Travelers Rest

by Marissa Writes - Saturday, August 04, 2012

Travelers Rest
By Ann Tatlock

This book was a great summer read for me, it was easy to read and overall very uplifting. For a Contemporay Christian Fiction book this is one that isn't overly preachy while telling a great story of how life just isn't always fair.

The story follows Jane Marrow as she learns how to live her life after her fiance, Seth Ballantine, is wounded in Iraq. She spends the summer in Asheville near the Veterans Medical Center as Seth learns how to live his life now as a quadriplegic. So there might not be a ton of surprises in this amazing work of fiction, but it was still perfect for me!

I loved how Tatlock really made each character so rich. There was no doubt that I could see these people living this stage of their lives, wishing for the past, or a different future, trying to find a way to cope with the reality of where they now stood. The idea of realizing your life's dream was not going to happen and knowing you have to let it go is the ultimate question that Jane, Seth and so many in this book have to deal with. The concept might not be new, but the story was woven together in a manner that made that alright.

Jane makes some new friends while she spends time in the medical center that enrich her life. It seemed as though these friends were God-sends as she struggles with a past that taints her opinion of the world and an unsure future as Seth wants to end their engagement so as not to sentence her to a life as caregiver. One new friend was Truman Rockaway, who's past is extremely interesting. He has the kind of calming personality that those of an older generation can have and brings so much wisdom and understanding to Jane as she navigates this new normal. Jane also befriends Jon-Paul Pearcy, an attorney, who plays the piano at the medical center to decompress from the demands of his job.

Drum Circle at Pritchard Park, Asheville, NC
Photo credit

Plus the use of God in the story is subtle but perfect. One of the best lines of the book was spoken by Truman as he tried to answer Jane's question about prayer. He told Jane, "He'll surely answer if He can." (147) Later we find out that even Truman only got this statement half right, but I don't want to spoil that part for you.

I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a great fictional story that fits in with Christian values and American pride.

If you have read this book let me know what you thought! I'd love to discuss it with you! If you've read one of Tatlock's other books and want to share your thoughts, please do, I'd love to hear them.