Leaving Yesterday

Recently, someone posted on a message board I regularly visit that they are tired of sappy Christian novels that always include the message of salvation. They wanted to see stories that deal with believing characters who that struggle with everyday choices and issues. Issues that aren't always able to be wrapped up in a pretty little bow. Well, let me introduce you to Leaving Yesterday, by Kathryn Cushman. This was the first novel I've read by this author and I have to say it definitely won't be my last. Alisa Stewart has experienced more than her share of heartache. First, she lost a son to murder. Then, her other son, Kurt, left home for a life of drug use and addiction. On top of that, she and her husband are separated, leaving Alisa to deal with her pain alone while taking care of their 10-year-old daughter. When a police officer appears at her door, Alisa fears the worst - that her prodigal son, whome she hasn't heard from in forever, is dead. But the officer is only there following a lead on a recent murder about which her son may have information. When Kurt calls out of the blue, saying he's checked himself into rehab, Alisa is overcome with joy that God has finally answered her prayers. Then the cop returns and makes it clear that Kurt is a suspect in the murder. But Alisa refuses to believe it. Her son may have fallen into addiction, but murder? No way. When questions begin to arise, she reluctantly finds herself doubting her son. And those doubts are what prompt her to make a choice: "keep silent and keep her son...or risk everything in a quest for the truth."* (tag from the back cover) This story is about just how far a mother is willing to go to protect her child. Alisa is a Bible believing Christian who is faced with tough choices. Choices that will ultimately bring her closer to or farther away from God. Choices we all face. This book makes the consequences of sin very clear. It also shows what happens when we do things God's way instead of our own. I loved the pacing of this book, which kept me turning pages. But more than that, it was the characters who stole my heart. I couldn't help but be drawn to Alisa as her mind and heart battled over the right thing to do. A mother myself, how could I not understand the depths of desperation she felt? The secondary characters were also well developed, especially neighbor-slash-lawyer, Lacey, who brought a bit of humor to the story. Leaving Yesterday was honest, heart-wrenching, emotional, and real. I would not describe this novel as one ending as "happily-ever-after" with a neat and tidy bow on top. In essence, this is a story that not only leaves yesterday behind but also offers hope for tomorrow.

I read Leaving Yesterday in one day. That's how I know it was a really good book. I couldn't help imagining myself in a similar situation and I felt the character's angst throughout the story. I thought the author did a great job with tension, realism, and upping the stakes with every chapter. This mother's denial was totally understandable even though it was wrong. A few shocking things occurred in this story that made it all the more real to me. Half the time I wasn't sure if things revealed were the truth or a scam. And there was a lot of anger expressed, which made sense given the situations in the story. The temptation to sin in other areas and the lack of desire to pray just added to the dynamics of this complicated situation. It's hard to do a review of this book without spoilers so I'll just say that I was pleasantly surprised at how well the author showed the consequences of sin and the rewards of doing the right thing even when it could cost you everything.

Are you as tired as I am of predictable plots and everything ending "happily ever after" in the books you read? Leaving Yesterday is a breath of fresh air in the world of predictable plots and happily ever afters. Finally, a book that shows life as it is - full of ups and downs and a "we'll be okay as long as we have God" ending rather than a "picture perfect life after grace". I had never read Kathryn Cushman before, but I look forward to reading more of her books. She writes in an easy to read way that will grab your attention from the get-go, and you won't want to put the book down. I was truly pleased with her unpredictable plot twists and turns - and it's hard for me to not figure out where the story is going long before it gets there most of the time - and enjoyed the storyline. The story is so deep and has so many real-to-life facets that it will stick with you long after you put the book down.

The Story. With the feel of autobiography, this first person account is a mother's tale involving her love for and devotion to her children. But more than that, it is the story about her ... over achievement. I'll leave it at that because I don't want to give hints that will spoil the reading experience. Strengths. The main character Alisa Steward is so well drawn--I'm certain I know her, though by a different name. But all the characters are just as realistic. Their actions are well motivated and believable. They are likable, and I found myself pulling for them to do the right thing. There's lots of action, though not the melodramatic kind of the TV thriller, and what is happening inside Alisa is really the most important part of the story. The themes are strong, important, clear without being preachy. One central theme under girds the novel, but there are lots of other points a person can glean about drug abuse, not judging others, sacrifice, grief, redemption, anger, marital fidelity. All these and more in a fairly compact 300-page novel. The ending was handled exceptionally well, I thought. The resolution is poignant and hopeful, but not "perfect," which made it the perfect conclusion. Recommendation. Undoubtedly the book, marketed as contemporary fiction, will appeal most to women, but I think men can enjoy the story too. It's a well-written, important story, and I think it's a must read for Christian women. I highly recommend it to Christian guys as well.

I've been a Kathryn Cushman fan since her first book, A Promise to Remember. Each novel is getting better and better and Leaving Yesterday is the best. Kathryn's particular gift is exploring both sides of a dilemma and making the reader feel the angst of each "side." Leaving Yesterday is a bit different in that instead of two alternating points of view, this is a first person story told by Alisa Stewart. She's lost one son to street violence, her second son is lost to drugs, her husband has left her. All she has left is her ten-year old daughter and hope that her addicted son will return. Her prayers seem to be answered when Kurt checks himself into rehab and appears to have turned his life around. Then Alisa finds evidence of Kurt's involvement in a horrific crime. He's hiding something and Alisa fears the worst. She wavers about what to do and the reader is dragged along on Alisa's emotional journey. Leaving Yesterday is a wonderful story and I highly recommend it. You'll see and understand how a mother can do the one thing she thought she'd never do.