Customer Reviews

Rain Song

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Rain Song was an absolute pleasure to read and absorb. Alice Wisler does a marvelous job taking the reader to Nicole's world in N. Carolina. I couldn't wait for each new chapter to see what would happen next. It was a refreshing change from so many Christian novels that are, let's be honest, full of nothingness.

Each character came alive for me while I read. It reminded me a lot of my own family. I believe that everyone has an Aunt Iva in their family, a Monet, and if we're lucky enough, a Harrison.

As a middle school English teacher in N. Carolina, I appreciated every facet of the book. I am actually going to see about having it read by my eighth graders in the spring. With the discussion questions at the end of the book, it's perfect! The questions are initially posed with regard to the book, afterwhich, they tie into the reader's personal life. An opportunity for personal growth are at hand if one is wise enough to respond with an open and honest heart.

I only have one thing that I didn't really like about the book ... when it ended. I am ready for the sequel, Ms. Wisler! Thank you for sharing this part of you with the world. We await the next, impatiently!

Nicole Michelin lives in fear. She avoids airplanes, motorcycles, her past and Japan - the land where her mother died. She lives in fear of her grandmother's death and only finds solace in her fish and her writing. Her online column at the Pretty Fishy Website attracts the attention of one Harrison Michaels. As Nicole and Harrison correspond, he reveals that he knew her as a child and that their parents were friends. Nicole is intrigued, but very hesitant when Harrison suggests that she visit him in Japan. After all, that would require riding in an airplane. Ultimately, this story is about confronting fear and experiencing liberty.

I quite liked the main character narrating the story. The author gave her a unique and pleasing sense of humor. Unfortunately, I was quite dissatisfied with the book. I try to not be overly critical in my book reviews, but there were some issues that bothered me. The synopsis of this book made it sound like a romance. There was little to none. There was potential in the concept, but the author chose not to execute it. Also, I noticed at that author slipped from present tense to past tense writing at points where it should not have been done. I can understand the change if the the narrator were to begin recounting an event from her past. However, this particular slip was not made at such a point. Not only was it poor grammar, but it made for uncomfortable reading. But my biggest complaint about the book is that it stopped right in the middle of her visit to Japan. There was no epilogue, no sequel. Just a bunch of openness and things that were unresolved. (Her relationship with Harrison, her relationship with her father, etc.)

Absolutely delightful! This book brims with interesting characters set in a small Southern town, some of whom you may recognize from your own family experience. I enjoyed following Nicole through her major decision to return to Japan, something she had firmly avoided. Her family trials were believable and heartwarming. Her visit to Japan answers questions and allows her to experience a bit of her past which had been lost to her.

An excellent first novel from this author and I eagerly await the next one!

Rain Song captures all the elements of an entertaining novel. Set in a small town in NC, there is plenty of family tradition and charming characters. Nicole, the main character, has tried to hide from her past, a place she wants nothing to do with. But when she starts to correspond with Harrison, who lives in Japan, things can't help but change her heart and mind.

Alice Wisler does a wonderful job creating a novel that keeps the pages turning. Her writing style is fresh, poignant, and threaded with humor. Having lived overseas, I particularly enjoyed the Japan references.

There is a recipe for the McCormick family pineapple chutney at the end of the book. After all, traditions are what unite us, according to Nicole's grandmother Ducee.

I hope this is just the first of many more novels by this talented author.

How I loved this book Rain Song- not only a "feel-good'Story, but one I wanted to share with others. Rain Song touched all the right buttons for a lovely read- got me involved, did'nt want the story to end and so on.I was after an escape, and Rain Song provided that. So I strongly recommend this author for what she has written and look forward to her next story!

"Rain Song" chronicles the story of Nicole Michelin, a young woman filled with fear and held motionless by a hole in her heart that longs to be filled. Tragedy entered her life at the tender age of two, leaving blank spots that desperately need to be colored in.

Through what appeared to be chance, Nicole has found a friend in Harrison Michaels via email. He discovers her through her articles posted online at Pretty Fish, a website for lovers of aquatic beauty.

What Nicole soon discovers is that nothing about God's plan is random: from the moment she was taken in by her grandmother, to the quirky Southern family who helped raise her...even to the random email from Harrison...all tie together to heal Nicole of her fear and her questions about the past.

Her biggest fear involves her life of two years in Japan where her parents served as medical missionaries...where she lost her mother and all memories of her life in Japan. Harrison lives in Japan...and he remembers Nicole.

Can she release her fear long enough to ask the questions her heart yearns to have answered? Or will Nicole push Harrison away, leaving the past as a gaping heart hole that nothing but answers can fill?

Alice paints a vivid picture that slowly captivates the reader. That ache inside Nicole will awaken any ache you've had buried inside your heart. That sense of mystery that surrounds many of us--you'll find a kindred soul in Nicole.

And those fears that entangle us and hold us back? Alice's slow, Southern style, filled with Grandma Ducee's Southern Truths, will carefully unwind the burial clothes that enshroud us and set us free.

You simply have to be like Nicole and step out in faith and learn the "Rain Song" of Alice J. Wisler and her cast of beloved characters. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Nicole, Harrison, and the entire McCormick/Michelin clan...at least, I'm hoping so.

I usually like a story without a lot of "fluff", but this time, I felt all the fluff was to immerse you into her actual life, with all the details. I felt it added to help see how the main character was so connected to her family, rich in traditions, and it was wonderful. All the wisdom sayings from the great grandmother were just wonderful. Great story.

This is a beautiful novel, like cherry blossoms painted on delicate china. Yes, it is slow to unfold, but only in the way flowers gently unfold in the springtime, or the way a wounded heart unfolds under the tender love of Jesus. Don't miss the treasure this book is just because it isn't fast-paced. Think of it as taking time to breathe, to savor, to take time with a friend beyond the usual hurried interactions that characterize life in the 21st century. I loved this story because it let me spend time with the main character getting to really know her and care about her. The end of the story was just right, a lovely flower that left its sweet-scented fragrance in my soul.

This book should definitely be read slowly. The tone and pace of it is like molasses dripping slowly off a spoon.

I'm not going to describe the story again, or write a long review, I just want to say that I found the characters in the book were beautifully rounded and believable, I especially loved Ducee, everyone should have a grandma like her. And I loved to "hear" Nicole's uncertainties and see the courage that she didn't know she had come out when she most needed it.

I had, still have, a doll exactly like the one described in the book. When I read about Sazae, I had to get mine, Belinda, out and reacquaint myself with her!

My only complaint about the book would be that I wanted it to go on longer. This is a delightful, relaxing, funny and tender book. Give it a try!

I absolutely love Rain Song! This is a wonderful book to read over and over again! I couldn't put it down. Alice does a wonderful job of describing the characters and bringing them to life. I look forward to her next book!