Customer Reviews

Roseflower Creek: A Novel

5 star:		(75)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This book is short and a quick read, but you need to take your time to absorb the story, eventhough it's very tragic sad story of the only life this 10 year old little girl knew growing up in poverty with her mother and abusive stepfather. Lori Jeans young eyes witnesses her mother's sadness and bruises from the man her mother marries after Lori Jeans own father abandons her. This little girl tries hard to lead her stepfather down a better road. This story involves murder, incest, alcholism, wife & child abuse, poverty (beyond words), abortion, and so much more. But this story also involves love, deep friendship, mentorship, understanding, and most of all....forgiveness
I usually feel a little sad after a book like this, but this book leaves the reader thinking about forgiveness.
This book is exceptional. It's not just fiction, it's a book that makes you realize that others act the way they do because of the life they have lived......but it's not an excuse, only a fact. This author has done a tremendously good job with this storyline.
Don't miss the chance to read and think about this book. This book is terrific.

Lori Jean, a 10 year old child from rural Georgia, narrates what is one of the most gripping stories ever written. Poverty, abuse, horrible accidents and death all overwhelm, but our 10 year old protagonist accepts, forgives, and infuses hope where it seems hopeless. Living with an abusive stepfather and distant mother, she befriends people who validate her existence....Uncle Melvin, Aunt Lexie, their twins, Mz Hawkins, and her dearest friend, Carolee, infuse Lori Jean with hope that the world is not all about terror.

The book is harsh as the subject matter is such; however, Lori Jean's take on so many advetnures she has you smiling and laughing out loud at times. This character is a keeper and she will be in my heart along with Ellen Foster, Emma, Lily, and many other children that endear themselves to me through their creators.

J.L. Miles is a new discovery for me and I have ordered her other two novels as I have complete confidence they will keep me as riveted as Roseflower Creek did. Her use of precise descriptions, colloquial language weave a story that will never let you completely out of it's web.

Highly, highly recommend.

From the moment Lori Jean begins her story, with "The morning I died it rained. . .", I wasn't able to put it down. Read it and laugh, read it and weep. A most special story. An unforgettable child.
Lori Jean taps into your memories and never lets go. You might think it's a book for women. You may think it's a book for a friend. I think it's just right for anyone who survived childhood.

Reminded me of an adult, macabre version of Junie B. Jones. Though the author tries to write with the lightness and humor of a child, which I usually love, many parts of this story made me sick to my stomach. I would have stopped reading had I realized the disturbing scenes go clear to the end of the story and in fact increase.

I found no redeeming value in the father, although the author tries to develop some compassion for him at several points.

Clearly, I am in the minority, based on the other reviews I see here! Just thought I'd pass along my 2 cents worth in case you're considering this book based on the reviews, like I did. If you enjoy stories about children with unfortunate and/or unusual childhoods told from their perspective, here are a few I thought were great:

Too Close to the Falls

Peace Like a River

The Glass Castle

Blackbird

Being the father of a 5 year old little girl I was emotionally attached from page one.
The story is told from the point of view of a recently deceased 10 year old girl who had been beaten to death by her alcoholic step father. Despite his own traumatic upbringing he was truly a decent man had it not been for the liquor.
The mother, so lonely as to accept this abusive man into her life to ease her own pain of being alone, finally paid the price with her dear daughters life.
As I turn the page I find myself hoping for a better ending for the poor, sweet Lori-Jean.
The story is gripping, vivid, and heartfelt.
I was left with a broken heart, but most of all a wake up call. Life could be worse for all of us.

This was a fantastic read!! I couldn't put it down and finished it within 12 hours! (I should have been sleeping...) This story will break your heart and you will fall in love with Lori Jean. This was a fabulous book that I would recommend to any avid reader.

This book is not only a page turner, but it pulls you into the characters. It is well written and a must read!

I'll admit that this book hooked me from the first sentence. A sentence, as it turns out, that the author borrowed from a real life event. It's too sad to think about that these kind of things happen in real life.

As engaging as it was, I only gave it three stars because the whole story left me with a sick feeling. Too much bad and not enough good. I was also very annoyed at the way the abuser's actions were excused by his violent past. I don't think this was intentional. I believe the author was trying to make points about the value of forgiveness and the effects of child abuse on future generations. Even so, I found myself angry at the justifications. I also thought it was too unbelievable that a 10 year old could grasp these difficult concepts.

This book was a page turner! I finished it in two readings - couldn't put it down until I found out what happened to Lori Jean. This story is very sad but well worth your time. I definitely recommend it.

Lori Jean will never leave you once you have read this book. She will always be with me. The sadness in this book is overwhelming. All she wanted was a real family. A trailer house & one of those Chevrolets. Lori Jean touched my heart & I'll always think about the sadness of her death and the happiness she searched for in her short life. I keep looking for another book by Ms. Miles. Hopefully it will be as good as this one.