💐🌻🍃 “When the Meadow Blooms” (2022) 🍃🌻💐 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800737229
ISBN-13: 978- 0800737221
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“If any place on God's earth was designed to help one heal, it is Meadowland. Surely here, at her brother-in-law's Kentucky farm, Rose and her daughters can recover from the events of the recent past--the loss of her husband during the 1918 influenza epidemic, her struggle with tuberculosis that required a stay at a sanatorium, and her girls' experience in an orphanage during her illness. At Meadowland, hope blooms as their past troubles become rich soil in which their faith can grow.
Dirk Meadows may have opened his home to his late brother's widow and her girls, but he keeps his heart tightly closed. The roots of his pain run deep, and the evidence of it is written across his face. Badly scarred by a fire and abandoned by the woman he loved, Dirk fiercely guards his heart from being hurt again. But it may be that his visitors will bring light back into his world and unlock the secret to true healing.”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell Books (a division of Baker Books), for providing an advanced review copy through Library Thing. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
This was my third outing with the author, and I was not disappointed at all.
My first book was An Appalachian Summer followed up by Along a Storied Trail.
An Appalachian Summer was my favorite of the two, however after reading this one – When the Meadow Blooms – it definitely stands out as my MOST favorite book by the author. And, like the other two I read, this too is a standalone read.
This does deal with some issues from the period (as it is sent in 1925) – forced institutional admission (sanitarium for tuberculosis), homeless youth (due to age limits for orphanages), child abuse from an orphanage, attempted abduction, mentions of suicide and depression. These are quite realistic to the time period, even more due to the author’s writing, and might be disturbing for some readers.
I was drawn to this because of the “T.B” aspect of the story.
In 1992, my mother – as part of her employment at a hospital – was tested for T.B upon employment. On her one-year anniversary, she tested positive after having been exposed in the emergency room. It was a scary time as we were concerned with everything this book highlights (though we’ve come a long way since then). She was (and is) my only parent and I was 15, almost 16. Had anything happened to her – I’d have likely been like Calla – on the streets.
[NOTE: My mother didn’t do well with the “proactive” meds they gave her. Her doctor and the hospital’s doctor relied on “observation” instead. Thankfully, my mother NEVER developed T.B. Usually the time frame then was 5-10 years from exposure. It has now been over 30 years since that test – a testament to how much everything has changed since this story, which is set 67 years before my mother’s positive result. Interesting note, my grandmother was 8 years old when this “story” takes place.]
Anyway …
I read this in less than a four (4) hour time period. It was so compelling, captivating, emotional, and dramatic. Gabhart captures the time period and location with sweeping and dramatic prose and descriptions. It is told from Calla, Rose, and Dirk’s POV.
This begins in February 1925. Rose is getting well from her battle with Tuberculosis (commonly referred to T.B) over the course of the past two years she has spent in the sanitorium. An interesting note, Rose’s husband died in the flu epidemic of 1918. While Rose is well enough to leave, her doctor insists she continue to stay there. There’s a chance of relapse and she could infect her daughter. But, Rose is concerned with her daughters being in the orphanage, especially for so long. She just feels something is wrong – mother’s intuition. Also, Sienna’s letter strikes her as odd. Yet, Calla hasn’t written anything to her about what has been going on – lest she worry her mom.
And, Rose is right – something is wrong.
14-year-old (almost 15) Calla (Callie) and 9-year-old Sienna (Annie) are having issues at the orphanage. Due to their “unfit” names, the director – Miss Warfield, gives them more “suitable” names to “conform” as their birth names “stand out” – something that wasn’t acceptable.
Despite the fact the two are sisters, because of their ages, they are not allowed much time together. Sienna/Annie has a problem that get her into trouble – her mind tends to wander which leads to being punished as Warfield doesn’t think the girl is “minding”. This time it is Calla/Callie who is also punished with her, which doesn’t bother the younger girl – at least they get some time together. Another thing that causes Calla/Callie to stand out – her curly red hair (sad, I know, but those were the times).
As a result of the situation two letters are written to Dirk Meadows. One is his sister-in-law asking for financial help since she will need it due to her condition. She also happens to mention the girls need to be rescued. The other is from his niece who wants him to “rescue” them, particularly Sienna/Annie from the orphanage. Calla/Callie is definitely past the age of being there (they only take ages 2-13). Now, having reached her 15th birthday, unless Calla/Callie she proves herself useful there – she has to leave, leaving Sienna/Annie by herself, something she doesn’t want to do.
Dirk, having been physically scarred in a fire and his heart scarred by the woman he loved leaving at the same time, is a recluse. But, something compels him to take care of Rose and her daughters. While sending money would be the easiest thing – he has enough room to house them. One reason is that Rose’s T.B diagnosis and “stigma” could keep the three ladies from finding suitable housing. Interesting how much things have changed since then. Also, Rose wouldn’t be able to work because of the condition either.
Dirk is trying to figure out the best way to help. But, what strikes him is the “severely punished” part of Calla’s letter. And, it is the rescue part of Calla’s letter that keeps digging at him as well.
Instead of sending money, Dirk goes to see his nieces. He feels bad that he didn’t stay in touch with his brother’s widow after his brother’s death.
There is definitely something wrong at the orphanage. Despite his scars, the younger girl runs to him in an “inappropriate” display. Even though he proves a relationship with the girls, Warfield won’t let him take them and wants their mother to come for them.
She evens warns the girls that Dirk doesn’t have the authority to take them and any foolish requests would result in them suffering the consequences. [Side note: you’d think she’d be glad to be rid of them, so I have to wonder what her motives really were in keeping the girls there].
Dirk warns Warfield he’ll be back. He has little choice but to get their mother from the sanitorium so he can get the girls. But, that is a problem as well – despite Rose being mostly cured – her doctor thinks it a mistake to leave. Still, for her daughters she has to leave.
The arrival of Dirk turns Warfield against Calla/Callie. She turns the girl out, despite the fact she has nowhere to go since Calla/Callie wants to leave – Warfield figures to let her be on her way even sooner.
This had some vibes of A Little Princess to it with that aspect. Warfield says something about Dirk being scarred because he is wicked, and Calla/Callie states that “Mistreating children is also a sign of wickedness”. Although it is more to herself, it is a POWERFUL and moving statement.
As Rose and Dirk rush towards the orphanage, Calla/Callie spends a perilous few hours on the street. Gabhart really doesn’t hold back in the drama or the emotion surrounding those 40+ pages that includes a near abduction. It truly shows the harshness of how children were viewed and treated then.
When the foursome get to Meadowland – Dirk goes back to his reclusive ways, but helps Rose, Calla, and Sienna as best as he can. He can’t get too close to Rose or the girls because of his past with Annaliese.
Sienna wants to love him, but her mother tells her to take one day at a time. And, Rose wants Calla to be like Sienna – enjoy their freedom and chase joy.
Calla and Sienna meet Lincoln Rainsley who is also connected to Dirk in more than one way. I honestly loved how Gabhart tied that in together.
While Sienna is the one who begins to draw Dirk out, she is also the one who unknowingly re-opens a past chapter of Dirk’s life he wanted to remain closed.
The dramatic end is one that highlights the importance of unanswered questions and unresolved issues. It is often hard to move forward without resolving the past, no matter how painful it is.
Being a bit reluctant with this one, after Along a Storied Trail (which was a 4-star read), I was delightfully surprised to find myself drawn right into this. The short chapters, descriptive writing, emotional scenery kept the story flowing.
When the Meadow Blooms was gripping and emotional. From tears to some laughter, inspirational to a mystery – this was sheer perfection.
Due to my own situation, I could relate to Calla when it came time to leave the one place they had – before their mother took them to the orphanage – while she didn’t like it, it was home. And, it is true. You might not like where you are, but you appreciate it when you lose it.
The relationship between Dirk and Sienna was absolutely endearing. I also love how Calla (though she was young by today’s standards) stood up to do the right thing by her mom and Sienna because of the misunderstanding.
Even though they were young (by today’s standards), I was wondering what happened with Calla and Lincoln. I would’ve LOVED a conclusion in an epilogue. I feel as though there might be a story there, so I am eagerly waiting for Gabhart’s next novel – perhaps it will be Calla and Lincoln’s story and will finish off the Rose and Dirk one as well. I’m also hoping it will tie up the loose end with Warfield from the orphanage.
I wanted to know if the good Samaritan (the lady who was a donor and who tried to help Calla/Callie) was going to have Warfield investigated and what the outcome, if any, there was.
The title comes from Annaliese’s answer to Dirk as to when she would marry him – “When the Meadow Blooms” referring to spring/summer. As tragic as it was, I did enjoy that conclusion of the story, but I sort of had it figured out.
Given that the publisher is a primarily Christian/faith themed publisher, this will have strong themes of faith. Fans of the author and the genre won’t want to hesitate to pick this up.
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
Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author
of Along a Storied Trail, An Appalachian Summer, River
to Redemption, These Healing Hills, and Angel Sister,
along with several Shaker novels--The Refuge, The Outsider, The
Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The
Gifted. She and her husband live on a farm a mile from where she was born
in rural Kentucky. Ann enjoys discovering the everyday wonders of nature while
hiking in her farm's fields and woods with her grandchildren and her dogs, Frankie
and Marley. Learn
You can also find her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnGabhart/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annhgabhart/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AnnHGabhart
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