Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas
I have been wanting to read a Sandra Dallas novel for a long time given the fact that a dozen of you have recommended her to me. And now I’ve had a chance to read her newest book, Prayers for Sale and, wow, what a talented author. It’s books like these that remind me why I enjoy reading so much. In fact, this is exactly the type of book that I would recommend to my mom just so I could have the satisfaction of asking her if she liked it. I know a book is good when I keep making a mental note of who I should recommend it to when I haven’t even finished it yet.
The year is 1936 and eighty-six-year-old Hennie Comfort (who truly lives up to her name and is a comfort to all she knows) lives in the high altitude of the Rocky Mountains in Middle Swan, Colorado. The name Middle Swan is one that I will not soon forget as it’s as much a character in the book as anybody else. It’s a mining town where women send their men off each morning either to the mines underground or to the dredge boats not knowing if they’ll be a widow by the end of the day because the work is so dangerous.
At Hennie’s gate is a sign that says Prayers for Sale and it’s here that she finds seventeen-year-old Nit who asks for a prayer of her own. Despite the sign, Hennie doesn’t sell prayers, instead she gives them freely to those who need them. Nit, who like Hennie, has already lost a baby of her own is new in town with her husband and is lonely. Despite their obvious age difference, Hennie and Nit are drawn to each other through their common loss and Hennie takes Nit under her wings and teaches her how to survive in the rough mining town.
There is nothing more that Hennie and Nit, as well as the other women in town, love to do than quilt. If somebody had told me that I would love a book that talked about quilting so much, I wouldn’t have believed them! But yet, the book made me wish it was freezing outside with a warm mug of hot chocolate, pie, and a huge quilt to snuggle in. Seriously, my only regret in reading the book now was that I didn’t experience it that way. So come winter and you are wondering what book to pick up, pick up this one.
Hennie’s talent is not restricted to just quilting, she’s a master storyteller and the book alternates with Hennie sharing stories of her past and of the people in town with Nit. While there is an overarching plot that moves Hennie’s stories along, each of the stories that she shares is complete on it’s own. They are engaging and full of wonderful characters. Sandra Dallas quickly engages the reader when Hennie shares a horrific experience in just the first chapter that had me instantly bonded to her and her story. That bond never lifted, even after I closed the last page and I wished that Hennie and Nit could come to my home for some conversation and teach me about quilting.
And I couldn’t close this review without noting the historical part of this Historical Fiction book. I loved being taken back to another time and place. From the setting of Middle Swan to the dredge, the mines, the mountains, the homes, and even the hookhouse, I felt as though I could have been right there experiencing life where hardships, loss, and grief were a way of life.
A beautiful book. Beautiful writing. Beautiful characters. I’m not satisfied with leaving Hennie and Nit behind and wonder what their unwritten futures will be like. I wholeheartedly recommend this one.
I have an interview with Sandra Dallas tomorrow. Make a mental note to check it out.
Links of interest: Sandra Dallas website, this is an Authors on the Web blog tour, check out more book blogger reviews. Sandra’s other novels include Tallgrass, The Chili Queen, New Mercies, Alice’s Tulips, The Diary of Mattie Spencer, The Persian Pickle Club, Buster’s Midnight Cafe.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press. April 14, 2009.
Hardcover, 320 pages. ISBN 0312385188
Prayers for Sale is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s and Amazon.
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Category: Adult, Book Reviews, Fiction
Tags: A-D Author, authors on the web, blog tour, M-P Title, published 2009, review copy
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Oh, this sounds lovely. I just went and put it on hold at the library, I’m going to freeze the hold though until our weather turns nice and cold.
on September 9th, 2009 at 10:49 amThis one’s on my tbr list. I love the cover– it’s just gorgeous!
on September 9th, 2009 at 10:56 amI have been a fan of Sandra Dallas’ for years but haven’t had a chance to read her latest. I can’t wait!
on September 9th, 2009 at 11:32 amI’ve heard alot about this author as well. Everything about this book screams for my attention, and you were the tipping point. Thanks for the excellent review Natasha. I’m off to the library website now…
on September 9th, 2009 at 11:44 amJust wanted to come back and tell you that I’ve ordered it on audio!
on September 9th, 2009 at 3:21 pmOoh, this sounds excellent!
on September 9th, 2009 at 3:49 pmI saw this book a while back on the main feature table at B&N. From there I checked it out from my local library and loved every single page!! After I posted my thoughts on this one, a kind blogger friend suggested that I read Tall Grass. LOVED IT!!! So I am now passing that suggestion on to you!! Lovely review!!
on September 9th, 2009 at 7:15 pmJen – Yay! You’ll enjoy it during your freezing Chicago winters.
Britt – I like the cover as well. That was what appealed to me when I first saw it.
Julie P. – I’m looking forward to reading her backlist. She has a fan for life now.
Sandy – Whoo hooo! I hope that the narrator is a good one.
Word Lily – It is excellent. I hope you decide to try it out.
Staci – Isn’t it wonderful? The more I think about it, the more I like it. And yes, I’m definitely going to move on to Tallgrass.
on September 9th, 2009 at 10:00 pmOh Natasha! This is perfect! I can’t wait to pick it up, because I love to read first of all and then secondly I love to quilt. It sounds wonderful and I can’t wait to dive in. Thanks!
on September 9th, 2009 at 10:43 pmAs I said on Twitter, I’ve had her Tallgrass on my MP3 forever. I think I’ll start with that one.
on September 10th, 2009 at 6:14 amA friend of mine bought this book when it was first released. At the time I wasn’t sure that it would be one that I would enjoy. After reading your review, however, I now plan to phone my friend and ask her if I can borrow her copy. Thanks, Natasha!
on September 10th, 2009 at 7:05 amThis sounds beautiful! Great review!
on September 10th, 2009 at 7:32 amI’m definitely going to take your suggestion and read it during the winter. =)
This book sounds great. I’d heard the title before but never knew anything about it. Thanks for the wonderful review!
on September 11th, 2009 at 4:05 pmWonderful review. I just read Dallas’ Tallgrass and enjoyed it. I had not heard of this author before reading a review on Life in the Thumb. Now I’ll have to pick up this book.
on September 13th, 2009 at 12:53 pmI had remembered you saying on Twitter you were reading this. I’m glad to see that you liked it as much as I did. It surprised me too, because it’s not really the type of book I go for. And yet, I walked away from it feeling fantastic!
Great review!
on September 14th, 2009 at 1:42 amI wanted to let you know I am linking to this review on my D.C. Literature Examiner page.
on September 22nd, 2009 at 9:18 pmThis sounds like such a wonderful read. I love books that put me in the mood for something: like a winter day where a warm quilt and hot chocolate make everything feel alright. I find that quilting and storytelling seem to go well together. Maybe in a lot of ways the act of making a quilt is like telling a story? I wouldn’t know. I’ve never had much interest in making a quilt myself – I’m sure I’d be horrible at it. Thanks for the recommendation. I hope I’ll be able to pick this one up this winter.
on September 25th, 2009 at 12:25 amI listened to the audio version of Prayers for Sale on a long drive and can highly recommend it. The narration added a lot of flavor to Henny and Nit. This was my first book by Sandra Dallas but I immediately went out and bought another when I finished it. I’m going to read your interview with her now.
on October 14th, 2009 at 4:28 pmI am reading “Rough Weather” by Robert B. Parker at the moment. I bought the book “Prayers For Sale”. I read your review and it sounds like a good book. I think I will give it a try. Thanks for sharing. Take care.
on October 19th, 2009 at 9:49 pm