Wednesday, June 18, 2014

A Book Review of The Gown of Glory

My guess is, that if you loved Jan Karon's Mitford series, there's a very good chance that you'll find The Gown of Glory to your taste as well.  Agnes Sligh Turnbull's story about the Lyall family who live in the town of Ladykirk in the early 1900's can be described as an old-fashioned Mitford novel.  Nothing fancy or earth-shattering but a sweet story of one of the town's pastors, David Lyall.  It tells of his family's trials and joys, recounts the town's rich cast of characters and their antics, and shares how Mr. Lyall, as a small-town preacher, lives out his down-to-earth faith.  Sprinkled throughout are homey vignettes and simple joys that always draw my homemaking heart into a story - sings on the back porch, birthday surprises, a 4th of July festival, and ice cream parlors, to name a few.  Published in the early '50s, The Gown of Glory is one of my favorite vintage stories.  Enjoy!

2 comments:

Lori in Texas said...

This is new to me -- and the author besides! I found a "very good" hardback copy at AbesBooks for only 3.48 including shipping. I look forward to reading it... For your other readers, there are plenty more available.

Have you ever read the series of books by Thyra Ferre Bjorn? Some titles are Papa's Wife, Mama's Way, Papa"s Daughter, The Home Has a Heart, etc. They are charming stories of a family that moved from "Laplands" to America and which have good wisdom and humor and godly examples for old-fashioned religion and ideals. I collected old volumes years ago and perhaps it is time to read them all again... you know, while I wait for The Gown of Glory...

Julie said...

Always love a tip about a new author! I checked our library system and they have one: Papa's Wife. I've added it to my "to read" list and will keep my eyes open at book sales.

Thanks! And let me know how you like The Gown . . .