shawna_reads's Reviews (471)

"This piece is my interpretation of the edge of the morning bed and what it comes to represent in everyone's lives sooner or later. Knowing you're not where you want to be, or who you want to be, and knowing very well there's a chance you may never be, but still you rise and carry on despite."
 
It is 1997 in Bible's Belt - a woman is plagued by premonitions, a man seeks redemption after years of gang affiliation, a priest gifts counsel to a community, and six neglected youth make a getaway. How does it all tie together?
 
Laurel's writing is beautifully poetic, everything flowed so nicely across the pages. It is rich in atmosphere and originality. There's love, there's despair, and there's vulnerability. This felt different as if giving me a whole new outlook on life.
 
The story is focused on "society's least desirable" - those living in poverty and the trials and tribulations they face in their daily lives. I liked how the main characters don't have names, giving it this kind of anonymity of people who usually go unheard or unseen. 
 
I like the fact that Laurel took the time to interview priests in order to get a theological background to add to the concept. It really helped with the flow of the story and piecing it all together. I found the ending tied all the characters together nicely. I really enjoyed this novella as it gives you a different outlook on life and makes you think.
 
@laurel.e.hasara kindly gifted me a copy of her novella and has been ever so patient with me in reading and reviewing it so I would like to say thank you 💜