About The Crooked Path
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 7, 2017)
From the bestselling author of The Girl From the Train, comes another compelling coming of age story of delayed love, loss, and reconciliation in WWII-era South Africa.
Lettie has always felt different from and overshadowed by the women around her– this friend is richer, that friend is more beautiful, those friends are closer. Still, she doesn’t let this hold her back. She works hard to apply her mind, trying to compensate for her perceived lack of beauty with diligent academic work and a successful career as a doctor. She learns to treasure her friendships, but she still wonders if any man will ever return her interest.
Marco’s experiences in the second world war have robbed him of love and health. When winters in his native Italy prove dangerous to his health even after the war has ended, he moves to South Africa to be with his brother, husband to one of Lettie’s best friends. Marco is Lettie’s first patient, and their relationship grows as she aids him on the road back to restored health.
In the company of beloved characters from The Child of the River, Marco and Lettie find a happiness that neither of them thought possible. With that joy comes pain and loss, but Lettie learns that life—while perhaps a crooked path—is always a journey worth taking.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
When I signed up to review this book I had no idea what to expect. I have to say it turned out to be an excellent read. It took me a while to get into the book, for me the beginning was kind of slow, but as I kept reading, the more intrigued I became.
The story follows the life of Marco and Lettie. Because of health issues caused by the Second World War, Marco is forced to leave his home and family in Italy and move to South Africa to live with his bother’s family. Lettie was living her dream of joining her father in his practice at his surgery (Drs. office in today’s world). Marco was her first patient, and his health was so bad he was to see her every week. As the weeks and months pass, Marco’s health improved and their attraction grew.
I hardly know where to start with my opinion, the book is so chunked full of history, characters and just life. Marco’s life was not a happy one during the horrific changes during the war and afterward. He lost so much. And Lettie was content being who she was. To her, she was not the young lady expecting to find the man of her dreams.
Lettie and Marco were adorable characters that I fell in love with as soon as they met. It was the silent humbleness of each that drew me to them. And there was a host of supporting characters in their lives that made the plot grow into a wonderful story that will stay with me for a while. The Writing is excellent, Ms. Joubert does a wonderful job of weaving the many issues, historical details, and everything else happening in the story, and pulling it all together for a sweet ending. This story shows so much sadness, hurt and loneliness, but also strong love of family and friends, a strong faith and love in God, and a knowing that through all of the difficult circumstances, that God will make a way for happiness again.
I highly recommend The Crooked Path if you are looking for a good clean Historical Read. I love the setting of the story, some of it happens during the time I was born and in my early years. Which made me smile a lot. I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and read it for many hours of enjoyment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
International bestselling author Irma Joubert was a history teacher for 35 years before she began writing. Her stories are known for their deep insight into personal relationships and rich historical detail. She’s the author of eight novels and a regular fixture on bestseller lists in The Netherlands and in her native South Africa. She is the winner of the 2010 ATKV Prize for Romance Novels.
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