The Strength of a Sparrow--Softcover

by Tim Anders

The Strength of a Sparrow is based on a true story-the story of the author's parents. The character of a tenacious young woman, Bouvette Sherwood, who is a successful New York Broadway producer and actress, drives the plot. In the mid 1940s Bouvette meets and falls in love with a charming alcoholic, Hughie Hewitt. He has a secret though, which he keeps from her during their intense courtship-he is a Catholic priest. Their love story unfolds into a kaleidoscope of intrigue, suspense, betrayal, and romance.

326 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Kaye]

This work of fiction is based on the love story of Bouvette Sherwood and Father Hughie Hewitt, parents of the author. She is a much younger, successful Broadway producer and actress and he, well, he is an alcoholic priest. Not exactly a match made in heaven. According to the Monsignor of Hewitt‘s parish, it is an abomination against heaven and he does everything in his power to bring it to an end, including hiring a private detective for several years to record the activities of one woman and a priest. The sole motivation being he wants to be made a Bishop and Hewitt’s activities would be most embarrassing to the church if discovered. If all of this is really based in truth, it is an incredible tale of Monsignor Smith’s dispicable actions against Father Hughie and his beloved, seemingly without a care as to the consequences. Father Hughie is said to be a wonderful man who loved his vocation but he also loved Bouvette. This is where the soulful torment should enter the story.

Tim Anders is the author of several children’s books but has been so captivated by his mother’s story, that he finally decided to put it on paper. The “facts” come from what his mother told him in many conversations during his youth. It’s a little stretch of the imagination that she actually described the steamy sex scenes. I guess no one will know if some of these remembrances are fully factual or fanciful. It would be most interesting to know if the church’s actions were true but in the light of recent revelations, it very well could be possible. Who knows for sure?


Although Anders has a fluid style of writing with, at times, some wonderfully descriptive phrases, some of this struck me as akin to a Victorian melodrama. I feel that the characters could have been a little more fleshed out. More details as to Father Hughie’s innermost thoughts and feelings during the time he and Bouvette were separated would have made for a better reading experience. It is a fast and easy read but somehow just misses the mark to being a great book. Rating: 3 ½ ***

[Sandie]

THE STRENGTH OF A SPARROW is a love story that presents its readers with an inside look at the workings of the Catholic Church circa 1945. The saga is based on the true account of author Tim Anders parents' clandestine love affair. The primary impediment to their love was the fact the the author's father was indeed a "Father" (that is to say a Catholic priest names Hughie Hewitt) who chose to remain in the church rather than leave and assume his parental responsibilities after he fathered two children.

Anders narrative is based on the stories related to him by his mother and is is fairly obvious that his vision of the affair has been embellished and romanticized to make it more palatable to the reader. My problem with "Father Hewitt" is twofold. First, if he was so completely and hopelessly in love whey did he not abandon his faith and marry the mother of his children. Second, if instead he was so devoted to his faith and unable to leave the church, why didn't he just leave this naive young woman and allow her to get on with her life. Sounds like Father Hewitt "wanted it all".

Personally, although I have been a member of the faith for my entire life, I have never understood the churches reluctance to allow its priests to marry. This, however, is not the forum in which to debate that issue. Suffice to say that as a "romance novel" THE STRENGTH OF A SPARROW is an enjoyable and easy read that delivers the requisite number of perils to be overcome by its heroine.

[Carol Evans]

What would you risk for love? What would you be willing to give up for the life you dream of? Boo Sherwood and Hughie Hewitt risk everything to be together, including the wrath of the church and the respect of family and friends. And they do manage to find happiness together for a while. Boo's strength is obvious throughout the story. Her dedication to her children and love for Hughie comes through on every page.

The way the church deals with the situation is shameful, but I do understand that Hughie was blatantly breaking the rules of priesthood. It is not my place to questions, but Hughie does bring it up several times. For him, his love for Boo enhances his vocation, it doesn't detract from it.

Needless to say, with forces stacked against them, it is not all a happy story. There are definitely hardships for Boo, Hughie and their children.

This is truly a touching love story that had me in tears.

[mari]

Based on a true story, The Strength of a Sparrow tells the bitter sweet love story of the author's parents, a Broadway actress and a Catholic Priest. Their life was a happy one despite the fact that they could not get married legally and they had to live under a false name and keep it all a secret. It wasn't until they are forced to separate that things go badly.

The fact that this is a true story is amazing to me. Just goes to show that you can never know who you will fall in love with. Such a sad story and yet a hopeful one as well. I don't know why I put off reading this one for so long. The cover definitely didn't help sell the book to me, which is a bit disappointing. A good book deserves a good cover.