A Novel (Random House Reader's Circle) - The Homecoming of Samuel Lake

The characters in this book were people we just might have known had we lived just down the road a piece. Their troubles and concerns become the readers and the man who beats his wife, children and animals becomes the person we love to fear and hate. I enjoyed this tale where sacrifice and real love and respect for one another is able to to mend relationships.

I purchased and gave away several copies of this book. It is about a Southern family, and, as a child of the South, I can say that there wasn't a single false note in the author's depiction of any of the characters. I read it in great gulps, neglecting a number of duties to which I should have attended. I loved it, and hated to reach the end.

What a cast of characters! This was an amazing read. The author paints the personalities in awesome detail and makes them just come alive on the page. It has been a while since I picked up a book and just couldn't put it down. This is one of my favorite books... ever! A great first novel by a Texas writer.

I could picture the characters and setting so clearly. The writer did a great job introducing new characters and subplots throughout the entire story. I was a bit disappointed that Toy was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. The book would have ended so much better if Samuel had been given a pardon for killing Ras, after all, his daughter had just been terribly violated and probably would have died if Samuel had not taken great measures. It revealed the fact that even the most devout Christians sin.

I had the opportunity of meeting the author when she was touring for the program, If All Arkansas Read the Same Book. I enjoyed every word she said and found the book interesting and thought provoking. I, as well as those who attended the library event, look forward to more books from the author.

Great story about family, love,and gritty reality of life's events unfolding in this southern epic! The characters involved were explained in such intricate detail you could feel like you were there. Humorous, sad, great revenge!

I agree that this author is talented and developes the characters to the point where you feel intimately involved in their lives. I will admit that when the book ended, the story went around and around in my mind. Normally, this would be a good thing, but the nature of the abuse and cruelty was too graphic for me. I'm not saying that I only like to read books with a tidy, storybook ending, far from it. I have read about abuse before, but the author did such a good job of making these characters feel like friends of mine, that reading of what they endured actually hurt me emotionally and I have too much real life pain associated with family members and friends who have suffered abuse that I don't want to be adding to it with my reading. I really hope this author goes on to write more in the future, she is truly talented.

Jenny Wingfield writes the most unforgettable book about the lives of the Lake and Moses family. Samuel Lake is the main character as we see him deal with the pain in life while waiting for his miracle from God. As we learn in the story, what miracle we expect is not what we always get...
Could not put this book down!

This book grabbed me from the first word practically. Interesting, complex cast of characters, compelling story line, setting descriptions so vivid I could almost see them in front of me. One of the best books I've read in ages, and thankfully unlike anything I've read in ages.

This book protrayed everyday farm life of a young girl, who is the daughter of minister. It seems she is the center of the story, but as it develops you realize it is more about the lives of her uncle and her father and her father's faith. The ending is unexpected and very much like what might happen in real life.

This is so well written and a truly compelling story. I was sucked into buying this book because Fannie Flagg had such nice things to say about it, and I love her writing and it really lived up to the hype. I hope Jenny Wingfield writes a lot more books!

I read late into the night, quite
a few times with this one. Well written with endearing (mostly) characters, and a well developed story line. I would recommend it, if you, like me, enjoy this kind of story.