Lullaby [Hardcover]

Jane Orcutt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 2002

Merrilee wants only the best for the child she cannot keep. Nora dreams of being a mother to a child of her own. Lullaby is a tender story of a courageous teenage girl and a woman who longs for a baby. A stirring novella that explores the depths of a mother's love. Perfect for gift giving at Mother's Day.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Unlike most Christian fiction with prolife themes, this sweet, inspirational novella gently unfolds a tale of how God redeems tragedy for three people in difficult circumstances, without resorting to heavy-handed proselytizing. We learn through flashbacks that the pregnant 15-year-old Merrilee Hunter was raped by a man she now presumes is dead. Her father abandoned Merrilee long ago, and her promiscuous mother recently committed suicide, leaving her alone in the world. Although Merrilee is determined to give up her child for adoption, she comforts herself by writing poignant letters to her "Baby Girl" in her journal. As the story opens, the poverty-stricken and heartsick Merrilee leaves her trailer in the small town of Palmwood, Tex., and travels to Austin to live in Adoption Lifeline's residential home for unwed mothers. There, she selects Steven and Nora Rey, a wealthy older couple struggling with infertility, as the adoptive parents for her baby. The Reys are immediately drawn to Merrilee, although the adoption agency cautions them not to become too emotionally involved. A surprising plot twist causes all of the characters to re-evaluate their plans and their assumptions about each other. The book's strong prolife themes, Orcutt's solid writing and the appealing character of Merrilee should satisfy readers in the CBA market, especially those who have experienced infertility or who are prolife advocates. Orcutt's fellow Christian writers should take note that a message-driven novel can be much more than just a sermon.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Teenager Merrilee Hunter heads for Austin, TX, to place her baby up for adoption with a couple she chose from the Internet because their dog's name is Lucky. Merrilee is a strong believer in luck, and she feels that God's hand is guiding her choice. Steven and Nora Rey tried for years to conceive a child, only to fail and then watch younger couples chosen as adoptive parents. Nora can't understand why God is punishing them when they have so much love and faith to offer a child. Merrilee is the answer to her prayers, but is she really the answer to Merrilee's? Orcutt's (The Fugitive Heart) latest novella bears a striking resemblance to Tracie Peterson's The Long Awaited Child; libraries already owning Peterson could pass on this.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers; First Edition edition (February 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842354050
• ISBN-13: 978-0842354059
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,316,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome read!, April 4, 2006

By 

Cynthia Garrand "Addicted2books" (usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lullaby (Hardcover)

I loved this book, it is the first christian fiction book I have read and found myself really moved by it. It reminded me of a book I favor called "Bastard out of Carolina" by Dorothy Allison. I really felt the characters had much depth to them and loved the ending. I would highly recommend this book. You will love it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God moves in mysterious ways., November 3, 2002

By 

mamareadssomuch "mamareadssomuch" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lullaby (Hardcover)

This is the second Orcutt book I have read now. THE LIVING STONE was superb and I had a feeling this would be just as good, or so I hoped and gladly I was not let down!

LULLABY can be read in one sitting - so pour a cup of tea, have a seat and and meet Merilee and the adoptive parents, Nora and Steven. Merilee is just 15, pregnant and parentless herself. Her father went off when she was little and her mother killed herself shortly after hearing of her daughter's pregnancy.

Moving story about a couple who deeply desires a child and can't have one of their own and feels hope when Merilee enters their lives. God moves in mysterious ways and only through His grace are we saved. This novella brings the unconditional love.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, very touching story!, November 22, 2002

By 

Soozie4Him (Chicago suburbs) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Lullaby (Hardcover)

First of all, I am not a fiction reader. Fiction has to be really good for me to like it. Most of what I read is Christian nonfiction, with an occasional Christian novel thrown in. If you look at my other reviews, you'll see I'm picky about my fiction!

That said, this is an INCREDIBLE book! Like the other reviewer said, this book is best read in one sitting, but I didn't have the time to do that. But I did read it in a day, a chapter here and a chapter there.

The author is just outstanding at description. The way she depicts her characters... well, let's just say that you really come to know and love Merilee and Nora and Steven too. The characters really come alive.

I am a journal-keeper, so I loved the fact that Jane Orcutt used Merilee's journal in the story! This book is so poignant, so sweet (without being saccharin), but so REAL. I will be looking for more books by this author, as this is the first I've read by her!

I highly recommend this book to people who don't have a lot of time to devote to a long novel, but want to read something with some meaning and meat to it, while reading something totally enjoyable.

Please check out my other book reviews. I also highly recommend "Gideon's Gift" by Karen Kingsbury, another short but meaningful novel!