Customer Reviews

Speak Through the Wind (Crossroads of Grace #2)

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

 

 

"Speak Through the Wind", is an utterly fantastic novel, from start to finish. I very rarely give out a rating of five stars, but I don't hesitate for a second to give Allison Pittman's second novel all of the credit that it deserves!

While her first novel, "Ten Thousand Charms", was an enjoyable book that I passed on to others, I still wondered what Pittman could possibly write about 1800's prostitutes in the West in her second book that wouldn't be repetitive. However, I was completely shocked when from the first page, I was hooked on Kassandra and her colorful story. I was delighted to find that Pittman didn't shy away from subject matter that is usually taboo in Christian novels - she told her main character's story so vividly and realistically, not skirting the issues any more than necessary, that there was no way you couldn't fall in love with Kassandra. Pittman's characters were multi-dimensional, with REAL sins, and lived lives that could have ACTUALLY happened, unlike the characters in most Christian novels who seem to live softened, dumbed-down versions of what life is really like. I cried with heartfelt anguish, and rejoiced at Kassandra's triumphs; I identified with her rationalizations of sin and running from God, and I saw a little of myself in her. The novel reads like an epic movie, touches your heart like a classic, and can move your soul in way that can only be orchestrated by God.

My only complaint was that it seemed to wrap up rather quickly. The resolution to Kassandra's story came about rather abruptly, although I suppose it had been brewing for most of the novel. I wanted the story to go on forever, and I wanted those last couple of chapters to draw on longer, so I could better savor the ending! "Speak Through the Wind" is one of the BEST books I have read in a very long time, and possibly one of the best books I have EVER read.

Grade: A+

Allison Pittman pens a powerful novel in "Speak Through the Wind."

I've read plenty of prostitute fiction from the same time frame. You'd think I wouldn't find a story that would touch me anew.

However, Kassandra's story is heartbreaking and a little too real. The tale requires that the reader suffer and learn along with the whisp of a child through the dank reality of adulthood. At times gritty and gut-wrenching, Pittman manages to tell the truth with just enough detail that the book pulls the reader into the setting. Weak-stomached, weak-kneed, or those who don't want to read about the reality of a fallen world might find the sensory experience of this read a little too costly.

I see myself in Kassandra's story.

No, I've not lived the life of a prostitute. But I have swallowed Satan's lies and made some pretty ugly messes that God had to clean up. I've not sold myself for money, but I've sold my self-respect to gain a friend, or my common sense to feel a little better for a brief moment.

Through poignant prose, Kassandra lives and breathes on Pittman's pages.

As a fan of Francine Rivers, I've always been more inclined toward The Last Sin-Eater because of the haunting loneliness of the characters than to Redeeming Love's perfect Hosea. Pittman manages to paint a haunting character in Kassandra and a beautiful picture of redemption in "Speak Through the Wind." I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it and meet Kassandra. I think I could even say that her life changed something within my soul. Isn't that what Christian fiction is supposed to do?

[...]

While "Speak Through The Wind" is beautifully written, wonderfully moving, and a testament to God's love, it suffers from the following: It is highly incompatible with mascara (waterproof or otherwise), getting one's children to school ahead of the tardy bell, and putting dinner on the table. Simply could not put it down.

In the mid nineteenth century in New York City, Reverend Joseph Hartmann almost hits the little girl with his carriage. The pastor of the Tenth Street Methodist Church takes her into his home calling her "Sparrow" though her name is Kassandra. He teaches her to love God and she helps him in little ways. When she turns fifteen, she meets Ben Connor, who delivers packages for Samson's Butcher. He persuades her to leave Joseph so that the reverend can find a wife and have a family, but Ben turns out to be a shake-down artist and a snake who uses charm or muscle to get what he wants. Once he achieves his goal, he discards the heartbroken Kassandra into the mean streets.

Humiliated and hurt, instead of returning to Joseph, Kassandra obtains work at local brothels, but soon leaves the city. She obtains employment on the sheets regardless of where she goes. Kassandra believes that God abandoned his sparrow until she meets two desperate women in Silver Peak, Wyoming Territory where she sells her body at Jewel Gunn's fancy brothel as Sadie. Gloria is pregnant with no hope while Biddy believes the Lord will help them through this crisis. The three women bond with each gaining so much strength from one another and from God.

The second "Crossroads of Grace" tale (see TEN THOUSAND CHARMS) is a wonderful tale of second chance salvation and redemption. Readers will feel they accompany Sparrow from the onset of her physical journey from New York to San Francisco to the Wyoming Territory as much as her spiritual trek away from God. Allison Pittman writes a powerful inspirational historical starring a fallen woman who believes God has forsaken her until she meets Gloria and Biddy.

Harriet Klausner

A child of the streets, and abandoned by her mother, Kassandra is barely getting by. When she is struck down by a carriage driven by the Reverend Joseph Hartmann, it is the beginning of a new life for her. He takes her into his home and treats her like a daughter. For the first time, she has a safe, warm place to sleep and plenty to eat. Then she meets red-haired Ben Connor, full of mischief and talking to her of love. He persuades her to move in with him, and from that day on she is caught in a devasting downward spiral, until she is sure God will never forgive her.

Set in Five Points District of Manhattan in 1841, this is a riveting story of one woman whose life is a series of mistakes and bad decisions, until she turns back to God for the love and forgiveness she so badly needs. Beautifully written, with compelling characters and a strong message of faith, this is a book you will remember long after you finish reading the last page.

The author's attention to historical detail made the book interesting but I did not find the characters believable. While I could understand Kassandra's initial fascination with Ben and could believe that a teenager could be easily duped in that way, it appeared that she never felt any remorse about the pain she caused Rev. Hartmann who was supposedly like a father to her, nor did she ever act like she missed him in all the time she was away. Sure, she was infatuated with Ben and was initially happy with him despite the raw circomstances she found herself in, but I think someone who loved and was loved by a parent figure would at least have had conflicted feelings about what she did. While teenagers in love certainly can do stupid things, I could not find her a likeable character, since she never showed any love or affection towards the man who raised her. I also found it hard to believe that Kassandra could be convinced that Rev. Hartmann, who was setting up a home for her and the baby and had shown nothing but love and relief that she had returned home, would not be upset when she didn't come back from Cape Cod with the baby. And what kind of story did the wife gave him about why Kassandra gave her the baby and didn't return? And, importantly, how Kassandra could be so stupid to think she could go to San Francisco to "start fresh" with $50 and NO PLANS for how she would survive once she got there. Would she not at least have negotiated some sort of financial support or have a plan for how she would support herself before heading there? So we're supposed to feel sorry for her that she was "forced" to go into prostitution again to make a living... I just could never feel any sympathy for the woman since none of her decisions made any sense at all. I get frustrated when I read books where characters do things that real people would not do, just to further the tension. And then the story resolved so abrubtly (and conveniently) that I was left even more frustrated at the end of the book.

With the second book in the CROSSROADS OF GRACE series, Allison Pittman has again crafted a story of God's grace and redemption. Taking place in the 1800's of New York and San Francisco, SPEAK THROUGH THE WIND follows the life of the orphaned Kassandra as she struggles with a sense of belonging. Raised by the compassionate Reverend Joseph, Kassandra is made to believe her presence in his house is not being looked upon favorably by those in his congregation. So, she decides to steel away with Ben, a delivery boy who promises to take care of her. This starts her spiral into an unplanned pregnancy, rejection from Ben, prostitution, and a life that is filled with tragedy.

I enjoyed SPEAK THROUGH THE WIND as much as TEN THOUSAND CHARMS. Though at times I wondered how much tragedy one tired soul could endure, SPEAK THROUGH THE WIND is truly a story of redemption and unconditional love.

This book is a page turner from the beginning. I read it in 2 days, just couldn't put it down as the story of a young girl rescued off the streets and raised in the home of a loving and godly pastor makes the choice to leave and follow a charming young man into a life of sin and poverty. We have all had times in our life when our choices were less than godly and faced the consequences of those choices. Your heart will break for Kassandra (the main character) as she faces many consequences of her poor choices. The story line ends a bit quicker than I had hoped, I needed more closure on her ending but am hoping to have my questions answered in Pittman's 3rd book. Overall an exciting and heart pumping read!!

With great attention to detail, Allison Pittman shows the misery of the historic Five Points District during the 1840s and gives unique views into the underhanded and terrible ways people often employed to survive the overwhelming poverty. Kassandra's journey will draw you in. Complete with realistic, flawed characters, Speak through the Wind is The Prodigal Son retold. It offers hope to anyone who feels themself beyond hope. I hope for a sequel!

S. Dionne Moore [...]
Reviewer for Novel Reviews [...]

I really love Allison Pittman's writing. She has the ability to captivate her readers with her attention to detail and depth of characters.

That being said, Speak Through the Wind was not my favorite of hers. While I was excited to read about Sadie(Kassandra) after having met her in the first book of the series (Ten Thousand Charms) I didn't find myself pulled into this novel the same way that I've been with Pittman's other books.

Honestly, I felt like the book focused so much on Sadie's plight (how she got out of it, then back into it, out again, in again) that I was emotionally exhausted with the first 80% of the text. Then, the part I wanted to read, the part about REDEMPTION & FORGIVENESS, was just a small rushed snippet towards the very end of the book.

I think this book would have been a lot better if it was divided evenly, which I did not feel it was. However, I will be picking up the third book in this series to see how Biddy's story plays out.