.\\ About the Book \\ Nicole Michelin avoids airplanes, motorcycles, and most of all, Japan, where her parents once were missionaries. Something happened in Japan...something that sent Nicole and her father back to America alone...something of which Nicole knows only bits and pieces. But she is content with life in little Mount Olive, North Carolina, with her quirky relatives, tank of lively fish, and plenty of homemade pineapple chutney. Through her online column for the Pretty Fishy Web site, she meets Harrison Michaels, who, much to her dismay, lives in Japan. She attempts to avoid him, but his e-mails tug at her heart. Then Harrison reveals that he knew her as a child in Japan. In fact, he knows more about her childhood than she does...
In the midst of hot and humid summer days, I often opt to curl up on a cushy couch in an air-conditioned room and read a sleepy yet entertaining novel. Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler is just such a book. It's not filled with shocking plot points, frightening encounters, or pulse-pounding sequences. Rain Song is slow-paced, relaxing, and delightful.
Nicole is a character I could relate to. She has many, many fears that I can identify with, and, as the book is told from her perspective, her thought processes are often similar to my own. Her main struggle is that of finding out the truth about what happened in Japan when she was just a little girl. I loved learning about Japan and moving with Nicole through her discoveries. (Interestingly, Alice J. Wisler was born and raised in Japan.) Nicole grows and changes through the book; a big part of this is her learning to trust God, which I liked a lot.
Though the storyline is fascinating, the characters make Rain Song the beauty that it is. Ducee, Nicole's grandmother, is absolutely memorable with her wise advice and Southern touch. Iva, Nicole's great-aunt, is absolutely hilarious, and there is a whole slew of other family members that all in some way shape Nicole's life. Even Nicole's coworker who dates ex-cons and likes riding motorcycles is a great addition to the story.
I like reading fiction that seems so real to life. I like good stories and good characters. Rain Song is strong on every point. It isn't fast-paced, but it is memorable. I really enjoyed Wisler's style, so I'll definitely check out more of her books. And, while I've read some reviews of Rain Song that contest the "unfinished" ending, I thought the ending was absolutely perfect. Instead of finality, Rain Song's ending says clearly that Nicole's story isn't finished, and won't be for a long while.
\\ In Case You Were Wondering \\\\ About the Author \\ Alice J. Wisler is a public speaker, advocate, fundraiser, and the author of several contemporary novels including Rain Song, a Christy Award finalist. She has been a guest on several radio and TV programs to promote her self-published cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle. She has a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Mennonite University and has traveled the world in jobs that minister to people. Alice and her family live in Durham, North Carolina. www.alicewisler.com
Title: Rain Song
Author: Alice J. Wisler
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: October 1, 2008
Number of Pages: 295 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0764204777
