This photo was taken while I was on a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. The guide pointed out where the feeding of 5000 may have taken place. It’s one of the hills you can see in the distance. It was an awesome experience!
Now for this week’s book. I read The Death of Mungo Blackwell about a month ago, and I still think about the story every day or so. It sounds a little like a mystery, but it’s really a coming of age story, even if the hero is middle-aged. Here’s the back cover copy:
A charming story of hope that will warm your heart and make your imagination soar! Charlie Price, whose world has come crumbling down after a lapse in judgment leaves him unemployed, finds himself flung into the chaotic world of the Blackwells when he relocates to Coraloo with his socialite wife, Velveteen, and shy son, Gideon. Here Charlie attempts to make a living as a “picker”, reselling under-priced items he picks up at the market.
The Blackwells are a family with an extraordinary history and astounding traditions, which include attending their own funerals before they die! Their ways are questionable and their stories about deceased relatives are as bold as their red hair, but it is their eclectic wares that keep tourists coming back to their market in the town of Coraloo.
Some of the Blackwells welcome him with open arms, but others resent pickers and want him thrown out of the market. Charlie soon finds this new way of life under threat and his quest for simplicity seems to be crumbling. Perhaps it’s time for Charlie to have a funeral of his own…
My take: 5 Stars!
As you can tell, I loved this quirky story. All of the characters will grab you and not let go. Not only was Charlie not employed, but he had fallen from a very high pinnacle. They ran with the country clubbers and lived a life of luxury even though none of them seemed very happy.
He moves them to this small town with very quirky people where he learns the town is divided ala the Hatfields and the McCoys. Slowly the family learns what life is about and what a journey it is. If you enjoy stories of growth and quirky characters, you’ll love this book.
You can purchase The Death of Mungo Blackwell at: Amazon, B&N
Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in the June drawing for a book from my library. Have you ever been pleasantly surprised by a book?
If you like quirky characters, you're sure to like the book I'm reviewing on my blog today. Patricia Bradley #amreading The Death of Mungo Blackwell Share on X
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Comments 28
Yes, I love it when I try new-to-me authors and find a new favorite.
Author
Mindy, I think you would love The Death of Mungo Blackwell! Thanks for stopping by.
Do I like quirky characters? Depends. I’m sure we’re all quirky to someone. Too quirky, and it gets irritating. I once read a book (The Power of Peonage by Robert Glass) that used examples people just quirky enough to get their way in spite of goals contrary to what their managers decreed. The author substituted funny names in place of the real ones, and the same for the places where each story occurred. Judging from your description of the town of Coraloo, it seems to match one that Mr Glass called Cross Purposes, XX (you fill in the state).
Author
Tim, I think you would enjoy the story. Maybe quirky wasn’t the right word. I don’t know, but these characters are so real. They just do things a little differently. And Lauren was just nominated for a Carol for the Death of Mungo Blackwell!! (A Carol is American Christian Fiction Writers highest award!). Go over to B&N and read the opening chapter. 🙂 It will draw you in!!
You have piqued my interest. I did see that this is up for nomination.
Lots of good fiction was nominated. I have read 11 of them and look forward to reading more of them.
Author
This is a great book, Paula and I think you’d like it. Thanks for stopping by!
I LOVE the photo, I was glad to recommend that place to you. And I LOVE The Death of Mungo Blackwell. Thanks for knowing I’d adore it and recommending it to me. It’s so fun to discover and connect with new (to me) talented authors!
Author
I agree, Delores. And she was just nominated for a Carol Award from ACFW!
You’ve made me want to read this book now. I enjoy trying new authors and finding books that you wouldn’t ordinarily try but that make you so glad you did.
Author
I really think you’ll enjoy it, Megan! Thanks for stopping by.
It sounds like a cute read. I like that the characters are different.
Author
Me, too, Lynn. And I love the way these are different!
Sounds interesting. I like some quirky characters, but typically one or two in a book is all I care for. At times, the quirky character is the one who keeps me reading, just to see what they will do next. That idea of having your funeral before you die sounds like a real quirky one. It could be quite revealing to a person if the one giving the eulogy was completely honest. I would not want to be laying there in the casket during the service though. Maybe listening from a back room. LOL!
Author
In the book, the person wasn’t in the casket, Edward. 🙂 These characters are quirky in a good way. It’s a very good book!
Ahhhh…I miss the Sea of Galiee! Perfect backdrop for the scripture! Thank you for introducing us to a new author.
Author
I miss the Sea of Galilee, too, Caryl! One day I’ll return.
Beautiful photo. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
You’re welcome, Diana and I loved taking that photo.
I enjoy being pleasantly surprised by how much more that I enjoy a book than I expected to. This one sounds interesting.
Author
It is very interesting, Gloria! I think you’d enjoy it.
Yes I have several times by reading something I normally don’t and finding I liked it.
Author
Isn’t it fun when that happens, Lucy! thanks for stopping by.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by many books yes! The last one was “Forever, Lately” by Linore Rose Burkard; it’s a Regency/contemporary time travel fiction. It was so good and probably the most fun book I’ve read, I was quite surprised by it. First, I’ve never read a time travel book & secondly she is a new-to-me author. But since I adore Regency & the back cover blurb had me intrigued, I had to pick it up. I’m so glad I did, now she’s one author I am a forever fan of 🙂
Author
I love it when I find a new author and book like that, Trixi! I’ll have to take a look at that one as I may or may not be writing a time travel…more about that later. Thanks for stopping by!
Pat please, do one on time travel and I will definitely read it! My love for reading began as a kid reading science fiction (once my teacher forced me to read something other than science books). The first one I can remember was “The Day We Explored the Future”. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Machine_series
I have fond memories of all the time travel stories I’ve read.
Author
I would travel back in time, Tim…would that work for you? I read a lot of science fiction back in my youth, too. Actually I read anything I could find, even the backs of cereal boxes. lol thanks so much for stopping by!
Pat, I’ll be delighted to read about time travel in either direction. The past is interesting because of the possible paradoxes, i.e., a change in the past resulting in a change in the present. I’m sure you’ll have fun writing the story.
Author
Thanks, Tim. I’m still waiting to hear. 🙂