Tender Victories

I need to get a new copy of this book. I first read it when I was about 10 years old. The cover was FAR too lurid to be seen at school, so I remember making a brown paper bag book cover for it. Tens of re-readings later, the book has simply disintegrated. This story touched me when I was young and it still does now. I cry in the same places every time, I get the warm fuzzies in the same places. I still skip some of the more trenchant political rhetoric. The characters just leap out and grab you and never let go. It's just a simple story, really, that is just the way you want the world to work.It will always be in my library.

I first read this story when I was a teenager and found it on my mother's shelf. Then, when I was a mother of young children I read it again. Finally, I was reminded of it today when a friend and I were commenting on how disappointing much of today's fiction is. Tender Victor made me laugh and cry. It is a wonderful story of how one person (or a few people) can truly make a difference in this world. In my youth, I was surprised to find that a clergyman of my acquaintance was prejudiced against those of a different race than his. It was impossible for me to understand (and I still don't) that a man who preaches God's word could be so hateful. Whenever I read this book, it reminds me that although hatred may remain a part of the fabric of life,we can go beyond it and show love and compassion for everyone.

This is a great book that takes place right after World War II. The hero is a Protestant minister who adopts 5 children from war-torn Europe. The nationalities of the kids personify the nations either allied or occupied by Germany. Theirphysical and emotional wounds reflect the horrors inflicted by the insanity of Hitler and the war. By bringing them to America, the minister hopes to find a congregation that will accept him and his kids with open arms. He is dismayed by the prejudices of small-town USA. He finds support in an unlikely place.This book was a great lesson in human nature. It reminds one to look beyond the first impression of a person to learn the true nature of the person. Though the cover of the book looks like a romance novel, the novel is deeper than that. It explores the challenges of community and familial love. It touches on spiritual topics. It challenges community responsibility for the environmental and emotional welfare of a population. It's a heart-warming story and offers food for thought on many levels.Additionally, families who have ever thought of adopting children, or have thought they'd never want to adopt, should read this book!

This story went straight to my heart and made its place there forever