Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Song of Renewal

3.32 of 5 stars 3.32 · rating details · 106 ratings · 27 reviews

Song of Renewal received glowing acclaim upon its hardcover release. Now, Emily Sue Harvey has dramatically expanded this extraordinarily touching work to allow us to experience its riches at new levels.

The Wakefields seem to have everything. Garrison is a hugely successful graphic artist. Liza is an active member of the community and a patron of the arts. Their 16-year-ol...more

Paperback, 300 pages

Published February 22nd 2011 by Story Plant, The (first published June 23rd 2009)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 427)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Oct 31, 2011 Jo-Anne Puggioni rated it 4 of 5 stars

Emily Sue Harvey's novel, 'Song of Renewal' was a page turner from start to finish. The book tells a story of a husband and wife who started off so much in love, but later find themselves very distant from each other. Garrison is an artist who runs his own graphic art business to provide for his family. Liza is a former dancer who loves her role as a stay at home mother of their only teenage daughter, Angel. When the daughter is involved in a car accident and her life hangs in the balance, the h...more

like · see review

Apr 27, 2011 Romancing the Book rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

Review by Stephanie

Blurb: The Wakefields seem to have everything. Garrison is a hugely successful graphic artist. Liza is an active member of the community and a patron of the arts. Their 16-year-old daughter Angel is bright, beautiful, and a gifted dancer. At the same time, though, they have traded away many of their dreams. Garrison gave up a future as an accomplished painter to make money. Liza suspended her own dancing career to raise a family. And Angel is setting aside her ambitions to liv...more Review by Stephanie

Blurb: The Wakefields seem to have everything. Garrison is a hugely successful graphic artist. Liza is an active member of the community and a patron of the arts. Their 16-year-old daughter Angel is bright, beautiful, and a gifted dancer. At the same time, though, they have traded away many of their dreams. Garrison gave up a future as an accomplished painter to make money. Liza suspended her own dancing career to raise a family. And Angel is setting aside her ambitions to live her mother's dream.

When Angel gets into a car accident that kills her first love, the Wakefields' lives turn on a dime. While Angel lies in a coma from which even the best prognosis is devastating, Garrison and Liza sit by her side, their once-passionate marriage in tatters. As their heartache over Angel builds, Garrison and Liza struggle to rediscover who they once were -- and who they were meant to be. They come to realize that it will take everything they have within themselves to heal Angel, heal their hearts, and renew the power of their love.

At once romantic, inspiring, and empowering, Song of Renewal is a rare bauble of a novel, one with something to say to every family.

What Stephanie Thought: The premise of this book had so much potential. Even the blurb was heartbreaking. But the blurb is pretty much the best thing that happened.
It wasn't that I didn't want to enjoy Song of Renewal. Honestly, it wasn't. But the character development was so weak, that it sort of happened on its own.

Angel in the story, who the reader doesn't really get to know since she is comatose for the majority of it, is under the impression that her father doesn't love her. Emily Sue Harvey tries to make the point through Liza's (Angel's mother) words, that he is just stoic and nature, and that he loves Angel very much. But to me, Angel seemed pretty spot-on. In the prologue, is the scene of Angel's birth, and the first thing Garrison thinks when he sees the newborn is: "Godammit, I wanted a son!" That sort of tells you what his attitude is like throughout the entire book. No matter what he argues ("I DO love you, sweetheart") it makes it rather hard to believe.

And then there is Liza. Harvey attempts to create Liza as a beautiful, ethereal mother-figure, but she's just about the last person I would want as a mother. Just about as egotistic as Garrison, possibly even more, she forces Angel to become a "dancer" (read, bulimic) her whole life, failing to see the reluctance in the child's eyes until AFTER she is on her deathbed.

The characters were too self-absorbed and oblivious for me to really enjoy this story. Nonetheless, I finished it because it was an easy read. It drew out seemingly unimportant scenes (4/5 of the novel was Liza and Garrison's inner battles that involved them talking to themselves a lot) but it wasn't painful to finish or anything. I really expected to like it, and for the most part, the plot was really genuine, but Harvey's writing style just disappointed me.

http://www.romancing-the-book.com/201...(less)

like · see review

Apr 25, 2011 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Guilt, the inability to forgive, and hope are strong elements that influence much of the action in Song of Renewal.

Two intelligent, talented, beautiful people find each other and a “soul mate” kind of love. Liza and Garrison Wakefield’s insatiable love for each other creates their precious child Angel. Theirs is a special family, but the mundane demands press in. Subtle changes creep into their lives. Both Liza and Garrison give up a part of themselves for what they believe to be the greater go...more Guilt, the inability to forgive, and hope are strong elements that influence much of the action in Song of Renewal.

Two intelligent, talented, beautiful people find each other and a “soul mate” kind of love. Liza and Garrison Wakefield’s insatiable love for each other creates their precious child Angel. Theirs is a special family, but the mundane demands press in. Subtle changes creep into their lives. Both Liza and Garrison give up a part of themselves for what they believe to be the greater good. Liza gives up ballet, her great love and talent, while Garrison gives up his art, his great love and talent. Both denied themselves the very thing that nurtured their inner beings.

In Garrison’s drive to make money in order to maintain their life style, he becomes absorbed in work. He distances himself from Angel and Liza just the way his parents had distanced themselves from him, something he vowed he would never do. The price he pays for this shatters his world. How he copes with the devastation pulls the reader into a maelstrom of emotions that crash and bang through Garrison’s heart and soul.

Liza, determined to never abandon Angel like her mother had abandoned her, becomes a stay-home mom and an overbearing backstage mother. She fails to see that Angel hates ballet even though she works hard to please her mother. Liza is unaware she lives through her daughter and she looks to Garrison to take care of their material needs never noticing the strain he is in. Neither of them nurtures their love for each other that has curled up deep inside starving for attention.

Angel’s tragedy is the catalyst that sets this emotional, introspective, heartbreaking story in motion. The guilt and inability to forgive hampers their struggle to reconnect with the inner self, with faith, with each other. Song of Renewal touches emotions that range from the darkest to the brightest.

The secondary characters create stories of their own as they support Liza, Garrison and Angel. Penny, Angel’s true friend who stays through thick and thin, adds sparkle to often dark times. Troy, with a special love and situation, gives Angel incredible support and spiritual courage with such great love—makes the heart sing.

Liza’s sister Charlcy is that pillar of strength that protected Liza as a child and gives her unconditional love as an adult. Outspoken, unforgiving, and fighting her own demons, Charlcy’s has a special story all her own, that adds a poignant dimension to the theme of ‘renewal’ that is a strong, ever-present thread throughout the story.

Emily Sue Harvey takes the reader on a remarkable journey into the hearts and souls of very caring characters that struggle with coming to terms with their flaws, with repentance, with forgiving, and acceptance. The characters’ hard won happiness shines with love, making Song of Renewal a beacon of hope—a compelling story.

originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...(less)

like · see review

Apr 17, 2011 Elena rated it 3 of 5 stars

Emily Sue Harvey's debut novel Song of Renewal was difficult for me to read at first. The family portrayed was so perfect that it was almost cloying. However, when the only daughter, a blonde cheerleader and All-American princess, sneaks away to make herself vomit up her supper, it becomes obvious that the perfection is only a brittle veneer. Eliza (the mother) defies (the father) Garrison's wish that Angel (the daughter) stay safely at home on a dark and stormy night. With Eliza's blessing, Ang...more Emily Sue Harvey's debut novel Song of Renewal was difficult for me to read at first. The family portrayed was so perfect that it was almost cloying. However, when the only daughter, a blonde cheerleader and All-American princess, sneaks away to make herself vomit up her supper, it becomes obvious that the perfection is only a brittle veneer. Eliza (the mother) defies (the father) Garrison's wish that Angel (the daughter) stay safely at home on a dark and stormy night. With Eliza's blessing, Angel and her boyfriend go for a drive in the storm; a terrible car accident ensues. The family shatters like glass.

Not only is Angel in a coma, but her boyfriend Troy dies in the accident. The hopes of two families are destroyed, although Troy's family does not come into the story much. Liza, who had a traumatic childhood, is thrust into maelstrom of past guilt and old wounds as she waits to discover whether her daughter will survive. Garrison is confronted with his own past demons. I thought it was annoying of Liza to blame Garrison for everything but I suppose she was speaking from her own guilt, since she was the one who encouraged the young people to go out in the rain. I found her a little spoiled and narcissistic in spite of (or maybe because of) her dysfunctional childhood.

While the tragedy is of the kind anyone would find heartbreaking to read about, I had trouble relating to the characters' ways of dealing with the ordeal. Of course, people have different ways of coping with pain and I suppose becoming more self-absorbed is one way of feeling better. The character I liked the best was Charlcy, Liza's older sister. Charlcy is the one who protected Liza from the abuse of their seriously deranged mother while growing up. Charlcy is the opposite of Eliza in that her life is openly a mess; she does not mince words and lets everyone know what she thinks. The most pathetic character is Angel, who even while she was healthy lived a life of many layers of deception. It is interesting that Charlcy, who bore the brunt of physical and psychological abuse, has it more together than Angel of the perfect family and perfect childhood. Perhaps it is because Angel's parents were trying to work out their unresolved issues through her rather than parenting her in a mature manner. At any rate, Angel's long hospitalization becomes a catalyst for self-examination and the renewal of relationships.

Anyone who enjoys novels with a great deal of psychological introspection will find Song of Renewal to be a rewarding read. I think it would make a fine made-for-television movie on the Lifetime Movie Channel or the Gospel Music Channel. It is a story of ordinary people getting through extraordinary circumstances with grace and grit, finding courage they did not know they had. Most especially it is about how God can bring good out of anything, a truth of which I for one need to be reminded over and over again.

(*NOTE: Song of Renewal was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.)(less)

like · see review

Jan 28, 2011 Karielle Stephanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog

Blurb: The Wakefields seem to have everything. Garrison is a hugely successful graphic artist. Liza is an active member of the community and a patron of the arts. Their 16-year-old daughter Angel is bright, beautiful, and a gifted dancer. At the same time, though, they have traded away many of their dreams. Garrison gave up a future as an accomplished painter to make money. Liza suspended her own dancing career to raise a family. And Angel is setting aside her ambitions to live her mother's drea...more Blurb: The Wakefields seem to have everything. Garrison is a hugely successful graphic artist. Liza is an active member of the community and a patron of the arts. Their 16-year-old daughter Angel is bright, beautiful, and a gifted dancer. At the same time, though, they have traded away many of their dreams. Garrison gave up a future as an accomplished painter to make money. Liza suspended her own dancing career to raise a family. And Angel is setting aside her ambitions to live her mother's dream.
When Angel gets into a car accident that kills her first love, the Wakefields' lives turn on a dime. While Angel lies in a coma from which even the best prognosis is devastating, Garrison and Liza sit by her side, their once-passionate marriage in tatters. As their heartache over Angel builds, Garrison and Liza struggle to rediscover who they once were -- and who they were meant to be. They come to realize that it will take everything they have within themselves to heal Angel, heal their hearts, and renew the power of their love.
At once romantic, inspiring, and empowering, Song of Renewal is a rare bauble of a novel, one with something to say to every family.

What Stephanie Thought: The premise of this book had so much potential. Even the blurb was heartbreaking. But the blurb is pretty much the best thing that happened.
It wasn't that I didn't want to enjoy Song of Renewal. Honestly, it wasn't. But the character development was so weak, that it sort of happened on its own.
Angel in the story, who the reader doesn't really get to know since she is comatose for the majority of it, is under the impression that her father doesn't love her. Emily Sue Harvey tries to make the point through Liza's (Angel's mother) words, that he is just stoic and nature, and that he loves Angel very much. But to me, Angel seemed pretty spot-on. In the prologue, is the scene of Angel's birth, and the first thing Garrison thinks when he sees the newborn is: Godammit, I wanted a son! That sort of tells you what his attitude is like throughout the entire book. No matter what he argues ("I DO love you, sweetheart") it makes it rather hard to believe.
And then there is Liza. Harvey attempts to create Liza as a beautiful, ethereal mother-figure, but she's just about the last person I would want as a mother. Just about as egotistic as Garrison, possibly even more, she forces Angel to become a "dancer" (read, bulimic) her whole life, failing to see the reluctance in the child's eyes until AFTER she is on her deathbed.
The characters were too self-absorbed and oblivious for me to really enjoy this story. Nonetheless, I finished it because it was an easy read. It drew out seemingly unimportant scenes (4/5 of the novel was Liza and Garrison's inner battles that involved them talking to themselves a lot) but it wasn't painful to finish or anything. I really expected to like it, and for the most part, the plot was really genuine, but Harvey's writing style just disappointed me.

Stephanie Loves: "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them." (quote by Henry David Thoreau)

Where Stephanie Got It: The Story Plant via Jen at Romancing the Book for review.

Radical Rating: 6 hearts- Would recommend to people. ♥♥♥♥♥♥(less)

like · see review

Aug 08, 2009 Diane rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In The Song of Renewal, by Emily Sue Harvey, Liza and Garrison Wakefield seem to be the perfect couple. Garrison is a talented graphic artist, and Liza is a stay-at-home mom. Liza is active in the community and a patron of the arts. Each of them had other dreams for themselves -- Liza wanted to be a ballet dancer, and Garrison wanted to become an accomplished artist. Instead, they married, gave up those dreams, and had a child. Now their life revolves around their 16 year old, gifted daughter An...more

like · see review

Jul 13, 2009 Melody rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have not read a good inspirational novel for a while, so when I was offered the opportunity to review Song of Renewal by Emily Sue Harvey, I grabbed it.

Song of Renewal centered around the Wakefields' family, whose all members seem to have everything. Garrison, the head of the family is a hugely successful graphic artist and his wife, Liza is an active member of the community and a patron of the arts. Their 16-year-old daughter, Angel, is beautiful and a gifted dancer. Before this, Garrison an...more I have not read a good inspirational novel for a while, so when I was offered the opportunity to review Song of Renewal by Emily Sue Harvey, I grabbed it.

Song of Renewal centered around the Wakefields' family, whose all members seem to have everything. Garrison, the head of the family is a hugely successful graphic artist and his wife, Liza is an active member of the community and a patron of the arts. Their 16-year-old daughter, Angel, is beautiful and a gifted dancer. Before this, Garrison and Liza used to have their dreams - to be an accomplished painter and a ballet dancer but they traded their dreams away, thinking that things and their current lifewould be enough to hold a family together. Plus, they have high hopes for Angel and Liza has hoped that Angel would fulfill her dream to become a ballet dancer.

Unfortunately, all things seem to come to a halt when Angel has met in a car accident. Her boyfriend, Troy, was killed instantly and Angel's injuries are beyond critical. While she lies in a coma from which even the best prognosis is devastating, the relationship between Garrison and Liza became strained. While Liza blamed herself in a way for letting Angel and Troy left for a concert on a rainy night, she is also hoping that she would lent some support from Garrison but his anger and resentment got into the way.

But seeing the critical stage Angel is facing and their heartache over her builds, Garrison and Liza began to question themselves and at the same time, struggle to rediscover who they once were and who they were meant to be. They discover that besides praying for Angel, the other only way they could do for her is to focus all their strength and love to help heal Angel, meanwhile also refocusing their relationship and bringing back the faith and to forgive each other.

Song of Renewal is a great inspirational story without being preachy. Reading this story has made me appreciate my life and my family more than ever. Each family has its story, and no matter how good or bad life is, it always takes trust, faith and love in building and making the bonds stronger, and of course, not forgetting forgiveness and commitment.

I also liked how the story is nicely wrapped up in the end. After all, one must not loses hope and through the miracles and the power of love, one would expect his ray of rainbow after every storm. Don't you think so?
(less)

like · see review

Nov 12, 2011 Leah rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved the beginning. I was so drawn to the characters. My heart went out to both parents. Then towards the 40% of the book, it got so boring. It started talking about Liza's dad alot. There wasn't enough substance about the relationship growing. It also went on and on about the artwork and the dancing. Too much description took away from the storyline. I was telling others all about this book in the beginning of it, then towards the end I started telling people how it veered off from the begin...more

like · see review

Aug 23, 2009 Cheryl C. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A touching, heartfelt story of forgiveness and love can be found in "Song of Renewal" by Emily Sue Harvey.

Garrison, Liza and Angel Wakefield seem like the perfect family. What no one knows is how they sacrificed their own dreams for this perfection. When a car accident leaves Angel in a coma, the false perfection begins to give way, and Garrison and Liza's marriage crumbles. Can they rediscover who they once were and help Angel heal?

"Song of Renewal" is an inspirational story of one family's j...more

like · see review

Apr 18, 2012 Sarah (Workaday Reads) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012

This is such a painfully personal story. Almost everything emotionally and physically painful happens to someone in the story, but it nevers seems overdone or excessive.

I was taken on an emotional rollercoaster that was firmly in the sad side in the beginning, and only reached happiness near the end. Reading the book, I was near the end before I was able to believe or understand the cover quote about the book being "uplifting" and "heartwarming".

Overall, I'd suggest this book if you want a quick...more

like · see review

Nov 20, 2011 Fiona rated it 2 of 5 stars

This was a free kindle book and not a bad read. The Wakefields have the perfect life on the surface, but their marriage is crumbling and their daughter unhappy that she is being forced to live her life through her mum. When an accident leaves Angel in a critical state Garrison and Liza are forced to review their marriage and their plans if and when Angel recovers. The story focuses on how they attempt to repair their marriage and focus solely on their daughter. An ok read if you haven't much els...more

like · see review

May 28, 2011 Chris rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: free-on-my-kindle, just-not-my-cup-of-tea

I just cannot get into this book. I don't relate to the mother at all...not in just her reaction to her daughter's situation but how she is handling the whole thing. I can't seem to care where the story is going or if there is indeed "renewal", I just am not interested. And why does the mom's sister have this folksy, down-homey southern speech and she doesn't? I don't know, maybe I'll pick it back up in awhile, but I doubt it, I think I am finished.

like · see review

Sep 06, 2011 Josephine rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, wish-i-d-never-opened, read-in-2011

I downloaded this from Amazon, luckily for free. Honestly, if I could give this book minus stars then I would. I don't think I have ever read such utter tripe in my entire life. Seriously, the only positive thing to come from reading this is that I actually now believe I could get a book deal! What a waste of my time.

like · see review

Mar 12, 2011 Laura rated it 2 of 5 stars

I got this book via First Reads. The story was ok. As another reviewer stated, it did seem a little rushed. But I didn't mind that because it just wasn't my cup of tea. I was thrown off by the whole "horrible & dangerous birth" cliche & couldn't get over it. (By the way, it's a cesarean birth & not a Cesarian birth.) I have a low tolerance for the "birth is so dangerous" shtick that so many people use. It's actually terribly uncommon for a young woman to need a radical hysterectomy a...more

1 like · like · see review

May 26, 2011 Mel rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was deeply emotional. I enjoyed it very much. The only fault I can find is that the author went a little too far with the happy endings. Some of the plot conflicts should have been left unresolved. Other than that, I like the format...seeing the story from the victim and the survivors points of view.

like · see review

May 23, 2011 Hillary rated it 1 of 5 stars

not worth the price (which was free). vaguely religious undertones. poor characterizations. completely predictable. Emily Sue Harvey, my deepest apologies for I am sure it is painful to read this kind of review. But this was not good writing. I'm so sorry.

like · see review

Jun 23, 2011 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars

Writing is okay, but not good enough to carry a novel that's basically internal dialogue of unremarkable characters. It tries to be messy, but just ends up tidy, predictable, and mostly flat.

like · see review

Mar 07, 2011 Tina on the Hill rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone and My Daughter

Recommended to Tina on the Hill by: First Reads

Shelves: first-reads

I enjoyed "Song of Renewal". This story encouraged laughs, sighs and several tears from me. Quick and intense, I found myself on an emotional roller-coaster ride that left me feeling refreshed and satisfied. As a fan of happy endings, I was not disappointed!

I must acknowledge this book was received through Goodreads First Reads. I am so very pleased to have received a copy. As this is not my usual type of reading material, I doubt I would have purchased one. I would not have known what I was mis...more

like · see review

Mar 19, 2012 Delilah Trenaman rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a great story about overcoming obstacles and having faith to move on with your life after something devastating happens.

like · see review

Jan 26, 2011 Tasha added it

Shelves: first-reads-novels

Just won this book and I can't wait to receive it so I can read and review it.

Thanks Good Reads!

like · see review

Jun 21, 2011 Lynne Baum rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is a must read. Not the usual romanc-y junk. Thought provoking and faith based.

like · see review

Aug 31, 2011 Babs rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

Really makes you stop and think about living each moment day by day!

like · see review

Aug 10, 2009 Wendy rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The story was sound enough, but I felt it was rushed.

like · see review

Jun 01, 2011 Lisa rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Started out really good. The middle got horribly boring.

like · see review

Jun 13, 2011 LJ rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A little hard to get through - wasn't particularly good at holding my attention.

like · see review

Jul 19, 2011 Beth rated it 5 of 5 stars

A great book...a story of commitment, love, hope, faith, forgiveness and finding one's own personal truth after tragedy. An emotional story that will bring Hope to any situation you are facing that seems hopeless.

like · see review

Jun 11, 2011 Joyce Servis rated it 2 of 5 stars

A summer read, not terrific, too much going on.

like · see review

May 20, 2013 Vee rated it 3 of 5 stars

May 19, 2013 Wendy Krautheim is currently reading it

May 18, 2013 Sheila rated it 4 of 5 stars

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 14 15 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (7)

More editions...

Genres

Romance

8 users

Christian Fiction

2 users

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Emily Sue Harvey

Emily Sue Harvey’s writing to make a difference. Her upbeat stories have appeared in dozens of anthologies including “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” “Chocolate for Women,” “From Eulogy to Joy,” “A Father’s Embrace,” “True Story,” “Compassionate Friends Magazine,” and “Woman’s World.” Emily Sue served as president of Southeastern Writers Association in 2008-2009. Her first novel, Song of Renewal, publ...more

More about Emily Sue Harvey...

Books by Emily Sue Harvey

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Song of Renewal

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Song of Renewal
avg rating	preview: Song of Renewal Goodreads rating: 3.32 (106 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10220752-song-of-renewal?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328735970l/10220752.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10220752-song-of-renewal?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Song of Renewal by Emily Sue Harvey[/url]

Song of Renewal

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website