Some series are worth waiting for, and I was so thrilled when The Stranger was announced! I’m not into historical fiction a lot, but these are something else. They’re so beautiful and full of life, one character more intriguing than another. The Stranger will be available soon, hopefully in time to make a wonderful Christmas present. The best thing to do would be to visit Joy Margett’s website.
Joy Margetts, the author, has done another wonderful job with The Stranger. It’s always such a delight when you start reading the next book, and within a few pages you recognise the character! In this case Silas, at the little abbey of Grace Dieu in Wales.
The Stranger launches straight into the story, and my heart broke for the few monks at Grace Dieu, struggling against all odds. Such a hard task, and poor Silas… I willed him to heal as well, but then, events and people’s character and attitude took over. Being in a minute congregation, I felt his questions and grief, so I was invested in the story from the beginning, needing answers as much as Silas did almost.
The Stranger is set in the borderlands between Wales and England, but mostly in Wales, making me want to visit Rhayadar again, and the lovely tearoom there, and this time, see the remains of Cwmhir Abbey. The book makes it easy to picture it all in your mind, but walking around the gorgeous valleys would be great as well.
The Stranger is set up as the other books in the series, and each chapter is followed by a Bible verse, which is calling you back towards the main point of the story. The Stranger, as the other books, makes me want to read on and on without catching my breath, but at the same time, I want to linger and sit and think about it all! Then the verses themselves want me to pause, and the story calls me to read on and find out what happens next.
The Stranger has a beautiful theme throughout the book, about our self-worth, the way God views us, the way He loves us and the way we see His love. Some of the people that Silas meets would make a wonderful story (Hint!) but The Stranger leads us along on his journey, and what a trek it is! Brother Hywel, still one of my favourite characters, appears and it’s like meeting old friends. His wisdom is rich and soothing, just as the story is.
The Stranger is a very welcome addition to the series, and is another one that you will need to read more than once, to be able to sit with the words and the wisdom Joy has shared with us through Brother Silas. Following on from The Healing, The Pilgrim, and The Bride, each book makes you more familiar with these people who are becoming more real with each page turn, and Joy has shared her gift of writing as well as her gift of teaching in a profound way, that moves the soul as well as it being a fabulous story, full of difficulties and unexpected turns.
I was given a copy to review but was under no pressure or obligation to write a favourable review.