The Flower of Grass

Title: THE FLOWER OF GRASS
Author: James E. Robinson
Publisher: Monarch Books
August 2008
ISBN: 978-0-8254-6286-3
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary

John Allen had come back to say goodbye. But he was too late; there would be no atonement.” (from the back cover)

When John Allen’s abusive alcoholic father dies, John reluctantly makes the trek back to his hometown, a place that seeming has not changed one bit in the sixteen years he’s been gone. Now John is a successful writer, but he has some addiction problems of his own. Too late for the funeral, John’s hopes is to make amends with his sister and brother, and perhaps renew his teen love affair with Jessie.

Jessie is busy caring for her mother who is dying of cancer, and tired of waiting from letters from John that never came. She married another man, and is satisfied with her life, though not happy. And she has always wonders “what if…”

I did feel for Jessie and John. John really struggled with coming back into the town of his childhood, and being amazed at how much things changed, yet they stayed the same. Jessie has really had a hard life, and anyone who has ever been a caregiver can relate to her situation.

THE FLOWER OF GRASS is a beautifully written novel that will stay in your thoughts for a long time after you finish it. Kind of sad at times; the story touches on mortality and passing of time. $13.99. 256 pages.