Calling Out The Best
The Sisters Of Sea View by Julie Klassen is a marvellous Christian historical novel that I really loved. It is the first book in On Devonshire Shores and I cannot wait for the subsequent books.
The action is set at the beginning of the nineteenth century in Sidmouth in Devon, as we join four sisters and their ailing mother. Their financial situation has forced them to open their home to paying guests. The girls all pull together. They all have different talents and personalities but they all need each other. This reminds the reader that we are stronger together. They all have their individual roles which contribute to the whole.
Unique personalities stay at the guest house. They enter as strangers and leave as friends – that is, if they leave at all.
Grief manifests itself in various ways. Sometimes there are physical symptoms. A character needs to find a purpose and reasons to get out of bed again.
Life leaves scars – sometimes they are physical and sometimes they are mental. We meet characters who try to hide their scars. They fear that people will be repulsed by their scars – but true beauty lies within. “I was wrong to put so much value in surface things.” Our inner goodness will always shine through.
A character relentlessly searches for a lost necklace. This reminds the reader of the pearl of great price in the Bible. We are that pearl of great price. When we get lost, God will relentlessly search for us.
We witness some of the challenges of the day and the myths. A character was born with a cleft lip. She shuns company as she is seen as unlucky with her deformity. Bodged surgeries by a quack when she was a child, have hindered her self-confidence. Only when others respond to her with kindness, does she begin to emerge from her shell.
Life happens and we have to choose our response. “The disease was not your fault… But we choose how we respond to life’s misfortunes.” We need to choose to rise above our circumstances. We want to be better and not bitter.
A character struggles giving the reins of her life to God. “It’s difficult for me to ask God for help…when He allows things I don’t like to happen.” Bad things happen to good people but God is faithful and He has promised to never leave us.
This question is asked. “Why does God protect some people and not others?” God protects us all but His ways are not our ways. Each person’s journey is their unique story. For some questions, we will never know the answers this side of heaven.
All the characters were most charming. They were an eclectic mix. Different characters bonded together, drawing out different qualities in others.
The Sisters Of Sea View was most delightful, very warm and welcoming.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
