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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fan blown away!, April 27, 2009
This review is from: Words Unspoken (Paperback)
Those new to Elizabeth Musser's books will enjoy the plot-driven story and twists of Words Unspoken. Her fans, however, are likely to be blown away by it.
The strengths in her previous books (in my opinion) were the historical research and settings brought to life. For Words Unspoken it is also the plot twists that bring in the US, France, Italy and even Eastern Europe and China added in the mix.
I'm usually very critical of Christian fiction. Usually it's because of weak, artificial dialogues. I didn't find that in Words Unspoken. Such a welcome change! The way the characters talked with each other, themselves, God - very real, very believable. That's what really sold me on the book...and also the multi-dimensional view of the characters! It made them deeper, more developed, engaging and real.
Again, if you're a fan - hurry up! This one's awesome. If you're new to her books, this is a great one to start with. And lastly, if you're not usually a fan of Christian fiction - give this one a try. You won't be disappointed.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Musser's best yet, April 12, 2009
This review is from: Words Unspoken (Paperback)
Musser's first few novels, while strong, were very much intended for niche audiences -- The Swan House and The Dwelling Place were written for Atlanta-philes (a fairly large crowd, as sales and multiple reprints will attest)and Searching for Eternity is for people who love Atlanta and Lyon, France (a much smaller group). If you were to hesitate to read Musser's latest novel from Bethany house, Words Unspoken, it would be a mistake.
Musser has crafted a story that will reach every reader on some level. Set mainly in Chattanooga, the novel tackles those voices we all hear in our heads. Those voices that say we aren't good enough, that bad things are always our fault, that we are failures. With deep, complex main characters whose lives are intertwined in ways that keep you guessing throughout the story, Words Unspoken has everything a reader would want.
Musser's descriptive imagery makes the story come alive for readers. You care about the characters and, most importantly, you can see yourself in these very real people -- some characters in this book actually get angry at God, a very real emotion that gets glossed over in so much of today's Christian fiction. You know the type -- fiction that romanticizes what it's like to be a Christian to whom tragedy has struck.
I look forward to more of Musser's work in the future!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant storytelling!, May 6, 2009
This review is from: Words Unspoken (Paperback)
Elizabeth Musser is one of my favorite authors, having penned works like Swan House, The Dwelling Place and Searching for Eternity. But she's outdone even herself. Words Unspoken unfolds like a rose, one layer at a time, revealing the beauty within. Filled with diverse, memorable characters, you meet one then another, until the cast grows to where wonder how all these people are connected. Then, when the first relationship is revealed, it's an Ah-Ha moment. I couldn't put it down. I had to keep reading to discover the next connection. And each one was just right--never "convenient" or contrived. Filled with twists and brilliantly written, Words Unspoken is a must read. As one of those books whose characters linger in my mind, it receives a five-star recommendation from this reviewer.
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