I received several books for Christmas, which I was very happy about. I've only had time to read one so far, but I really enjoyed it! It's called A Song for Issy Bradley by Carys Bray. It's her first novel, and it tells the story of what happens to the Bradley family when the youngest child, Issy, dies.
The Bradley family are Mormons. The dad, Ian, is a bishop, and his wife, Claire, became Mormon before she married him. They have four children: teenage Zippy, who has recently fallen in love; football-crazy Alma; Jacob, who is starting to learn about his faith; and four-year-old Issy.
A Song for Issy Bradley is really a book about faith. It gives insight into the Mormon religion and the day-to-day life of its members. Ultimately, it explores how faith can be affected by tragedy. Each chapter focuses on a different family member and their struggle to come to terms with Issy's death. Although Ian is unfaltering in his beliefs, he finds it difficult to accept that Issy has died; Claire sinks into a deep depression; and Zippy, Alma, and Jacob all question their faith in different ways as they try to understand their sister's death.
Although the storyline is evidently not a very happy one, A Song for Issy Bradley is a funny and heart-warming book and it is full of interesting and endearing characters! For me, one of the most interesting things about this novel is that it shows the Mormon religion from the inside, as the author herself was raised in the Mormon church.
I would definitely recommend A Song for Issy Bradley, and I look forward to Carys Bray's next book!
Have you read any good books recently?
