Awkward Grace [Paperback]

Jeff McCord (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2008

In the small African nation of Burundi, a government incited massacre makes Mevin Ntwari a refugee. In the hills of East Tennessee, a reluctant sense of duty compels Ben Bellamy to lead an outreach committee. And somewhere between these two events, faith inspires an unlikely connection.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a book about love, but it is not a love story. This is a book about war and hate and genocide, but, as I told you, it is about love. It is a book about God, without being in any way sanctimonious or telling you what you ought to be doing or thinking. It is a beautiful book: its language is like poetry, its characters wonderful, strong and real, its descriptions vivid and graphic. With all that, it has humor that will sometimes have you laughing out loud, at others smiling a bittersweet smile--and yet, it is also an inspirational book that will bring tears to your eyes, no matter how tough you think yourself to be. --Dr. Bob Rich, writer, mudsmith, & psychologist

This is a 'feel-good' book with depth. It will bring tears and joy. Read it and learn. --Florence Byham Weinberg, author of The Storks of La Caridad

About the Author

Over the past fifteen years, Jeff McCord has published short stories and essays in a wide variety of periodicals. In his work as an editorial columnist for two Tennessee newspapers, McCord has also written over two hundred columns. Born and raised in Sandy Springs, Georgia, Jeff McCord now lives with his wife and three children in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Twilight Times Books; 1st edition (April 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933353171
• ISBN-13: 978-1933353173
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #697,899 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Over the past fifteen years, I've been fortunate to publish short stories and essays in a variety of periodicals. I've also had the opportunity to work as an editorial columnist for two Tennessee newspapers. I was born and raised with my three brothers in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and now live with my wife and three children in Kingsport, Tennessee. Awkward Grace is my first novel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Graceful Story, July 22, 2011

By 

Cisco - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Awkward Grace (Paperback)

This is one of the best I've read in years. It is a story about some disturbing realities of survival in Africa; about good and loving people in Tennessee; about Christian acceptance in a world long on talk and short on do. If your heart was ever in need of warming, this is for you.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story!, January 11, 2009

By 

Margaret Cooper "pilgrim" (Tennessee USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Awkward Grace (Paperback)

I loved this book. It's a heart-warming story with likeable characters who span two very different cultures. The author's verbal images are imaginative and vivid. Well done!

4.0 out of 5 stars Faith & Faithfulness in action, August 18, 2008

By 

M. Gail Preslar "Gigi Claus" (Kingsport, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Awkward Grace (Paperback)

AWKWARD GRACE by our own Jeff McCord....is really a wonderful, thoughtful, funny, loving book...
It even has a bit of ROMANCE in it. (for the other romance readers in the group)
For those familiar with Mt. Carmel & Kingsport, one will feel right at home with the locale...Fairacres neighborhood, Pals sweet tea & all!
Most of the people in the book are folks you will want to know very well...and the ones you don't like are not in the book too much.
It is beautifully written. It is an incredibly good book for a debut novel.
It is a book of faith and faithfulness, in all its best manifestations.
It is a book of failures and the transformations from forgiveness...or the losses from being unable or unwilling to forgive.
It is a book about life and death and life-because-of-death and life-beyond-death.
Religious faith is an important part of the story....Faith motivates Ben (the main character) to do the right thing(s)....which often leads him to stand in up against "religious" authority.
But the faith is more than just a "faith in Jesus"...it is a faith in doing the right thing...Mevin's father trying to save his family from the Tutsi or Hutu (I cannot remember which) "freedom fighters". The sacrifices he makes. The lessons Mevin & Claude learn from those sacrifices. The lessons they will pass on to others...faithfulness in action.
It has excellent examples of "religion" used to justify actions, or the lack there of.
One of my favorite phases is about Pastor Lumpkin(s) as a man that makes his living from God, rather than living for God.
The 2 books it reminds me the most of: _Poisonwood Bible_ and _To Kill a Mockingbird_....yet it is not like either.
One way to think about reading this book: Your neighbor's child is in some school performance. You go because you know (& like) them & want to be neighborly. Once there, you actually enjoy the show...a lot.
AWKWARD GRACE has definitely earned a place on the Keepers Shelf at my house...More importantly, it has earned a place on the re-read shelf.
Before I make a trip to visit my mom, I'll need to purchase a 2nd copy to pass around to my NC relatives & friends.