Review: The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright

The Shepherd of the Hills is the classic story of the stranger who takes the Old Trail deep into the Ozark mountains, many miles from civilization. His appearance signals intellect and culture, yet his countenance is marked by grief and disappointment. He is a man with a mission, yet one which no one understands. What is his purpose in taking on the lowly work of tending work of tending local sheep? And how is it that he befriends these simple hill folk, despite his coming from the world beyond the ridges?

I'm giving this book 4.5 stars. I don't know why I let this sit on my shelf for so very long. It's such a compelling story, and while you're reading it you feel transported back to that time. Although, now that I've finished it, it seems to be an almost passive book.... but I think that's only because of the writing style. It's written in the same tone as Christy and Not My Will. The style that is so simple, yet so deep at the same time. It's an emotional book, and the mystery of who Dad Howitt really is slowly unfolds throughout. The ending is sad, so sad, but fitting. The last several chapters are so.... I think poignant is the word I'm looking for, but I'm not sure. While I wanted to cry a couple times while reading, I didn't . Then I finished the book, closed it, and promptly started crying. I honestly have no doubts why this book is considered a Christian classic. The characters are wonderful, the dialect is familiar to this Southern gal, and the truths timeless. Yes, this was definitely worth the read. And now looking at what I've written it's almost as passive as the book itself, and I'm not sure that I've done a good job describing it. I hope I have, and I hope you read this book.

(If you can't read the print on the cover it reads "The stranger who had stepped out of civilization and into the mountain wilderness of the Ozarks was destined to become...

The Shepherd of the Hills" and of that isn't a statement that makes you feel the pull of this book... then you've got problems I can't fix ;) )