Under a Cloudless Sky

Long I have longed for stories that honor God without being preachy. Just good story telling, excellent writing, that honor the reality of God. Chris Fabry, you and only a couple more that I’ve found, do that. I loved this book from the first word to the last. Excellent story, excellent writing. Be blessed! Continue to do what you do.

I can’t say that I saw the ending coming, because I surely did not, which speaks to the author’s excellent style of writing. The details are vibrant and memorable. The story itself is told do well that I could transport myself into the pages and feel like I was truly witnessing the story as it unfolded. I know that I am a true fan of the author. This was my second book of his, on my mission to read as many as I can.

This is the second book I have read by Chris Fabry. To say this man can tell a story is a gross understatement. His characters are genuine. They are people we know or see in ourselves. And he has the ability to pull you into a story from the first paragraph. Even though his books have a very Christian theme, his characters are real and deal with all the hard questions and trials that each one of us face. And life does not always turn out the way one would hope but how one deals with the trials and disappointment determines who we are. Also, I loved this book because it was not predictable. There is a twist I did not anticipate. I really enjoy an author who can do that. I'm looking forward to ready his next book.

I've not been able to put this down all day. Some books you read you can take a break from, but this wasn't so for me. It will surprise you, lift you up, and enrage you, but you will always be glad you've read this author. I encourage you to read all he has written. You'll be all the better for it.

What a beautiful read! I am so glad I stumbled upon this author and her literary works. I am looking forward to reading more heart warming novels by Chris Farby.

This novel’s gritty historical detail, unexpected plot twists, and literary leanings set it apart as something special within its genre. The coal mining town and its people come vividly to life on the page, as do the spunky octogenarian Ruby and her family. The split time structure works well, flowing logically and smoothly from 1933 to 2004 and back again, without losing the reader along the way. “I think people see their story here. The pain and brokenness. And it helps them make sense of their own. They soak in the horror and the beauty of it.” That quote from Chapter 52 is referring to the history of the mining town’s Company Store as shared in a local museum, but I think it could just as appropriately be applied to this work of fiction itself. As with many beautifully written stories, this one uses the specific details of one particular location and cast of characters to address the general human condition in a way that’s broadly relatable. A great choice for book discussion groups and anyone who enjoys a thought provoking story with some unexpected twists and turns along the way. Thank you to Tyndale House for providing a complimentary advance reader copy of the book for review purposes.

Chris Fabry writes about life in the coal mining regions of West Virginia. His books are clean and well written. In this story, he tells about a woman named Ruby who wants to travel, at age 83, to the town where she grew up. The narrative goes back and forth between her youth in 1933 to her life in 2004. Although chapters switch between these two years, the story that unfolds is reasonably easy to follow, as clues are revealed along the way leading up to a page-turning climax. Since the author grew up in the area where his books are set, his stories have a ring of truth to them that convinces the reader that the accounts are plausible, if not even historic. I strongly encourage the reading of his books by anyone who wants a clean story that holds the attention from start to finish.

The first half of the book was slow, but then the action picked up and I couldn’t put it down. There were several unexpected twists which were very exciting!