54774

An Irish governess has serious reason to distrust her brother-in-law, her employer: a blind, Italian composer with some disturbing secret. An unlikely pair of doctors are determined to make a difference for the disadvantaged. An impoverished family is making the tough choice to emigrate away from their beloved Ireland to America...

This is at least the third time I've read Prelude by author BJ Hoff, Book One from one of my all-time favorite series, American Anthem. There's so much about this story of immigrants in nineteenth-century New York.

The emotion. The music! Touches of the supernatural, the divine. Hoff is an excellent writer.

Sure, the novel has its weaknesses. Too many italicized words to force the emphasis where the context would be sufficient to make it clear. A young character whose advanced language seems unrealistic at times, given that she's just turned four. A scene or two that goes around in circles instead of getting on with it, and a couple of aspects to the story that are over the top.

But, my goodness, the characters—particularly the supporting cast! It's the multiple perspectives and layers to the characters, poignant moments with this mix of people, that's done the most to make this read great and memorable to me.

I can't wait to revisit the rest of this historical ChristFic saga. ( )

http://christianfictionaddiction.com/book_reviews/prelude.htm ( )