72 - Prayers for Sale; Sandra Dallas

I recently listened to the audio version of Tallgrass and really enjoyed it, so I was thrilled to have received the printed version of Prayers for Sale from the Amazon Vine program.

In this touching story set in the gold mining town of Middle Swan, Colorado, we meet 86 year old Hennie Comfort, an avid quilter and long time resident of the area. One day when Hennie sees a young woman studying a “ Prayers for Sale” sign outside her house, she becomes intrigued, and soon Hennie , taking an instant liking to seventeen year old Nit Spindle, the two become good friends.

Nit’s husband works on a dredge boat, and the newlywed couple are treated as outsiders. Nit had suffered a stillbirth, and is feeling lonely and depressed, but before long the two women, bond over stories told by Hennie and hours spent quilting together. Hennie sees her younger self in Nit, and through her stories we learn what life was like in the mining community when Hennie was growing up.

As Nit begins to adjust to life in the mining town, and forms new friendships with the Tenmile Quilters group, Hennie considers a move to Iowa to be with her daughter.

A beautiful story about heartbreak, human spirit and forgiveness, “Prayers For Sale”, will be one of those rare stories that stays with me for some time to come. I found the ending very surprising as well. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

RATING - 4.5/5 - Completed - 5/18/09

WHERE FROM - My Stacks