‘Resurrection in May’ by Lisa Samson – Book Review

Human resiliency is amazing. ‘Resurrection in May,’ the latest novel by Lisa Samson, brings this human characteristic – not to mention God’s grace and mercy – to the forefront.

Here is the synopsis of this book:

A Strange and Wonderful Friendship Ignites the Fire of Love in May Seymour’s Life.

Lovely and winsome, May Seymour graduated from college with the world at her feet…and no idea what to do with it. A spontaneous missions trip to Africa brought a great surprise – love – and a strong sense of purpose. But in loving others there, she encountered a severe tragedy that left her deeply wounded.

She comes to heal at the farm of Claudius Borne – a sweet, kind old man who understands plants and animals far better than people. And his farm becomes May’s home.

There on the farm, May renews a friendship with an old college flame named Eli whose path has taken unexpected turns too. As May tries to convince Eli to grab hold of life once again, he begins to pull May from her sheltered existence. Like old Claudius’s farm in Spring, May begins to blossom back into life. But no resurrection ever comes without sacrifice – and this sacrifice will forever transform May.

Here is the biography of this wonderful author:

Lisa Samson, the Christy-award winning author of twenty-six books including Christianity Today’s 2008  Novel of the Year, Quaker Summer, and Justice in the Burbs, which she co-wrote with her husband, Will, a professor of Sociology. When not at home in Kentucky with her three children, one cat, and six chickens, she speaks around the country about writing and social justice, encouraging the people of God to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” She loves nothing better than sitting around her kitchen table, talking with family and friends, old and new.

She is also the proprietor of the recently opened Cuppa: A Tea Café in Lexington, Kentucky.

This book starts with May Seymour, fresh from graduating from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Journalism, with the typical co-ed mindset and enthusiasm. Her dream was to be the editor-in-chief of Vogue Magazine, and drove a Mazda Miata convertible, her blonde hair blowing in the breeze. The year is 1993, and her next move in life is to go on a mission trip to Rwanda.

Her life changed forever when she was picked up by Claudius Borne after a drunken college party. She was crawling along on a country road, and an angel in human form picked her up and brought her to his home. Here is how Claudius sees himself and the world around him:

Since Claudius was a farmer, everything ended up looking something like a vegetable in his mind. His mother had favored paisley prints, and he always thought of them as summer squashes. Whenever he saw a picture of a flying saucer – pattypan squash. Beads on necklaces, depending on size, were either peas or cherry tomatoes.

He’s always lived right around this spot of Kentucky. And it was not that his owns fields and woods weren’t enough anymore, but this vista did something for him he couldn’t even voice – he just knew he enjoyed it, the freewheeling breeze, the small pebbles lining the precarious sandstone path with no guardrails, even the tourists who liked to sit on the edge and dangle their feet into that same expanse of nothing but air. (p. 3)  

Here is May explaining to Claudius that she will be heading to Rwanda:

“I’m leaving for a trip to Rwanda soon. Working at a medical mission. Probably an everything mission.”

          “For how long?”

          “A couple of months.”

          “So you’ll be going with a church group or something?”

          “Just me. Believe me, I’ll just be helping out. I’m no missionary.”

The way she said it sounded like she thought being a missionary was a bad thing. But Jesus said to go to the lost, didn’t he?

“Then why are you going?”

“Not to force my beliefs on someone, that’s for sure.”

Oh. “Then what for?”

“Father Isaac needs help in the village. I like kids, and I don’t mind pitching in and doing what needs doing.”

“I’m sure you’ll have a good time.” (p. 17)

A close relationship developed between May and Claudius, and he offered his home to her until she was ready to leave for Rwanda. She readily accepted.

During the time that May was in Rwanda, she grew to love the people who quickly became her friends. She happened to be in Rwanda at the time of the one of the worst genocide - between the Hutus and the Tutsis. It was a very dangerous situation, and she was encouraged to return to the United States:

“You should leave soon,” Father Isaac said almost every day, and every day May refused. What did she really have to go home to? She’d been rejected for the internship. Perhaps she’d get a job at the Lexington Herald-Leader. Anything seemed better than that.

The suddenly the president of Rwanda, a Hutu, was killed. It was all the excuse needed for blood to flow.

The Interahamwe, those calling for the decimation of the Tutsi, began to swarm through the land, locusts eating all in their paths, crunching bones, devouring flesh.

Oh, the prayers she heard that day word got to their village that the Hutu were on the rampage. After months of indoctrination, neighbor was killing neighbor in other towns and villages, the cities too. She prayed prayers of thankfulness they were so remote. Perhaps they’d escape this. (p. 51)

Unfortunately, she and her new family did not escape the horrors. May lived through unbelievable atrocities. She became philosophical about her situation after months of inexplicable survival:

She began to laugh, hugging her sides, as she leaned against the well and slid down, her bottom behind her heels. Wasn’t life a trip? Try to do something good and end up worse off than when you were partying and ignoring God at all costs?—Yep, kill me now. You want me to pray, God? How about that? Let me die.

Once again her unspoken hopes fell on deaf ears.

The Jeep came into view, and she saw that the driver and his companion wore the blue helmets of UN troops. She was safe. More or less. (p. 69)

Her parents and Claudius decided the best place for May to rest, recuperate and heal was to return to Bourne’s Last Chance, the farm.   

May’s life at the farm was completely different from her life pre-Rwanda. Here Claudius reflects on the changes, and how it affected both of their world views:

May was learning to think differently, self-sufficiently. And it made Claudius feel good, the way she appreciated what was grown in the earth around her and how hard she worked to bring it all forth. He had taken God’s natural goodness for granted, he saw. Not in a way that wasn’t thankful, but he’d forgotten the miracle of life in general. When you thought about the dark universe with splotches of heat and light, this green and blue jewel on which he grew, and food grew, was indeed miraculous! He’d even taken himself for granted, his work, that he knew instinctively when to put a seed in the ground. And it wasn’t the same day every year either. He just felt in his bones when it was time. (p. 87)

May began to allow Claudius to get her off the farm and back into life. She accompanied him to the Farmer’s Market in Lexington, where he was known as the Tomato Man, and she was known for her lovely bouquets of flowers. May had a setback when she ran across an acquaintance of her from the University of Kentucky. Here’s the exchange between May and Claudius:

---Oh, sweet Lord Jesus! We were doing so good. Why’d that girl have to show up?

“And she was wearing Eau d’Hadrien, one of the most expensive perfumes in the world. Did you know that?”

“’Course I didn’t, May-May!”

She flinched. And he turned away. He could take almost anything but people feeling sorry for themselves.

His heart melted, and he turned back. “Honey, you have more to feel bad about that overpriced perfume only stupid people would waste their money on to begin with. Don’t pity yourself about the wrong things. You’ll never heal that way.”

---I’d better watch myself. I’m starting to give pretty good advice. (p. 136)

Time passed, and so did Claudius. He changed his will to allow May to stay on at the farm indefinitely, even though he willed his forty acres to his church. Fast forward eight years, and May is still on the farm. She has become a real country girl, a bit of a recluse. A friend of Claudius’s from childhood, Sister Ruth, became May’s new lifeline. Here is an exchange between the two ladies:

          “We have to talk about something, May.”

Oh, boy. May took a sip of her coffee, hoping to hide behind the brim,

“Your hair.”

“No.”

“Look at it. It’s down past your bee-hind. And all that gray. And it isn’t a pretty gray either, honey. It’s that iron gray with yellow around the edges.”

“It’s easier that way.”

“’Course it is! It has no style. It’s ridiculous. No woman your age should wear a braid that long. I just think if you got back a little style you might---“

“Keep trying.” May stood up. “I think the quiche is heated up.” (p. 158)

May had a brief interlude while at the University with a football player, Eli, who happened to be from the town where Borne’s Last Chance was located, Beattyville. They reconnected for a week before she went to Rwanda. In the interim, he served honorably in the military, married and had a daughter, then returned home to a life of drugs and murder. May was conflicted about her what she thought about her old flame after his crimes:

          Poor Eli?

She knew she should feel compassion. She knew the basic series of events that had led him from decorated vet to someone killing two people while committing a felony. She knew you couldn’t use up a person then cut him loose.

But May couldn’t forget his victims, either. And when she thought of Eli, she thought of them, a father and his eight-year-old daughter, and fear gripped her throat, strangling her with feelings, reminding her of events she was still desperately trying to forget. (p. 167)

May decided to start corresponding with Eli in prison. She also became friends with his mother, Sassy and his daughter, Callie. Here is an excerpt from one of May’s letters to Eli:

Okay, so I’ve spent more time with Callie and, oh, Eli! She’s a beautiful girl. So tall and with all that dark blonde hair! She got all the good parts of you. Ha!

She’s so kind too. She carried in the lasagna and asked if I’d like it in the refrigerator, then sat at the table and listened while we talked. She took out a sketchbook and created the most beautiful, whimsical flowers and curlicues with a pack of markers she took out of her purse. I’m getting her to design a business card! I know a good thing when I see one. (p. 281)

There is a lot of activity in the entire book, and especially at the end – and I don’t want to give away any spoilers – but suffice to say that the end was bitter yet sweet. I will leave you with this final passage:

May climbed to her feet and walked around to Lover’s Leap, where she sat against an outcropping of rock and watched the sun go down. She let the love of God wash over her, cleansing away every drop of blood, every scar, every fear and failing. At least for today.

She decided she’d let Jesus do the same thing tomorrow if she needed him to. And the next day. And the next after that. Until she awakened one morning to find that it was gone for good.  (p. 306)

That is a great way to live one’s life!

This is the second book I have read by Lisa Samson; the first book is a non-fiction book called ‘Love Mercy: A Mother and Daughter’s Journey from the American Dream to the Kingdom of God’ by Lisa and her daughter, Ty (you can read my review here). I knew from that book that I would want to read any book that Lisa releases – and I have to say ‘Resurrection in May’ proved that to be true! Lisa’s books are always thought-provoking, beautifully written, and always place Jesus at the center. I am so appreciative for the books that the Lord has brought my way, and I know I will always be grateful when a book by Lisa Samson crosses my path!

You can order this book here.

This book was published and provided by Thomas Nelson Publishers for review purposes.

The Winner of Lisa and Ty Samson's 'Love Mercy' is....

The Random Number Generator has chosen a winner for 'Love Mercy: A Mother and Daughter's Journey from the American Dream to the Kingdom of God' by Lisa and Ty Samson. 


That winner is Karen K!


Congratulations, Karen.  


An email from me is on its way to get your mailing information.


For those of you interested (and you all should be - it's a terrific book!), you can order it here.


Thanks to everyone for your entries and comments!

‘Love Mercy: A Mother and Daughter’s Journey from the American Dream to the Kingdom of God’ by Lisa Samson and Ty Samson – Book Review and Giveaway

This year, the Lord seems to be showing me how important ‘the poor among us’ are to him.  He has reaffirmed that through the latest book on my reading list, ‘Love Mercy: A Mother and Daughter’s Journey from the American Dream to the Kingdom of God’ by Lisa Samson and her daughter, Ty.   Lisa and Ty are ahead of me on this one!

Here is the book trailer for this touching book:

And here is the description of the book from the back cover:

Having lived a life of plenty in suburban America, Lisa Samson and her eighteen-year-old daughter Ty thought they were traveling to Africa to minister to Africa to minister to the people and chronicle the AIDS crisis devastating the continent.  Their trip, they assumed, would be missional, merciful, giving.

Instead, they experience a life-changing soul-rattling journey.

Part One of 'Love Mercy' describes the spiritual journey of Lisa and her husband Will, and their children Ty, Jake and Gwynnie.  The family was living in a large home in suburban Baltimore, and living the ‘American Dream.’  Over time, they discovered that Jesus’ commandments and the ‘American Dream’ were not necessarily compatible.  Lisa was also discovering that God loves her regardless of her ‘to-do’ list.  Here is how she describes her mindset prior to that realization:

Inside, I truly believed that God’s affection for me was directly linked to how much I accomplished in his name….  My desire to please God was real enough, but it was formed by a need to know that God wasn’t bad at me.  I lived in fear that God might be rearing back in righteous indignation, or , and worse, disappointment – the kind of disappointment that church had been reminding me of since day one (Jesus loves me when I’m bad, even though it makes him sad). (p. 23) 

A friend of hers, Denise, ran into her at a mutual friend’s home, and she told Lisa some words from God had come to her for Lisa (p. 27):

          God knows you’re doing good works to please him, but he wants your heart.

Lisa got the message!  Here is her interpretation, as it relates to social justice and to her heart:

Everything I’m about to tell you about social justice boils down to this: God wants your heart.  That may seem like another point entirely, but I believe this simple truth will help you bathe in the deep waters of justice instead of dipping your toes in now and again. (p. 29)

The Samsons decided to explore a different way of life.  One of the communities they visited was the Simple Way community in Philadelphia, founded by Shane Claiborne.  Lisa, in particular, was a bit taken aback by their lifestyle (dreadlocks, vegetarianism).  However, she came to see that their hearts were pure and godly.  It was an eye-opening experience.

Lisa and her husband, Will, felt that God was leading them to move to Lexington, Kentucky; they eventually did just that, making their house in downtown Lexington a house of hospitality, where people of all types were welcome.  Lisa also realized that she needed her life to be devoted to the Lord:

I look at my whole life as a mission from God.  My life isn’t divided between church and the real world, so everything I do ought to further the kingdom of God here on earth.  It’s a bit like thinking of yourself as a missionary/relief worker in your own hometown. (p. 55)

Think of what a better world we would have if all Christians lived that way!

All of these revelations from God were leading Lisa – and Ty – to a trip to Swaziland with Children’s HopeChest.  Part Two of the book takes us on their journey.  Swaziland is a country in Africa which has been ravaged by AIDS.  This disease, which seems to be contained here in the U.S., is spreading exponentially in many countries in Africa.  There are also the never-ending scourges of poverty and hunger.  One of the real-life heroes in this book is Pastor Walter, whose flock has been decimated by all of these plagues.  Here is how Lisa describes the work of a pastor in this land:

Pastors in Swaziland don’t have the luxury of worrying about “saving souls” – instead they worry about keeping hungry, undernourished, and disease-wracked bodies alive for another day, another week.  Pastor Walter’s field of corn was a church building project worth supporting.  (p. 101)

Lisa was profoundly changed by this accumulation of events:

Everything changes when issues become people.  Life becomes both simpler and more complex.  Simpler if we truly believe God loves everyone in the world, and more complex as our world expands exponentially.  When issues become people, we accept God’s plan that we are now Christ’s body – his hands, feet, legs, and arms.  His smile.  His embrace.  We wonder how this God who loves so lavishly is sovereign over a world of such pain…. [T]he more the followers of Christ act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly, the better things are for everyone.  For the others.  What if every Christian reached out in love and deed to one sick AIDS patient, one lonely orphan, one poor widow, one hungry family? (p. 147)

I was so touched and blessed reading about the journey that Lisa and her family are on these days.  They truly are ‘crucified with Christ’ (Galatians 2:20).  It is encouraging to see their obedience, and it makes me strive for the same, and to live the life that the Lord has planned for me.  I appreciate that Lisa and Ty shared their heart of Christ in this wonderful book.


I recently read and reviewed a book by Tom Davis by the name of ‘Scared: A Novel on the Edge of the World’ (you can read the review here).  The author, Tom Davis, is also the president of Children’s HopeChest.  Lisa and Ty visited Swaziland with Tom and his team.  The proceeds for this book will benefit that wonderful charity which helps orphans around the world to experience God, develop independent living skills and have more than just their basic needs met to achieve a sustainable life.

Lisa Samson is the author of over twenty-five books, including the Christy award-winning novel ‘Songbird.’  Her novel, ‘Quaker Summer’ was Christianity Today's novel of 2008.  She is coauthor with her husband, Will, of ‘Justice in the Burbs: Being the Hands of Jesus Wherever You Live.’
Ty Samson loves art, literature, playing upright bass, and baking bread.  She enjoys working with children and serving at the East Seventh Street Center in downtown Lexington, Kentucky.

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Zondervan and provided by the Blog Tour Spot.  I am proud to be participating in the tour with these other bloggers.

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I have a copy of this book that I would love to pass along to one of you! 

There are several ways to gain entry:

1) Leave a comment here on the blog, telling me how you live your life as a Christ-follower (assuming that you are!).  Please make sure to leave your email address in this format – sample[at]gmail[dot]com.

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So there are five chances to enter!  Please limit one entry per option.

This giveaway is for U.S. residents only.  The deadline for entry is Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  A winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator on Friday, April 30, 2010 and will be contacted via email.  The best to all of you!