Mary E Kingsley

Two of my favorite things about this book are the nostalgic references and southern flavor. It brings me back to younger days of Cheerwine, transistor radios, and first kisses. My teenage years were spent in East Tennessee (the setting for the story) so it enabled me to sink into sweet reminiscence as I turned each page.

The narration, told in first person from Angel’s point of view, is fresh and engaging. She is witty and honest and a believable character. Actually, all the characters are show more credible—with redeeming qualities as well as evident shortcomings.

Orange-haired Angel Bishop (she is quite literal and doesn’t like being referred to as red-haired) is an energetic thirteen-year-old with many unanswered questions concerning her family. Is it her fault Daddy ran off when she was just a baby? Why is Aunt Patsy locked up in a crazy house? Why does Mama and her grandmother, Naomi, barely tolerate each other? Why won’t anybody tell her the truth?

When out of the blue, her daddy, Cal, calls and says he is coming home, she wonders if it's a good thing. Isn't this what she'd always prayed for? More questions surface and Angel sets out on a quest to find the answers. She searches for clues from the town recluse, Old Susan, and her beloved Aunt Patsy.

I recommend this book. It is a quick and easy read (though some topics may make some readers a little uneasy) that drew me in from the first page. The dealings between Angel and her friend, Sophie, and her first boy-crush, Ray, are sincere, sometimes frustrating and always realistic. But my favorite relationship is that between Angel and Aunt Patsy. Her eccentric aunt adds a lot of humor, soul and purpose to this story. I enjoyed Mary E. Kingsley's ANGEL. It is a memorable book with a powerful message and lasting effect. show less

although I did find myself enjoying the story, I was a litte lost on the "when" of the story. I don't know if I missed the part where they gave me the year - but the blowdryers being "modern" just threw me for a loop as well as the candy "googoo clusters" and other references.
It also took me a little time to get into the story. It was a little dreamlike because most of the story is told through flashbacks or memories or stories that have been told to Angel by her family.

I didn't find this to show more be as much of a mystery but the coming of age and the family secrets and storie were still interesting. show less

ALL THE PIECES, starts out telling you a tale about wolf like dogs and strong women. We hear of a baby left in the care of a midwife. We hear how that baby grew into a woman only to have children herself. After much heartache the baby turned woman's daughter, Anna Lee, a strong-willed, 10-year-old, had seen too much hurt in her young age and ran away from home. This action brought upon a chain reaction of untold secrets and the truth that was almost lost.

Have you ever read a story and when show more you finished it thought, I am glad I read that book. Well, that was exactly what happened with this book. The characters were believable and heart warming, caring and kind to one another. The community was strong and there for each other. It was a place that people knew everyone. And everyone helps each other. A great read, a short story you can read in a sitting. This book is not to be missed.

Rating: 4.5

Heat Rating: Mild

Reviewed By Rae

Courtesy of My Book Addiction And More show less