Solomon's Oak

August 16, 2010
Mapson’s (Hank & Chloe) latest is an emotionally genuine if predictable story of three lonely, damaged people who find solace in one another. A year after the untimely death of her husband, Dan, Glory Solomon is adrift, in financial trouble, and unable to find much meaning in a world without her mate. But when she opens a wedding chapel on her historic California ranch (known for its ancient oak tree), she attracts a variety of couples in search of unconventional nuptials—and two lost souls. Juniper McGuire, an angry teenage girl, is still reeling from the tragedy that put her into the foster care system. And a former crime scene photographer, Joseph Vigil, suffers chronic pain from an on-the-job accident. Together, the three grievers form a tentative support system that could—if they’ll let it—be called love. As in her previous novels, Mapson seems most at ease describing the relationship between human and animal—especially dogs and horses—and in rendering the Western landscape. Her facility with dialogue, however, is less impressive, but most readers will be too involved in the sweep of loss and recovery to stumble for long over awkward talk.

July 1, 2010
In her tenth novel, Mapson, author of "Blue Rodeo"and "Hank & Chloe" stays true to the quirky semi-Southwestern style that works so well for her. Glory Solomon is a recently widowed California dog rescuer, surprised to be launching a venture hosting weddings on her property. Glory's life had included fostering children with her husband, and though Dan was the driving force for foster care, Glory agrees to take on a special case—her first girl. Juniper McGuire is an angry, tattooed abandoned 14-year-old who has difficulties staying in school and out of trouble; when her sister famously disappeared, her mother committed suicide, and her father skipped town. Although Juniper may be more than Glory can handle, they soon encounter newcomer Joseph Vigil, who has tremendous pain of his own. But the three may be able to help one another. VERDICTMapson continues to carve out her niche with this lovely, well-written story of the walking wounded reaching out to one another and the beauty of friendship.—Julie Kane, Sweet Briar Coll. Lib., VA

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