The Good Dream (edition 2012)

I was drawn into this book from the very first page and I literally could not put it down. As an adoptee, adoptive parent, and former foster parent, this book spoke to my heart on many levels. Although I have never personally worked with a child that has been through as much trauma as the boy in this story, I found myself identifying with Ivorie as she dealt with the small mindedness and prejudices of her community. I cried throughout the entire book. I cried from heartbreak, I cried from joy. The Good Dream really touched my heart. This is a beautifully written story. I was taken aback at the ignorance and cruelty of some of the characters, but they were realistically portrayed. While the innocence and terror the child endures brought me to tears, Ivorie's fierce determination to help the child was inspiring. This story is a beautiful illustration of the healing power of love. The characters stayed on my mind long after I finished reading.

Read this book if...
*you love southern fiction
*you love "small town" novels
*you love stories set in Appalachia
*you love stories of inspiration
*you love stories about the healing power of love
see this review on my blog at http://freespiritbooks.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-good-dream-by-donna-vanliere.htm... ( )

Despite the amazing reviews of The Good Dream by Donna VanLiere, I was hesitant about reading it once hearing that the author was described as an inspirational Christian writer. I was nervous about the book being too preachy or religious, but I was wrong. I absolutely loved this story. In fact, I would consider it one of my top five favorite novels for 2012.

The Good Dream is a story with substance that takes place in a small Tennessee town. The characters are so beautifully developed, that the reader feels a closeness with them. Simply summarized, Ivorie, one of the nicest, kindest characters, along with her brother, Henry, who also has a special way about him, and a cast of quirky characters, save a severely abused boy. But, the story is far from simplistic. As Ivorie helps this child, she saves her own lonely life as well.

It is a book about values and about doing what's right in the face of adversity, challenges and hardships. If this book represents Christian Fiction, then I have found a new genre to devour. I highly recommend this book. It is not to be missed. ( )

I just love Southern fiction and The Good Dream is Southern fiction done well. Ivorie is a wonderful character – a strong and caring woman who refuses to bend to society’s will. She lives in a small town with a big cast of characters; it reminded me of a Fannie Flagg novel in that way. The author uses wonderfully descriptive metaphors filled with Southern charm. Some of my favorite examples:

“As useful as a back pocket on a shirt”
“Slower than a turtle after Thanksgiving dinner”
“Helpful as teats on a bull”

There is a darker side in this book however. Some very bad things happen to the boy in the first part of the novel that might be hard for the fainthearted to read. I didn’t find any of it gratuitous though.

The narration is first person when Ivorie and her brother are each telling their story. Parts of the story are also told from the boy’s point of view and I absolutely loved the device the author used for his narration. (I don’t want to give too much away so I won’t get more detailed about that part.)

When I saw that the author was the narrator of the audio book, I was apprehensive. That doesn’t always go so well. After listening, I was pleasantly surprised – she did a great job. She used a light Southern accent for the prose and then varied the thickness of the accent for the dialogue depending on who was speaking. I surprised when I listened to the author interview at the end of the book to hear that she doesn’t actually have a Southern accent at all because it sounded so authentic when she was narrating. She even did a really good snobby Southern accent for the banker.

After I listened to this book, I learned that the author is considered a Christian fiction author. I don’t know if this book is considered Christian fiction; I didn’t feel like it was while I listening to it. It is inspirational but it doesn’t have a lot of religious talk or preaching in it. I would highly recommend The Good Dream to anyone. ( )

I liked the title that was chosen for this book although it was some way into the story that I realized how the title connected to the story line. It was at a heartbreaking part of the story where Ivorie is standing at the bedside of the young boy she toke into her home and life. ( )

Author Donna VanLiere certainly doesn't disappoint her fans with her first full-length novel. This book stirs the emotions,
warms the heart and challenges the mind. She places such characters as Ivorie Walker, an old maid stated by many in the
town because she is in her thirties and not married. Then there is George Coley who wants to marry Ivorie but when she finds
a starving, abused boy raiding her garden that she wants to help, he decides that isn't the life for him. This little boy
has been abused, neglected, scared and unable to speak because of a cleft palette. Ivorie can't turn her back on him, even though
most of the town would quickly say it is too much for a single lady like herself to ever get involved in.
Ivorie's brother Henry and his wife quickly aid Ivorie in her endeavor to help this little boy who after much time she learns
is named Peter. She tells the little boy that his mother must have named him that because according to the Bible Peter means
a rock and he is one strong and determined little boy.
It is amazing what a person can see through the eyes of a young little boy. Because Ivorie isn't willing to give up on this young lad, she is blessed in return by finding a young man who is smart, loving, engaging, desires to learn and responds with great affection.
This book challenges the reader to not just look at people in passing rather to look deeper within ones heart to see who they truly are and more importantly who they can become. It may make the reader ask some pointed questions, such as: the one who is mean spirited, the hard to get along with, the screamer or hurtful person could be someone who has encountered a great deal within their own life and they aren't sure of how to respond to life's challenges? Peter challenges the reader to make sure how we respond to others is how we would like others to respond to us. Ivorie shares the love and compassion of Jesus as she reaches out to Peter to make a difference within his life.
There is suspense, drama, action, romance, and laughter to engage the reader as they turn page by page to find out what will
happen next. The author does a great job of leading the reader through one situation to the next always building and causing
the reader to want more.
This is a definite 5 of 5 book, that most any reader would enjoy and certainly one that leaves the reader feeling involved in the
story. ( )