Customer Reviews

Forgiving Sam

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I am honored to say that I have a signed copy of Forgiving Sam and even more honored to say that I have met the author. As I read this book I was astonished at how well written and descriptive the story was. This book pulls you in with an over powering sense of life, honesty, tragedy, and most importantly, a sense of inner self. I only wish I knew Oprah myself!!!! A book this well written and an author so talented should be both a "BEST SELLER" and a "HOUSEHOLD NAME"!!! Please do not hesitate to but this book; in fact, by a copy for everyone you know. I hope this review puts any doubts aside, it is more than worth the money!!!!!!!!!!!

This is serious work by a visionary of the human condition not to be ignored. She may go down as one of the important writers of our time. I am not sure how she could advance her craft and vision, but I sense that her next work will be an even more stunning display of her talent.

"Forgiving Sam" is even better than I thought it would be. It is hard on the reader's heart at times, uplifting at others. There are feelings and characters we can all connect to.

Sam MacCauley is just nine years old when he is stolen away from his life of baseball, summer, and parental rules that seem too silly. For four agonizing days, a sadistic stranger tortures him in ways Sam never imagined possible. He is ready to give in to death when he is rescued by the most unlikely of allies.

Back in the arms of his loving family, Sam represses the memories as best he can and struggles to adulthood. By age thirty-five, he has a successful career, a talented wife, and two lovely children who adore him. But Sam remains tormented by nightmares and ghost memories of the kidnapping. He erects high, forbidding walls--some emotional, some physical--around himself and his family. Slowly the relationships he holds so dear begin to crumble under the pressures of the past.

If Sam is to save his family and himself, he must face what happened to him during those four lost days. Harder yet, he must find a way to forgive the violated nine year old who still lurks deep in his heart.

Author Powell Clark never falters in this fascinating, horrifying, and ultimately uplifting novel. Her characters are unique, sympathetic, and nearly impossible to second-guess. Her settings feel as real as the ground under your feet. The plot moves quickly as Sam and his family face one challenge after another. Most important, Forgiving Sam offers an emotional toughness and honesty sadly lacking in many works of fiction today.

I highly recommend Forgiving Sam to anyone looking for a novel of substance and intelligence.

This is the first book that I have actually wanted to write a review on because it was such a good book I just had to tell how much I loved it.
I have to say I bought this book because the cover and title intrigued me, little did I know that it was set in Alabama not far from where I live. I also couldn't believe how much talent the author had, and I had never heard of her before. I got the pleasure of meeting her not too long ago and because of her talent it was like meeting a celebrity to me!
This book has a touchy subject matter, but one that every parent or guardian should read.It is about a boy who is kidnapped and molested over the course of a few days. He finally escapes from his kidnapper, but realizes that he will not soon escape the harsh reality of what happened to him. The author takes us through Sam's life as he struggles day by day with what took place in his childhood and finally comes to terms with the fact that it wasn't his fault.
Don't let the subject matter scare you off, this by no means was a "dark" book. It is so beautifully written that one minute I was crying and the next I was laughing. When it ended I closed the book with a smile and the feeling that I was lucky to have read this story.

I have to agree with the other readers of this book! The author did an amazing job with the subject and characters in this book! It is definitely emotionally taxing, but worth the effort. The book is beautifully written about a horrendous subject. I highly recommend it, but make sure you have tissue near by!