At the risk of making the other books I’ve reviewed recently feel unappreciated, I must start this blog by saying that “A Place Called Morning” is one of the best novels I’ve read this year. This is only Ann Tatlock’s second novel, but she writes like a seasoned professional with many, many books under her belt.
Mae Demaray is a devoted mother and grandmother. A young widow, she turned her attention to her children and showers them with the love and affection she felt growing up. She volunteers at the children’s hospital, is active in her church’s auxiliaries, and tends her grandson a couple of times a week. She loves her life and loves the service she gives to others.
One day, though, that all changed.
Her grandson, a two-year-old blond with big blue eyes was taking a nap in her guest bedroom when the doorbell rang. Mae had been down in the basement to get a can of tomatoes and went to the door quickly, forgetting to close the door to the basement. Her grandson woke up at the sound of the doorbell, toddled over to the stairs, and fell down them, breaking his neck as he landed on the hard concrete floor beneath. Mae cannot forgive herself for causing the death of this precious grandson, and she completely withdraws into herself, unable to accept the forgiveness that her daughter and son-in-law offer to her.
Five years go past, and one by one, Mae lets her friends slip out of her life. The only constant is Roy, a slow-minded man who grew up an orphanage nearby. Throughout his childhood and all through his life, he has come over to Mae’s house for dinner as a regular guest, and now works as Mae’s handyman once a week. With his genuine enthusiasm for life, he’s just what Mae needs to pull out of her despair, but even his innocent outlook and attempts to cheer her do nothing. She killed her grandson and that’s all there is to it.
Through a freak accident, Mae’s house catches on fire and burns to the ground with only a few things saved. This fire proves to be the catalyst Mae needs to find the strength to forgive herself and forgive others, and in the process, she learns a surprising secret.
This book touched me deeply. Ann Tatlock’s use of imagery is superb as she describes Mae’s descent into grief and then back again. The bonds of family, the courage of Mae’s daughter, the sweet goodness of Roy – all of it combines to create a beautiful story of redemption, repentance,
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