Book Review: A Song For Issy Bradley: A Novel

A Song For Issy Bradley: A Novel
Author: Carys Bray
Language: English
Available on: Amazon India, Amazon USA, Flipkart
Rating: 5/5

A Song For Issy Bradley

I did not expect this, nor did I see this coming; I’m having major flashbacks. This book involving a devout Mormon family struck close to home with my own involvement in a similar faith-by-works religious organization. The brothers, the sisters (neither bound by blood, but by religion)…even the table-side prayers: it all rung so true—frighteningly so.

I have seen and have been lured by the same dogma and devotion that causes fathers, like Issy’s here, to forsake the natural bond of family for the greater cause of the organization. Author Carys Bray captures that motivation and feeling so well. I would say it is impossible not to feel the pull and tug of emotion, despite whether you were involved in something similar or not. The writing is organized, striking, and powerful.
 

Not only is ‘A Song For Issy Bradley by @CarysBray unputtdownable, it’s a priceless insight into people living inside fundamentalism.

— Martin Wroe (@MartinWroe) August 20, 2014

As with any family or group of friends, it is sad that tragedy turns on the true light of the heart. Sadness is prevalent throughout A SONG FOR ISSY BRADLEY; it is that raw emotion that acts as the catalyst for characterial change. Similar to characters of THE POISONWOOD BIBLE, each character here represents their own struggles and interpretations of both the Bible and The Book of Mormon. Bray did an excellent job of pulling out the scriptures, their meanings, and with it showing how individuals, especially children, can and do interpret those scriptures. Bray beautifully portrays the consequences of interpretation as well. Again, tragedy as a catalyst works perfectly.  
 

So excited about this: ‘I loved A SONG FOR #ISSYBRADLEY. It’s wry, smart, human… it’s moving and comforting.’ Nick Hornby in @believermag

— Carys Bray (@CarysBray) May 22, 2014

 
(It is tragedy that kicked my own mind into gear and enabled me to leave that aforementioned organization of my own involvement, finding truer belief and faith.)

Folks, this is a great piece of writing that speaks of the heart’s ability to change and of the true meanings of life. Thanks Ballentine and Random House for sharing this with me for review.
 

Writing that speaks of the heart’s ability to change & the true meanings of life – review of A SONG FOR #ISSYBRADLEY http://t.co/1KIiga1MYz

— Learning&Creativity (@LearnNCreate) August 22, 2014

About the Author

Ryan DeJonghe ( 1 Post)

I didn't always read, but that changed in June of 2013. I dropped the unnecessary stuff and picked up the awesome stuff--like reading! I started posting my reviews on Amazon.com and within a few months rose to the top 0.1% of reviewers. My reviews then went to Goodreads, and now my blog and Twitter.
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