[BQJ]∎ [PDF] Free Until That Distant Day Jill Stengl 9780989447836 Books

Until That Distant Day Jill Stengl 9780989447836 Books

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Until That Distant Day Jill Stengl 9780989447836 Books

Until that Distant Day is a harsh yet honest look at the French Revolution and the lives of siblings who struggle to find their places in the world. Having read only one other novel by Mrs. Jill Stengl, (Lonely in Long Tree, which is a quiet romance,) I was unprepared for the unflinching way in which the author describes the violence that ran rampant during this brutal time in history. However, this novel is not a book of gore but a stirring look at real, flawed individuals trying to reconcile ideals with the hard truths of war. I love how the author intersperses scenes of domestic peace with danger-strewn scenes of suspense. Her ability to perfectly describe the main protagonist's culinary skills will make you salivate, and the beauty of this character's kitchen garden is a perfect symbolic haven in the midst of the unrest throughout Paris.

The first-person narrative lends itself perfectly to this story. Colette has an engaging voice and describes her daily interactions with others. Her pain as she and her brothers make momentous decisions that will affect all their lives is particularly vivid. I loved the relationship between Colette and her brother, Pascoe, who is a deeply flawed but empathetic individual. Some of Pascoe's actions and declarations were disturbing to me, but Mrs. Stengl presents him so vividly I could not help but like his character. My favorite character is Doctor Hilliard, a man whose imperfections and quiet heroism make him truly endearing. Although this novel has small sprinklings of romance, I appreciated that it was more a tale of family than a mere love story, as I do not read many romances.

Until That Distant Day is a story of strength in the midst of upheaval, a tale of comfort in the midst of pain. I especially loved how one character, Pierre Benedict, responds to a question posed by Collette after she has witnessed the attack at the king's palace. When Colette inquires on the whereabouts of God, the priest replies that, "He was there, gathering his children to him". That is exactly what Until That Distant Day presents, a story of evil times in which goodness can also be found, a time when God is in the midst of the pain and orchestrating events to bring forth the greater good. Please give this riveting novel a chance. Thoroughly recommended. God bless you all.


Tags : Until That Distant Day [Jill Stengl] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. When revolution reigns, can love survive? A vibrant, activist widow living in Paris during the early days of France’s new Republic can find limitless opportunities for success. So says Pascoe,Jill Stengl,Until That Distant Day,Rooglewood Press,0989447839,Christian - Historical,Fiction - Religious,Fiction Christian Historical,Religious & spiritual fiction

Until That Distant Day Jill Stengl 9780989447836 Books Reviews

The Story. Set in France during the Revolution, the story, told in the first person, opens with the main character, Colette deMar, recounting how she, a rather rebellious sort from childhood, happened to come to Paris.

As befitted her nature and her companions—the brother she was closest to, Pascoe, involved himself as an administrator of one faction of the revolutionaries—she led the women of their section. This involvement meant attending meetings and even demonstrations intended to force the king to accept the authority of the republican assembly.

As the revolution became increasingly violent, however, Colette pulled away from her involvement, and consequently from Pascoe. At the same time, she became increasingly involved in the life and family of her employer, Dr. Sebastian Hillard, a deputy to the National Assembly.

Pascoe, though he had once aspired to be like Dr. Hillard, had a falling out with him and pressured Colette to leave his employ. And so began the great conflict Colette had to resolve or live with on a regular basis.

There is much more to the story Colette’s other two brothers who are living in Paris–seventeen year old Claude and twenty year old Étienne–Colette’s work as a midwife, her role as companion to Dr. Hilliard’s dauther, her charitable work with the poor in her section, and her love for the home she found where she worked.

Each part weaves together into a whole, undergirded by the events in Paris during the critical summer on 1792 when fear and extremists took over the revolution.

Strengths. Without a doubt, Until That Distant Day is a character driven novel. The plot is certainly interesting, and there’s lots of action, but what makes this story shine is the beautiful depiction of Colette. This protagonist is an interesting young woman, rebellious, hungry for respect and kindness. She has secrets—has reason to warn Dr. Hilliard not to trust her discernment or discretion. She herself has learned to be wary of her passions.

Throughout the story Colette’s strong and compelling voice drives the narrative. The story is interesting because she is interesting, and as a reader, I wanted to know what would happen to her.

The characters weren’t simply central to the story. They were the story. The real conflict centered on how or if they would change, and each of them was so firmly in relationship with the others that the change in one affected change in the others.

Another strength of this novel is the detail incorporated in the story, undoubtedly a result of expert research. Whether the spices used to prepare various foods, the smells of the goat’s pen, the sounds from the blacksmith forge, the feel of the heated kitchen, or the sights of the doctor’s crooked wig, this novel firmly planted the story in 1792 France. Nothing was pretentious or window dressing. All the details were a necessary part of moving the story forward, but they also anchored it firmly in the historical setting.

The thematic development of Until That Distant Day was another strength. The antagonism toward God, the apparent hypocrisy of one avowed atheist, the questions about suffering and evil and God’s place in all of the unfolding developments were handled in a natural, believable way. Taken as a whole they painted a theme grounded in truth but delivered within the confines of the historical setting.

Weaknesses. I don’t know if these are genuine weaknesses, but I had these reactions. At one point I was losing respect for Colette because she seemed too easily charmed. As an independent, rebellious woman, I thought she’d stand up for herself more, that she wouldn’t let herself be manipulated so easily. However, she also self-identified as someone lacking discernment, so in truth she acted in a way that was consistent with her character. I just didn’t like it. But it was short lived and actually served the conflict well.

The other was the use of various French words and phrases. At one point, I wondered if so many were necessary, considering that the characters undoubtedly spoke completely in French, yet the story is written in English. Why not have all of it told in English, I thought. And yet, the French served as a reminder of who these characters were. Most of the meanings I could guess at. Some I would have looked up if I’d realized there was a translation guide in the back. (It’s one of the negatives of reading on an electronic device—not being able to page through the book. And of course I had paged right past the Table of Contents that clearly listed the guide).

Recommendation. From start to finish, I enjoyed Until That Distant Day. More than once since I finished the book, I’ve thought I’d like to know what happened to this character or that. At one place I also thought how perfectly this book showed the flip side of events in one of my favorite novels, The Scarlet Pimpernel. To be honest, the feel of the two books is similar.

I found Colette to be a fascinating character, and I found myself thinking about the French Revolution from a perspective I’d never considered before.

In other words, I am so glad I read this book. I think readers (people who enjoy reading because it’s just fun to learn about people and places and times that are different) will enjoy Until That Distant Day. I think the book is a Must Read for those who love historical fiction, particularly stories set in Europe during the eighteenth century.
Until that Distant Day is a harsh yet honest look at the French Revolution and the lives of siblings who struggle to find their places in the world. Having read only one other novel by Mrs. Jill Stengl, (Lonely in Long Tree, which is a quiet romance,) I was unprepared for the unflinching way in which the author describes the violence that ran rampant during this brutal time in history. However, this novel is not a book of gore but a stirring look at real, flawed individuals trying to reconcile ideals with the hard truths of war. I love how the author intersperses scenes of domestic peace with danger-strewn scenes of suspense. Her ability to perfectly describe the main protagonist's culinary skills will make you salivate, and the beauty of this character's kitchen garden is a perfect symbolic haven in the midst of the unrest throughout Paris.

The first-person narrative lends itself perfectly to this story. Colette has an engaging voice and describes her daily interactions with others. Her pain as she and her brothers make momentous decisions that will affect all their lives is particularly vivid. I loved the relationship between Colette and her brother, Pascoe, who is a deeply flawed but empathetic individual. Some of Pascoe's actions and declarations were disturbing to me, but Mrs. Stengl presents him so vividly I could not help but like his character. My favorite character is Doctor Hilliard, a man whose imperfections and quiet heroism make him truly endearing. Although this novel has small sprinklings of romance, I appreciated that it was more a tale of family than a mere love story, as I do not read many romances.

Until That Distant Day is a story of strength in the midst of upheaval, a tale of comfort in the midst of pain. I especially loved how one character, Pierre Benedict, responds to a question posed by Collette after she has witnessed the attack at the king's palace. When Colette inquires on the whereabouts of God, the priest replies that, "He was there, gathering his children to him". That is exactly what Until That Distant Day presents, a story of evil times in which goodness can also be found, a time when God is in the midst of the pain and orchestrating events to bring forth the greater good. Please give this riveting novel a chance. Thoroughly recommended. God bless you all.