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The Messenger of Magnolia Street
". . . when I look I see an open gate where there should be none. And what longs to enter through it, darkness and devastation. And I can feel that evil longing emptying out the good of Shibboleth, pulling on it with every rancid breath as it stands waiting for the gate to open farther."
The Messenger of Magnolia Street tells the haunting story of three childhood friends who reunite to fight the unnamed presence that is slowly draining their beloved town of goodness and light. Nehemiah Trust fled his hometown of Shibboleth twelve years ago, after the death of his mother. Now chief of staff for a powerful senator, Nehemiah has washed his hands of Shibboleth. But one night his older brother Billy and childhood friend Trice appear at his front door. Something is wrong, they tell him. Nehemiah is needed back home.
This mesmerizing novel of love awakened, purpose abandoned, and legacy reclaimed begins as slow and easy as a southern Sunday, but as the town of Shibboleth begins to sense the approaching darkness, the three friends must race against time to save the lifeblood of the place they call home. The solution requires a willingness to sacrifice everything.
The Messenger of Magnolia Street tells the haunting story of three childhood friends who reunite to fight the unnamed presence that is slowly draining their beloved town of goodness and light. Nehemiah Trust fled his hometown of Shibboleth twelve years ago, after the death of his mother. Now chief of staff for a powerful senator, Nehemiah has washed his hands of Shibboleth. But one night his older brother Billy and childhood friend Trice appear at his front door. Something is wrong, they tell him. Nehemiah is needed back home.
This mesmerizing novel of love awakened, purpose abandoned, and legacy reclaimed begins as slow and easy as a southern Sunday, but as the town of Shibboleth begins to sense the approaching darkness, the three friends must race against time to save the lifeblood of the place they call home. The solution requires a willingness to sacrifice everything.
- GenresFictionMagical Realism
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 3, 2006
19 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 2, 2011
This was a very good book. A different type for me. Its hard to pigeonhole it into a specific type of genre. One review quoted it as type of "Harper Lee and Dean Koontz" collaboration. In my opinion this fictitious story about a small Southern town, slowly being taken over by an unknown evil force, read like an allegory. A very well-written, lyrical, Southern-charm, story-telling, type of allegory.
The town of Shibboleth is slowly fading away. Light is being sucked away, and the good people of the town are not even aware of it. They have forgotten their purpose, forgotten their story. In this tale the central characters are three life-long friends. Two brothers, and a special young woman, of mysterious beginnings, who has special gift; loved by all. I loved these three characters. It's such a wonderful telling of brotherly bonds, and childhood friends turning to love. I loved the supporting cast of characters, all involved in the unfolding plot of good verses evil. This story is told by The Recorder, an angel. It was like Frank Peritti's This Present Darkness, but better written. It attempts to show the reader the closeness and involvement of God in an unusually way, like Paul Young's The Shack, but without the deliberate "shock value" and "dumb-ing down" of God, that I so disliked in The Shack.
Not overly "preachy". More symbolic. Think C.S. Lewis.
I found this story very applicable to the slow fade of the American modern Church, and at the same time an exciting and encouraging read. Followers of the True God, need to be courageous, loving and forgiving to those around us, sticking fast to remembering what God has done in the past, and looking forward to the promise we have in Him, despite the reality of the darkness, and lies, and sin we find ourselves swimming in today.
Five stars, getting more of River Jordan's books, most certainly.
The town of Shibboleth is slowly fading away. Light is being sucked away, and the good people of the town are not even aware of it. They have forgotten their purpose, forgotten their story. In this tale the central characters are three life-long friends. Two brothers, and a special young woman, of mysterious beginnings, who has special gift; loved by all. I loved these three characters. It's such a wonderful telling of brotherly bonds, and childhood friends turning to love. I loved the supporting cast of characters, all involved in the unfolding plot of good verses evil. This story is told by The Recorder, an angel. It was like Frank Peritti's This Present Darkness, but better written. It attempts to show the reader the closeness and involvement of God in an unusually way, like Paul Young's The Shack, but without the deliberate "shock value" and "dumb-ing down" of God, that I so disliked in The Shack.
Not overly "preachy". More symbolic. Think C.S. Lewis.
I found this story very applicable to the slow fade of the American modern Church, and at the same time an exciting and encouraging read. Followers of the True God, need to be courageous, loving and forgiving to those around us, sticking fast to remembering what God has done in the past, and looking forward to the promise we have in Him, despite the reality of the darkness, and lies, and sin we find ourselves swimming in today.
Five stars, getting more of River Jordan's books, most certainly.
June 21, 2015
Written in a style reminiscent of Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird," this novel has a magical Southern charm. It is more than just a story. It is an old-fashioned "telling" -- the kind of telling that might be passed down from generation to generation by grandmas and grandpas, aunties and uncles... never quite finding its way to pen and paper. Luckily for us though, it did. The prose flows from the pages with a lyrical grace. Like a small stream might trickle down a pebbled creek bed in the Summer heat, the tale slowly meanders along only to pick up pace moments later like the creek might after a heavy rainfall. The dialect and cadence of the written words practically beg to be read aloud. "The Messenger of Magnolia Street" is a story of faith and hope, good versus evil, redemption and remembrance so poignant that it seems as if it truly was brought to us on the wings of angels. My only regret is that it sat unread on my bookshelf for so long.
October 23, 2017
Three friends since childhood return to their hometown of Sibboleth. Something is wrong.
It's a fight between good and evil.
It's a fight between good and evil.
April 23, 2014
This book confused me. It was ok. Tge whole concept just kept me confused. Certain characters were introduced who seemed to havd no point. Back stories were told that seemed to be useless to the whole main story. Things seemed to be very jumbled and then it was like the author was tryong to jam pieces together to make them fit when they couldnt
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June 11, 2009Just couldn't get into this novel--too mystical for me.
January 25, 2020
I would give this book 3 and a half stars if I knew how to do that! There are many things I liked about the book and yet I wasn't longing to finish it. The characters and the small town I loved. The writing was good. But I didn't really ever have a good idea what it was all about. I was confused. But still, I hung with it which I don't always do in that situation. And the half star is because of the deep emotion that came over me towards the end. This review is all over the place and that is how it felt reading it too!
November 2, 2017
How unusual!
From the moment i started reading I was captivated. What a wonderful way to share how God watches over us and guides through the spiritual world.
From the moment i started reading I was captivated. What a wonderful way to share how God watches over us and guides through the spiritual world.
January 5, 2019
I finished this awhile back but it was very good. Had me involved in the story right away. I would recommend it.....
dnf
February 28, 2024This book went everywhere … and no where all at the same time.
August 11, 2018
Awesome. Beautiful.
July 19, 2014
I started reading this while working in the Library Book store .. and brought it home to finish, not because it was good, but because I was curious as to how this was going to finish. It is a very Christian Allegory with God walking the streets, and an angel writing notes about what is happening. The story centers on three childhood friends: Nehemiah and Billy Trust and their friend Trice. Trice seems to have “second sight” or premonitions. Nehemiah leaves his home town of Shibboleth to go work in Washington DC. After 12 years, Shibboleth begins to fade away. Bobby and Trice bring Nehemiah back to help save the town. Eventually there is a fight between good and evil sprits and all sorts of strange occurrences. … weird.
November 2, 2008
River Jordan crafts her words in this novel like a fine needle creating the wings of an angel. In fact, it's told by one of God's angels in an with the finesse of a prophet. The people of Shibboleth must restore life to the town before the good and the good people are consumed. God walks with His narrator whistling as old friends, foes, new friends and heros work in a time capsule.Is it just about the tiny town of Shibboleth? Or is it actually about mankind?
May 17, 2008
this book is a real page turner. mostly because i kept wanting to figure out where the author was going. not sure exactly where she went, but parts of her work keep coming back to my mind. i believe her story must have been based on the Biblical proverb......
"where there is no vision, the people will perish."
"where there is no vision, the people will perish."
May 20, 2009
This book is so lyrical that I found myself reading it aloud just for the pure joy of hearing the music of the words. Jordan is a masterful storyteller. I was enraptured by the fresh storyline and charming small town of characters. Highly recommended if you're up for something different. It's just beautifully, beautifully written. I can't wait to read Jordan's second book!
August 6, 2012
The use of language in this book is so incredible, so beautiful. I had to reread passages because it reminded me of "To Kill a Mockingbird." Almost cried through the end. Gorgeous.
Book so good I reread it in 2012. (First read it in 2008.)
Book so good I reread it in 2012. (First read it in 2008.)
February 27, 2009
Considering this is the author's first book, Jordan has melodiously delivered an extraordinary piece of mystical artwork to her reader. The pages are turned quickly because you want to know what is happening next and why! The ending is beautiful, full of grace, and amazing faith.
June 23, 2012
Made me read the book of Nehemiah in the bible and look up shibboleth to see if there was a modern day telling of that book. Much deeper book than I am used to reading but I'm glad I did. Her book praying for strangers is excellent!
May 18, 2014
This was a good book, however very confusing which is why I only have 3 stars. At first I thought it was spiritual warfare but then there seemed to be more mystical. All in all it was a good book and I'm glad I finished it
June 17, 2008
A little weird but interesting
August 11, 2009
very mystical, spiritual tale that I really couldn't get into...but I did feel the need to keep reading to see how it would end.
April 6, 2010
great book could not put it down
June 14, 2010
This book has the feel of an allegory, but it seems to not quite achieve that. I was left wondering just what genre I had read.
January 15, 2012
Beautifully written tale of good vs. evil. Loved the words and how River Jordan places them and has you rereading phrases trying to memorize them. Loved it!
January 18, 2012
Other-worldly... liked it!!
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February 13, 2012Totally love it. It might be a little different from the other books that I've read but it's totally phenomenal. SUPER LIKE!
March 4, 2013
The story was ok but I didnt have the will to finish it. I dunno maybe I got bored with it or whatever!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews