55843

55843

Oak Leaves is a phenomenal look at disabled children, those that carry a gene called Fragile X. This book is not new, having been on my TBR (to be read) pile for a year or more, and was published in August 2011. I really enjoyed this book, and was disappointed when I came to the end of it. But then I found out there is another one...On Sparrow Hill which I find I also have! This story takes place now, but through a journal that Talie (Natalie) finds among her father's memorabilia we learn about her ancestors in 1848 as well. The ties that bind the two lives together are strong, and very poignant. I was not surprised to find out that this is a subject very close to Maureen's heart, for I felt the heart beat as I read it. Even though the events in the story did not effect me personally, they have changed the way I look at others, the way I feel for parents of disabled children, how I react. And that I believe is what a book should do! Very good! Thanks, Maureen for writing your heart out! ( )

I really liked this book. It was different from most Christian fiction I have read so far. It alternated perspectives between modern-day Chicago and Victorian Britain, which sounds confusing, but it wasn't; the back-and-forth was handled very well. I'm really bad at writing reviews, so that's all I'm going to say!

Historical inaccuracies:

There is a major problem with titles in this book. Cosima's aunt and uncle should have been referred to as Lord and Lady X (X being the name of the dukedom; I don't think the book even said what it was). Her aunt should not have been called Lady Meg unless she herself was the daughter of a high-ranking peer. Even then, it probably would have been Lady Margaret, not Lady Meg. Cosima's grandmother should have been called the Dowager Duchess of X, not Dowager Merit or Lady Merit. Also, the name Merit is a male name, so I don't know why she was named that!

Another big mistake is with the Hamilton family. Peter's father is a viscount, and is referred to as "Lord Graham Hamilton, viscount" several times. Peter is similarly referred to as Lord Peter or "Lord Peter Hamilton, baron". These are both very incorrect, and show the ignorance of the author on this subject. The Hamilton parents were usually referred to in the correct manner, Lord and Lady Hamilton (if Hamilton is the name of the viscounty). Peter should have been called Lord X (X being the name of the barony). He would never have been called Lord Peter. (If he was a younger son he would have been The Hon. Peter Hamilton) ( )

This book is about a woman finds a secret in a nineteenth- century family members journal that affects her whole family. I think that this was a decent book the only problem was that there was allot of filler before you got to the real meet of the book. It is a must reed for all new mothers though. It is all about God loving his children and everyone is special even if they have genetic problems.
This paperback book was bought at southern thrift ( )