thisquietheartreads 's review for:

Come Forth As Gold by Erica Dansereau

5.0

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This was my second read through of this book! I wanted to read the second but thought I would re-read the first to remind myself of what happened. I, originally, had the pleasure of joining the read along that the author, Erica Dansereau, hosted in January, and I loved this book. It was interesting to hear some of the behind the scenes info of the writing of this book. Erica also wrote a lovely author’s note at the end including some of that! 

 

This book was such a unique story, I haven’t really read a book like it before! This story is such an incredible example of forgiveness, redemption, and love that can happen when we use our faith to get through the hardest of times. 

 

Claude Fisher is a boy with a wonderful family full of love and joy. He loves his best friend Kitty, who is really a part of his family in many ways. When something changes that separates them, Claude’s life loses its’ moorings. Can he find his way back to the man he wants to be? 

 

Kitty May Ralph is girl who feels unwanted, neglected and ignored. Her whole life she struggles to feel loved, heard, and wanted. Claude always tells her she is loved and accepted, but it is hard for her to accept that and feel worthy. When she is separated from the only real family she has ever known, can she avoid the darkness and find the light? 

 

Reading Claude’s journey in this book was so beautiful and cathartic. There were hard times and there were good times.  But most of all there was growth. Claude is certainly not a perfect character and has struggles with anger, and mischievousness. However, he learns and grows and becomes a man that I felt proud of, almost as if I was his mother!  

 

It felt realistic to me in that the character struggles even with his faith and it wasn’t a perfect, “Oh, God has me and it’s all fine.” The struggle is what points me to Christ because of the forgiveness and grace that Claude learns through this story.  It was truly inspiring and I learned a lot both times I read this story! 

 

I love Erica’s writing and I am definitely going to be reading more books from her! Looking forward to the sequel. If you like Christian Fiction that makes you ponder on your own life and faith, then this book is for you! 

 

Content Warnings: 

Language: Mild language (2 mild words used once each) 

Spice: Level 1 

TW: Alcoholism, drunk driving, death, grief, cancer, prostitution mentioned, sexual assault (implied, not on page)