Leota's Garden

I've read 6 other books by her and I would give 5 stars for all of them. This one not so great but just ok.

Shows God's grace.

This was a selection for my Christian book club. Bottom line, you would be better off reading something else. The writing seems melodramatic at times, almost like a really bad romance novel. The dialogue about faith is also incredibly contrived. No one talks like that. The overall story about multi-generations in one family has a lot of potential, but there is almost zero character development. The majority of the characters aren't likeable and tend to come off as whiny. The writer doesn't tie up all the storylines, which makes it frustrating when there is no sequel. The ending is far fetched and some of the storylines are unbelievable. The author seemed to try to fit in a bunch of hot topics of the day (i.e. abortion, holocaust, euthanasia, depression) without focusing on one enough to really have an impact. I have heard that this author has better books out there, but I don't think I'll be in a rush to read anything else by her.

Leota's Garden by Francine Rivers addresses many of the problems we face each day--aging parents and grandparents, family disfunction, relationship problems. The refreshing thing about Rivers is that she doesn't try to solve these problems with band aids, but applies God's Word. She also points out that God's view is eternal and all problems may not be solved in our time frame. A very good read that makes one think.

This is one of the BEST books I've ever read! It stays with you even after you've finished, and to me that is the mark of a good author and book! Leota's Garden is the story of a young woman, her grandmother and their family. Because of hard feelings, misunderstandings and hatred by other family members, Annie has never really known her grandmother. She determines to get to know her. Grandma Leota is an old woman, living alone in a rundown house in an undesirable neighborhood. All she wants is for the Lord to take her home! When Annie comes to visit her and continues these visits, Leota has something to live for again. Annie was a bit "too good to be true", but she also inspired me to live my life in a better way. Her love for her grandmother touched me so. It made me thankful that I had been fortunate to have a good, loving relationship with my own grandma, who reminded me of Leota with her love of her garden and flowers. This story also shows us so vividly how we treat the elderly today. We push them to the back of our busy lives and don't spend time seeing them as real people who can contribute to our lives!The book opens your heart and eyes to so much. I was a bit disappointed in a few things. I didn't like the "surprising way" that Leota died. I had hoped Annie would end up with one of her two enamored young fellas. But, isn't this life?? Things don't always turn out as we want. This story showed me once again that God is in control of each of our lives. This is my favorite book by Francine Rivers and I've read several and enjoyed them. I checked this out from the library, but already bought a copy for myself. I plan to re-read this book again and again!

I haven't read a story this compelling in years. The young granddaughter that hasn't seen much of her aging grandmother due to an unfortunate communication problem, finds the joy and love she has missed from her own mother. Add some interesting friends and other family members, Leota (the grandmother) soon has more company than she bargained for; and is thoroughly enjoying herself, much to her mother's disdain! Annie hangs in there with Leota, defying her mother's "orders" and finds her own balance with God in her life. I read this book in two evenings. Very hard to put it down. "Thanks Mom for giving me this book to read, and for all the happiness I experienced in my childhood".

Leota's Garden was a joy to read! It not only is good, readable fiction, but it encouraged me to allow my feelings to be vulnerable to become a part of the story. As I read, I felt the feelings of the characters and was able to place myself in situations that I do not daily experience.Francine Rivers has become one of my favorite authors and I highly recommend Leota's Garden to any reader who has not yet experienced the joy of a Christian fiction book!

Frankly, this book surprised me. As a man who was reading a book that is primarily intended for women, I didn't think that a book about an old lady and her garden could make for much of a plot. Wrong! Francine Rivers is a masterful fiction writer who really knows how to weave a great story. Just when you think you have the plot figured out and heading in a straight line to the finish, she throws in a gentle twist that makes you blink in surprise. This is her second book that examines in depth the relationship between three generations of women (the first being The Last Sin Eater). It is a subject that Francine has obviously given a lot of thought to. Her observations of the interworkings between the generations are excellent, and the interaction between the characters totally believeable. Leota's Garden is definitely a five star work of fiction.