Song for Issy Bradley, A
Bray, CarysA staunch Mormon family, the Bradleys, are about to have their faith sorely tested. For parents Ian and Claire, teenagers Zippy and Alma and youngster Jacob, the unimaginable happens when four year old Isobel is stricken with meningitis. In the resulting melee they each grapple with faith, doubt and the yearning for a miracle.
In this poignant and insightful story of a family undone but seeking a way forward, readers are guaranteed fiction that never strays into sentimentality but is punctuated with moments of unexpected humour.
Pages
397
397
Year
2014
2014
Reviews
19-09-2022
Well-written, insightful view into the Morman religion. Triggered some frustrations about commitments and responsibilities to the church seeming to come at the expense and cost of family needs both emotionally and physically.
08-05-2022
Sad but seemed a very real journey of a family's (especially the Mum) grief. Interesting insight into the religious aspect. Lots of discussion. Quite a readable book - most of us read it.
16-03-2020
All who finished book enjoyed it. A couple didn't get past the first few chapters. The Mormon faith was mostly discussed, its influences on beliefs, role of women with in the church etc. It was a very non-judgemental account on how individuals cope with death. The father, Ian was not liked!!
13-03-2019
It was a 50/50 split response to the book - some enjoyed, others were less impressed. However, we all agreed that learrning what we did re the Mormon religion, and its rules and control over families, was enlightening. It is a 'conditioning' blanket over what we felt should be natural responses and feelings. Excellent notes.
13-03-2019
A very believable story - we liked the fact that the family's religious beliefs were not denigrated by the author, but contributed to the way they faced the tragedy of a child's death. There was much discussion on how each family member dealt with Issy's death - and how the mother's questioning of her beliefs impacted on her family. It was a very honest and non judgemental story of how any family copes with the death of a child - the father's decision to put his family first at the end of the story, was very telling.
13-03-2019
It was interesting to learn about a different faith. A sad story with a touch of humour.
10-09-2018
50/50 split on this book - those who really enjoyed it felt the characters were well portrayed, and the insight into how each dealt with their own group believable and understandable. Learning more about the Mormon church also engendered much discussion. Some people didn't enjoy the writing style - "flat, uninspiring", and thought the book too sad, and couldn't get past the main character, Ian.
10-09-2018
An all consuming read - each character so well portrayed through the process of grief, and the influence of the Mormon church. One of our favourite reads of the year.
10-09-2018
The group was split over this book, however more enjoyed it than not. We did however have a great discussion about religion, cults, upbringing and various beliefs. No one liked Ian - we felt he was very insensitive to the family's needs in a time of grief, and we were unimpressed with the role of women in the Mormon church.
10-09-2018
The author does a fantastic job of telling the story of a family who are all grieving differently. Such a heart wrenching tale, but told with a little humour too. We loved the eldest son, Alma. No one in the group knew anything about the Mormon religion, which led to quite an in depth discussion about faith.
10-09-2018
Lively discussion. A few intense views.