“I trusted you, and some day, you may know just how much you hold in your hands.”Linda Jensen leads a relatively quiet life in Westchester County, New York, as the owner of a highly-acclaimed garden. Inherited from her parents, the garden is her pride and joy. What is not so joyful is finding a strange man sprawled near her delphiniums! The mysterious man is sick, unable to do anything more than … do anything more than drink water—and beg for secrecy. Ignoring all alarm bells, Linda sees to his needs, but her caring act takes on unexpected significance, an unpresentable glory.
Seeds of trust, and perhaps love, are planted in Linda’s garden haven. But as secrets are revealed and scandal hits the headlines, the act of caring for this man threatens to tarnish both of their reputations. Like weeds in Linda’s garden, circumstances threaten to choke out their fledgling relationship, and small moments prove to be the biggest influencers—on a national scale.
more
I enjoyed An Unpresentable Glory by Eleanor Gustafson very much. This book is a fast-paced, highly engaging page turner that I struggled to put down unless I absolutely had to.
I enjoyed the premise to this novel — this idea of an unpresentable glory. An unpresentable glory is an action that at surface level looks not so good, but that is actually a kindness done to another person that allows that person to witness God’s glory. It’s kind of a confusing idea, but this concept reminded me of the men and women in the Bible who did things quietly not looking for recognition, but who were doing things simply because it was the right thing to do. Immediately, Jael from the book of Judges sprung to my mind. She was a typical Bedouin woman going about her day. She wasn’t looking for any special attention. But when a moment presented itself to rid the world of an awful human, she took it and ended up saving an entire nation! On the surface, Jael’s execution of Sisera was an unpresentable act. She killed a man in his sleep. But, to the Israelites who had been oppressed by this cruel man for 20+ years, Jael’s act showed the downtrodden Israelites God’s glory. This concept of unpresentable glory appears time and time again in this novel, and convicted me to check my own heart — am I going about my day seeking glory for myself, or am I giving glory to God? Am I being a Jael? Am I taking those moments God presents to me and helping others?
In addition to the theme that runs throughout the novel, I also really loved Lawrie’s conversion to Christianity. Lawrie, our story’s hero, has a really tough life. I won’t spill the beans as to why his life is so rough, but I will say that I often asked as I was reading, “Man, how much more can this guy take?!” After a particularly bad moment, Lawrie begins to go to a men’s Bible study. At first he is forced to go and hates it. God is not for him. But, after a particularly harrowing incident, Lawrie realizes just how much he actually needs the Lord. While Lawrie’s heart-change moment is awesome, what I really love is his need to surround himself with good, upstanding, hard working, Christian men. To be held accountable in his new walk with God, Lawrie realizes that he must have a strong support system so he can appropriately navigate the good, the bad, and the ugly of his life. I love this idea of having a network of strong, like-minded, like-hearted friends who pray, praise, and tell it like it is in order to help keep each other on the right path — God’s path.
There is quite a lot more that I could discuss about this epic novel, but I don’t want to risk an accidental spoiler. Suffice to say, I enjoyed my time reading this novel. I found the characters to be unique and multi-faceted; the complications to be highly engaging (I could not stop turning the pages because I had to find out what happens next); and, the theme timely. An Unpresented Glory forced me to take a good long look at my heart. Truly, you can’t ask for a better book than this!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author via Just Read Tours. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Things I Loved About An Unpresentable GloryI love the image of God’s “unpresentable glory” in this novel. For me, it’s the things that God has done that are behind the scenes, things that are maybe not mentionable in polite company. I love that God enters into the undignified places in our lives and shines his light in there – even if no one else will ever see.
I loved the gardens and garden imagery in this novel. I don’t know a ton about gardens – my sister is the agronomist. I know, I know – I should have consulted a soil scientist. Let this one marinate for a bit: what are the weeds in my life that need to be pulled, stomped out?
I loved the two outstanding groups of friends Jay meets and bonds with in this story. TWO. (I guess he can have two groups since he has to bounce back and forth between two cities. But still. I’m a little jealous. Oops, there’s a weed!). (Yes. Jealous of a fictional character. Yup. That’s me.) This is something I am trying to cultivate in my life. But Jay has the benefit of being introduced to these groups that he then connects with. I keep trying to find those groups, or build them myself.
Some Thoughts About Style
This book felt long, and I love long books and usually get into them without even noticing. It took me some time to get into it. Once I did, I really did like the story. I really liked Jay’s journey of faith and friendship especially. I didn’t always like the way it was told. There were a few moments where I thought “do people actually talk like that in 2018?” I also felt like there was a rush to tie things up at the end. The style wasn’t my favorite, and I think this just may be a personal preference/genre preference thing. Overall, though, I did like this book, and would recommend it to those who enjoy literary fiction. If you’re looking for something fast-paced, this isn’t your book, but if you’d like to be prompted towards introspection, it just might be.
I received a review copy of this book; all opinions are my own.
This is definitely a different kind of romance. Both Linda and Lawrie learn to put their lives in Gods hands. Both of these characters go through many trials and tribulations before and after they meet. I cried many times while reading this book. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
This story reminds me of a package that you unpack anxiously awaiting the gift that is buried under piles of paper. You have to remove each layer until the gift appears. It is like getting rid of unwanted weeds in a garden so you can see the beauty that God has provided. Each time I think about the book, I realize just how precious the words are that filled my soul with a deep love I have never felt.
Linda is a gifted gardener who takes flowers and makes them works of glory. The gardens provide peace and comfort. When she discovers a man one day in her garden, she didn’t know that that one moment would change her life forever. I loved how she took the man in even though he was a stranger. She saw this man as Jesus did. He was in need of kindness and to be shown the love of God. It would be hard to welcome a stranger into my home, but I know I couldn’t turn away someone in need. Though their time together was brief, it set the stage for a story that will leave a lasting mark on many.
Lawrie is a senator that has been under tremendous pressure. As he takes time to get his energy back, he senses a kindred spirit with Linda. She is kind, caring and asks nothing from him. Did God bring Lawrie to this woman? Will he find what he has been looking for to heal his broken heart? I loved the time they spent together and how they respected each other without crossing the line. After all Lawrie is a married man and the thought of being unfaithful is not why he was there.
The story does have a political aspect to it and I did enjoy the part about Native Americans. It did show how even today they still have to fight for what was theirs. It really was a great addition to the story and allowed us to see inside the political world. Lawrie is torn when he has to make a big decision about his political career. His life will take a dark turn as rumors mount against him. Can he protect Linda from the medial? What will his wife beleive when she starts to hear the murmurs in Washington about her husband?
There is a lot happening in the story but don’t overlook the presence of God in every decision, every word and every unexplained moment that reminds us He will never leave us. Lawrie does seem to go through many hard moments; almost like Job in the Bible. I began to worry that Lawrie would give up and miss out on the most precious gift awaiting him.
The story is also about the love between two people who feel they can’t be together but never forget the brief time they spent together. There is some difficult subjects in the book that may be triggers for some such as suicide and depression. The author handles both subjects with grace and compassion. This is not your typical love story but a much deeper story of finding peace, happiness and hope.
I finished the book and sat for a moment soaking in the presence of God. I felt it throughout the book and the message was clear to me. When you need it most, God in his wisdom will send at just the right time, “An Unpresentable Glory.’
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Unpresentable Glory
At the first of the book Linda finds Jay who is sick. She took him to her place to care for him. Loved how she took care of him and then accepted that he had to leave once he was well. She finds out actually who he was afterwards.
There was a little bit part of the book that was not as interesting but it did get better. The book was very inspiring, a very different kind of love story. Loved the friendship of Linda and Bonnie. Their friendship brought so much to the story.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review.
An Unpresentable Glory is not your typical Christian fiction romance read. This was a book I was able to lay aside but finally finished it. The story could easily be replaced as news in the political arena with hidden secrets, scandals, untruths along with every day events that society is dealing with currently. The heroine, Linda Jensen, garden would be a wonderful place to sit quietly and renew the inner man but yet she took in an ill man without questioning him for more information, which seemed unrealistic. There are multiple characters beside of the hero and heroine with plenty of action and running from others that gave way to infused drama. There is an interweaving of God’s love that each character encountered sometime during the story to gain their unpresentable glory from God.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit for Eleanor K. Gustafson tour with Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review but have expressed my sincere thoughts.
I genuinely tried with this one but I couldn’t. Unfortunately most of what I didn’t like I can’t share without revealing spoilers. The easiest way I can put this is that when you aren’t a fan of the backstory it makes the story going forward more difficult to endure. I believe the story had potential, and the description seemed intriguing–but the reality wasn’t a fit. For that reason I couldn’t get into the story and despite trying very hard–couldn’t make it through. I’ve seen some other people really enjoy it though so I recommend checking out some other reviews before settling on your own conclusions towards it.
*I received a copy of this book from CelebrateLit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
Eleanor Gustafson is a new author for me, but she is not new to her fans.
I enjoyed Unpresentable Glory very much and look forward to reading more by this author. As a matter of fact, I’ve already checked to see what else she has written.
Have you ever heard of, or maybe even participated in, a garden tour? Garden tours are special tours of certain gardens in a specific neighborhood or town. Due to the expense of maintaining a garden people would want to tour, many of these types of tours are at the homes of affluential people. Such is the case for Linda Jenson, a never married, 40 something, well off heiress, who continues the passion of her predecessors. Her gardens are beautiful and well known, being maintained by a hired gardener and his crew.
Linda enjoys her garden, spending many quiet moments walking or just sitting. One afternoon, having concluded her walk, Linda spies a man lying under the shrubbery. She finds that the man has passed out, however, when she is finally able to awaken him, she learns he is more sick than a simple faint. Refusing medical attention, Linda ends up getting him into her home and ensconced in her guest room. Remember, this man is a complete stranger. She cares for him until he is well enough to go to his own home, a time of 2 to 3 weeks. As healing continues, the two find they have much in common and a special connection begins to form.
The stranger asks her to call him Jay; he never provides his full name nor does he provide any personal information. When he is well enough to go, he leaves.
It doesn’t take long for Linda to find out who Jay really is because he is somewhat famous. She’s not much of a tv watcher, but one day she turns on the news, and there he is.
When scandals erupt, Linda is somehow dragged into them. She watches from afar as the man she believes she loves is dragged through the muck of personal and professional tragedy; she promised she would never attempt to contact him or even mention his stay. She keeps that promise.
Throughout the novel are special moments the author calls “unpresentable glory”, those moments where one may recognize the hand of God. Personally, I call them “God Moments”; some call them coincidences. It is a recognition of the influence of Gods grace in our lives that is quiet and unnoticeable, unless one is attuned to listen and watch. While the author weaved many moments of unpresentable glory throughout the novel, I think the best one was the very last one.
I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book via Just Read Tours, and am under no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions, therein, are solely my own.