If you’ve been one of the many who’s complained about the writing in Christian fiction, you’ve probably never read a Lisa Samson novel. Unapologetic in tackling faith issues and gospel rendering, the stories come forth in soulful prose with unusual characters and topics, rich in themes and thoughts. Lisa ranks up there with the best—and no qualifying her ability with additions such as “in Christian fiction”. She’s that good.
Resurrection in May, published by Thomas Nelson, gives the reader a two-part story, the first focusing on the elder mixed race lifelong bachelor Claudius Borne who has operated the family farm, Borne’s Last Chance, alone since his step father first and later his mother Violet passed away. One afternoon Claudius returns from a favorite scenic viewpoint where he often goes to ponder God and his life to spot a pretty young woman by the side of the road barfing. He’s a natural rescuer, and she (May-May as he decides to call her) agrees to let him help her after a rowdy evening. They form a unique friendship when she comes to live with him on the farm before she’s scheduled to take a trip to Rwanda to assist a priest in a village. May-May learns the quality of life in growing and gathering, and the peaceful existence she shares there with Claudius provides a refuge she didn’t realize she needed.
Once she goes to Rwanda and establishes herself in the village, the colossal massacre explodes and May eventually returns from the conflict a damaged young woman in every way. Her father asks if Claudius will take her back at his farm, broken-hearted that he and her mother who’s suffered a stroke are unable to provide what she seems to need for healing.
As Claudius administers his clumsy brand of healing and love, May-May begins to function but clearly doesn’t heal from her searing pain.
Part Two shows us the agoraphobic, passive-aggressive embittered May who lives at the farm in a small world of animals, produce, flowers, Claudius’ and her friend Sister Ruth, and Glen the mailman. In time she writes to and receives letters from a college friend (Eli) who’s on Death Row for murder seeking no appeal. Over many letters a true friendship finally takes place which exposes both of their prisons as well as their personal and spiritual needs.
To reveal any other plot points of this story would be to ruin the journey which is all of painful, tragic, and redemptive. The method Lisa uses to tell this story gives us the asides and the language of each individual so that we know them intimately. May’s efforts to clone both Claudius’ and his deceased mother’s purpose in her habits and eventual speech patterns service her will to live. The eventual encouragement she receives from Eli pushes her into approaching genuine healing.
People and even animals come alive and also die on the pages of Resurrection in May. We hear their voices and even their attitudes through dialogue, thoughts, and letters. We suffer through their choices and feel their emotions. Although I think the novel loses something—and rightly so, I suppose—in Part Two, it gives the reader plenty to maintain a sometimes morose involvement while hoping for the real resurrection of a life.
Anyway, Resurrection in May captures the interlacing of life in a small Kentucky town, the struggle for wholeness that comes about in a strange union of souls, and the resurrection power of God’s patience with the fallen and bruised. Lisa Samson is a unique and oh-so-talented storyteller. For quality fiction lovers this is a must read.
Father, thank you for the insights you’ve given Lisa. Please continue to provide the inspiration in stories for her writing that glorifies you and displays the wonders of your giftings. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.