’ the beginnings of new life about to bud.

The whole novel is beautifully written. I adore James Russell Lingerfelt’s novels. They are full of emotion and love. They leave me feeling serene and full of hope.

I urge you, if you have never read one of James Russell Lingerfelt’s books, you are missing out. What better time than lockdown to pick up one of his books and inject a feeling of hope into your life.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON