Bitterroot Landing

*Warning: This review contains what I consider to be minor spoilers. If you are at all sensitive about that sort of thing, you may want to skip the middle paragraph, or refrain from reading this review.*
You know how sometimes the subject matter of a book is so horrific that the author is forced to use poetic language and imply things instead of stating them straight out because if he or she didn't, the reader would become suicidal before finishing the first chapter? This is one of those books. Unfortunately, at times, it seems as though the author is being poetic or obtuse because, "look at me and how prettily I can spin these metaphors!" That kind of thing is not my favorite. However, there were also times when the phrases just reached show more out and punched me in the gut with their beauty. They were beautiful like fruit is beautiful (that's a paraphrase). Another one is, "And we held each other, moving together, wordless but knowing the flavor of shoulders." Out of context, that seems a little silly, but believe me, it was breathtaking the first time I read it.
At first, I wasn't even sure what the book was about; everything was so implicit and ambiguous. I gather that Jael grew up in several abusive environments and now has to come to terms with what happened to her. She does this with very little professional help, but quite a bit of inner strength and spirituality of both the religious and earth-based varieties. I found this a little unrealistic, as I work in the mental health field. The book also ended rather abruptly, before the healing was complete. I would like to know more about Jael's experiences, particularly regarding the survivors group she may or may not have joined.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. Jael's fascinating life story, and Reynolds' mellifluous writing captivated me from beginning to end. I just wish there was more. show less

Never have I ever read a book so beautiful. Sheri Reynolds dives without reservation or filter into the psyche of a sexually abused girl. Raw, earthy, metaphorically brilliant, Sheri Reynolds exposes the darkness of abuse without ever being straight-forward.

I may have respected Sheri Reynold before this book, but after- I bow down to her.

This book would have been a good Oprah pick a few years back. It’s that schmaltzy. This is a story of a woman who attempts to overcome the effects of childhood sexual abuse. I was more intrigued with the beginning of the book than with its ending.

SPOILER ahead maybe?

Jael is a very misfortunate and sad individual at book’s beginning. However, I don’t understand why this young woman never ended up in individual psychotherapy by book’s end. A support group and a friendly social worker is simply not going to put an end to this young woman’s visual and auditory hallucinations. My reaction to this novel? Get this young lady the help she truly needs!

I loved this. Jael is a believable character and she's so strong and does not even know it. The story makes you eager to find out what happens next. There is spirituality but in an amount and form that I can handle. I was very happy to watch her finding a place in the world, and a truly good partner.

I consider myself a true Sheri Reynolds fan but this is my least favorite of her novels. I was interested at the beginning but lost steam by the middle of the book. I was left feeling like the ending wasn't much of a conclusion at all and found myself glossing over the strange dreams and visions the character often had. I would not want a first time Sheri Reynold reader to judge the depth of her talent by this book.

I love Sheri Reynold's writing so much, but this book? I only got 3/4 of the way through this book before I had to put it down. The book starts out well enough but gets more & more stupid as you head toward the end. The main character is so weird & backwards, you'd almost think she was retarded. She hallucinates at home and even the statues in the church where she works talk to her. I have to wonder what kind of point Sheri was trying to make with this book...

Absolutely magnificent! I almost didn't want to put the book down. This is by far my favorite novel. Jael's maturation process is mastered in this debut novel. A must-read for readers and non-readers alike!