The Oak Leaves

Maureen Lang has crafted one of the best true-to-life novels I've read in a very long time. Writing out of her own experience, Lang gently but honestly reveals the inner workings of parents who want what's best for their children--often without realizing that their idea of best and God's may be heartbreaks apart. The conflict between the two, the depths of denial, and the relinquishing of dreams are issues that span the centuries, establishing legacies and testing commitments, yet opening eyes to greater truth and simpler love. Skillfully written and poignantly honest, The OAK LEAVES delivers everything it promises--and more.

The book has been summarized so eloquently by others here, so I won't do it again. I loved the Historical/Contemporary setting of this book. Regency England happens to be one of my favorite historical time periods. The fact that the author has pulled from her own personal struggles with a child with Fragile X syndrome makes it a richer book. We can feel the hurt and disappointment in the characters when they discover their child will not live a "normal" life. The book raises the question of whether to have children if you knew there was a small liklihood that they could possibly have a medical condition. I highly recommend the book, especially to parents of children with disorders.

Talie and Luke Ingram have everything they want in life--a good marriage, a wonderful baby boy, and financial stability. When Talie discovers a journal that belonged to an ancestor from Ireland in the mid-nineteenth century, she is intrigued. But when the journal reveals some frightening things about a family "curse," Talie hides it away, refusing to deal with the past. But could the past be affecting the present--her baby boy? Born and raised in Ireland, though she is half English, Cosima Escott is affected by the curse and has sworn she'll never marry. When a proposal is made by Reginald, an Englishman, Cosima's parents believe the future of the family is redeemed. Cosima travels to England with Reginald, though she refrains from giving an answer to his proposal. Here she meets Lord Peter Hamilton and his family. Although she begins to fall in love with Peter, because he is in line to receive his father's title, Cosima knows she could never marry him and possibly bring the "curse" upon his family for future generations. Will Talie and Luke be strong enough to face the truth about their son? Will Cosima be able to overcome the fears about her curse and accept Peter's love? How can God bring good through circumstances that seem so bad? Maureen Lang has created a powerful and poignant story that deals with the fears and hurts of having a Fragile X child. This book could have been written by someone else, but would have lacked the emotion that Lang put into it. Through Lang's own experience with a Fragile X child, she has been able to share the joys of living with this genetic disorder. Both stories, past and present, are woven carefully between chapters, and it really works well. It is obvious by the historical details in this novel that Lang put long hours of research into making it true to the period. The dialogue and actions between characters was used effectively to portray the strong emotion that this book pours from each page. Armchair Interviews says: This was a wonderful inspirational read--highly recommended.

Oak Leaves is a deeply moving, emotional journey that will change how you view life. I know it did for me. And I couldn't put this book down--kept reading it through the night. I definitely understand more about what it means to face hardship and still come out seeing what God is doing through it. An intriquing, wonderful story that will definitely keep you reading!

Every parent dreams of a bright future for their child. When a child is diagnosed with a profound developmental disability, it can be devastating. So it is for Talie Ingram. When she reads of an ancestral "curse" that seemed to cause feeblemindedness in boys, Talie is put to the test of her life. Talie's little boy is far behind "average" toddlers in development. She's been able to deny any significance, but reading the journal left by her ancestor, Cosima Escott, forces her to see the truth. Cosima grew up in Ireland on a family estate. She believes her family is cursed with feeblemindedness, as her brothers, uncle, and male cousins were afflicted. A terrible tragedy in the past year seems to have cemented a lonely future... Until a proposition of marriage unexpectedly arrives from London. She soon learns all is not what it seems. In reading Cosima's story, Talie will be offered insights she may have never received otherwise. Will Talie retain her faith in God's love, or will this ordeal shatter her world? In her third novel of inspirational fiction, Maureen Lang combines a contemporary and historical approach to not only weave a story of hope, but also to present a fair and loving light on Fragile X, a genetic disorder that can cause mild to profound developmental disabilities. Mother to a son with Fragile X, Lang has clearly written a novel from the heart, suffusing it with a well of emotion and faith. Have tissues at hand, clear your schedule, and be ready to smile. This novel is a winner, pure and simple. Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer 04/23/2007 Also by Maureen Lang: Pieces of Silver: A Novel & Remember Me: A Novel