Customer Reviews

A Distant Music (The Mountain Song Legacy #1)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
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A Distant Music is another captivating book by author B.J. Hoff. Mrs. Hoff has the ability to create such believable characters that you feel like you know them as friends when you close the book's final page. It's been over a year since I finished reading the third book in Mrs. Hoff's American Anthem trilogy, and yet I can still see the blind conductor Michael in my mind's eye. That same character realism is true for the teacher Jonathan Stuart and students Maggie MacAuley and Kenny Tallman in Mrs. Hoff's newest book, A Distant Music. This story is a touching reminder of how hard life was in another era for a struggling mining town. A tale where hardship breeds a desperation that nearly steals all beauty and hope from those caught in its grip, but where miracles still happen, spurred on by the undying faith of children. A Distant Music holds such wonderful prose and such realistic descriptions that I felt I was there. A page-turning, enjoyable read. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in The Mountain Song Legacy series.

Someone stole Mr. Stuart's silver flute and the music died in Skingle Creek. Maggie MacAuley can pinpoint the time it happened. When her beloved teacer played the flute it seemed like the music washed away the coal dust that covered everything like a smothering blanket, leaving her feeling clean and fresh. Mr. Stuart hasn't been the same since his flute disppeared. Never well, he seems to be fading before their eyes.

Maggie with the help of Summer, her best friend, who is dying of a wasting disease, conceives a plan. As the entire population of Skingle Creek work to surprise their beloved teacher, they come together in a way that breaks down all barriers. It's almost like God is smiling on Skingle Creek, but will it be enough to save Mr. Stuart?

The characters in A Distant Music are as real as the people in my own community. It's a story of love and courage, as people beaten down by the misery of defeat learn to rejoice again. Most of all, it is a reminder of God's wonderful gift of hope and the difference it makes in our lives. This one's a keeper.

How do I begin to describe a book that touched me in the deepest parts of my heart? I laughed. I cried. I despaired. I regained hope. A Distant Music inspires me to live life well no matter what my circumstances.

The story is about twelve-year-old Maggie MacAuley and her struggles with friendship, loyalty and hope. Living in a small Kentucky mining community during 1892, there is no money and little to dream of for the future. Families are stuck in the cycle of poverty--children grow up and follow their parents' footsteps. Maggie's story is to be no different. Regardless of the circumstances, love and hope run deeper still. Many people influence Maggie's life:

-- Summer, her best friend who is sickly yet gives of herself beyond all expectations,
-- Jonathan Stuart, town teacher and mentor, who teaches her about faith in God
-- Matthew MacAuley, her father who learns how to show love
-- Kenny Tallman, son of the owner of the town mine, Maggie's protector and classmate.

In the face of poverty, sickness, death, threats from two town bullies, and the theft of her teacher's prized flute, Maggie learns to have faith and hope in God regardless of circumstances.

Armchair Interviews says: In A Distance Music, miracles do happen but in unexpected ways.

Picking up a B.J. Hoff novel guarantees that you will be transported into another time filled with captivating characters. Book #1 of the new Mountain Song Legacy series, A DISTANT MUSIC, is no exception.

Ever since the publication of her novella, THE PENNY WHISTLE, readers have asked B.J. for more of the story. With A DISTANT MUSIC, B.J. delivers the first installment, and it's a novel that will tug at your heart and fill you with hope.

Skingle Creek in the late 1800's is a small coal mining community whose inhabitants have little of the `extras' in life. But it is also a community where people genuinely care for one another and are willing to sacrifice what little they have to help those in need.

It comes as little surprise then when Maggie MacAuley turns to those around her in a desperate attempt to save their schoolteacher, Jonathan Stuart. Ever since Mr. Stuart's flute has gone missing, he has grown sicker and weaker by the day. With the help of her classmates, Maggie hatches a plan to bring music back into their teacher's life, and hopefully renew his strength. But will the desperate plight of Widow Hunnicutt and the Crawford family put an end to Maggie's plan?

It seems to Maggie that God has lost interest in the good people around her. Not only is her teacher fading away, but her best friend, the ailing Summer Rankin, is also waning by the day, spending more time in bed than at school. Then there is the matter of Kenny Tallman and the class bullies. In Kenny's attempt to save Maggie from a beating, Kenny puts up with the abuse from the bullies and swears Maggie to secrecy. But just how long will his heroism continue to protect her?

Maggie struggles to understand how God can know about everything and care about it all when those around her struggle with ill health, hunger, and bullies. How can a loving God let bad things happen to good people?

B.J. Hoff's gift of bringing characters to life shines in A DISTANT MUSIC. I found myself drawn into Maggie MacAuley's troubles and shed more than a tear or two with her.

A DISTANT MUSIC is an enchanting read that touches the heart. Once more B.J. proves that when it comes to the historical voice, she is the master. B.J. tells us that this is the just the beginning, with more to come. I, for one, am eagerly awaiting the rest of the Mountain Song Legacy.

After reading American Anthem and Song of Erin, both excellent books and very well written, I read this series next. After just a few pages, I was aware of the simplistic style of this book, which continued through the 2 that followed in this series. The difference in writing style was disappointing. These almost seemed to be written for young readers, which detracted from my overall enjoyment of reading them. Had I known the style would seem so juvenile, I would not have invested in the three books in the series.

i was another one of BJs fans who was thrilled to see a new book out. i brushed up with reading The Penny Whistle just before this.............so i would have a backround. well don't do that. this book is so much MORE than penny whistle. I felt that i also spoiled some of the story by reading penny whistle so soon before this new book Distant music. I have to say we love your style, BJ give us more!! i still am preserving the american anthem series to read again some day. that series rocks***

BJ Hoff's latest novel, A Distant Music, plays on for me like a haunting melody, even a week after I've finished it. The characters are still very much alive in my mind.

A one-room schoolteacher in a small coalmine town, Jonathan Stuart, must work to educate the children amidst despair and poverty. It seems to Maggie, his prize student, that even he has given up hope, for he has lost his joy in the music he used to play. This is a story about how a young girl and her friends seek to restore that hope, despite their dire circumstances.

Not only are the characters remarkable, but BJ also included some major plot twists and suspenseful scenes that kept me turning pages.

My favorite quote from the book: "All I really know for certain is that on that night, God showed me that hope is, above all else, a gift--His gift. A gift that in reality has nothing at all to do with one's circumstances, but everything to do with His love. His love...and our willingness to trust that love. That's what hope is: the music of the heart. The music of life." This is just a taste of her beautiful prose.

This is the first book I've read of hers, but I definitely plan to read her others, especially the ones in the Mountain Legacy Series. Her ability to weave spiritual truths into a great story will keep me coming back for more.

I was so excited when I heard that the sequel to The Penny Whistle was coming out! The Penny Whistle was such a beautiful story, and A Distant Music picks up right where it leaves off and continues the story in the style that only B.J. Hoff can achieve.

The characters in the story come alive instantly and draw you into their lives so much that you will not want to leave them even for a moment - I read the book in 2 days! Hoff weaves an enchanting tale of hope and triumph over despair which will be an encouragement to all who read it.

5 stars would be an understatement for the quality of this book. B.J. Hoff NEVER disappoints!

I loved, loved, loved this book! As soon as I began reading it, I was hooked. Both by the characters and the story. I read The Penny Whistle a long time ago (when it first came out) and I was riveted by this story from the very beginning. I can't wait for the second book, so hurry up BJ! :-) I have to know what happens with Maggie and Mr Stuart and Maggie's father and Kenny and Maggie's sisters...
So bravo on this wonderful story and I will be camping in front of the bookstore for the second book!!!

Well written book about a young girl growing up in a rural Kentucky mountain mining town. It tells how they lived from her experiences centered around their small school. This is a good and easy book to read and the 1st in a series of three books.