Customer Reviews

One Part Angel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Vernon Moore is back, and boy is he needed. Once again, he is being asked to deal with one of life's hardest problems--in this case "the good kid gone bad", Wilma's grandson Matt, the archtype of the alienated, non-communicative, angry teenager who has done something both henious and inexplicable, namely participating in the senseless beating of his grandmother's best friend, his mother's employer, and the woman Vernon loves. While Loretta lies in a coma, Vernon sets to work on Matt, pulling patience, humor, common sense, role playing, bad banjo playing, and circular foods out of his bag of tricks. In the end Matt understands the difference between being strong and being smart, and is able to exercise some charity, for himself, the other perpetrators of the crime, and his family.

Ever the multi-tasker, Vernon renews his sparring with Clem, the richest man in three counties, who is once again involved in a mysterious business deal that has the potential of destroying Ebb, placing Wilma uncomfortably smack in the middle between the Quilting Circle spoiling for a fight and her "fiance of perpetuity". As if that isn't enough, Vernon also crosses swords with Reverend Gault, the mysterious and sinister leader of a uber religious cult that has taken up residence near town.

Once again, Shaffner deals with a most difficult delimma with humor, wit, and sound argument. This is a must read for all parents whose teenagers seem to have suddenly been replaced by pod people, and angry ones at that. Actually, it's a must read for anyone who enjoys an entertaining page turner that actually makes you give some thought to what is happening. "One Part Angel" is a delightful sequel to "In the Land of Second Chances" and treats the reader to the same level of humor, quirky characters, and surprising twists and turns.

By the end, Vernon has performed his magic, and Ebb and its residents are safe once more. And, as Vernon disappears over the horizon in his muscle car de jour, the residents are left shaking their heads and doing their best impression of "who was that masked man?". Some good clues are offered in this book, but guess we'll have to wait until the third in the series to find out.

Starting this book was like coming home to a place warm and familiar. The characters, just like friends and family, are both loving and loved, despite their flaws, missteps, and serious transgressions. George Shaffner introduced us to the people of Ebb in his first novel and his second novel delves deeper into their personalities and daily struggles--they become even more "whole". We meet other town "folk" as well. I agree with the quote on the cover jacket that "George Shaffner does for writing what Louis Armstrong and "What a Wonderful World" did for music." When I initially read that I thought "that's a tall order!" But just as the song can stop me in my tracks on those days when the world seems overwhelmingly negative, "One Part Angel" is also a balm for the soul.

In George Shaffner's `In the Land of Second Chances' he introduces us to Ebb, Nebraska. There we meet the Quilting Circle; a group of strong, mature women who run the town. As the first story unfolds, even though tragedy occurs, there is a constant sweetness about the story and the characters. Mr. Shaffner has surpassed himself in `One Part Angel. The gang from Ebb is back, but in book two we experience the reality and complexities of big city life creeping into the fabric of this small town. The good and the bad are not so easily distinguished. We are forced to accept the fact that `things just aren't the way they used to be'. It takes the entire community to begin rebuilding lives and, ultimately, the town. A beautiful story, and a lovely second chapter in the continuing story of Ebb, Nebraska. .

One Part Angel, the sequel to In the Land of Second Chances, is a continuation of the charming and quaint tale of Ebb and its residents with an intriguing and moral twist. Having grown up in Nebraska, I relate to the pride of the Nebraska Cornhuskers-Nebraska's claim to fame, the comfort of neighbors looking out after one another and the importance of good Midwestern values.

Wilma, the narrator of the story and the owner of the local bed and breakfast, is torn between loyalty to her best friend, Loretta, who has been the victim of a serious crime and is in the hosptial fighting for her life, and her beloved grandson, one of the perpetrators of the crime. "It breaks my heart...". The story explores the depth of friendships and tests the power of hope. Vernon returns to Ebb at the request of Wilma...or was he already on his way? At any rate, he brings with him the hope that all will be resolved. Everyone is looking to Vernon to make things right. The guilty parties must be brought to justice, but how does Vernon convince Wilma's grandson to divulge his secrets? The manner in which Vernon saves the day is through logical deduction and thoughtful and divine reasoning. Truly, an artful expression of charity.

The relationship between Clem and the Quilting Circle and its members, who are always at odds with each other, reaches new and intriguing heights. The financial future of Ebb is in question and Vernon is one-step ahead of the game, with Clem trying to figure out how and why. The characters who we came to know in Shaffner's first novel are completely humanized, and you begin to feel you are an intricate part of the community of Ebb. His story-telling is masterful and he has created a cliff-hanger which makes it difficult to put the book down.

I am awaiting the third book in the trilogy with great anticipation. The question of the day is: Will we finally learn who this Vernon Moore actually is?

This highly-anticipated second novel in the trilogy by George Shaffner was everything that I had hoped for. We got even closer to the characters from In The Land of Second Chances and got to meet a whole new set of characters who were equally interesting. It is a thought-provoking book and Vernon Moore -- our hero -- brings us wonderful insights about charity and what it actually means. George, hurry up with the third one!

I wish I had discovered this wonderful new fiction writer sooner. The first book in the trilogy, "In the Land of Second Chances", was fun to read, but I think this sequel is even better. Full of twists and turns, with humorous and thoughtful asides, it was an absolute delight. I can't wait to read the third book in the series, "The Widows of Eden". Enjoy a good story!

I just finished reading "One Part Angel" and it was an excellent book. It was a great read about dealing with teenagers, having had five kids and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, my life was a lot of dealing with kids of all ages. They are wonderful and challenging.
The story dealt with wealth and what to do with it and religious control and what not to do with it. A lot of things that impact today's world.
Kept me on the edge of my seat! Pat Smith

This book is just as incomprehensible to me as the first one (In the Land of Second Chances) was, possibly more so. In many ways this book is little more than a retread of In the Land... except the "sermonettes" are slightly different. Instead of hope and faith, we have the difference between smart and stupid, and strong and weak. But the reasoning is the same: Let me prove to you why it makes more sense, from a rational perspective, to behave a smart way, as defined by the author, of course.

It's clear, from the title, if nothing else, that we're supposed to believe that Vernon Moore is something close to an angel. Maybe that's why the entire town accepts him into their lives and treats him as their long-lost best friend. I found it entirely unbelievable though. Yes, it's a small, friendly town, and yes, he's a nice guy, but that's about it. And yet, the entire town comes to believe that he's the only answer to all their troubles. So much for that old-fashioned mid-west belief in self-reliance!

Fortunately for them, though, he does return, and does manage to solve all their problems, while at the same time maintaining his secret identity and denying that he had anything at all to do with getting things fixed. Humble to an extreme, and way past the extreme, if you asked me.

I had just one other problem with this book, and it grated on me so much that I feel like I have to mention it:
It's possible that Shaffner has never heard a teenage boy speak, even when he was one. He has his 16-year-old male character talking like a California valley girl who's been dropped into southeast Nebraska.

In short, this book bothered me on many levels and in ways that I can't fully explain. I'm only going to read the third book because I've already agreed to do so, but I hope some questions are answered there, because I'm certainly not going to read a fourth book (if there is one).