Of Love And Community

Under The Bayou Moon by Valerie Fraser Luesse is a most delightful Christian historical novel about community.

The tale is set in 1949 in Bernadette in the Bayou. It is an area where the Cajun people live. The community all exist side by side, it is outsiders who make all the rules and disturb the balance.

The white superintendent’s father is prejudiced against the indigenous population. He outlaws the speaking of French in schools and prevents those who are not white from a right to education. School has been hard and unhappy for all the children until a new teacher brings love, light and care. She believes in education for all and sets out to achieve this.

Greed is a dreadful master. Greed prompts people to behave in awful ways, believing they are above the law and some are guilty of hubris.

The community welcomes strangers into their midst. It also pulls together when a need is spotted. People are welcomed as they serve each other.

There is much love that infuses the novel. It reaches from the pages to encompass the reader.

We are told to take care of the widows and orphans. This command is lived out within the novel.

With rich descriptions the reader is easily able to picture the scenes, especially vivid are the swamps and the white alligator.

Valerie Fraser Luesse is a new author to me. I am looking forward to discovering more books by her.

Under The Bayou Moon was a charming read of love and community.

I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

JULIA WILSON