Wish You Well (original 2000; edition 2007)

An interesting departure from his usual books, this was still an extremely well-written story of people who live in the backwoods of Virginia and are completely happy with their lives. It was recommended to me by a customer who gives copies to friends and family because he believes in the message of this book so much. I can't say I disagree. Beautifuly written and realized. I loved it! ( )

The story setting moves from New York to the mountains in Virginia when Lou’s dad and award-winning writer dies in a car accident. It describes the life of Lou and her brother Oz after being thrust to be cared by their great-grandmother in the mountains far away from civilization. The story has excellent promise and has all the emotional elements of friendship, trust, sadness, loss, truth, love and victory in the right proportions. The clear descriptions of the people, events and locations made me feel the book and not just read it.

The characters were marvelous (and I rarely use this word). Lou mostly plays the part of a mature stubborn child, but when situation demands alternates to the 12-year-old kid. The sibling love and understanding is simply adorable. Great Grandma Louisa Mae Cardinal is a woman of character who shows superior strength when she needs to stand up for a cause she believes in. She is a giver by nature and manages to leave a pleasant mark in us. I was deeply upset when she passes away and hoped that the author would have allowed the wishing well to grant Lou’s wish. For me, all of the characters were impeccable; there was not one person or situation that I felt was out-of-place.

It has been a while since I read a family drama but this one has touched me like never before. A big 5 on 5 and take time to feel this one. ( )

Baldacci portrays a wonderful, moving story.

I have read several of Baldacci's books. i.e., Total Control, The Simple Truth, and Saving Grace and I have enjoyed all these novels. This book, if you are not aware, is a major departure from his normal genre. I suppose he is following in the paths of Grisham, Patterson, Hiaasen, and Parker by stepping out of their genre to create human interest, and young adult type stories. I think it's great that these gifted authors are creating such wonderful stories, (A Painted House, by Grisham comes to my mind) especially those stories for the young adult group.
I thought this book was a wonderful, relaxing tale. It has its sad parts but it is still a heartwarming story. The author's descriptive scenes of the beautiful rural Virginia during the 1930's were terrific. Don't expect any mysterious killers, car crashes, love scenes, just a homegrown country story that is very enjoyable.
In summary, I think it's a moving story with richly portrayed characters that I encourage you to read. ( )

After a terrible accident that leaves two children's father dead and their mother in a coma-like state, two children from the bustling city of New York to the quieter town in Virginia. A coming-of-age story that asserts that wherever you go, friends and family will follow. ( )

I guess I'll call this a feel good book. I can see how some people might think this is an extended episode from the Walton's or something, but I read it as a slice of Americana and an homage to a rural way of life in Appalachian Virginia in 1940. Baldacci clearly has a deep love for this land, and he allows the reader to build an appreciation for it, and the hard life it entails, through the development of young Lou Cardinal, who comes to the mountain her father grew up on, after her father's untimely death. There's a touch of To Kill a Mockingbird in here, and a slight "fairytale" ending I suppose. It is full of interesting characters, good and bad, and it really gave me a sense of the times and the land. I had read praise of this book and I was glad to find it was deserved.

At the end of the novel, reading the final chapter called "Today" I found myself smiling and admiring what an enjoyable book this was. Highly Recommended. ( )