"Roots & Sky" Book Review

Christie Purifoy takes you on a literary journey of deeply-rich images depicting a year in her life at her home at Maplehurst.

Not since reading "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp have I encountered literary depiction on the same scale by a contemporary author. Purifoy uses her skill of the written word to paint wonderful "word pictures" in your mind. Full of descriptions of emotions, sights, and smells she makes the ordinary rather extraordinary with well-chosen words and non-rambling sentences weaving biblical scripture in a long the way.

Being a farm wife, I could relate to a lot of her life. The wonder of almost spring, the hot summer days, winter that seems to never end...she captures the excitement of simple life!

My only complaint is that her chapters are broken down into small "thoughts". Which, isn't necessarily a bad thing. But I often felt like she was going to make a point, then didn't. Then in the next thought when you thought she was moving on to something else, she revisits the previous thought again. I got a little frustrated wanting her to hurry "the point" along. But in retrospect, I find that if you would try and do that, you would lose that sweetness of what she is trying to get across. In truth though, she does eventually reach her point.

You will probably find yourself dog-earring pages to remember the simple but well-said things that were touching. This is one of those books you need to re-read and you will no doubt find special gems each time. But, its not a book to be read in a hurry, I sort of had to to reach this review deadline, and by doing so I think I may have done myself and the book an injustice. Purifoy is what I consider to be a "word smith". Read this like you would admire a piece of art: thoroughly and thoughtfully.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

(I was given this book for free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)