Saving Cicadas

Janie Doe is an eight year old whose life is less than ordinary. Living in a dysfunctional family in South Carolina, she does her best to cope with her unpleasant circumstances. With no father around, a mother coming apart at the seams, and a seventeen year old sister suffering from Down syndrome, her hopes and aspirations for living a normal life live quietly in her dreams. When her mother Priscilla discovers that she is unexpectedly pregnant, she decides to take the family on a road trip in order to clear her mind. With no job or means in which to support her family, she packs up her daughters with her mother and father in tow and heads nowhere in particular in hopes of coming to terms with the unfortunate hand that she has been dealt. As life sometimes does, she makes a full circle by heading back home to her childhood house. Upon her arrival, she reconnects with her brother Pastor Fritz which helps fill the familial void she's been carrying around for the better part of her life. Hoping to find Janie's dad Harlan so that they can once again become a family, she embarks on a journey to put her life back in order. Within no time, Priscilla makes peace with her new set of circumstances. With a new job and a roof above her head, she finally feels as if she can provide a nurturing home for her girls. If only she could turn back the clock and do away with her unwanted pregnancy. Then, her life would be complete. Yet, would destroying an innocent unborn baby's life in order to better provide for the children nestled in her arms truly be unjust? SAVING CICADAS is a powerful novel by the very talented Low country author Nicole Seitz who dares to ask the question about the validity of an unborn child's right to life. Through vivid and unforgettable characters, she reminds us all of the sheer beauty in the miracle of life. From start to finish, Seitz's story is truly a gem.

This book was an utter surprise to me. Took me for a nice trip with lots of twists and turns. I was lost most of the way, but in the end found the light. Saving Cicadas, is a brilliant novel, told mostly from a child's point of view. To see the world through innocence, and not know what is going on most of the time, to learn about the Macy family through snippets of ease dropping, grasp my attention through the whole book. The story follows the Macy family who is taken on a road trip after Priscilla (the young and beautiful mother) is pregnant again. She already has one daughter, Rainey, who has special needs, and another daughter, Janie, who is very wise for her age. Their daddy skipped town on his motorcycle never to be heard from again. Priscilla is taking the family on a trip of self discovery, and growth, and in the end she finds peace with herself. Nicole Seitz has a way with words to get you to love the characters through dialog, they characters have dept. The ending was a complete surprise, but leaves you wanting for more, but content if there isn't any. This book has subtle Christan undertones, and deals with children learning about God, Heaven, Death, and Ghosts. I found it very enjoyable and hope to read more from the Author. I highly recommend picking this book up it shows a different perspective on the events of today, and leaves you with a new view on things. (I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers for free to review, the opinions stated are solely mine and not influenced in anyway)

Saving Cicadas by Nicole Seitz is a delightful story about an unwed Mother of two daughters (one who is a special child with downs syndrome) who finds herself pregnant once again. She decides to take a trip to her past to see if she can find some answers to her current dilemma......and on the trip she brings along her daughters and her Mom and Dad. The story is full of surprises....just when you think you know what's going on, everything changes and it's not the way you thought it was at all. The author keeps you interested and wanting to read more. Every few pages takes a new twist and you find yourself wanting to read just a little bit further to find out where the story is going next. For a while I did wonder about some of the things the author brought into the story that are not necessarily Biblical, (especially about humans becoming angels after death) but by the end of the book you understand what the author was trying to accomplish with the subject. The author writes about each of the characters in this story in such a way that you fall in love with each one of them and you find yourself wanting things to work out for the best for each of them. The story is fun and fast-paced and the ending is very surprising, heart-warming, and thought-provoking. I would definitely recommend that you read Saving Cicadas.

I want to describe "Saving Cicadas" as deceptively imaginative, but `deceptive' could cast a negative shade over the story and I don't mean it in any negative way. Still, it's true, so I'm sticking with it. Saving Cicadas is deceptively imaginative. Nicole Seitz has woven a subtly explosive tale of redemption, hope and fantastical intrigue set in the flatlands of the South. It seemed harmless enough. When the theme began to emerge from the plot, I sat back, comfortable in my certainty with where the tale was going. I assumed the journey would be the focus as the destination was obvious. And then something happened. I straightened in my chair, narrowed my eyes, and read on. After a couple more chapters, all became clear again, and, lulled into a second brief period of smug satisfaction, I turned the page--and stepped right into another curve ball. Then came a fast ball. Then a slider. My gosh, Nicole! What are you doing here? What she was doing was incredible. Delivered in the first-person perspective mostly through the eyes of 8½ year-old Janie Doe Macy (who might not be who she thinks she is), and Grandma Mona (who might not be who you think she is), "Saving Cicadas" both celebrates and struggles with the miracle of life--all life; from bugs, to roses, to children, and a whole lot in between. But there's more to it than that. The true delight of the first-person voice is experiencing the story through the eyes of a character directly involved in it. If done well, it creates the effect of involving you in it, too. Nicole captures Janie's mind and vernacular so well, you don't experience the story with Janie, you become Janie. If you don't, either you've never been eight years old, or you have no pulse. "Saving Cicadas" is a journey of discovery, but you won't really know where it's leading until Ms. Seitz decides it's okay for you to know. She sets you up with a straightforward thematic thrust, putting you comfortably off guard, then keeps you off balance with simplistically complex plot. Multi-dimensional characters challenge your inclination to develop first impressions and stick with them for any meaningful length of time. Her colorful writing voice paints a warm and unpretentious backdrop--which is `deceptive' in its own right. Then, when you least expect it, the story picks up speed and passes the point of safe ejection before you have a chance to react. So, get yourself two cups of tea and unplug the telephone, `cuz you're not going anywhere for awhile. I guess you've probably noticed that I enjoyed this book. Please get it. If, when you've finished it, you don't agree with this review, I'll refund you the cover price. Seriously. One last bit of advice: Don't ever sit down at a poker table with Nicole Seitz. You haven't got a chance.

Saving Cicadas is a truly moving book. I always appreciate a book that can surprise me. I began to read this book with no clear expectations, but it soon became apparent that the author was trying to send a message. In a world that is almost completely pro-choice, I was very grateful to find that Ms. Seitz was offering both viewpoints. Not only does she represent the ideas and beliefs an unwed mother with limited options, but she also shows us how the mother's young daughters feel on the subject. It is easy to change our values as we become adults. Things that were once black and white become gray. We can delude ourselves into thinking that a woman should be able to choose whether or not she has a baby, that it isn't really murder. Ms. Seitz brings abortion to light through the eyes of child. Janie's questions and insight force the reader to dig deep and face the truth. I love this book because of the excellent writing, engaging characters, and strong sense of purpose. I would recommend it to all mothers and all those considering abortions. I feel that this book could also be very useful in talking to teens pregnancy and abortion. Ms. Seitz is a courageous author who is unafraid to speak out against social injustices. I applaud her efforts and praise her ability to tell a good yarn.