COME DOWN SOMEWHERE by JENNIFER L WRIGHT

Publication date 6/9/22

COME DOWN SOMEWHERE by JENNIFER L WRIGHT is the poignant story of two young girls who meet at school in Alamogordo in New Mexico in 1944, both feeling the effects of rejection by their families, 
In spite of their differences, with Jo Hawthorne’s Christian faith and Olive Alexander’s rejection of God, they become friends when Olive realizes that Jo’s loneliness and difficult situation is every bit as bad as her own. We see how the war affects everybody and everything, especially with the military base in the area and the way the government takes over farms to house those involved in secret military activities, especially  in the development of the bomb that wiped out Hiroshima and changed the nature of warfare forever. We see the infiltration of communism and Russian spies, even amongst American citizens.
The story moves seamlessly between 1945 and 1952, with many twists and turns, including the bomb which explodes at Trinity causing long lasting disease and death.
In 1952 we see a disillusioned Jo who has allowed bitterness and pain to come between her and God, and between her and her dying father. Finding Olive, who she looks upon as her sister, but who she feels has also let her down, leads to finding truth at last, but also danger …………
I love the way the author expresses the characters’ emotions and the strong Christian message of redemption, forgiveness and restoration. We see how hard it is to feel Christ’s presence and even how hard it is to pray when harbouring bitterness, hatred and resentment. We see broken people trying to make sense out of life, as well as those who use and betray others.  We see walls going up and sometimes walls going down. We also see the results of choices that are made, both nationally and personally.
There is some wonderful imagery which backs up the truth of God’s word running through the book.
Come Down Somewhere is beautifully written and a most worthwhile read. Although it is heart breaking in parts, there is a strong promise of hope running through the book. and I found it thought provoking and inspirational.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley fromTyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.