Book Review: Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay is like taking in a deep breath of sweet smelling lilies!  The freshness and beauty of this debut novel make it a rewarding pleasure to read.  Be sure you place Dear Mr. Knightly by Katherine Reay on your reading list for this spring 2014!  You will definitely enjoy every page!



Put this book on your Spring reading
list for 2014!

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay is such a treat to read.  The careful unfolding of each new character within the story line is exquisitely smooth.  The sweet ebb and flow of the emotional cadence within the story line takes the reader to a quiet place of introspection.  This book is masterfully written.

The story centers around a young lady named Samantha Moore.  The book is in journal format throughout the entirety. “Sam”, as she is called by her friends, writes her reflections with regard to her past and present life experiences while participating in a journalism program at a large University in Chicago.  The funding for this program has been completely covered through a grant given to her from an anonymous donor by the name of Mr. Knightley.  As Samantha ponders her career, talents, and relationships in frequent letters to the generous benefactor, Mr. Knightley, she uncovers things about herself that she never knew.  As lessons of forgiveness, authenticity, tenacity, compassion and transparency emerge; Sam begins to unearth a wholeness that she has longed to experience.

It’s difficult to say what I loved the most about this book!  Would it be the fact that the main character, Samantha is vulnerable and innocent which creates a high level of endearment toward her?  Perhaps that was it.  Could it be the fact that KatherineReay so easily expresses her love for American Literature throughout the whole novel and because of that, I will now be able to use this book as a resource for further literature exploration?  She even goes so far as to provide “Sam’s Reading List” at the end of the book to assist with a travel through the classics.  That will most certainly be an enormous bonus.  Was it the inherent love story lightly etched throughout the margins of the main theme?  That was a tender touch for sure.  Or could it have been the sheer curiosity and anticipation of finally getting to meet Mr. Knightley after so many letters to him?  Yes, that too played a significant part.  Actually, I think it was a compilation of each of these components that made this book a sensational read for me!

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay is a profoundly written book circling around the delicate thinking of a young woman as she works through past and present issues. The reader has the privilege of peeking into the main character’s heart as she learns to confront obstacles of life with grace, forgiveness, and courage.  This book is undeniably worth your attention, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself poking around inside your own heart as well! 

I want to thank Thomas Nelson Publishing for this review copy of Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay.  I was not required to write a favorable review.  The opinions given within this review are strictly my own.