This is such a beautiful story! I struggled through the first two and half chapters, knowing I would cry, as John lost his beloved squaw, to Alzheimer's disease. With all my lack of time, I found it hard to set the McCarthy family aside as their story traveled from Boston to New York City to Afghanistan and back to their home in Montana.
One of the things I really enjoy about Steven's writing is the way he uses beautiful description to bring the reader into the lives of his characters. Yet, not so much detail to cause this reader to zone out. This author has incredible insight into the heart's of people and uses that knowledge to bring feeling and life to his stories. Another thing that makes me love Steven's books is the depiction of what a family should be. In the case of the Rockin' Chair the death of Alice became the catalyst which brought a divided family back home. And it was the love for and dedication of a grandfather that brought their hearts back together.
In a world where every family seems to be severed with hurts and angry words, the Rockin' Chair reminds us that the love of family is the the most important thing. We must fight with all that is in us to tie and maintain heartstrings. Each of us is right at times and each of us are wrong at times. The way we perceive an event can be completely different from the way the next guy sees it. But what does any of it matter if we sit alone with our memories and don't like what we have to face? In order to find healing, Grandpa John teaches us we must go head to head with the ghosts of family past. We must deal with sorrows and honestly face our pain and the pain we have caused others. Ultimately, we must express our love with complete abandon and freely open our arms to welcome those we love.
Brief Synopsis:
Memories are the ultimate contradiction. They can warm us on our coldest days – or they can freeze a loved one out of our lives forever. The McCarthy family has a trove of warm memories. Of innocent first kisses. Of sumptuous family meals. Of wondrous lessons learned at the foot of a rocking chair. But they also have had their share of icy ones. Of words that can never be unsaid. Of choices that can never be unmade. Of actions that can never be undone.
Following the death of his beloved wife, John McCarthy – Grandpa John – calls his family back home. It is time for them to face the memories they have made, both warm and cold. Only then can they move beyond them and into the future.
A rich portrait of a family at a crossroad, THE ROCKIN' CHAIR is Steven Manchester’s most heartfelt and emotionally engaging novel to date. If family matters to you, it is a story you must read.
Praise:
“The Rockin’ Chair is a heart-rending story of a family, separated by pride and ambition only to be brought together by the strength of their ability to grow emotionally and spiritually. Manchester’s flawless dialogue, warm characters and compassionate wit all service a moving story. He brings the Montana farm to life and reminds us that simple sentiments are often the truest. His contrast of the permanence of the landscape with the transience of human life leaves us with a feeling of wonder long after the final page is turned.”
- Corinna Underwood, Reviewer, Publisher’s Weekly
"The Rockin’ Chair is a tightly knit tearjerker.”
- Jon Land, NY Times Bestselling Author; The Walls of Jericho
“In The Rockin’ Chair, Steven Manchester has created a book that can change the world. If only everyone would listen to Grampa John and express their love for each other, what a different world it would be.”
- Heather Froeschl, Book Reviewer, BookReview.com
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