BOOK REVIEW | She Always Wore Red
She Always Wore Red
By Angela Hunt
In the second book of the Fairlawn series, Jennifer Graham has adjusted to her life-altering changes from the past few months. After deciding to make Fairlawn Funeral Home her permanent home, Jennifer begins mortuary school. Being the single mother of two boys, owner of a funeral home and being a student is not easy, but she’s up to the task. She’s meeting new friends along the way and one in particular is going to be closer in relation than she ever imagined.
At a book club meeting one night, Jennifer meets McLane Larson, a young newlywed who recently moved into town. Right off, Jennifer finds McLane an interesting person since her husband is overseas fighting in Iraq. Jennifer is excited about befriending the young woman until McLane reveals a secret that challenges Jennifer’s faith and perceptions on many levels.
There are many moments in this book that touch and dig deep into how Christians think especially along the lines of race. As an African American woman, I commend the author for writing transparently through the character, Jennifer, about sticky subjects with grace and thoughtfulness. Everything from abortion to racism is included in this story.
Even more powerful to me as I read was how the author subtly extracts a sense of appreciation rather than a disgust for the funeral home business. The “homegoing” process is really so much more than about the dead, but truly for those who are living. When I saw how the title, “She Always Wore Red, was interlaced into the story, once again, I couldn’t help but be moved by Angela Hunt’s gift for storytelling. If the reader is an emotional person, tears will flow at least once, they did for this book reviewer several times.
This is only the second book I’ve ready by Angela Hunt, but I can say I’m a die hard fan (no pun intended). She Always Wore Red is definitely one of my top reads for 2008. Jennifer Graham is turning out to be one of those characters a reader won’t forget easily. I’m looking forward to the third and final installment in the Fairlawn series, She’s in a Better Place. This book will be released March 2009.
Read my review of the first book in this series, Doesn’t She Look Natural?
