040 Blessings

 

Big Small Blessings

I’ve never personally known the author of an authentically printed novel. I guess my expectations were not high when I started reading Small Blessings by Martha Woodroof although I have enjoyed all other radio and written pieces that I have listened or read from her. After this fun read, I felt compelled to share it.
 


Small Blessings is now
available in paperback.



Small Blessings is an enjoyable read that kept me coming back until I finished it. The characters were believable and likeable. The situations in which they found themselves were funny and surprising at every page turn. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen to them next.  

One of the main characters is Rose, the bookstore community relations person in a small Southern woman’s college. This is the same position that Martha once held at Sweet Briar College. That is the difficulty of knowing the author. I pictured Rose as Martha as I read. Rose is described as having a full head of curly hair, but every time she tossed her head and hair, I saw Martha tossing her long straight hair over her shoulder.


All the characters found Rose easy to talk to and sharing their secrets with her—just like Martha, the great radio interviewer. Rose and Martha both spent time in Texas and did not finish college. Knowing the author probably meant I could not fully appreciate Rose as the full character she is.


 


Perhaps I should describe the plot. The book follows that adventures of a college professor—his mentally-ill wife dies, he learns he has a son, has custody issues, and falls in love—while alcoholics on campus have various misadventures. I did not list all the plot complications because that is the fun of reading Small Blessings. I make it sound like a light-hearted romp, but there is a depth of feeling and humanity about the work that adds to its appeal.I thought there were a few weaknesses in the book. Something that I did not find resolved in the novel was why Rose suffered panic attacks in the college classroom, and I kept expecting something. The novel also had an ending that seemed too pat. I am not sure if there was another way to end it, but upon reflection, it felt like the ending of a romance novel.

But after finishing the book, I did not regret reading it. In fact, I eagerly anticipated each new time of reading Small Blessings and recommend it to all of you savvy readers!



A few reviews from marthawoodroof.com

“Woodroof nails the debut novel: This warm, wise tale leaves a smile long after the final page is turned.” —People Magazine

 “This book is a charmer: quirky, clear-hearted and effervescent.” —Oprah.com

Savvy Trish