The Forgiving Kind

In this masterful new novel, set in 1950s North Carolina, the acclaimed author of The Road to Bittersweet and The Education of Dixie Dupree brings to life an unforgettable young heroine and a moving story of family love tested to its limits. For twelve-year-old Martha Sonny Creech, there is no place more beautiful than her familys cotton farm. She, her two brothers, and her parents work hard on their landhoeing, planting, pickingbut only Sonny loves the rich, dark earth the way her father does. When a tragic accident claims his life, her stricken family struggles to fend off ruinuntil their rich, reclusive neighbor offers to help finance that years cotton crop. Sonny is dismayed when her mama accepts Frank Fowlers offer; even more so when Sonnys best friend, Daniel, points out that the man has ulterior motives. Sonny has a talent for divining wateran ability she shared with her father and earns her the hated nickname water witch in school. But uncanny as that skill may be, it wont be enough to offset Mr. Fowlers disturbing influence in her world. Even her bond with Daniel begins to collapse under the weight of Mr. Fowlers bigoted taunts. Though she tries to bury her misgivings for the sake of her mamas happiness, Sonny doesnt need a willow branch to divine that a reckoning is coming, bringing with it heartache, violenceand perhaps, a fitting and surprising measure of justice.