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I'll Watch the Moon
Catherine Tierney, angry with God and questioning His existence, finds support, renewed faith, and a strengthening in her bond with her daughter through a friendship with Auschwitz survivor Jusef Karski. Original.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
286 people are currently reading
1634 people want to read
About the author
Ann Tatlock
39 books297 followersAnn Tatlock is a novelist and children’s book author. Her books have received numerous awards, including the Christy Award, the Midwest Book Award and the Silver Angel Award for Excellence in Media. She also serves as managing editor of Heritage Beacon, the historical fiction imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She lives with her family in Western North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
October 2, 2017
"Funny how a grain of hope can manage to eclipse a whole world of dispair."
There are some days where I believe I'll never read an amazing book again. A lot I enjoy or like, but to truly feel as I did while reading this one is a rare treasure. It's absolutely beauitful!!!! It's emotional and heartfelt. The author understands human nature perfectly and describes life in the most precise words, as well as giving each character something from their past that affected them. Each has a story. Each are important.
The story begins...."'I want to tell you the story of my mother and a man named Josef. It’s a love story, but it’s not a romance. I’ve lived long enough now to know there’s a difference and that sometimes the greatest love is between two people whose hearts are someplace else.'"
Nova, a nine year old girl, describes her life in the late 40s. While oblivious to everything going on around her, she weaves in the things her mother told her later in life, and reveals the hearts of her mother, Josef, Dewey, and others she comes to care for. The war years are incorporated into this-Auschwitz and the tragic death of loves ones.
I love the way Nova views other people. Josef, for instance: "His features seemed a canvas of long-ago nicks and cuts, and the tip of one ear was bumpy and gnarled like a puppy had mistaken it for a favorite slipper." Or Dewey: "Dewey had big dreams. He was going to be an astronomer, a space traveler, and— like I already said— the first man on the moon."
I was crying toward the end and was actually asking "why" with all the other characters. Seriously, I had to remind myself that it was just a fiction book and it was really hard because the characters were sooooo real.
If I could I would try to tell you how I felt about Josef. He amazed me that through every thing he experienced he couldn't/wouldn't stop believing God. His gentleness toward Nova was tear worthy, his wisdom in every word made me stop and ponder what he was saying, and his love amazing and deep.
And Dewey and Nova's relationship was adorable. I love how close they are as siblings!! There is some touches of the Big Bang in the midst of Dewey's interest in science, but it is only there a couple times. Nova's mother was the hardest to like in this story, but she is an example of how so many of us can be. Stuck with the past and not able to go forward.
I LOVED LOVED LOVED about Nova praying for dimes. It was so innocent and sweet.
It is not a romantic book...I mean it's there a little, but it's not the focus and through the eyes of a nine year old it is never inappropiate in the least! Of course her mother says some things from her childhood that happened to her that might concern some people, but I was shocked how little was said. No details. You get the point even without a heavy description. I liked that!!
Every page isn't heavy with spiritual lessons, but they are woven throughout applying to each part of the story. It never is awkward or out of place. It is beauitful.
I can't give an overview of this without giving the whole book away, so instead I'm going to put in several quotes and let you decide if it's touching enough to read.
"'Grown-ups just like to worry about things. If they’re not worried, they’re not happy.'”
"Funny how seemingly small the event might be that divides your life into before and after."
"'Sometimes I think I’m just pretty much afraid of everything. I feel like my stomach is all filled up with fear, and I feel like running as fast and as far as I can, but I know I can never run fast enough or far enough to get away from whatever it is that’s making me scared.'”
“'I pray for strength.” The words were simple, straightforward. Josef pushed against the floor with one foot and the swing moved back and forth, cradling us. “And then you’re not afraid anymore?” “No,” he replied. “Then I am still afraid. But then I know that God knows I’m afraid, and that is what makes the difference.'”
“'I forgive one day, and the next I must forgive again. Every day I am forgiving them.'”
"'There is so much of suffering that I will never even begin to understand. But I am content in believing that I don’t have to understand why the story unravels the way it does so long as I know that in the end everything will be all right.'”
I ran to him and threw my arms around his waist. “'Josef!'” He looked down at me with a tender gaze, put his hand to my cheek. “'Don’t worry, Novelka,'” he said. “'Everything will be all right.'”
I can't wait to read more by this author!!
There are some days where I believe I'll never read an amazing book again. A lot I enjoy or like, but to truly feel as I did while reading this one is a rare treasure. It's absolutely beauitful!!!! It's emotional and heartfelt. The author understands human nature perfectly and describes life in the most precise words, as well as giving each character something from their past that affected them. Each has a story. Each are important.
The story begins...."'I want to tell you the story of my mother and a man named Josef. It’s a love story, but it’s not a romance. I’ve lived long enough now to know there’s a difference and that sometimes the greatest love is between two people whose hearts are someplace else.'"
Nova, a nine year old girl, describes her life in the late 40s. While oblivious to everything going on around her, she weaves in the things her mother told her later in life, and reveals the hearts of her mother, Josef, Dewey, and others she comes to care for. The war years are incorporated into this-Auschwitz and the tragic death of loves ones.
I love the way Nova views other people. Josef, for instance: "His features seemed a canvas of long-ago nicks and cuts, and the tip of one ear was bumpy and gnarled like a puppy had mistaken it for a favorite slipper." Or Dewey: "Dewey had big dreams. He was going to be an astronomer, a space traveler, and— like I already said— the first man on the moon."
I was crying toward the end and was actually asking "why" with all the other characters. Seriously, I had to remind myself that it was just a fiction book and it was really hard because the characters were sooooo real.
If I could I would try to tell you how I felt about Josef. He amazed me that through every thing he experienced he couldn't/wouldn't stop believing God. His gentleness toward Nova was tear worthy, his wisdom in every word made me stop and ponder what he was saying, and his love amazing and deep.
And Dewey and Nova's relationship was adorable. I love how close they are as siblings!! There is some touches of the Big Bang in the midst of Dewey's interest in science, but it is only there a couple times. Nova's mother was the hardest to like in this story, but she is an example of how so many of us can be. Stuck with the past and not able to go forward.
I LOVED LOVED LOVED about Nova praying for dimes. It was so innocent and sweet.
It is not a romantic book...I mean it's there a little, but it's not the focus and through the eyes of a nine year old it is never inappropiate in the least! Of course her mother says some things from her childhood that happened to her that might concern some people, but I was shocked how little was said. No details. You get the point even without a heavy description. I liked that!!
Every page isn't heavy with spiritual lessons, but they are woven throughout applying to each part of the story. It never is awkward or out of place. It is beauitful.
I can't give an overview of this without giving the whole book away, so instead I'm going to put in several quotes and let you decide if it's touching enough to read.
"'Grown-ups just like to worry about things. If they’re not worried, they’re not happy.'”
"Funny how seemingly small the event might be that divides your life into before and after."
"'Sometimes I think I’m just pretty much afraid of everything. I feel like my stomach is all filled up with fear, and I feel like running as fast and as far as I can, but I know I can never run fast enough or far enough to get away from whatever it is that’s making me scared.'”
“'I pray for strength.” The words were simple, straightforward. Josef pushed against the floor with one foot and the swing moved back and forth, cradling us. “And then you’re not afraid anymore?” “No,” he replied. “Then I am still afraid. But then I know that God knows I’m afraid, and that is what makes the difference.'”
“'I forgive one day, and the next I must forgive again. Every day I am forgiving them.'”
"'There is so much of suffering that I will never even begin to understand. But I am content in believing that I don’t have to understand why the story unravels the way it does so long as I know that in the end everything will be all right.'”
I ran to him and threw my arms around his waist. “'Josef!'” He looked down at me with a tender gaze, put his hand to my cheek. “'Don’t worry, Novelka,'” he said. “'Everything will be all right.'”
I can't wait to read more by this author!!
March 28, 2022
This was my book club’s latest selection. With myriad themes to spark discussion, this novel would be excellent for book clubs. The characters were relatable, especially Nova, the young protagonist. A few of the off-shooting storylines felt forced and unnecessary but overall, it was an inspirational, heartwarming journey (suitable for the Hallmark Channel!).
September 19, 2012
Beautiful! There is a lot of heartbreak in this book, but it is not depressing at all. It explained so well the concepts of faith in God and giving our will up to His greater understanding. I also learned a lot about life in America post WWII and during the polio epidemic. Highly recommended read!
I had many favorite quotes. Here are a few...
"But then what do you do?"
"I pray for strength."
The words were simple, straightforward. Josef pushed against the floor with one foot and the swing moved back and forth, cradling us.
"And then you're not afraid anymore?"
"No," he replied. "Then I am still afraid. But then I know that God knows I'm afraid, and that is what makes the difference."
Auntie was wrong to think we shouldn't find the explanations to the mysteries of the universe, because sometimes it wasn't the mysteries so much as the answers that pointed to the hand of God.
"You see, Novelka, in an odd sort of way, some of our strongest relationships are with people who have died. We miss the person, we think of them, we wonder what they would want us to do, how they would want us to act. Though they are not here, they still strongly influence our lives. And so we go on loving them, sometimes even more, when they are gone."
I had many favorite quotes. Here are a few...
"But then what do you do?"
"I pray for strength."
The words were simple, straightforward. Josef pushed against the floor with one foot and the swing moved back and forth, cradling us.
"And then you're not afraid anymore?"
"No," he replied. "Then I am still afraid. But then I know that God knows I'm afraid, and that is what makes the difference."
Auntie was wrong to think we shouldn't find the explanations to the mysteries of the universe, because sometimes it wasn't the mysteries so much as the answers that pointed to the hand of God.
"You see, Novelka, in an odd sort of way, some of our strongest relationships are with people who have died. We miss the person, we think of them, we wonder what they would want us to do, how they would want us to act. Though they are not here, they still strongly influence our lives. And so we go on loving them, sometimes even more, when they are gone."
December 18, 2017
Well, I kind of didn't make my way slowly through this book as I said I would try to - I know I didn't!! It only took me four days to finish, but it could have been shorter if I wanted it to! Yes, I loved it and it's hard to put a review in words for such a wonderful book!
The characters:
It's hard not to love all the main characters, even Clyde!! I promise you will be drawn in by all of them and if you aren't, I don't know what I will say! ;)
Nova - so sweet! As the main character, she was a special part in the book. I loved her and Dewey's conversations about the moon, stars, and planets!
Dewey - such a nice brother to Nova! <3 He and his passion for flying to the moon was so sweet and yeah, couldn't help but like him! ;)
Ma - felt so bad for her. Once I knew what had happened in her life, I could sort of understand! She was a good Mom though! :)
Auntie - loved her!!! Her and her Providence!!
Josef - <3 <3 <3 <3 Yeah, he was amazing!!! I don't what else to say other than that! He was probably by top favourite character of all my favourite characters! Ahhh! <3
Tom - hmm, he's nice too, but I'm completely sure Josef is my favourite still!! ;) Tom had his wonderful qualities as well though!
The sisters - hahahaha! Gotta to love them and their styles! They are so funny!!
All the rest - they all had such great quirks and their personalities were hilarious! Hard not to like them all!!
The story-line:
I really, really liked it!! It's so different from most books and I didn't ever not (I think Grammar would faint if he saw that) like it! Yeah, it was really good! :)
All-in-all:
Definitely a book I'd re-read! I recommend it and I hope people who haven't read it yet will go read it soon! :) I absolutely loved it and I'm so glad I "found time" to read it!
Of course, five stars! No reason not to! <3
The characters:
It's hard not to love all the main characters, even Clyde!! I promise you will be drawn in by all of them and if you aren't, I don't know what I will say! ;)
Nova - so sweet! As the main character, she was a special part in the book. I loved her and Dewey's conversations about the moon, stars, and planets!
Dewey - such a nice brother to Nova! <3 He and his passion for flying to the moon was so sweet and yeah, couldn't help but like him! ;)
Ma - felt so bad for her. Once I knew what had happened in her life, I could sort of understand! She was a good Mom though! :)
Auntie - loved her!!! Her and her Providence!!
Josef - <3 <3 <3 <3 Yeah, he was amazing!!! I don't what else to say other than that! He was probably by top favourite character of all my favourite characters! Ahhh! <3
Tom - hmm, he's nice too, but I'm completely sure Josef is my favourite still!! ;) Tom had his wonderful qualities as well though!
The sisters - hahahaha! Gotta to love them and their styles! They are so funny!!
All the rest - they all had such great quirks and their personalities were hilarious! Hard not to like them all!!
The story-line:
I really, really liked it!! It's so different from most books and I didn't ever not (I think Grammar would faint if he saw that) like it! Yeah, it was really good! :)
All-in-all:
Definitely a book I'd re-read! I recommend it and I hope people who haven't read it yet will go read it soon! :) I absolutely loved it and I'm so glad I "found time" to read it!
Of course, five stars! No reason not to! <3
April 30, 2017
This was my first Ann Tatlock novel, and I loved it so much I'm determined to read everything she has written. Loved the child's first-person voice, the character development for the entire cast, the history, the emotions... The prose was so beautiful, the pacing very well done, and with a perfect blend of action and introspection. I'm so impressed with this author. Delighted to have discovered her.
January 7, 2018
Lovely, unaffected writing, quietly moving, simply profound, told through the eyes of a 9-year old girl in 1948 about love and loss and hope and faith and things too clouded by self and suffering for humans to understand clearly this side of heaven. Loved it!
March 23, 2019
I can't remember the last time I cried this much !!
March 1, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the history, especially of the experience of those affected by polio, was fascinating. I also really enjoyed the various characters that Nova came in contact with through the story as well.
I loved most how Josef's story was told: through Nova's memories as a 9 year old girl, and then filling in the details her mother gave her at the end of Catherine's life. I think this story resonated with me so much because it talks about what I think it's safe to say most of us would want: to have our lives *mean* something. To be able to have been a blessing, and to point others, always, to God.
I loved most how Josef's story was told: through Nova's memories as a 9 year old girl, and then filling in the details her mother gave her at the end of Catherine's life. I think this story resonated with me so much because it talks about what I think it's safe to say most of us would want: to have our lives *mean* something. To be able to have been a blessing, and to point others, always, to God.
May 24, 2014
I loved this story set in post World War II Minnesota. 9 year old Nova struggles with the hard realities of losing her father, an angry mother and a sick brother. I was heartbroken by the up close and personal look at the devastation of flu epidemics, polio epidemics and war. I loved watching Nova's growing faith and was so grateful for Josef, recently freed from the death camps of Europe, the man who had lost all of his family, but who through providence, came into their lives and helped them choose forgiveness and hope. I loved Dewey's outlook, even despite a change in his dreams. I couldn't stop crying for the last 50 pages of the book. Some of my favorite thoughts, "Better to keep one's face toward heaven, even if you are angry with God, than to turn away and find nothing at all." So many moments of inspiration and truth regarding the eternal nature of our souls and our struggles. "Funny how even a grain of hope can manage to eclipse a whole world of despair."
October 26, 2012
Wow, I can't believe I've never read one of Tatlock's novel before this! This story is sad and heart-wrenching, but so uplifting and life-affirming. I am very glad I picked this up as a Kindle freebie!!
March 6, 2020
I don't have the words to describe how this book effected me. It was so simply written without pointless details or extra words. I can't really explain it, but somehow through the few words more was spoken. This is such a beautiful book full of heartache and hope. The whole story is made up of the threads of individuals and their heartbreaking pasts all eventually woven together through 9-year-old Nova's perspective. This book made me cry... Which is not totally unusual because lol, but this was a different kind of cry. I felt like I had lost someone too. I know this sounds like a really sad book (and it is) but it's not THAT kind of sad... Its more like heartache being healed... I really don't have words to describe this book so I think I need to stop 😂
April 3, 2017
This is the kind of book by Ann Tatlock that made me fall in love with her writing! Wow! I cannot think of a single thing about this book I didn't like. Her ability to weave words, thoughts, characters lives, and emotions together is a masterful work of art.
The majority of the book is set in 1948, Minnesota during the heartbreaking years of polio. Catherine is a single mom with two children, living with an aunt, helping with a boarding house. Dewey is the older brother of Nova, who loves her brother dearly. He calls her Tag because she tags along with him all the time. This is about their year of devastation as he contracts polio.
What an amazing story, and what amazing writing about a disease I know little about since I received the first of the sugar cube inoculations for this crippling disease. I never saw the effects of the disease except for two girls I met later in life who had the disease. This book was such an education for me. The fear and the ravages the disease caused in families. So many children came down with it, and so many didn't survive.
But this is also a love story, so to speak, of Josef, who suffered a different loss in Poland, and came to America after spending WWII in Auschwitz. He was such a blessing to the boarders and to this family during this hard time. The love he showed them all, and his love for his God bolstered them in ways they couldn't have imagined.
Heartwarming and beautiful book.
The majority of the book is set in 1948, Minnesota during the heartbreaking years of polio. Catherine is a single mom with two children, living with an aunt, helping with a boarding house. Dewey is the older brother of Nova, who loves her brother dearly. He calls her Tag because she tags along with him all the time. This is about their year of devastation as he contracts polio.
What an amazing story, and what amazing writing about a disease I know little about since I received the first of the sugar cube inoculations for this crippling disease. I never saw the effects of the disease except for two girls I met later in life who had the disease. This book was such an education for me. The fear and the ravages the disease caused in families. So many children came down with it, and so many didn't survive.
But this is also a love story, so to speak, of Josef, who suffered a different loss in Poland, and came to America after spending WWII in Auschwitz. He was such a blessing to the boarders and to this family during this hard time. The love he showed them all, and his love for his God bolstered them in ways they couldn't have imagined.
Heartwarming and beautiful book.
May 15, 2008
This is my kind of book! A well written, history based story, that is also uplifting and faith promoting. The story takes place in Minnesota, during the 1940’s polio epidemic, and it masterfully explores the spiritual journey of those dealing with immense pain, suffering, and loss. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
“I decided that faith must be the strongest thing in the world, because an ounce of it can change the course of an entire life.” Nova Tierney
“And if I curse God, Mrs. Tierney? What then? If I turn away from him, what do I turn toward? …No. Better to keep one’s face toward heaven, even if you are angry with God, than to turn away and find nothing at all.” Josef Karski
“Funny how even a grain of hope can mange to eclipse a whole world of despair.” Nova Tierney
“I decided that faith must be the strongest thing in the world, because an ounce of it can change the course of an entire life.” Nova Tierney
“And if I curse God, Mrs. Tierney? What then? If I turn away from him, what do I turn toward? …No. Better to keep one’s face toward heaven, even if you are angry with God, than to turn away and find nothing at all.” Josef Karski
“Funny how even a grain of hope can mange to eclipse a whole world of despair.” Nova Tierney
June 27, 2016
Beautiful bitter-sweet story of triumph over tragedy
Ann Tatlock artfully weaves a bittersweet story with historical events. She gives the reader a personal front row seat to the events surrounding the polio epidemic of the late 1940's - through the eyes of a nine-year-old girl nicknamed Tag. Josef, a WWII character and Auschwitz survivor, leaves an indelible impression on the the story, offering inspiration and hope even in the face of unexplainable loss - that extends beyond the story to the heart of the reader. I add this book to my list of all time inspirational favorites - and one I will both recommend and read again.
Ann Tatlock artfully weaves a bittersweet story with historical events. She gives the reader a personal front row seat to the events surrounding the polio epidemic of the late 1940's - through the eyes of a nine-year-old girl nicknamed Tag. Josef, a WWII character and Auschwitz survivor, leaves an indelible impression on the the story, offering inspiration and hope even in the face of unexplainable loss - that extends beyond the story to the heart of the reader. I add this book to my list of all time inspirational favorites - and one I will both recommend and read again.
August 31, 2015
This may be my favorite Ann Tatlock book though it's hard to rank them. She is a lovely writer with a lyrical style that touches my spirit. I highly recommend this story about a young girl whose topsy-turvy world is further devastated when her brother is hospitalized for polio. She's a thoughtful child who finds kinship with a Holocaust survivor. I think Ms. Tatlock's greatest skill, aside from her distinctive voice, is her ability to "become" her character and present deep perspectives while staying within that character's world.
July 17, 2022
This was good for so any different reasons, and covered so many heavy situations, still adding humor and sweet into those dark topics. I didn’t realize until I’d started it was historical fiction (my favorite genre) and my curiosity was piqued on many different topics that sent me googling to better visualize the events. I want the characters so badly to be real. I cried at the busy pool today when I finished it, and didn’t even feel sorry. It’s a beautiful story within stories, definitely deserving of smiley tears.
December 26, 2017
I do enjoy grown up books which are narrated by children. Although this was bit of a slower pace, it had a lovely message and is a story which I will definitely be thinking about for a while. I look forward to reading more by Ann Tatlock.
August 19, 2010
Heartwarming book written from a Christian perspective; cried like a baby.
June 28, 2020
A good read that reminded me of Southern fiction with a mid-century time setting, although this story transports the reader to 1948 Minnesota. The unusual characters and the plot threads of a summer polio outbreak and a little girl’s quest for a “pa” kept me interested.
July 9, 2018
Rarely does a book affect me enough to make me cry at the ending. This beautifully written book did that. Everything was perfect about this book about the deepest kind of love. Highly recommemd it
September 20, 2023
This one was GOOD!!! So good in fact, that I needed to check whether it was a true story or not! Nova is a 9-10 year old girl during the late 1940’s. Her brother contracts Polio and has to be in an iron lung. Her mothers family died from the Spanish Flu. One of the boarders in her aunts house lived/worked in a concentration camp. So many characters. So MUCH HISTORY! Ahhh it was great!
I can’t remember who recommended this to me. Thank you if it was you!
I can’t remember who recommended this to me. Thank you if it was you!
July 24, 2020
Excellent book and beautifully written. During these pandemic times, I found I could very much relate to the fear, and the search for new courage and faith on a daily basis. I highly recommend.
August 7, 2017
I loved this story. It took place in St. Paul,MN...right in my backyard. It is a heartwarming story of survival in the aftermath of WWII and during the polio outbreaks....
March 6, 2018
My cousins will love this book if they haven’t already read it.
I love reading realistic and historical fiction. This book covered both and drew me into the story immediately. Engaging characters and a longing for good things made this story a very excellent read. I will be looking for Ann Tatlock’s other books in the future.
I love reading realistic and historical fiction. This book covered both and drew me into the story immediately. Engaging characters and a longing for good things made this story a very excellent read. I will be looking for Ann Tatlock’s other books in the future.
October 19, 2013
In the summer of 1948, 9 year old Nova Teirney and her 13 year old brother Dewey are living a happy life. They are living with their widowed mother in Aunt Dortha's boarding house along with an interesting assortment of boarders.
Dewey loves astronomy, and dreams of someday walking on the moon. Along with Nova, they spend many summer nights looking at the night sky together with his telescope in the back yard. When Dewey is hospitalized, Nova promises to watch the moon for him until he is well.
Nova's mother Catherine, bitter over a childhood secret, her late husbands infidelity, and now her son's illness, turns her back on God and loses hope. That hope begins to renew again when she strikes up a friendship with one of the boarders, Josef, who is a survivor of Auschwitz. Meanwhile Nova, who dreams of having a father again, pins her hopes on Josef.
I loved this story; Ann Tatlock is an amazingly gifted writer. The first few chapters of this book did seem slow at first, but that background is an important setup to the rest of the story, and by the time you reach the end of the book, you will be glad you stuck with it.
Dewey loves astronomy, and dreams of someday walking on the moon. Along with Nova, they spend many summer nights looking at the night sky together with his telescope in the back yard. When Dewey is hospitalized, Nova promises to watch the moon for him until he is well.
Nova's mother Catherine, bitter over a childhood secret, her late husbands infidelity, and now her son's illness, turns her back on God and loses hope. That hope begins to renew again when she strikes up a friendship with one of the boarders, Josef, who is a survivor of Auschwitz. Meanwhile Nova, who dreams of having a father again, pins her hopes on Josef.
I loved this story; Ann Tatlock is an amazingly gifted writer. The first few chapters of this book did seem slow at first, but that background is an important setup to the rest of the story, and by the time you reach the end of the book, you will be glad you stuck with it.
January 21, 2013
First of all, this book is fluff reading. It is good fluff, clean and upliting.
The take away from this book for me was that God is working in many individual ways to bring each of us to him.
The other thing I have not stopped thinking about from this book is a story told several times in the book. Here is the story:
"There was a rabbi who lived in Poland a long time ago. I think hundreds of years ago. And one day he was out with his students having a picnic or something up on a big hill that overlooked the town. While they were there, a bunch of people came riding into town--people who hated the Jews--and started killing everyone, even the women and children. And here was the rabbi and his students looking down from the hill and seeing it all happen. Well, of course they were horrified. And the rabbi said, 'If only I were God.' And one of his students said, 'If you were God, what would you do differently?' And the rabbi said, 'If I were God, I wouldn't do anything differently. If I were God, I would understand.'" p.371
The take away from this book for me was that God is working in many individual ways to bring each of us to him.
The other thing I have not stopped thinking about from this book is a story told several times in the book. Here is the story:
"There was a rabbi who lived in Poland a long time ago. I think hundreds of years ago. And one day he was out with his students having a picnic or something up on a big hill that overlooked the town. While they were there, a bunch of people came riding into town--people who hated the Jews--and started killing everyone, even the women and children. And here was the rabbi and his students looking down from the hill and seeing it all happen. Well, of course they were horrified. And the rabbi said, 'If only I were God.' And one of his students said, 'If you were God, what would you do differently?' And the rabbi said, 'If I were God, I wouldn't do anything differently. If I were God, I would understand.'" p.371
June 3, 2017
Just like the first time I read Ann Tatlock's books, my love for her works grows with each book I read.
This is a beautiful story, a beautiful love story. As Tag (Nova) explains in the beginning of the book, it's not a love story in the sense of telling how a man and woman fell in love and lived happily ever after. It's a story that shows the complex, myriad forms of love in some of the toughest circumstances.
Tatlock doesn't sugar coat the harsh realities of life (infidelity, German death camps, polio, sexual abuse) but she does not dwell on them either. Instead she describes love's (as a picture of how God loves is) power to transcend the darkness.
I highly recommend this book.
*Update*
A certain few of Tatlock's books continue to capture my attention. This book is one of them. Tatlock has a certain magic with which she weaves the words. Unfortunately, this magic seems to have run its course and not make an appearance in some of her later works.
This book survived the second "purge" and will remain on my shelf.
This is a beautiful story, a beautiful love story. As Tag (Nova) explains in the beginning of the book, it's not a love story in the sense of telling how a man and woman fell in love and lived happily ever after. It's a story that shows the complex, myriad forms of love in some of the toughest circumstances.
Tatlock doesn't sugar coat the harsh realities of life (infidelity, German death camps, polio, sexual abuse) but she does not dwell on them either. Instead she describes love's (as a picture of how God loves is) power to transcend the darkness.
I highly recommend this book.
*Update*
A certain few of Tatlock's books continue to capture my attention. This book is one of them. Tatlock has a certain magic with which she weaves the words. Unfortunately, this magic seems to have run its course and not make an appearance in some of her later works.
This book survived the second "purge" and will remain on my shelf.
November 26, 2013
This is a heart warming, beautifully written gem of a book with an uplifting and faith promoting message about the power of love and hope. The characters are varied, endearing, and unforgettable. I want to hug every one of them. The late 1940's story, told from a young girl's perspective, sometimes made me laugh out loud, at other times tugged at my heart strings, and constantly kept me wondering what would happen next. I will definitely be reading more of Tatlock's books. Audio version exceptionally well done. Highly recommend to all readers, all ages.
Favorite quotes:
“I decided that faith must be the strongest thing in the world, because an ounce of it can change the course of an entire life.” -Nova Tierney
“And if I curse God, Mrs. Tierney? What then? If I turn away from him, what do I turn toward? …No. Better to keep one’s face toward heaven, even if you are angry with God, than to turn away and find nothing at all.” -Josef Karski
“Funny how even a grain of hope can manage to eclipse a whole world of despair.” -Nova Tierney
Favorite quotes:
“I decided that faith must be the strongest thing in the world, because an ounce of it can change the course of an entire life.” -Nova Tierney
“And if I curse God, Mrs. Tierney? What then? If I turn away from him, what do I turn toward? …No. Better to keep one’s face toward heaven, even if you are angry with God, than to turn away and find nothing at all.” -Josef Karski
“Funny how even a grain of hope can manage to eclipse a whole world of despair.” -Nova Tierney
August 5, 2009
This is one of those little treasures that seems to have gotten little attention, but deserves more. The setting is 1948 in a small town of Minnesota. Nova is 9, and loves nothing as much as being with her brother, Dewey. Surprisingly, he enjoys her tag-along company and is just the perfect big brother. But there are dark days ahead, for Dewey gets the "crippler" polio, and Nova is left to battle her fears and hopes on her own. Of course, she's not quite alone. In the boarding house where she lives are a colorful group of characters, the most important of which is Josef, now a professor of language and a survivor of Nazi death camps. How the author unfolds Josef's story, Nova's mother's story, and Nova's story, is a masterpiece of period literature. As Nova promises to "watch the moon" each night for Dewey, the reader comes to understand something about the power of hope and faith.
August 25, 2016
I usually take forever reading a book, but I couldn't put this one down. I fell in love with the characters and wanted to learn more about them. This book is written through the eyes of a young girl whose family consists of her widowed mother and brother who are living with the mother's sister in a boarding house in the post-World War II, polio scare era. The young girl sees changes in her mother as her mother becomes acquainted with a Polish man who is a boarder, a survivor of Aushwitz and Dachau. Somehow, through all he has endured, he still believes and prays to God. She asks him how he can still believe after all he has been through. The answer will warm your heart and give you hope.
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