Wish You Well

David Baldacci

Synopsis: Louisa Mae and her brother, Oscar have grown up listening to their father’s stories of growing up with his grandmother on the farm. But when tragedy strikes, the two children have to leave their home in New York City to go live in the mountains of Virginia with their great-grandmother, whom they have never met. Living on a mountain farm, in 1940, in the heart of coal country is like nothing the two children have ever imagined. But when fear takes over the small town at the foot of their great-grandmother’s beloved mountain, decisions will have to be made that will affect both the children, and the mountain they have come to call home.

Wish You Well was my second novel by David Baldacci. The first thing that struck me when I started reading this book was that these two novels could not get any more different! The first one I read was called “The Innocent” and (without going into too much detail) was a modern day novel about an assassin. To go from this tense thriller about an assassin on the run, to a heartfelt story about a young girl that is part historical fiction, part coming of age, and part legal drama was kind of astounding. I give Mr. Baldacci full kudos for not only writing two such different novels, but for doing both of them so well! This fact alone makes me want to read more of his book, and I certainly will be looking into it when the bookstores re-open.

This novel really struck me. Based on my previous experience with Baldacci, and the brief mention on the back cover of a courtroom, I was anticipating more of legal drama. And while that is an element of the story, it’s not the true meat of it. This is not in any way meant as a criticism.

When the book first got going I was a little bit concerned that the book was going to be kind of cold. In the beginning, it didn’t feel like there was much emotion involved. This probably played into my expectation that it was going to be more legal based. I was SO wrong. This book has so much heart to it. Lousia Mae (Lou) is really the heroine, and she is a spitfire! She has more grit and fire in her little finger than I think I have ever or will ever possess. I love her. It is an absolute joy to read as she faces new challenges, makes new friends, and takes on mountain living like she’s not afraid of anything. But there’s also so much in this story that is filled with love, and hope.

I also really enjoyed Baldacci’s style of writing. His characters are colorful, relatable and lovable (unless he doesn’t want you to like them… then you REALLY won’t like them!). He did a wonderful job of describing their environment and lifestyle. He creates such a detailed image. I think he found a really good balance with descriptions. Sometimes I feel like authors go too in depth describing things, and I’ll be honest, they lose me a little bit. I start skimming. Not the case here. He does enough to make it clear, but not so much that your eyes start to glaze over.

This really is a beautiful book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It’s not a high intensity book, not one that has you checking your blood pressure (Again, not a criticism). But it is captivating and will keep your attention. Check it out!

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