Velma Still Cooks in Leeway: A Novel
by Vinita Hampton Wright
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Book Summary Information
Author: Vinita Hampton WrightEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2000-09
ISBN: 0805421289
Number of pages: 295
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Book Reviews of Velma Still Cooks in Leeway: A Novel
Book Review: Strong, enjoyable characters in Christian novel
Summary: 5 Stars
Velma Still Cooks in Leeway by Vinita Hampton Wright is a powerfully written Christian novel. After reading Dwelling Places by Wright, I dropped her an email complimenting her on it, and she replied with a kind email recommending that I read this book, because it was her favorite. I can see why. Any writer would be proud of a work of this strength. Velma starts writing in a journal to help make sense of her life and its events for the reader, but she comes to understand much more about her past and present than she thought possible. Wright's characters are so lovinginly developed; these are people that you want to know if your life. Even the minor characters have depth and design. The dialogue rings true and never distracts from the drama. Velma's conversations with Zeke especially are fraught with meaning. The reader finds them amusing, Velma annoying, and for Zeke they are embarrassing. Most writers don't achieve that level of strength in dialogue. It's another terrific book from Wright.
Summary of Velma Still Cooks in Leeway: A Novel
As the town's chief cook and part-time janitor for Jerusalem Baptist church, Velma Brendle has never done anything more outstanding than putting on a good meal at Velma's Place, the one restaurant in Leeway, Kansas, but she takes good care of her customers, neighbors, and friends. However, in the midst of these two jobs, Velma's husband stops talking, Cousin Albert comes to live with her, and she finds herself dealing with the town's problems. As memories of past troubles plague her, she grows weary from even the tasks she loves the most. Old Sunday School lessons take on new meanings, and new problems illuminate trials Velma thought were long over. In sudden leaps of faith and moments of tragedy, Velma and all those she loves journey toward facing their sins and finding forgiveness.Welcome to Leeway, a close-knit, small town that could be anywhere. But there's trouble simmering under its peaceful surface. Shellye has turned up pregnant, but accuses Len of date rape. Doris walks and smokes, sunk in depression; Cousin Howard is dying; Albert is more and more silent. Grady seems to be the knight in shining armor who will solve Shellye's problems. But why does Shellye seem so unhappy? And where did the bruises on her arm come from?
Meanwhile, Velma, the part-time janitor at Jerusalem Baptist Church and owner of the town diner, listens, journals her thoughts, and cooks her way through her problems. Her first-person narrative is told without illusions, without glossing over the grit and the grime of her customers' faults and foibles. She sees the people in Leeway through the lens of love and observes, "Love is 10 times as complicated as hate. And forgiveness will tear you limb from limb." It's forgiveness that gives the book its sure-to-shock, knock-your-socks-off, surprising twist at the end.
Strong themes, including domestic violence, compassion, and the healing power of prayer, make this a compelling novel you won't be able to put down--and that you'll want to share with a friend. Delicious recipes from Velma's Place are the dessert at the end of each chapter and strike a light note in the midst of heavy themes. --Cindy Crosby
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