Review for The Winter Calf by Michael S. Nuckols

This is my review for The Winter Calf.  The opinions expressed are my own and were in no way influenced by anyone or anything.

Iris Littleton is known as the mountain witch.  In the small town of Maple Gap she has a reputation of being a witch and a hermit.  Shes lived in the mountains for more than 30 years and people say that the Bubbling Brook not only took the life of her young son, but is named after the bubbles when he breathed his last.

Henry Mayfield is a young boy who wants to grow up to be just like his father.  Their milk cow just had a calf and hes going to raise it and help it grow strong.  He wants to enter it into the county fair and impress his family and schoolmates.

Jerome Bigman is the school bully and generally known as a bad seed.  Hes trying to escape a violently abusive father and end his pain.  He runs away and begins a chain of events that bring him, Iris and Henry together in ways none of them could imagine.

The story was a very good one.  The characters were all vivid and very well fleshed out.  You could sympathize with Iris and her loneliness, Henry and Jerome and their trying to come to grips with different childhood tragedies.  There are flashbacks that can get a little confusing at times, I had to go back and read a few portions again just to make sure I read it correctly.  But they didn't really detract from the story and gave you more information on the characters possible motivations.

The story started slowly with a lot of build up.  I was not disappointed in the climax.  It was actually quite shocking because there was a bit of a lull where you're fooled into thinking everything might be okay after all and then the unthinkable happens.  It was impressive and surprising and after the initial shock, it made sense and was a fitting end to that part of the narrative.

I was, however, a bit disappointed by the very end of the book.  The story had come full circle and there was room for hope, but it was almost like the author simply ran out of things to say and just had to find a way to say the end.

I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars.  It was a very touching story.  Vivid characters and engaging story line.  Take a chance on The Winter Calf.

The Winter Calf on Amazon