Christy

Rating:
Summary: "Christy", an uplifting and spiritually filling book!
Review: "Christy" is the story of 19 year old Christy Huddleston who is in search for something to fill her soul and give her a purpose in life. So volunteering to teach in a mission school, Christy journeys to the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee, more specifically the area of Cutter Gap. Along with her, the other missions workers are a Quaker woman whom Christy looks up to Miss Alice Henderson, the handsome and charming Reverend David Grantland, and the reverend's spinster and dour sister, Ida Grantland. As she begins to get used to living in the primitive surroundings, her heart reaches out the highlanders, especially to the children. Another person Christy begins to bond with is Doctor Neil MacNeil who has a strong desire to help his people. And as Christy struggles through hardships and heartache, joy and victories, she learns to have faith that God will take care of each and every one of them through good times and bad times.

"Christy" was written by Catherine Marshall in 1967. The book is under the category of 'fiction', but in actuality Catherine Marshall had written the story based on her mother, Christy's, life. An extremely uplifting and spiritually filling book, "Christy" is sure to please both young adults and adults.

The characters in the story are what really draw you into the book, making it a turn pager not in the sense that it's suspenseful, but in that you just want to read more and more about the characters. Christy Huddleston has all of the qualities of a young woman, intelligent, charming, yet a bit innocent. She also has a very curious mind and is always pondering about life and God's mysterious ways. Miss Alice Henderson is so well described you can just picture in your mind her 'queenly stature and beautiful poise'. I would sorely have liked to meet her in real life and discuss God with her as she has such a close relationship with Him.

Then there's the two men in Christy's life, the reverend and the doctor, both possessing unique attraction and strength. Reverend David Grantland is everything a girl dreams of, young, handsome, and incredibly romantic. But at the same time Christy finds he doesn't seem to have such a good relationship with God. Whenever Christy tries to ask him deep questions, his answers are vague, unfulfilling, and he also tries to avoid any discussions. Then of course we have Doctor Neil MacNeil, a man of science and not one of God. Though a highlander himself, since he had graduated from a prestigious college he is incredibly smart and sharp. His quick wit, quiet and calm ways, and cool attitude draws Christy towards him. But at the same time she can find him annoying and feels uncomfortable with him. Who is she in love with? I can't tell you the answer though I can assure you that Christy DOES find the love of her life, a man who loves her so very much.

Catherine Marshall puts into her story many instances where Christy questions God's mysterious ways, for example where is God when a close friend dies? How can God's mercy be taught to the people of Cutter Gap who are very poor and whose lives are very hard? Catherine Marshall writes so vividly and so well that you begin yourself to ask questions and as you read find the answers. Also, the end was SOOOOO well-done! I must admit that whenever I read the last two pages, I do get a bit misty eyed and I feel so uplifted! It's not the romance (though it does include romance) but it's the eloquence of this person's (I'm not telling who!) prayer to God. Whenever I finish reading the book, I always think, "that's how much faith I want to have in God!"

I highly recommend this book, probably for teens and adults, mostly for teens older than 14. One reason is because younger children might find the book a bit dull or deep. Also some adult issues are discussed that younger children won't understand and some teens mind find a bit uncomfortable. But I still very highly recommend this book to read for both enjoyment and learning. Also recommended is the "Christy" series in which all the episodes are sold from Volume 1-12 (though unfortunately most are not sold on Amazon, hint hint!). The cast includes Kellie Martin, Randall Batinkoff, Stewart Finlay-Mclennan, and Tyne Daly. Also in the year 2001, PAX tv gave made three Christy movies, "Return to Cutter Gap", "A Change of Seasons", and "A New Beginning". The cast includes Lauren Lee Smith, Stewart Finlay-McLennan, James Waterston, and Dianne Ladd.

Rating:
Summary: Good book
Review: I will have to agree and state that this novel is an all American classic. I had a lovely time reading it and couldn't stop reading. I love Christy's enthusiasm in the small mountain town. All the characters were constructed very nicely. It inspired me to watch the television show.
The only problem however, was all the preaching and the finding of god. I found myself skipping the parts about the Bible and what not.
Other than that, it was a very very very good book.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful treasure
Review: This book is one of those rare novels that offers more to the reader after each read. Many delightful, inspirational little nuggets are tucked into the passages. All of the characters are 3D creations that breath off the page: Christy, the eager, passionate, idealistic young teacher, Fairlight, the homespun princess, Little Burl, the lovable student, Dr. MacNeil,the enigmatic physician, David, the confident preacher, Miss Alice, the woman with quiet depth and wisdom, and so many more. By book's end these characters are flesh and blood, their stories being spun out beautifully, but never cloyingly, against the proud, stubborn, hard, life of the mountains. Christy is so many things; a suspense, romance, adventure, religious, and biographical book, yet not one of the plot lines ever seem strained or outrageous. Perhaps because this story is rooted in fact and Catherine Marshall handles her characters and their actions lovingly. The TV show did not hold true to the book in so many ways, Christy was not given the "desire to grab life" as she had in the book, Miss Alice was turned into an officious, plow-ahead kind of character, David fell short of his vigorous, charming, confident portrayel in the book (what happened to the "booming voice"?). All together I felt disappointed when the show would veer into sentimentality and cheesiness, although I'm sure the director never meant it too. But I love this novel and have read it again and again. I will also continue to do so whenever I am in need of a good book.

Rating:
Summary: Christy
Review: This is a wonderful telling of a real-life occurrence. Although the work is presented as fiction, the story, and most of the events, are based on the real life experiences of the author's mother. The real-life setting for the book lies in Del Rio, Tennessee, very near to Newport in the beautiful East Tennessee hill country. I re-read the book after visiting the actual site that served as the setting for the book (30 miles from my home); facinating to say the least! For those that enjoy historical fiction, this book is the best of all worlds. It accuratly presents the area and the life of the times. In terms of historical value, the only real fiction I could find is in the form of names (both places and people). Everything else appeared to accurate history written in novel form. If you liked the movie and/or the play, you'll find the book even more rewarding. My visit to the real "El Pano" (Del Rio)and "Cutter Gap" (Chapel Hollow), allowed me to relate the book to the actual place. In combination with Ms. Marshall's wonderful first-person narrative, the book literally came alive for me during my second reading. Not only is this book worthwhile reading in its own right, it is an excellent glimpse of life in East Tennessee in the early part of the last century. If you have the chance, you must visit the actual site. It is unspoiled and if your lucky you'll have the chance to meet the grandson of "Jeb and Fairlight Spencer" who still lives there in one of the original cabins.

Rating:
Summary: Encouraging story!
Review: While reading Christy, I couldn't help but wish I could be as bold and courageous as this nineteen-year-old missionary teacher. Christy, a young woman beginning her journey in faith as she moves from a well-respected town into a mountainous chaos, has always felt she was more than just a nice dress at fancy tea parties, and proves herself true in this inspirational story. Defying her parent's wishes, Christy leaves her home and moves to Cutter Gap, a crude community in which the children are in deep need to learn. The people of Cutter Gap are extremely proud of their heritage and wonder about this new woman from the city coming to teach their children. Ms. Alice Henderson, a woman who helps with the mission, is Christy's inspiration to keep going even when she believes failure has beaten her. David Grantland, the preacher of the town, is immediately drawn to Christy's courage and independence. Dr. McNeil, the only doctor in the community, is also drawn to Christy and the light that shines through her as she finally becomes an accepted part of Cutter Gap. As she teaches a classroom full of encouraging young faces, she also learns herself that you have to keep trying and never give up on your dreams. When tragedy hits her with all its might, the love for one man will bring her back to the world, to him. This tale of courage and love will pull at your heart!