⛰️💗 What Momma Left Behind (2020) 💗⛰️ - Book Review

MY REVIEW

Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: Revell (June 2, 2020)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800737040

ISBN-13: 978-0800737047

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“Worie Dressar is 17 years old when influenza and typhoid ravage her Appalachian Mountain community in 1877, leaving behind a growing number of orphaned children with no way to care for themselves. Worie's mother has been secretly feeding a number of these little ones on Sourwood Mountain. But when she dies suddenly, Worie is left to figure out why and how she was caring for them.

Plagued with two good-for-nothing brothers--one greedy and the other a drunkard--Worie fights to save her home and the orphaned children now in her begrudging care. Along the way, she will discover the beauty of unconditional love and the power of forgiveness as she cares for all of Momma's children.

Storyteller and popular speaker Cindy K. Sproles pens a tender novel full of sacrifice, heartache, and courage in the face of overwhelming obstacles.”

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell Books, for providing a complimentary review copy through the Revell Reads Reviewer Program. A positive review was not required and all words are my own. 

There are some trigger warnings despite this being a “Christian/Faith” themed book. Those will be depression, suicide, gun violence/death, teen pregnancy as well as a slight mystery by “new-to-me author”, Cindy K. Sproles.

As part of the Revell review program, this was one of the choices available for the current month. I chose the book because of the relevance to this current pandemic. It seemed appropriate and was genuinely interesting in how people managed these things back in that time. I was also drawn to it because of a 17 year old who lost her momma who then becomes a surrogate momma to the children in her care and does so with amazing courage, tenacity, and fierceness. Her attitude is admirable and inspiring.

While the “pandemic” is part of this story, it is not the central or main theme.

In “vernacular” for the time and setting, “What Momma Left Behind” is written to sound as the people talked in the location and time. The author takes us, with vivid descriptions and that vernacular, to the heart of this mountain community which is gorgeously represented on the cover. There is a lot of regional talk and references making this story authentic. Very believable dialogue given the time period and location; which definitely fits the genre this book is classified in.

Right off the reader is thrust into the middle of this emotionally provoking tale that will take them on a journey. Readers will need to keep in mind that the 17-year-olds of that time (1877) were vastly different in those times as opposed to the ones today, or those they might know or have known. Told in first person by Worie, this accurately depicts the harshness of the times as well as the resourcefulness of those left behind.

Sproles begins right off with an emotional beginning – Worie (pronounced worry), burying her momma with a neighbor’s help. One brother is away, and the other is drying out in the local jail.

While grieving, she is angry at her “momma” for leaving them behind. Turns out her mother held a dark secret. But, there is more that “momma left behind”. Anger, grief, sadness start off this story which is as much about Worie’s own journey as it is uncovering the secrets her momma left behind.

In addition, Worie has to worry about one of her brothers, Calvin, trying to take her home and a jar her mother left to her – though she can’t seem to figure out why. And, given her momma’s fierceness about protecting it, Worie feels compelled to do the same. But, that isn’t all – Worie soon finds the orphans her momma was feeding which is just one of the many secrets. And, thankfully she isn’t alone – she has friends in Pastor Jess, Ely and his wife Bess, former beau Trigger, and brother Justice.

I wasn’t too far into this book when I read something that made me laugh and smile. On page 23, there is a quote that is similar to what my mom said about “wanting” – “want in one hand and spit in the other, see which gets full fastest”. Spit wasn’t the word my mother used, and she used “fuller faster”, however, the meaning was the same though.

But, after Worie loses her home and two of the children are kidnapped – she stops at nothing to get them back; all the time uncovering more and more secrets that her momma left behind. Even reconciling her past along with her brothers Calvin and Justice’s pasts.

In addition to being captivated by her search for the truth as well as the two kids ripped from her care; I was also rooting for her and Pastor Jess to somehow come together. They seemed so perfect for each other from their overwhelming concern for the children, in addition to as how well they worked to get the children back. I also thought that Jess had a special affection for Worie.

It is in chapter 33 that reveals momma’s reasoning behind the events that begin the book. It is gut-wrenching, yet depicts a selflessness that this wonderful woman had. Her final act was to protect those closest to her.

Worie realizes that truth comes in all shapes/sizes; light or hard to take; but it is what it is.

Beautiful, rich, compelling, and stunning despite the simple words used. This story holds a lot of wisdom which Worie comes to rely on, along with the faith of her mother. Also, the resilience of the children who laugh despite loss and keep living the life they have. That particular point of view makes this story riveting & thought-provoking.

I closed the book feeling grateful for the resourcefulness of my ancestors and people like them; their maturity; their “upbringing”. I understood Worie and other characters because of my great-parents.

I was split between wanting to repeatedly sit this book aside due to the immense and overwhelming sadness that surrounded this story. I often wanted to avoid it. But, I also couldn’t help but pick it back up and keep reading to see where Sproles was going with this.

It was a relatively short read by most standards. This was also due to the fact of short chapters that kept the story going and not just merely meandering on.

Distributed by Revell, a Christian/faith themed publisher, What Momma Left Behind has themes of faith, bible quotes, forgiveness, and even redemption. While not central to plot, the faith shown and exhibited is important to the characters and part of their development.

Recommended for those who enjoy the genre, whose ancestors were from that location/time or know of those, people who might want a history lesson or an inspirational tale of overcoming the odds, as well as fans of the author.

RATING:

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cindy K. Sproles is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries. An author, storyteller, and popular speaker, Cindy teaches at writers conferences across the country and directs the Asheville Christian Writers Conference in North Carolina. Editor of ChristianDevotions.us and managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, Cindy has a BA in business and journalism and lives in the mountains of East Tennessee with her family.

You can follow her on the following social media accounts:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cksproles

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cindydevoted

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