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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Have You Ever Been Drunk on a Good Book?

by Chautona Havig · 4 Comments

Who knew that a "story society" and its members could be so intoxicating. Even more, that they could be so sobering as well. via @chautonahavig

I understood the man in the book—Ed. I understood everything about him. And, in fact, I really thought I’d write all about him alone, but then I started thinking about Jett. It occurred to me that I really understood him, too. How could I relate so well to two so very different people.

Then there was Lexa. That warped psyche and all the reasons behind it. Yep. Totally me.

The funny thing is, Chuck. I was sure that he was the only one of the group I absolutely couldn’t see any of me in. Apparently, I’m an idiot. Or maybe it’s just that some things are harder to see the root cause of. Maybe some things hit a little too close to home so you grab onto the literal. I’m not violent! I…

But more than anything, I got Cora. Her secret dug deep into my heart and whispered hope and healing even as the other characters ripped off scabs and watched those scabs bleed.

All from a book I didn’t have time to read—didn’t know if I wanted to read. The Fifth Avenue Story Society

Have You Ever Been Drunk on a Good Book? The First Avenue Story Society

Note: Links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Additionally, I requested and received a free review copy of the book. Of course, I just say it like it is regardless of how I got the book.

Have You Ever Been Drunk on a Good Book?

I’m not sure what else to call the mind-numbing stupor that has taken over me in the hours after finishing this book. The only reason I’m writing the review now is that I’m afraid I’ll forget some of the things I want to say.

This is only my second Rachel Hauck book, and while I really enjoyed the first, I was kind of afraid to read another. Too often first books by over-recommended authors are um… disappointing at best.

I’m so grateful that this book was not that book

Instead, The Fifth Avenue Story Society is probably going to sit on the top of my favorites of 2020… maybe of all time. I haven’t related so thoroughly and so deeply with a character since I “met” Francie Nolan from A Tree Grows in Brooklyn back when I was twelve.

Except that in this book, I related to all five of the principal characters. Each of them represented a part of who I am and oddly enough, are nothing like me at the same time. I want so much to discuss and investigate those deeper insights, but I can’t. If I attempt that, I’ll be dumping spoilers all over the place. Not a good idea, you know?

Instead, I’ll say that brilliant characterization, an intricate plot that never once felt convoluted or kludgy, and slow, subtle unveilings of spiritual truths combine to create a story that I know I’ll reread probably once a year. The subtlety of the spiritual content hovered on the edge of “hidden” for quite a while, but in the end, Hauck added only what readers needed for this story’s purpose. No more. Seriously brilliant.

In the whole book, I have only one objection that I can recall.

Those who know me will not be surprised that I was bothered by one character hearing the audible voice of God speaking to her. My understanding of Scripture doesn’t allow for that, so I mention it only because I know it is an issue for some people (like me!).

Still, it wasn’t used as a crutch of a plot device, so I chose to look at it as a difference of theological opinion and to move past.

Look, I might read this book in six months and wonder why I raved about lit like I am (doubt that), but as of right now, today, it touched me, laid open things I needed to read and see within myself, and offered hope and healing for wounds I didn’t know I had.

If that’s not a brilliant book, I don’t know what is.

Recommended for lovers of solid Christian fiction that doesn’t preach but does offer spiritual insight. Furthermore, those who love excellent psychological women’s fiction without preachiness will find Rachel Hauck’s novel a welcome relief after so many offerings that only weigh down and use pretentiousness to hide bad writing.

One other thing The Fifth Avenue Story Society did is to plant Rachel Hauck on my “just buy it” list of authors I don’t hesitate to purchase when I see one I don’t have. Looking at the list in the front of this book, my bank account is about to get a workout. Sure am glad I requested a free review copy of this one!

The First Avenue Story SocietyAbout the Book

Book:  The Fifth Avenue Story Society

Author: Rachel Hauck

Genre:  Contemporary Romance/ Women’s Fiction

Release Date: February 4, 2020

An invitation to join The Fifth Avenue Story Society gives five New York strangers a chance to rewrite their own stories.

Executive assistant Lexa is eager for a much-deserved promotion, but her boss is determined to keep her underemployed.

Literature professor Jett is dealing with a broken heart, as well as a nagging suspicion his literary idol, Gordon Phipps Roth, might be a fraud.

Uber driver Chuck just wants a second chance with his kids.

Aging widower Ed is eager to write the true story of his incredible marriage.

Coral, queen of the cosmetics industry, has broken her engagement and is on the verge of losing her great grandmother’s multimillion-dollar empire.

When all five New Yorkers receive an anonymous, mysterious invitation to The Fifth Avenue Story Society, they suspect they’re victims of a practical joke. No one knows who sent the invitations or why. No one has heard of the literary society. And no one is prepared to bear their deepest secrets to a roomful of strangers.

Yet curiosity and loneliness bring them back week after week to the old library. And it’s there they discover the stories of their hearts, and the kind of friendship and love that heals their souls.

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Comments

  1. Ava says

    April 2, 2020 at 5:01 pm

    Reading this book now. Love it!

    Reply
  2. Florence Wright says

    March 13, 2020 at 7:35 am

    This sounds really good. It looks like an entry into my reading list 🙂

    Reply
  3. Andrea Stoeckel says

    February 13, 2020 at 10:23 am

    I LOVE Rachel Hauck! Seriously, if she wrote cereal boxes I’d read them

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. BLOGWORDS – Saturday 15 February 2020 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-SATURDAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE FIFTH AVENUE BOOK SOCIETY by RACHEL HAUCK | robinsnest212 - stories by design says:
    February 14, 2020 at 11:01 pm

    […] Just the Write Escape, February 13 […]

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 204: A Chat with Sarah Sundin about The Sound of Light
byChautona Havig

A chat with Sarah Sundin is always fun, so when I learned we’d be discussing her upcoming release, The Sound of Light, last October, I was excited. Well… we chatted, and it’s finally time to share that interview. Listen in to what the title means, where Sarah came up with it, and the delightful story that she’s got waiting for us. I’m glad this episode came out in time for me to get the 40% off and free shipping deal from Baker because I apparently didn’t order it back when we chatted!

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

How I Fell in Love With This Haunting Title

I didn’t know much about Denmark and WWII, so chatting with Sarah about The Sound of Light shed definite light (no pun intended) on the history of the Danes and how they stood up to Hitler… and got away with it (for the most part).

The Sound of Light tells the story of a physicist who meets a “slow, dull” guy who intrigues her in spite of herself. Come on… if that doesn’t grab you… Maybe the fact that this slow dude is really an Olympic rower in disguise who uses his father’s company as a front for who he is and how he helps Jews escape?  Yeah. That.

As always, Sarah Sundin has done her research and the result is a gripping story of resistance, protection, and ultimately love for God, our fellow man, and maybe… each other.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for my copy of The Sound of Light to arrive.

The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin

When the Germans march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity so he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden.

American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research–her life’s dream. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement’s legendary Havmand–the merman–and wonders if the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide.

When the Occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech . . . or in silence. Bestselling author of more than a dozen WWII novels, Sarah Sundin offers pens another story of ordinary people responding to extraordinary circumstances with faith, fortitude, and hope for a brighter future.

You can also grab this book from Baker Book House at 40% off with free shipping! (which is cheaper than the Kindle version!)

And you can learn more about Sarah Sundin on her WEBSITE.

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Episode 204: A Chat with Sarah Sundin about The Sound of Light
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