Reviewer: Amy Lignor
Title: The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow
Author: Joyce Magnin
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN-13: 978-1-4267-0164-1
Release Date: September 2009
Genre/Sub-genre: Inspirational Fiction
Year/Setting: Present Day, Bright’s Pond, Pennsylvania
Overall Rating: 3.0
Sexual Content Rating: None/Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None/Mild
Violent Content Rating: Minimal/Moderate
Joyce's Website: joycemagnin.blogspot.com
Dear Readers:
When I first began this debut novel, all I could think about was What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? (NOTE: If you haven’t seen this movie, rent it right now!)
When we open, we meet Griselda, the sister of Agnes Sparrow. We quickly learn that Agnes is the "main attraction" in the small town of Bright’s Pond. Let’s just say that Agnes is a very, very large woman. In addition, and most importantly, Agnes is also a vessel for God. Yup. That’s what I said. Agnes has been known to pray over the townspeople and ask God to grant them miracles. Oddly enough, when Agnes prays, the people seem get exactly what they want. She even cures one person of cancer.
Bright’s Pond is your typical small town. Everyone knows everyone. There are neighbors who sit in front of their windows and wave; the people at the coffee shop have all the gossip, etc. But Agnes is certainly the "it" girl. In fact, the townspeople love her so much that they want to erect a sign on the highway that reads: "Bright’s Pond, Home of Agnes Sparrow."
Agnes doesn’t want the hoop-la. She begs her sister to make the town stop. Folks, this is where something begins to happen for me. I debated for a long time what that something might have been. Why did I go from loving this story to liking this story? And then I understood. Agnes began to believe her own press. She sniped at her sister – who has no life except to babysit and take care of Agnes’ every need. And, suddenly, I just didn’t like Agnes very much.
A side story regards a drifter who comes into town begging for his very own miracle but won’t tell the women what he actually needs. He becomes the handyman who stumbles upon an outfit covered in what looks like blood buried in their basement and the mystery ensues. The "scenic" prose is absolutely lovely. But the characters fell apart for me as the book proceeded. Perhaps if the mystery were uncovered earlier in the novel the story as a whole would’ve been more satisfying. Lesson here: Don’t idolize anyone. If you believe in the Lord – believe in Him. He’s the only real miracle worker.
Until Next Time, Amy
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