Night Bird Calling Book Review

Book Description

When Lilliana Swope’s beloved mother dies, Lilliana gathers her last ounce of courage and flees her abusive husband for the home of her only living relative in the foothills of No Creek, North Carolina. Though Hyacinth Belvidere hasn’t seen Lilliana since she was five, she offers her cherished great-niece a safe harbor. Their joyful reunion inspires plans to revive Aunt Hyacinth’s estate and open a public library where everyone is welcome, no matter the color of their skin.

Slowly Lilliana finds revival and friendship in No Creek–with precocious eleven-year-old Celia Percy, with kindhearted Reverend Jesse Willard, and with Ruby Lynne Wishon, a young woman whose secrets could destroy both them and the town. When the plans for the library also incite the wrath of the Klan, the dangers of Lilliana’s past and present threaten to topple her before she’s learned to stand.

With war brewing for the nation and for her newfound community, Lilliana must overcome a hard truth voiced by her young friend Celia: Wishing comes easy. Change don’t.

My Thoughts

This novel is like an onion. As layer after layer is peeled back, we’re forced to confront some of the pivotal issues that are still present in our society – racism, spousal abuse, rape, and hatred that can eat away at the soul.

Night Bird Calling is the story of Lilliana Grace Swope and her journey to No Creek, North Carolina where her dear Aunt Hyacinth lives. Knowing that her new neighbors will instantly judge her for leaving her husband, she decides to use her middle name and keeps her immediate circle of friends small to keep tongues from wagging. She befriends young Celia, a sharp-as-a-tack youngster who knows more than she lets on. Together, they decide to start a library in Miss Hyacinth’s home, which will be open to everyone. Little do they know that welcoming all residents to this library will bring the KKK to their doorstep in the night hours.

I think each person that reads this novel will have a different perspective of the history that goes along with it. I have lived in the South my entire life…lived among people that are good and do not see color. However, I’ve also known the opposite, and it breaks my heart to know that some people hold such hate and contempt against another person. I cannot fathom the fear that people have felt when the KKK has been on their front lawn or the feeling of a rope around their neck. It is a part of our history that I wish was never there.

I have not been this emotionally invested in a book in ages, and the lack of sleep I suffered after staying up late to finish it was well worth it. Just when I thought I had reached the limit of tragic circumstances, something else was always right around the corner. This book has heavy themes, and not what someone should pick up if they’re looking for a light read. Personally, I was glued to every page, and believe this will be a favorite among this year’s crop of new Christian fiction releases.

5 Stars

**Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review through NetGalley. All thoughts are my own. This post contains affiliate links, and I may be compensated based on any purchase made through those links.