Happy Monday, Everyone! Guess what? It’s another Belle Book Club Week! The maternity ward at BelleView is harboring more than one Book Baby in February, and so this week, we’re gathered on the porch again. We’re talking about Belle Tuesday, Beth Webb Hart’s, latest treasure, Moon Over Edisto.
We’re so glad you’re here to join in! This week, we’ll be giving away a copy of Moon Over Edisto EACH DAY, so be sure to leave your answer to the Question Of the Day in the comments, to enter!
Having read an early copy, I can already tell you that the winners are in for a treat, but even if you don’t win a copy this week, you shouldn’t miss Moon Over Edisto. I’m thrilled to be starting the discussion this week.
The best books not only entertain us and take us to incredible, interesting places, they cause us to think, to wonder, to question. Moon Over Edisto fits the bill on both scores. Like all of Beth’s writing, it’s filled with beautiful word-pictures and Low Country settings that draw you in until you can smell the salt air and feel the pluff mud seeping around your feet.
But there’s more to the story than just pretty pictures. Beth’s book was inspired by a question. What would be the hardest thing for you to forgive another person for? What would it take to persuade you to forgive the unforgivable?
It’s a worthy question — one that digs down to the very meat and marrow of life. Before I delve into it, I should probably begin by saying that I completely forgive Beth Webb Hart for keeping me up late and causing me to read like a banshee for a couple days straight, wondering what would happen as Julia returns home to beautiful Edisto Island, South Carolina. There’s no beauty there for Julia, who has made a good life for herself in New York and left her difficult family past behind. The last thing she wants to do is return home to deal with the one person she’s been running from since college. To face the unforgivable, in the form of the long-ago best friend who stole Julia’s father, tore apart Julia’s family, and birthed the half brothers and sisters Julia has never known.
I won’t tell you what happens in the story, so as not to spoil the journey for you if you haven’t yet read it. But I will tell you that it is an experience not to be missed. The beauty of the setting contrasts with a family story that is raw, compelling, and poignant.
Beneath the story, as in any good story, lies not only the larger question of forgiveness, but one that’s a bit more personal. One that hits me where I live. Is there something in my own life like this? Are there things I am clinging to and won’t let go of?
There’s nothing of the magnitude Julia faces in the story, to be sure. But I probe the question a little, whittle it down to size. What things do I bring up over and over again when conversations turn to gripes about the actions of other people? What experiences do I recount to display my wounds, to gather a nod of the head, a sympathetic “I hear you.” or “I would’ve done the same thing.” or the coveted, “You’re in the right. You should be mad. I don’t blame you a bit.”
It’s not the most comfortable thing to think about. Because if there are things (and when I think about it I know there are) that I returned to time and time again, doesn’t that mean I have not released them into the ocean of forgiveness and let them float away? Doesn’t that mean that a part of me is still swimming in the same little tidepool, trapped in stagnant water?
And that, beyond just entertainment and beautiful writing, is the more lasting value of Beth’s newest offering. There is value in all stories that take us down the most difficult paths in life. When we live it through the mind and heart of a character, we realize that it is possible, not only for fictional people, but for all of us. And when it feels so good in fiction, perhaps we think, It’s my time, now. It’s time to let go.
Maybe the things that wait for Julia, if only she can let go of the wrong that’s been done – A new life, renewed relationships, mercy, grace, and love — wait for all of us. They are all the best things in this imperfect, human world. The things God wants most for us.
In the end, for me, this is a test of a great story. It leaves me wiser and better off than it found me.
Moon over Edisto is, truly, a great story.
Lisa
**WIN A COPY OF Moon Over Edisto! One given away each day this week!
22 comments
Beth Webb Hart says:
February 18, 2013 at 7:54 am (UTC -5 )
Thank you, Lisa! You are such an encourager to me. I’m so glad you gleaned something from the story. That’s why I wrote it – not because I have the forgiveness thing all figured out – but because I was hoping God would answer my own questions and struggles with it in the midst of the story.
Looking forward to this week!
XO,
BW
Jorie says:
February 18, 2013 at 8:43 am (UTC -5 )
Oh, what a lovely and engaging post about an author I have not yet had the chance to discover!
Which is one reason I wanted to return to the porch of Southern Belles, as I wanted to properly get to know each author that resides here! 
I love the breadth and depth of your post, Ms. Wingate, as you pulled me into Moon Over Edisto without having to reveal any spoilers of the book’s characters or plot,… you turned the story into a personal visual account of what went through your own heart and mind as you read the pages, and for that, I am especially grateful, as that is I think, how I tend to write about books that turn my eye as well! You have intriqued me to the brink of if I were to pick up the book, I would begin with a curious heart, an open mind, and a hitching of excitement…
There have been several books throughout my reading years, that I could effectively say have taught something to me. However, to get to the heart of Moon Over Edisto’s pearl of wisdom, the act of forgiveness, I will highlight only a few:
Frontier Lady by Judith Pella – I read this when I was quite young, around 12 or 13, as I was venturing into heartier inspirational fiction having graduated from Lois Gladys Leppard’s Mandie series. Graduated in my ability to want longer stories, but not abandoning Mandie in the least! It took me over 10 years to get the rest of the series, well into my twenties, when I didn’t have a local bookshoppe to pull from!
Ms. Pella had the abilty to pull conviction and truth out of a very disparing situation, that forced her main character Deborah Graham to dig deeper than she ever thought she’d have to go inside her faith to forge a future she wasn’t not even certain she could obtain. To say she had to find forgiveness in order to move forward, is putting it mildly!
Girl in a Blue Dress by Gaynor Arnold, explores the fictional accounting of Charles Dicken’s wife who as a credit to her character, never felt it was her place to upstand her husband or to do anything but to encourage his neverending challenge of writing what he was always meant to write. This story goes inside the ethos of marriage, love, destiny, and self discovery. What she has to ultimately forgive her husband for is the inability to shed her own skin and transmorph herself into who she was meant to be. She never had the chance to take the leap of faith that her husband did, but in the ending chapters the reader gains a curious tidbit that eclipses everything else in the book!
I cherished this book, as I read it somewhere between six months to a year after it published! It kept boomeranging back to me in my holds ques, and when I finally sat down to read it, I was mesmerized! Its a book for writers, but that is all I will say!
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce, I read last year at the age of 33, and must confess that it was emotionally gutting that left me in tears! It challenged my ability to read key portions of the ending chapters, as not only due to the severity of what needed to be forgiven and transcended past, but due to the brutality of one character’s plight, or at least, I felt that way, as I thought the ending of one character’s journey was simply too difficult to read. Its not oft I speak of this book, as although I read it and drew something positive out of it, it took a lot out of me at the very same time!
Books are anchors to our emotional halves that allow us to explore subjects and topics that are easier to stitch together through prose, narrative, and dialogue of a character than always to shift through in our everyday lives. They draw us into a place where pensive reflection is merited and a cleansing of our hearts, minds, and spirits tend to go through an transformation in the process! Books not only enlighten our imaginations with their palette of visualizations, but they endeavor us to drink in the vast array of the human condition, and in turn, endear us to be better humans as we walk earth. Humbling us, educating us, and allowing us to empathise with people from all walks of life we might not have crossed paths with prior to our abilty to find them inside the book that left an etching on our hearts.
Virginia Rush says:
February 18, 2013 at 10:42 am (UTC -5 )
I’m not going to expound on this today because I now know we have all week. I finished it last night and think our church library needs this book!!!!!!! It’s all about love, life, hurt, pain, betrayal and forgiveness…. All the feelings we go thru sometime in life or several sometimes. But buried inside is also a love story that leaves you saying “please oh, please”….
Yes I’ve learned the lesson of forgiveness in a prior book and in the Bible…but Beth’s Story adds an all new high to forgiveness….I will be writing a review on this book and telling everyone I know….”YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK”….there are life lessons….
Beth GREAT GREAT STORY…..
Beth Webb Hart says:
February 18, 2013 at 10:48 am (UTC -5 )
Wow, Virginia. Thank you so much for your strong endorsement. I’m so blessed to hear that you gained something from reading the story. Thanks be to God!
Jorie, thank you so much for the book recommendations and the life lessons you learned from them. They each sound positively fascinating… Girl in a Blue Dress esp. as I’ve always been fascinated by Dickens. What would it be like to be married to a man like that? Can’t wait to read it.
Warmly,
BW
Jorie says:
February 18, 2013 at 11:08 am (UTC -5 )
Ms. Hart, you might be singularly surprised by what you find of Dickens inside this novel, because although, it did strike me as a possiblity that he was this type of writer, it was a bit startling to realise the severity of his personality and how it counterdicted his legacy in print. I am uncertain how much truth lies in the ending chapters as far as Mrs. Dickens’ is concerned, as its something I’ve meant to seek out and continue onward,.. seeing where the folds of fiction and where the folds of time intersect! I keyed into a wikipedia Dickens page, clicked over to charlesdickenspage, and from there I will have to see where it leads me!
I’d be interested in hearing your take on the book after your able to read it!
As I tried my best not to reveal too much about each, but to give enough of a hinting of what would follow to whet the palette of interest! Thank you for letting me know I achieved my intentions! 
Sharon says:
February 18, 2013 at 11:18 am (UTC -5 )
I second everything you said, Lisa. Moon Over Edisto is wonderful as a story and the journey as Beth takes us right to the low country, Edisto. But, the greatest takeaway, I think, is exactly what you said, Lisa. How could anyone read the book and not think about those relationship things that still cause anguish? When will I really forgive and let it go? And then, also, when can I forgive myself for those few times in life that I know I’ve caused pain? I think it is really true that if I find myself returning from time to time to those anguishing moments, I probably haven’t really forgiven others or myself. Right then is the time to pray for forgiveness and peace with it. Can we learn from fiction? Whewwww. This book is one big chance to do so, for sure!
Rachel Hauck says:
February 18, 2013 at 12:22 pm (UTC -5 )
This is such a powerful book with a powerful message.
As for me, I read a book in my 20s called “Abraham, Friend of God,” a fictional account of his life and that book truly impacted my heart, stirring a desire to be a friend of God’s.
I think fiction has that capability.
Beth Webb, blessing upon blessing to you and this book!
Rachel
Rossi says:
February 18, 2013 at 12:56 pm (UTC -5 )
THIS book, Moon Over Edisto, has opened my heart and mind in unexpected ways… Over the past 2-3 days I have been reminded of my own tendencies to insist upon “the world according to Rossi,” our inability (or unwillingness) to see things from any other perspective, the amazing power of real love and true forgiveness- not only in the life of the forgiven, but that of the forgiver especially! Wow. It is also a wonderful portrait of the Sputhern way of life, in both its beauty Ana’s it’s frailty. What a gem!
Claudia says:
February 18, 2013 at 1:49 pm (UTC -5 )
Dearest Beth – life has so gotten in the way of my being on the Porch and I have missed it! So excited about Moon over Edisto – but so excited I messed up the order and shall not get it until March so would love to win a copy now!!!
But to answer the question Have you ever learned a life-changing lesson from a book? I believe I am about to with Moon – major forgiveness issues with estranged daughter (her choice), wondering if relationship will ever come around. Also knowing my faith will carry me through in God’s Will, and He will open doors for us.
As soon as I read Moon I shall let you know how God uses it to give me some answers. Love and prayers always, Claudia
Beth Webb Hart says:
February 18, 2013 at 2:08 pm (UTC -5 )
Thank you Sharon, Rachel, Rossi and Claudia for sharing your honest, heartfelt thoughts about forgiveness and perspective. Oh, it’s so hard, isn’t it? Probably the hardest thing we are asked to do… ever. And I’m guessing the most transformational to our growth (aside from receiving the gift of salvation.) I think if we don’t do it – we can’t blossom spiritually. However, it is a moment by moment struggle…one we have to have supernatural help w/, for sure.
And thanks Jorie, for more background on the Dickens book.
Love to all!
BW
Laura Pol says:
February 18, 2013 at 3:25 pm (UTC -5 )
Hmm I would have to say yes! “The Christmas Bus” by Melody Carlson is one that comes to mind! It helped me to look at the view I have of Christmas. Is it all about me or am I doing what I can to show others the true meaning of Christmas. After reading it I did some major reflection on my own attitudes about Christmas! That following Christmas I really tried to center the holiday around Jesus, instead of what I was getting for Christmas!
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson says:
February 18, 2013 at 5:01 pm (UTC -5 )
Super loved this book, BW! You are the bomb.
))
Heather says:
February 18, 2013 at 7:18 pm (UTC -5 )
When I was in 4th grade, I read a biography of Helen Keller. I loved the book so much I couldn’t put it down and re-read it three times!! That book taught me two life changing things: 1) Helen Keller overcame horrific adversity, thrived, and is a role model for us all, and 2) Books are the portal to other worlds, other people, and lots of learning. I’ve been a book worm ever since.
And the current life changing book is 1 Peter (specifically 4:8) and the call to love each other for love covers a multitude of sins. Such great advice when fellow believers are driving each other crazy!
Velma says:
February 18, 2013 at 10:25 pm (UTC -5 )
Beth Webb Hart is one of my favorite authors, and I am looking forward to reading her new book. When I read a novel, I try to put myself in the antagonist’s shoes and become part of the story. I try to learn a lesson from each story I read. It may not always be the same lesson another reader may lead, but it is something personal to me. A series of books that I I read that really touched my heart and helped me heal was the series co-authored by Rachel Hauck and Sara Evans. The protagonist’s relationship with her mother and how she dealt with her mother’s death resonated with me personally because I was dealing with my own mother’s death and the guilt I was feeling.
A good story will stay with you long after the last page is read. I look forward to reading Beth Webb Hart’s next book. All of her books have fed my soul. It would be lovely to win a copy.
Jorie says:
February 18, 2013 at 10:48 pm (UTC -5 )
Ms. Velma, I can definitely relate to what you said about viscerally putting yourself into each character’s shoes!! Very well put!
I think that is what I love about reading the most: the moments when you find a story that curls up inside your heart and stays with you long after you’ve reached the very last page, and read the very last word! 
I can relate in a similiar vein as you as far as needing comfort and direction at time of loss,… for me the Touched by an Angel series provided comfort as I was saying goodbye to my grandparents.
I’m thankful you were able to find peace at your time of need through a book series, as I had tried that myself, but found greater comfort in a tv series about Angels!
Young or old, guilt at time of death is one of our greatest hurdles, I think! :/
I do agree too, that each reader carves out their own individual experience with the books they pick up…
Velma says:
February 19, 2013 at 2:59 pm (UTC -5 )
Jorie, thank you so much for your reply. Touched by an Angel is one of my favorite tv shows. I used to watch it with my Granny, and we would cry together at many of the episodes. Each time I find it now while scrolling through the channels, I always pause watch it, and it brings back fond memories of me sitting with my Granny watching it especially after she had her stroke, and was unable to walk again. I think it brought her hope. Highway to Heaven was a similar show that we always watched together when I was growing up. Thank you for bringing back some of those fond memories with your reply.
Jorie says:
February 19, 2013 at 11:00 pm (UTC -5 )
I am thankful that I posted my reply, having received such a warm response in kind! Highway to Heaven was a bit ahead of me, but I have caught a few tailends of the show to know that if its on seasonal dvd, one day, I’d love to collect it along with Touched + Promised Land! Sadly, the latter series is not yet released… Touched as a series, evokes so many memories and emotions, that I think its what helped cleanse my soul when I felt the most down. Thank you for sharing your memories with me, I appreciated seeing your connections!
I definitely agree with you — your Grandmother had a heap of Hope not only by sharing a tv series with you, but by having your presence at a time in her life she needed you most. Many blessings to you, always!
Dana McNeely says:
February 19, 2013 at 10:01 am (UTC -5 )
Yes, I’ve learned an important truth from a book – about forgiveness, as it happens. I’ve learned sometimes I need to tell others I’m wrong, without excuse. Tell them their anger is just, as you’ve mentioned. It is humbling, but also healing.
aimymichelle says:
February 19, 2013 at 11:36 am (UTC -5 )
Yes I’ve learned a lot in regards to relationships.
karenk says:
February 19, 2013 at 8:53 pm (UTC -5 )
I think that I have learned many lessons from the books that I have read.
Sometimes it may come from a quote, a paragraph, or the entire novel.
Becky I. says:
February 20, 2013 at 7:06 am (UTC -5 )
No I haven’t unless you count the Bible, I learned lots of life changing lessons there.
Brandi F says:
February 22, 2013 at 11:40 pm (UTC -5 )
Beth…where do I even begin??? This book was so difficult to read. Not because I’ve been in this exact situation, but because I’ve been in situations that cause me to choose to do the right thing even when every fiber of my being is screaming…NO I DON’T WANT TO!
I was briefly telling my book club about it last week and I told them that I wasn’t even sure it was a happy ever after ending…but it was certainly a God ending.
Thank you for writing such a gut wrenching book. You made me consider some areas that I would have preferred to leave alone. And that’s a good thing!