I enjoyed this short story collection by Michael L. Lindvall. The book is set in the small town of North Haven, Minnesota. The stories are all told from the point of view of a local Presbyterian pastor. I thought he was a great choice as narrator because he was in a unique position to know just about everyone in town--and could perhaps with a little help from the Spirit--see the people with loving, grace-filled eyes. Not that he was a perfect character, he'd probably be the first to admit that he's a sinner, but because he tried even when it was difficult, even when he didn't want to, even when he really really didn't want to, to see the people through God's eyes. Each of stories offers a moral or lesson. And I suppose some readers who don't like lessons or who feel too manipulated by lessons may not appreciate this one. But. I do think it will work for plenty of readers. The first and last stories are Christmas-related. So it does capture 'a full year' of small town life.
The stories included in this one are:
- The Christmas Pageant
- The Little Things
- Merciful Snow
- The Ocarina Band
- The Affair
- The Motorcycle
- Learning to Dance
- A Strange Providence
- Reunion
- Lamont Wilcox's Boat
- Sherry Moves Home for a While
- Air-Conditioning
- The Treasure Hunt
- The Dreadful Omniscience of God
- The Jefferson Street Leaf War
- Hunting
- Rapture
- Christmas Baptism
© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible
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