121 - Song of Renewal; Emily Sue Harvey

In The Song of Renewal, by Emily Sue Harvey, Liza and Garrison Wakefield seem to be the perfect couple. Garrison is a talented graphic artist, and Liza is a stay-at-home mom. Liza is active in the community and a patron of the arts. Each of them had other dreams for themselves -- Liza wanted to be a ballet dancer, and Garrison wanted to become an accomplished artist. Instead, they married, gave up those dreams, and had a child. Now their life revolves around their 16 year old, gifted daughter Angel. She is beautiful, and a gifted dancer.
Life is good for the Wakefields until one rainy night when Liza allows Angel to go to a concert with him boyfriend Troy. Garrison had already told Angel that she could not go. There is a car accident, and the comes that dreaded knock at the door, the one most parents of teenagers have feared at one time or another. The couple is told that their daughter is in critical condition and in a coma, and that Troy was killed instantly.
This life changing event tests the Wakefield's already shaky marriage even more. Liza begins to question herself, and play the "what if" game, after she went against her husband's wishes that fateful night. The couple retreats to separate rooms, pursues separate interests. Liza pursues her ballet, and Garrison his painting. However, peace, and acceptance only seem to come when the two of them are together by their daughter's bedside.
Song of Renewal is certainly an inspirational story of faith, hope and renewal. The cover art is gorgeous. A very short book, fewer than 150 pages, that did send a powerful message. Personally, I was a bit disappointed by the lack of any surprise element whatsoever.


RATING - 4/5; COMPLETED - 8/8/09; My Stacks (review copy)