The Turtle Warrior

 

“The Turtle Warrior” by Mary Relindes Ellis

 4/5 stars

 I’m at a loss to understand how this wonderful book published 15 years ago has less than 800 ratings on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble combined.  How did word not get out about this book?  It has great characters all struggling with their own issues, a beautiful setting in Wisconsin, and a story line that will have you feeling all the emotions.  It should have thousands of ratings and reviews.  The author needs a better marketing team.

This is the story of 2 families that live in neighboring farms with nothing in common.  In one farmhouse you have the Morriseau family - a sweet, childless couple and their dog that they rescued from a ditch.  In the other, you have the Lucas family - an alcoholic and abusive husband, a very timid and soft spoken wife, and their 2 sons that are about 10 years apart.  After enduring as much as he could, the oldest enlists and is sent to Vietnam, leaving his younger brother to try to survive their father’s drunken episodes while their mother loses herself in worry over her son off at war.  During the 33 years this story spans, there are lots of ups and downs that the characters go through.  Mainly downs, but yet it’s not a depressing story.  The overall feel is one of struggling to survive, with the hope of a better life, and leaning on others to help you get there.