There was another South in the 1960s, one far removed from the marches and bombings and turmoil in the streets that were broadcast on the evening news. It was a place of inner turmoil, where ordinary people struggled to right themselves on a social landscape that was dramatically shifting beneath their feet. This is the world of Valerie Fraser Luesse’s stunning debut, Missing Isaac.It is 1965 … Isaac.
It is 1965 when black field hand Isaac Reynolds goes missing from the tiny, unassuming town of Glory, Alabama. The townspeople’s reactions range from concern to indifference, but one boy will stop at nothing to find out what happened to his unlikely friend. White, wealthy, and fatherless, young Pete McLean has nothing to gain and everything to lose in his relentless search for Isaac. In the process, he will discover much more than he bargained for. Before it’s all over, Pete–and the people he loves most–will have to blur the hard lines of race, class, and religion. And what they discover about themselves may change some of them forever.
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this was one of the best books I’ve read in awhile!!
“Then you must walk in the light. No good comes under cloak of darkness.”
What an incredible debut novel by Valerie Fraser Luesse! And to think this is her first venture into the fiction world! I can’t wait to read more of her work. Missing Isaac is such a poignant story, layered with a heart-wrenching plot and plenty of heartbreaks, beautiful and memorable characters that settle into your soul, and plenty of solid spiritual truths. Ms. Luesse is truly a gifted storyteller whose dialogue is real and tangible, so much so that I could almost hear the voices and see the emotions during the conversations. I have not read much fiction set in the south during the 1960s, but this book brought the town of Glory, Alabama during the 60s to life vividly and I felt myself grow up and mature with Pete McLean.
The book opens up with Pete McLean at the age of twelve as he suffers an awful family tragedy. He slowly becomes a young man with guidance from his mother, his grandfather, and his friend Isaac. When Isaac goes missing, Pete does his best to try to find him and, in his wanderings, he discovers Dovey, a girl from a family who has been self-exiled and ostracized by the townspeople. Pete is a good boy, raised to respect his elders and fear his God, born to love and protect and work hard, always understanding right from wrong. Dovey is a sensitive soul, also hurting from a heartbreaking family tragedy. She’s lonely, like Pete, but has a good head on her shoulders with lots of common sense and faith. Their friendship grows, which inadvertently brings their two families together. There is much history between the two families that the teenagers don’t know about and the history is slowly released in the plot like a fragrant flower blooming. In the midst of Pete and Dovey growing up, the mystery of Isaac’s whereabouts still lingers but does come to a conclusion in the end. The book addresses so much more than just the growing up of two wonderful kids and their sweet, innocent love; it speaks about racism, our prejudices that color our vision, the hate and anger our sinful nature produces, and the grace of our Savior that can wash away all that ugliness.
This is one of those books that I will keep thinking about for many weeks to come.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through BookishFirst. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
This was a sweet, historical story set in 1960-70s Alabama, told in third person omniscient point of view. It was enjoyable stroll kind of read, along the lines of a Jan Karon novel.
This story was set in the 1960s, in a rural area. There was a solid friendship
between a wealthy family, and the people who worked their land, which is uncommon, but
not unheard of. Very well constructed and believable.
They had a lot of employees working in their cotton fields, and treated them with respect.
The characters were interesting, and their Southern way of speech and customs were done very well.
Pete, his family, along with the Picketts, and the town folk were all realistic.
There wasn’t much Christianity in the story, which kind of surprised me, and I hope Valerie starts talking about Jesus, salvation, and the King James bible in her future books.
She has a real gift from God for telling stories that keep you attention, and that
don’t stress you out reading them.
I recommend this book, because it’s a good, clean read, no trashy romance or
innuendos, and plenty of detailed plots to keep you wanting to read more.
One of the best books I’ve read this year.
“White folks ’round here’s quick to sweep up things they don’t understand so they don’t have to look at ’em and worry ’bout what they might mean.”
When a young black man in Glory, Alabama goes missing, his friends and family grieve his disappearance, especially Pete McLean; whose relationship with Isaac ran deep and wide after the death of his own father, following an unfortunate tractor accident. All kinds of rumors abound, but no evidence ever surfaces; leaving the impression that a man’s life is only worth a distant memory.
Meanwhile, Pete has some growing up to do and he discovers an unlikely ally and friend when he meets a young girl in a part of town that his friends dare not frequent. Even at thirteen, Dovey Pickett fills in a part of Pete’s heart that he didn’t know was missing. As they spend more and more time together a sweet bond forms between them, but can anything last forever in a place where secrets hold more power than the truth?
A beautifully paced story about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness in a small southern town where stereotypes reluctantly fracture, giving authenticity a chance to breathe.
” . . . he was free. And so was Isaac. Both of them were finally free. “
The saddest part of this book is that these kind of things really happened in the not so long ago south. Loved the main character. Love has no color. Very touching and thought provoking.
Loved this book. Looking forward to more by this new author!
Loved the book – great story about early 60’s in the south
It wasn’t the kind of book I thought it would be
Growing up in the sixties myself, I found this story to ring true. Sincere and warm with strong characters, and personally I found the story touching.
I liked everything about this book except one thing…the way Isaac walked seemed stereotypical. The end was not what one would normally expect in this type of setting and era in US history.
I loved watching the characters grow from children to young adults and grow closer together. The author had a way with words that were very humorous. A great story
Really enjoyed this book and highly recommend reading.
I really enjoyed reading it. I applaud the characters in the book to sticking to their morals and habits. And I just loved it. I just love to read period.
Totally enjoyed
I enjoyed the book. I would read more of the author’s books because of the style of this one.
I grew up in the 60s in Alabama so this book intrigued me. I liked and and found it to be genuine. My heart ached at times for the little boy growing up in the book. I liked his character very much. He is the kind of boy that every mother should hope her son to be like. As a reader I pulled for him as he went through struggles and triumphs in the book. Read it!
Not quite finished with this book but I’m loving it.
Wonderful characters. A great read.
The characters a real and their statements are sometimes amusing and sometimes deep, just as such people in real life would do.