... beautifully captures the rewards and burdens of the intimate connections between mothers, fathers and their children ... The novel, which fully submerges readers in both its setting and the innermost thoughts of the characters, dramatizes the small-town experience, touching upon such aspects as gender, faith and family dynamics ... Heartbreakingly genuine characters distinguish Webster Hein's nuanced portrayal of love and loyalty to one's family.
The narrators’ distinct voices complement this beautifully descriptive, character-driven work contemplating themes of change and doing the right thing.
Delicate ... Hein adds depth and complexity to the otherwise simple and restrained story by telling it from the various characters’ points of view ... For the most part, Hein’s eloquent writing and convincing portrayal of the characters’ faith and piety makes up for a fairly anti-climactic narrative. Overall, it lands as a worthy first outing.
Graceful ... With characters yearning for intimacy and acceptance, Webster-Hein delicately probes the meanings of family, freedom, and desire ... A gentle tale of love and loneliness.
