The Homecoming of Samuel Lake
Jenny Wingfield
Random House Trade Paperbacks
352 pages
Every first Sunday in June, members of the Moses clan gather for an annual reunion at a sprawling hundred-acre farm in Arkansas. And every year, Samuel Lake, a vibrant and committed young preacher, brings his beloved wife, Willadee Moses, and their three children back for the festivities. In the midst of it all, Samuel and Willadee’s outspoken eleven-year-old daughter, Swan, is a bright light. Her high spirits and fearlessness have alternately seduced and bedeviled three generations of the family. But just as the reunion is getting under way, tragedy strikes, jolting the family to their core and setting the stage for a summer of crisis and profound change.
With the clear-eyed wisdom that illuminates the most tragic—and triumphant—aspects of human nature, Jenny Wingfield has created an enduring work of fiction.
The Homecoming of Samuel Lake was one of those books that I was dying to read when it was first released. I even started it last summer but had to put it aside for other obligations, so when the opportunity to review it came my way, I was thrilled. Unfortunately, I realized pretty quickly that this book just wasn’t for me. I was determined to stick it out, but I wanted to put it down within the first forty pages.
I guess my issue was the Southern, country setting. I am not usually one for Southern fic, and this was no exception. Everything about this one grated on me. The language, the characters–it was not what I expected.
I always feel bad in instances like this because The Homecoming of Samuel Lake has been well received and it was more a case of clashing interests than anything else. I urge you all to take my review with a grain of salt because I feel like I am in the minority with this one. In other words, the problem is me, not the book!
About Jenny Wingfield
Jenny Wingfield lives in Texas with her rescued dogs, cats, and horses. Her screenplay credits include The Man in the Moon and The Outsider. The Homecoming of Samuel Lake is her first novel.
Jenny Wingfield’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:
Wednesday, July 11th: Twisting the Lens
Thursday, July 12th: It’s a Crazy, Beautiful Life
Monday, July 16th: Southern Girl Reads
Tuesday, July 17th: The House of the Seven Tails
Thursday, July 19th: The Lost Entwife
Monday, July 23rd: Book Snob
Wednesday, July 25th: Kritter’s Ramblings
Monday, July 30th: A Novel Source
Wednesday, August 1st: WV Stitcher
Monday, August 6th: A Patchwork of Books
Wednesday, August 8th: Reviews by Lola
Monday, August 13th: A Musing Reviews
Monday, August 20th: Colloquium
Wednesday, August 22nd: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books
Tuesday, August 28th: Sweet Southern Home
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: book review, tlc book tours |
ReviewsbyLola's Blog 
Boo! I feel you on the difficulty of plunging on with a book everyone loves — I felt that way while reading Michael Chabon — it was a DNF for me. I actually adored this book when I read it last year but the Southern setting really resonated with me. Every book can’t be a winner!
I have stayed away from this one because of the horrific animal and human abuse, and I don’t know if I will ever read it. I am not turned off by Southern Lit at all, just these subjects written in a very authentic way.
Good to see not every one loves it. I’ve looked at this book several times in the library but my instincts said I wouldn’t like it despite all the glowing reviews so I’ve never brought it home.
Sorry this book wasn’t for you. I think I’ll still try it!
Thanks for being a part of the tour.
I’m so bummed this one didn’t work for you. I listened to it (which might be worse for you) and really fell in love with the storytelling. But it was tough listening at some points.