Christy by Catherine Marshall | book review + giveaway
Christy by Catherine Marshall
About the book: (from the publisher) The train taking nineteen-year-old teacher Christy Huddleston from her home in Asheville, North Carolina, might as well be transporting her to another world. The Smoky Mountain community of Cutter Gap feels suspended in time, trapped by poverty, superstitions, and century-old traditions.
But as Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home, some see her–and her one-room school–as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove.
Yearning to make a difference, will Christy’s determination and devotion be enough?
About the author: Catherine Marshall is a New York Times best-selling author of 30 books. A beloved inspirational writer and speaker, Catherine’s enduring career spanned four decades and reached more than 30 million readers.
Connect with Gilead Publishing: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Genre: Fiction/Historical/Christian Fiction
[bctt tweet=”Get lost in the Smoky Mountains with Christy as she navigates life in Cutter Gap. @litfuse @GileadPub ” username=”KatherineSJones”]
My mother’s copy, with its original $2.50 purchase price
My take: I was 17 the first time I read Catherine Marshall’s Christy, the novel many consider the prototype of today’s Christian fiction. (And why, in fact, Christian publishing named one of its most prestigious awards the Christy Award.) Thirty-some years ago, I plucked this mass market paperback from my mother’s bookshelf and began to read…and read and read. I could hardly bear to tear myself away from it for such inconveniences as, oh, school and homework. Christy — probably my first real taste of a grown-up novel — held me in its enthralling grip from first line to unforgettable last.
In my re-reading of Christy this fall (I think this makes it my fifth), I was struck again not only by Marshall’s incredible gift for storytelling but with the timelessness of her tale. So masterfully crafted, the story feels as fresh today as it did the first time. New readers will never believe this novel was penned more than fifty years ago. Its characters and themes and issues — oh, yes, the issues! — are just as relevant as they were half-a-century ago. (Which tells us something too about those issues…) As a novel of faith, its depth and breadth continues to amaze me. It’s a story that has everything, a rich tapestry woven through with threads of inspiration, mystery, intrigue, history, humor, and drama.
If any novel celebrates beauty amidst brokenness, it’s this one. Genre-defying, Christy is a toothsome novel to sink into — and to find yourself in.
I have savored this new, 50th-anniversary, hardback edition too, from its nostalgic slipcover photograph to the finely drawn map of Cutter Gap inside. I like this edition so much, I’m reluctant to make a single negative remark, but I feel I must say this: the copy I received contains a few printing errors — typos and formatting flaws. While these do nothing to undermine enjoyment of the story, they are distracting. I hope the publisher will address these in future printings. UPDATE: Publisher reached out to say they’re on it. Corrections to come in next printing.
One other note: Because of the popularity of the TV series starring Kellie Martin several years ago, you may have preconceived notions about the novel if you’ve not read it. Please–don’t base your opinion on the TV show, which — the handful of times I attempted to watch it — always struck me as so unlike the book I could never stick with it. From tone to characters and plotlines, it’s not the same at all.
Read the book, friends, read the book. Savor it. Marvel at its timelessness and the way it still has the power to touch hearts. Christy is that rare story that only grows more beautiful with age.
[bctt tweet=”For your Christmas list or someone else’s: CHRISTY, Catherine Marshall’s timeless classic 50-Anniversary edition. @litfuse @gileadpub” username=”KatherineSJones”]
Thanks to Litfuse Publicity and Gilead Publishing for providing me this book free of charge. All opinions are mine.
Buy it here.
P.S.: I still have my mother’s copy, by the way. I loved it so much, I never gave it back. But here’s my idea: Mom has a birthday next week, and in this updated edition of a beloved modern classic, I now have the perfect gift to give her. 🙂
[bctt tweet=”Who doesn’t like winning a cash card at the holidays? Join the CHRISTY 50th Anniversary #book #giveaway @GileadPub! #ChristFic http://bit.ly/2zuQo7F ” username=”KatherineSJones”]
Giveaway: Some stories are evergreen, their themes and lessons standing the test of time and connecting with readers generation after generation. Reconnect with Catherine Marshall’s beloved Christy as it celebrates its 50th anniversary with a new edition! As nineteen-year-old teacher Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home of Cutter Gap, some see her-and her one-room school-as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove. Yearning to make a difference, will Christy’s determination and devotion be enough?
Celebrate the new 50th anniversary edition of Christy by entering to win one of TWO $50 Visa cash cards (details below) and by attending a Facebook Live party on December 5!
TWO grand prize winners will receive:
- One copy of Christy
- One $50 Visa Cash Card
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 5. The winner will be announced at the Christy Facebook Live Party. RSVP for a chance to connect with authors who’ve been impacted by Christy and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!
Do you know, I’ve never even heard of this one. Thanks!
My pleasure to introduce new readers to this remarkable book.