My Rating: 4.5⭐
In 1952 Paducah, Kentucky, we meet church organist and piano teacher, Mrs. Minerva Place, a widow in her fifties. Minerva lives alone and her social life is limited to pleasantries exchanged during brief interactions with others and occasional visits from her immediate neighbor Nella. Minerva prefers her solitude and is often annoyed with having to deal with others. She frequents Oak Grove Cemetery where, after studying the gravestones and markers, she researches the lives of the deceased denizens who spark her interest following which she writes up semi-fictional ( she likes to fill in the blanks with her carefully thought-out details) biographies, which she does not share with anyone. What makes her pastime rather interesting ( also at times alarming, prompting her to question her own sanity) are the “visits” from those who are the subject of her research. Minerva’s life is disrupted when she meets six-year-old George Robert McAlpin who recently moved into the neighborhood with his widower father. The McAlpins gradually find a way into her life and her heart, triggering a sequence of events that has Minerva taking stock of her life and reevaluating her priorities.
“People can surprise you.”
With its consistent pacing, superb characterizations ( both past and present residents of Paducah), a good dose of humor and an engaging narrative Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace by Tracey D. Buchanan is a beautifully penned, heartwarming novel that touches upon themes, of isolation, loneliness, self-acceptance, friendship, kindness, forgiveness and faith. The depiction of life in a small town is delightful. Minerva’s observations of the people around her make for some interesting reading as do her interactions with the ghostly apparitions who share parts of their stories with her. Minerva’s journey and her backstory are so real and relatable. She is not your typical grumpy senior who generally dislikes other people, but someone who has always felt alone and unloved which is why she shies away from attachments of any kind. She harbors insecurities and deep sorrow, which we come to know of as the narrative progresses. I loved how the author develops her story and paces her interactions with George and Robert, in keeping with her character. Robert’s backstory, which was revealed in a rush toward the end of the novel, could have been explored in more depth, but this does not detract from the overall reading experience. I loved how Minerva’s research and the life stories of the deceased residents motivate her to look at her own life from a fresh perspective. The author also incorporates historical details of Paducah into the narrative, referencing true events and well-known individuals who had their roots in Paducah. Overall, this is a beautiful story that left me with a lump in my throat and a smile on my face. Read his one with your heart and you won’t be disappointed!
Many thanks to Regal House Publishing and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“No one should ever have to fit into someone else’s mold. Each of us should get to follow our own heart, develop our own talents, pursue our own dreams.”
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