Then Came Heaven

I guess I'd call this a literary romance, in that it is primarily a love story (and one with a happy ending that you're never really in any doubt is going to come about), but the novel gets its story on the page and moves more like literary fiction than it does like a romance novel. The story opens with the sudden tragic death of Krystyna Olczak, a young wife and mother, and moves from there to follow her husband Eddie, her daughters, and her daughters' teacher, a nun in the local Catholic school, as they deal with the aftermath of her death. Spencer does an excellent job putting on the page the small 1950s Minnesota town where the story is set, and her exploration of Sister Regina's doubt about her vocation is handled very well. At show more times, the book is more character study and consideration of setting than it is anything else, and that is definitely part of what made it such a good read for me. I felt like I was reading about all my older relatives--almost recognizing people I knew as they might have been thirty years before I was born. My only disappointment was that the last tiny bit of the book (the last fifteen pages maybe?) felt a little less carefully put together. Once Eddie and Jean (Sister Regina) had navigated all their obstacles and were finally together, it felt a little, I dunno, almost creepy? Like Spencer put so much effort into exploring all their feelings and concerns and doubts along the way and then at the very end it was all just: and now here we are and everything is fine. Heh? But the journey up to that point was so satisfying that it almost didn't matter. Mostly recommended. show less

This final work of Spencer’s definitely reads different than her normal, gentler and more settled than dramatic and emotional, liked I’ve been used to from her. Not really a bad thing but I think I missed that high dramatic content from this “good-bye” book from her.

I liked the characters well enough. The leads were thoroughly portrayed and three-dimensional. I liked how Spencer went into detail on how Eddie dealt with his grief over his sudden loss and his struggle to cope with suddenly being a single parent. Regina’s struggle with her vocation and her quiet rebellion were vividly portrayed as well.

Their relationship was sweet and very gentle. There is no sudden upheaval or “lighting out of the sky” attraction. Their show more realization that they are feeling more for each other than parent/teacher and friends was a tender slide into being. The whole forbidden “loving a nun” thing never really came into being like I was expecting. Yet, there was some repercussions but nothing I would expect from such a situation. Still, a very loving romance.

The author put a lot of effort into setting and overall atmosphere than usual. The setting of small town 1950s Americana almost becomes a character itself. The reader gets a real sense for how close knit a community this little town is: everyone knows everyone, doors stay unlocked, children are looked after communally, and people pitch in like crazy when a sudden tragedy strikes.

It’s this setting where things go a smidge downhill for this book. I think the author spent so much time establishing the setting and telling the story of the community itself, that she lost the sense for Eddie and Regina. Their story got lost in the shuffle of community, and I was sad for that loss. Maybe it was because this was the author’s last book and was based on her hometown, she was trying to give it homage. I don’t know. Still a bummer…

For a last hurrah, this book lacked a bit. The main relationship and the characters were sweet and engaging. The story of a community in tragedy, banding together to support one of its own, was also uplifting. But the balance between the romance and this secondary story was out of whack. The romance got lost in the shuffle sometimes and that frustrated me. Not a bad book, but not the author’s best, either. show less

I'd give this a 3-1/2 if that were possible. I liked it. LaVyrle Spencer's books are always interesting and this was no exception, but I would not class it as one of her best.

The story begins on a late summer day, when a train and a car race to the crossing, and the car loses. THe driver, Krystina Olczak, is killed instantly. In this small, very Catholic town in 1950, Krystina is close to a saint; a perfect mother, a perfect wife, a perfect daughter & sister, and a perfect parishioner. The tragedy hits the town hard. She leaves behind 2 motherless little girls, a heartbroken sister who has been like a second mother to the girls, and a grief-stricken husband, as well as a young nun who questions God's wisdom in taking Krystina and her show more choice to serve as a nun. Sister Regina is forbidden by Holy Law to show any real feelings towards the children or Mr. Olczak. In the meantime, Krystina's sister, Irene, struggles with feelings she has always had for her brother-in-law, but kept suppressed. At times, especially near the beginning, the story has a bit of a 'Sound of Music' feel to it. A little bit predictable, and comes together a bit too easily at the end, but a good story anyway. show less

I read this book several too many moons ago and LOVED it. I keep thinking I need to get a new copy and read it again. I was drawn into this love story almost before I knew what hit me. I hadn't quit reeling and grieving for Krystyna when I saw the first sparks fly between Eddie and Sister Regina. It was subtle, then suddenly it wasn't. I have GOT to get a copy of this book. One of my favorites!

took place in 1950. I had read this before but had mostly forgotten it. It is about a man whose wife is killed. He works at the Catholic Church and school as a janitor and falls in love with a nun who falls in love with him. The love part was pretty low key. It also started to happen only 2 months after the wife he loved so much died. It seemed a little soon to me. Still a pleasant enough book.

I've been an ardent fan of Spencer since the mid eighties, and I've read all of her books...some more than once. This last work lacked the author's usual spark, and I found that disappointing. My least favorite of them all. The ending fell flat... so unlike Spencer.

This was the last book from this author before she retired. Sort of a slow storyline. But very nice,simple old fashioned read. Back to the old days of ceremony,morals, and religion. Based in MN, so esp nice
rating=7
3/1/98