Ollie Love is the daughter of an itinerant preacher in WITH A NAME LIKE LOVE by Tess Hilmo (FSG 2011). She longs to stay more than a few days in a town so she could maybe go to a real school and make some friends. When Ollie and her family reach the town of Binder, Arkansas, Ollie meets a boy about her age with a slew of problems. She hopes that if she can get her father to help Jimmy that perhaps the family can stay a while longer. Ollie and her father the Rev. Everlasting Love try their best to help Jimmy despite the obstacles thrown their way by some of the local residents. <536>
It would be simple for this novel to become either sentimental or predictable. But Tess Hilmo has created some intereting, albeit eccentric and offbeat, characters both in the Love family and in the townspeople. Avoiding stereotypes is no easy thing either, but Hilmo manages to do just that. Round characters, flawed, bring this piece of historical fiction (1957) to life.
Your desciption brings Because of Winn Dixie to mind. I really liked that book and look forward to checking this one out as well.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. The cover art is eye catching too. In fact, I would want to read this book just looking at the cover alone.
ReplyDeleteHistorical fiction is my most favorite genre. I can't wait to read this one. Sounds very captivating!
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to find out about the obstacles they'll face in trying to help Jimmy.
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ReplyDeleteStudents can definitely relate to this book especially if they tend to move around a lot. I wonder what obstacles the townfolks are relating to and why?