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The Arms of God
Alice is making her daughter dinner when her mother Olivia, who left her at a day care center when she was four, appears at her door. Alice has learned almost nothing about Olivia, when suddenly Olivia dies, leaving Alice to sift through her belongings. As she pieces together her mother's life, Alice learns how a woman can become so desperate that she leaves her child-- and so courageous that she finds her again.
Not since her bestselling book The Friendship Cake has Hinton created characters who are so filled with heartache and fragile hope.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
16 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Hinton
25 books182 followersLynne Hinton is the pastor of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The author of numerous novels including Friendship Cake, Hope Springs, Forever Friends, Christmas Cake, and Wedding Cake, she lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 12, 2010
I really should say a plus 3 or a minus 4 on my rating because I definetly liked this book.
One of the reasons I liked it was because of the beauty of the language Ms. Hinton uses. I found her descriptions and character development just eloquent.
For example : "They woke up early, beginning their errands without complaint, and they fell asleep just as the sun was dropping, their days and nights filled up with living a woman's life. They laughed at the changes in their bodies, the loosening of their longings, and in between the long hours of cleaning and earning pay, they dreamed great dreams for themselves." describing the growing up of the two girls who are pertinent to the plotline.
Lots of wonderful characters, but a sad story. A story of family dysfunction and some horrible behaviors dealt to the children of the dysfunction. Read it when you can afford to cry a bit. I did. Wishing I could help. But the help never comes in this book and when it is over you are haunted by that. I liked it though. I really liked it.
One of the reasons I liked it was because of the beauty of the language Ms. Hinton uses. I found her descriptions and character development just eloquent.
For example : "They woke up early, beginning their errands without complaint, and they fell asleep just as the sun was dropping, their days and nights filled up with living a woman's life. They laughed at the changes in their bodies, the loosening of their longings, and in between the long hours of cleaning and earning pay, they dreamed great dreams for themselves." describing the growing up of the two girls who are pertinent to the plotline.
Lots of wonderful characters, but a sad story. A story of family dysfunction and some horrible behaviors dealt to the children of the dysfunction. Read it when you can afford to cry a bit. I did. Wishing I could help. But the help never comes in this book and when it is over you are haunted by that. I liked it though. I really liked it.
June 10, 2023
Though I nearly gave up on this, the final thirty pages had several amazing quotes.
"I want to be a farmer, own a little piece of land. I want to add color to a world that sees only black and white. I want to laugh with old friends and read books and fall in love. I want to be left alone and drive a truck on a dirt road and not be afraid. I want to dream my own dreams instead of having somebody else stuff theirs inside me."
"I did not know how to be a mother. I did not think I was capable of such a role, such a relationship. I had no island of memory, no foundation of wisdom within me. I had no place to go. And I wasn't sure I should even try."
"She was my mother's friend; she was the only person. She was the one who was yanked up by the roots and given to the wind, the one who had broken free from death and had become my mother's final resting place. She was the source of my mother's courage to find me, and the strength finally to put all the ghosts away."
Well worth wading through some tough things in the plot.
"I want to be a farmer, own a little piece of land. I want to add color to a world that sees only black and white. I want to laugh with old friends and read books and fall in love. I want to be left alone and drive a truck on a dirt road and not be afraid. I want to dream my own dreams instead of having somebody else stuff theirs inside me."
"I did not know how to be a mother. I did not think I was capable of such a role, such a relationship. I had no island of memory, no foundation of wisdom within me. I had no place to go. And I wasn't sure I should even try."
"She was my mother's friend; she was the only person. She was the one who was yanked up by the roots and given to the wind, the one who had broken free from death and had become my mother's final resting place. She was the source of my mother's courage to find me, and the strength finally to put all the ghosts away."
Well worth wading through some tough things in the plot.
September 25, 2014
What an interesting portrayal of the depravity of man, and how, unless we have Jesus, it continues generation to generation. It deals with emotional scars left by abject poverty, abusive parents, sexual immorality, drunkenness and exposure to things no child should have to see.
The epilogue sets up the story by introducing us to Alice who was abandoned at age 4 and then reunited some 30 years later with her mother only to have that mother die a mere 20 days later. The rest of the book goes into the story of Olivia the mother. I won't tell any of that story. But read it through. See it through the eyes of a little girl in post Depression North Carolina who lived, literally, at the divide of the "white side" and "black side" of town.
It isn't until the very last pages that you see the redeeming love of God and salvation. That one event alone turned the generational tide.
I would love to see a sequel on what happened after the institute.
The epilogue sets up the story by introducing us to Alice who was abandoned at age 4 and then reunited some 30 years later with her mother only to have that mother die a mere 20 days later. The rest of the book goes into the story of Olivia the mother. I won't tell any of that story. But read it through. See it through the eyes of a little girl in post Depression North Carolina who lived, literally, at the divide of the "white side" and "black side" of town.
It isn't until the very last pages that you see the redeeming love of God and salvation. That one event alone turned the generational tide.
I would love to see a sequel on what happened after the institute.
August 19, 2010
I was really unsatisfied with the set-up for this book. It purports to be about a mother re-entering the life of the adult daughter she abandoned at age 4. But the entire rest of the book describes the mother's own childhood. That was a fairly good plot and story in itself, but the novel did not adequately explain or explore the connection to the situation with the abandoned daughter or how the mother navigated adulthood. There was also no opportunity in the book for the mother and daughter to develop a relationship. I was left feeling like this novel took two separate stories and tried to cram them into one novel, without success. I was drawn to the characters and the story of the mother's own childhood, however.
November 16, 2013
This was one of the most touching and sad books I've ever read. However, it very eloquently portrays a story of survival in the face of overwhelming life conditions and tragedies. It realistically looks at different faces of survival - not all are pretty, not all are satisfactory. I especially loved the story of friendship, sisterhood, strength and support between the girls, Tree and Olivia.
I enjoyed Lynne Hinton's way with words and turns of phrase in her previous works and this book allowed me to savor her style even more so. Maya Angelou's recommendation (appears on the front cover of my copy) is spot on.
Not for everyone. Definitely, do not attempt to read this book if you are in an emotionally fragile time in your life.
I enjoyed Lynne Hinton's way with words and turns of phrase in her previous works and this book allowed me to savor her style even more so. Maya Angelou's recommendation (appears on the front cover of my copy) is spot on.
Not for everyone. Definitely, do not attempt to read this book if you are in an emotionally fragile time in your life.
August 9, 2008
I absolutely LOVED this book. I plan on going to the library tomorrow to get anything else I can find by this author. It is a quick read and a wonderful tale of friendship, loss and the mistakes we make while trying to survive the tragedies in life we cannot stop or control.
June 14, 2015
Poetically beautiful- but too much so. Parts went on and on with beautiful writing, but after a while - yawn. Other key parts were skimmed over so quickly that you had to retract them to be sure they actually happened. Not a bad story, but not my type of preferred writing.
December 3, 2022
This book was filled with trauma and loss. I identified with Alice and Olivia, and their complicated relationships with their mothers. I did not grow up with my biological mother; I've never even met her. Throughout my life I've wondered what she was like, what her upbringing was like, and what she may have experienced in life that caused her to turn to drugs and ultimately abandon me and my sister when we were infants. I've wondered who I would be had she been present in my life as a loving and attentive mother. Even now, as a mother myself, her absence in my life has affected my own ability to be a parent and my perception of others and my personal relationships. I wish more studies were done on the effects of maternal abandonment on daughters specifically, but this book provides a good fictional depiction of how one's trauma can affect generations for years or decades. I wonder who the old woman and man were that took Alice in after she left the mental institution? Tree and her spouse? It couldn't have been E. Saul because he was killed. This part confused me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2024
I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately, I feel like it dragged on in certain insignificant parts and just skimmed over briefly some major events such as Alice's conception. I don't feel like it flowed well from Olivia's childhood into adulthood, and I would have liked to have seen more of their interaction from her birth until Olivia dropped her off. It had the possibility of being a top contender for one of my favorites, but it just fell flat for me. Beautifully written but lacking in explanations and other details.
May 16, 2019
Well written.
October 6, 2020
Just could not get into this story - read halfway and stopped
December 10, 2024
This is an interesting book about how pain and disconnect is past through generations. It is also a story about how trauma can convince us of lies about who we are and if we are capable of love.
April 28, 2019
Full of lovely, unusual phrasing that brings to life eras when life was slower and often difficult, especially for people of color. Important themes: deep, deep friendships; broken hopes and wishes; limited options; unexpected kindness and acceptance. If you love Southern fiction you must read this novel.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgally for an advance reader's copy of this book.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgally for an advance reader's copy of this book.
September 1, 2016
Although I am (mostly) glad that I persevered through this book, I can't say that I loved it.
Pros:
It is beautifully written - the images and the characters really come alive. I gained a new appreciation for the level of human despair, and for the power of friendship as well.
It has an intriguing and subtle ending, which required me to refer back to previous chapters just to make sure that what I thought, was really there. (I can't say more without a spoiler)
It is much more complex than the Hope Springs books by the same author.
Cons:
It is overwhelmingly depressing and sad - I think the uplifting parts are too short and too subtle to balance the rest.
I felt there was a disconnect between the prologue/epilogue (Alice) and the main body of the story (Olivia). Alice "understands" her mother after perusing her scrapbook, yet there were so few items in the scrapbook that Alice could not possibly have understood the entire story as the reader does.
So, the writing is amazing, but the story is so depressing that I can only give it two stars, because I can't honestly say that I liked it.
Pros:
It is beautifully written - the images and the characters really come alive. I gained a new appreciation for the level of human despair, and for the power of friendship as well.
It has an intriguing and subtle ending, which required me to refer back to previous chapters just to make sure that what I thought, was really there. (I can't say more without a spoiler)
It is much more complex than the Hope Springs books by the same author.
Cons:
It is overwhelmingly depressing and sad - I think the uplifting parts are too short and too subtle to balance the rest.
I felt there was a disconnect between the prologue/epilogue (Alice) and the main body of the story (Olivia). Alice "understands" her mother after perusing her scrapbook, yet there were so few items in the scrapbook that Alice could not possibly have understood the entire story as the reader does.
So, the writing is amazing, but the story is so depressing that I can only give it two stars, because I can't honestly say that I liked it.
May 23, 2011
Do NOT read this book! It’s full of sexual immorality, cruelty, crudity, and the worst of human nature. One of the events is a pastor losing his faith, setting the Bible on fire in the pulpit and immolating himself (burning down the church) because three white brothers, sons of an abusive father in his congregation, killed a black boy and hung him from a tree in back of the sanctuary. Totally unrealistic, and sickening.
I read less than half of this book, and skimmed the rest to see if it had any redeeming qualities at all. I thought a woman who has served as a hospice chaplain and a pastor would make sense of such evil in some amazing and edifying way, but I was wrong. What a disgusting waste of time.
I read less than half of this book, and skimmed the rest to see if it had any redeeming qualities at all. I thought a woman who has served as a hospice chaplain and a pastor would make sense of such evil in some amazing and edifying way, but I was wrong. What a disgusting waste of time.
November 9, 2011
Lynn Hinton has a way of presenting real life with all of this tenderness and anguish. The story begins as a woman opens the door to find her long lost mother only to lose her again, this time in death. As she begins to look through the belongs of the woman who left her as a child, we learn the tragic story of the mother's past.
I like the way the book starts and ends in the present, with the main, middle story being the life of Olivia, the mother, who came through great difficulties and also great friendship in the North Caroline setting during the 1930-40's. There are some startling events that give an understanding of how she was able to abandon her child and walk away.
It is a book about mothers and daughters, forgiveness, friendship and faith.
I like the way the book starts and ends in the present, with the main, middle story being the life of Olivia, the mother, who came through great difficulties and also great friendship in the North Caroline setting during the 1930-40's. There are some startling events that give an understanding of how she was able to abandon her child and walk away.
It is a book about mothers and daughters, forgiveness, friendship and faith.
July 31, 2013
This was actually my second time to read through this book. I must have forgotten to enter it into Goodreads on the first time through. The book starts out with Alice's mother reappearing after having abandoned Alice when she was four. Given that start, I thought the story would be about how they establish a relationship but instead it is about Alice's mother, Olivia. Olivia lives in Greensboro, North Carolina and grows up as best friends with her next door neighbor. Olivia is white and Tree is black. The story is not about racial tension but it is an important part of what takes place. I found this story very moving as dysfunctional family roots are traced back through the preceding generations.
October 12, 2014
Though this is the saddest story I believe I've ever read, it was a story beautifully told. I was drawn into the sadness of the children and the environment of the time, a troubling setting. Ms. Hinton's symbolism with the trees was woven subtly yet beautifully through the story, being both the tool of death and the arms of God. The friendships were touching and the characters were real, both the good and the bad. The survival instinct through tragedy and the pain of loss and abandonment were immense. Ms. Hinton shared a tragic story in moving language, in such as way that we could feel the pain. Beautifully written.
April 26, 2020
Deeply and darkly depressing -- everyone is either crazy or dead or some other strangeness appears. Not a bit uplifting -- or interesting.
I just re-read this and have a different opinion now. It was beautifully written about mothers/daughters, faith, racism, foster care, assault, and more. The outlook of the times was often disgusting and frightening, but the friendship of the 2 girls was so refreshing. BUT -- I, too, wonder about the end. If that is Tree, who is the man? Someone answer, please.
I just re-read this and have a different opinion now. It was beautifully written about mothers/daughters, faith, racism, foster care, assault, and more. The outlook of the times was often disgusting and frightening, but the friendship of the 2 girls was so refreshing. BUT -- I, too, wonder about the end. If that is Tree, who is the man? Someone answer, please.
September 9, 2016
I found this book to be depressing. I kept waiting for one character to break out and be the uplifting part of the story. It ended abruptly as well, I thought there would be more resolution and explanation of the Olivia character. Just about every character had a miserable life. The one character I thught would be successful was eliminated. The prose and descriptions were nice but the story as a whole bummed me out.
January 4, 2010
Wow-what a book! It is beautifully written and captivating. You almost want to read it slowly to drink it all in and make it last. It is a very touching book and as much as you want to hate the main character, Olivia for leaving her child, in the end you can't. I loved it and know I will tell others to read it and look forward to reading something else by this author.
May 1, 2009
Another good book by Lynne Hinton. I really enjoyed this book and learning about Olivia's past. I am happy that Alice found out what and why her mother left her and that they did find each other again, if only for a little while.
October 16, 2010
A very poignant story of a mother who abandoned her daughter. The book looks at the Mother's past and how it bears on her decision to abondon her daughter. The daughter who has accepted her mothers actions with forgiveness receives understanding as she discovers her mother's story.
August 21, 2012
Beautifully written, but horribly depressing. And I didn't understand something at the end. Was the landlady supposed to be Tree? How could that be. And who was the landlady's brother supposed to be?
January 22, 2016
I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this book. It's both beautiful and tragic from the start to the finish. The voices of the characters are haunting. I have a feeling that they'll haunt me for a long time yet.
April 18, 2016
This book is about three generation of women who are the mother, daughter and granddaughter who suffer a lot they go through life without feeling loved and care for. It is a sad story but at the end the author ties everything together.
August 8, 2016
Amazing
Amazing. With achingly beautiful turns of phrase, this novel explores friendship, tragedy, loss, fear & motherhood. Be kind to your mother, for she has a story. Unforgettable.
Amazing. With achingly beautiful turns of phrase, this novel explores friendship, tragedy, loss, fear & motherhood. Be kind to your mother, for she has a story. Unforgettable.
April 12, 2008
Interesting story about a woman who abandoned her child and then reenters the child's life years later...
May 15, 2008
I wasn't expecting an awful lot from this book, but during a recent roadtrip, I found it a very good read.
July 16, 2008
beautifully written and sad
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews