Review: Come Sunday

Come Sunday

By Isla Morley

Publication date: May 26, 2009

My review:

Abbe Deighton grew up in a troubled home in South Africa but now she has made a life for herself in Hawaii with her husband Greg and their three year old daughter Cleo. Lately, things have been difficult in her marriage especially with the stress caused by problems with the church her husband pastors. Abbe decides that she and Greg need a night out so they leave Cleo with a sitter and go to see a movie. This decision proves to have major consequences as it leads to a terrible tragedy that will shake the fragile foundations of their marriage. Now as Abbe grieves the loss of her child, she must also confront the ghosts of her past. 

Come Sunday is a moving story about loss and relationships. Abbe has suffered a tremendous loss and as the novel goes on, the reader also finds out about her tough childhood. Isla Morley does a good job of portraying Abbe's pain and she comes across as a very realistic character. Abbe can be unkind and selfish but that is understandable though it makes it hard to like her at times. This is the kind of book that makes readers feel strongly whether it is sorrow or anger. 

My evening book discussion group chose this as our November book. The consensus was that the group did not like Abbe because of her behavior towards her husband and others, particularly her close friends. There was also agreement that one of the plot points toward the end of the book was really unnecessary and didn't fit in with the rest of the book. Other members also wished that there was more about South Africa in the book in terms of a sense of place. 

I still liked Come Sunday even with its flaws. It definitely made me think about how our past can have such a hold on us if we let it and the importance of trying to forgive instead of being bitter.  The characters were true to life and I think the themes of the story were well written. I look forward to reading more from Isla Morley. Come Sunday would make a good book for discussion.