Customer Review ****”The Priest and the Peaches” by JAR

4.0 out of 5 starsNeeding To Grow Up Too Fast

February 28, 2012

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I haven’t read about children who unfortunately become orphans at an early age in a long time. Peach is the last name of the family Larry Peterson writes about in his novel, THE PRIEST AND THE PEACHES. Teddy, Joanie, Beeker, Dancer, Joey have no mother or father. Their mother died a few year earlier. Next their father dies. The Peaches seem doomed to live a hard life of struggle and heartbreak. Their father called Yimey by family and acquaintances also had a prosthesis for a leg. When the Peaches’ father dies, there is a whirlwind of confusion and a feeling of being unprepared. This is not surprising. The oldest Peach is only eighteen. The youngest is a toddler. Thankfully, Teddy and Joanie jump in immediately to act the part of mature parents with a household full of children. Their father’s inability to make enough money to take care of his family is an issue faced almost before the funeral ends. There are problems with the insurance, the telephone bill, the rent for the apartment, need for school clothes and shoes. Just imagine with all of this happening there is really not a chance for the family to wrap their mind around the loss of their father.

“It would be kids taking care of kids in a parentless world–a team with unqualified coaches, playing the game of life.”

The story begins with the funeral. I did think the author spent a great deal of time at the funeral. Plus, I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the sadness and humor at the same time during the funeral.What I will not forget is the father’s values. He believed in an idea nicknamed LYN. LYN means love your neighbor. What a wonderful mnemonic to remember The Golden Rule. I also enjoyed learning more about the Catholic faith.

“Yeah, sure. I love baseball.” “Well, the saints are like our Catholic Hall of Fame. We have pictures and statues of them.”

Larry Peterson’s novel brings the tough questions to light. When your world tumbles down, what should you do first? What should you not touch at all? Will everything ever be alright again? Throughout THE PRIEST AND THE PEACHES there is the family’s experience with miracles too. I will remember God’s ability to provide no matter how desperate the circumstances. His eyes are on us everyday determining how to help and guide us.

‘Father Sullivan looked at them putting his hand on Dancer’s shoulder.’ “Any time you have a problem, turn it over to God.”

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