Let me start by saying I am not a Hallmark channel kind of girl and sweet, warm and fuzzy books are not my jam! But, this book was the perfect way to start my Christmas break. I may have even shed a tear or two! I chose this book for three reasons. First, a friend on Goodreads had it on her list. Second, it's historical fiction. (My favorite genre!) And, third, another friend and I decided to read it together.
This story follows the same historical context as the recently released movie, "I Heard the Bells". Both tell the story behind the poem and Christmas carol, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" but the movie is not based on this particular book. The author of this book, Jennifer Chiaverini, jumps back and forth between present day and the Civil War time period. Sometimes I feel like that approach is overdone, but Chiaverini makes it work in this book by recognizing that grief, fear and uncertainty are not bound by time. But yet, in the midst of it, joy, peace and love are also timeless. The truth of Longfellow's poem rings clear throughout the story, "God is not dead, nor doth he sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, good will to men."
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