The Laying on of Hands

I loved this book. It was engaging, touching, and warmth to my heart. I laughed and cried. I could read it again and again. We need more books like this that share wonderful Messages by telling a story.

Meet "Miss Muchie"--an engaging character and the voice of The Laying on of Hands. So nicknamed by her Papa, Muchie's real name is Charlotte, but her family has a tradition of attaching strange and unusual names to each member...names that sometimes were as interesting as the life stories of the individual. In Muchie's case, Papa said that she was his "muchie sweet girl." Through Miss Muchie's recollections, readers are transported to the Mississippi and Alabama of the 1920s through the 1950s. Miss Muchie, her papa, and her grandmother, "Tyler Mama," have the gift of healing. People for miles and miles come to their home at all hours of the day and night seeking the healing powers of Papa and Tyler Mama. Muchie is certain that she wants no part of these healing powers and resists giving in to them at every opportunity until Muchie is about thirteen and Tyler Mama insists she learns to birth babies. This is a story of love, hope, faith, life and death. It is also a glimpse into the sometimes-misunderstood realm of "healing" with the most basic of natural commodities--hands and herbs. Tyler Mama teaches Muchie her homespun remedies during the house the two spend in the herb cottage behind their house. She has a potient or an ointment to heal almost any ailment.to treat the ills that the flesh is heir to. But it is her record of never having lost a mother or baby during childbirth that makes Tyler Mama most proud. Papa never takes any credit for his healing gifts. Knowing that many so-called healers blamed illness on spells and curses and then offer spells or charms as a way of healing, Papa was quick to say that he believed that most sickness came from the way people worked, ate and lived. He would often tell those who came to him for help that "Healing doesn't come from me, it works through me plain and simple. After I have done all that I know to do, I lay hands on the sick, bow my head and pray the gift will take over and do the rest." With gentle understanding and guidance, Tyler Mama passes her skills and knowledge on to her granddaughter despite Muchie's protests. But when Tyler Mama lies dying, Muchie is unable to save her own grandmother with those healing powers. When the gift of healing deserts her in her greatest hour of need, Muchie loses any desire to continue to heal. Throughout her life, in the few instances where she tries to resurrect her healing gift, her hand cannot save her beloved family members and friends. This becomes Muchie's great burden to bear. After the loss of two daughters and her husband, Teddy, Muchie wants nothing to do with healing ever again. But, when her young son Tom-Tom begins to display the same gifts, Muchie finds herself battling her own shortcomings and the knowledge that Tyler Mama would have wanted her to encourage the child to develop his gift. In the end, it is Tom-Tom who teaches Muchie about the overwhelming powers of love and faith to heal. When I reached the last page, I was sad to s

I am not a writer or professional reviewer. I was given this book by a childhood friend of the author and it lay around on my bookshelves for a few months before I read it. I enjoyed it so much, I couldn't put it down! I was sorry I waited so long to read it. The story is so reminiscent of stories told to me by my 90-year-old mother of her youth in Mississippi. I know Mrs. Miller has herself had a very interesting life. I can't wait for more works from her to be published. An autobiography written in her easy-to-read style would be welcome. Thanks, Brenda, for a great read. And I thank Delphine (up there in heaven) for giving me my copy.

This story really moved me- it flows and reads very easily. It draws you in very quickly. The story and the characters feel very real. I found myself crying when the main character went around her home saying good-by to all the things that she shared with her husband. It was if a friend of mine had lost something and I was crying for her loss. I don't think a book has ever moved me to tears. And I loved the candy cane striped house by the sea. It also gives you a peak into the Southern African American middle class culture, which has charm and warmth.

The Laying on of Hands is an extraordinary tale of life after slavery. The story chronicles a woman's family, looks into her spirit, details her loss and recognizes the acceptance of God's will. The history of family is important and what sustains them is key. The foundation of this family lays with Tyler Mama and Papa who are both great healers. The main character, Miss Munchie is an intelligent young woman who learns from Tyler Mama, the healing power in her own hands. New generations see love differently. Miss Munchie loves a man named Teddy hard, deep and forever. They had four beautiful children and a wonderful life until they start to lose faith. Once they stray away from Christ tragedy invaded their happiness and threatened everything they have built together. As the story unfolds, you discover one simple truth, that love triumphs all.  Friends, family and the faith of a stranger pull Miss Munchie back from the depths of despair. Mr. Winston comes along, blesses her with a job, and showers her children with love. Miss Munchie's business savvy propels the funeral home business to icon status within the state. Through years of love and faith, Miss Munchie opens her heart to God and a man. Her life comes full circle and happiness resides in her soul. Miller is on top of her craft with this novel. The story is heart- warming while it introduces issues of racism, true love, death, the gift of friendship and ideas of building wealth in the African- American community. The Laying on of Hands chronicles how life can throw curve balls and it's up to you to knock them out of the park.  Miller has definitely done that with this story. Reviewed by M. Bruner for Loose Leaves Book Review