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Reviewed: Oct 22, 2008
RHYTHMS OF GRACE by Marilynn Griffith opens in 1984 in Testimony, Ohio. It consists of three sections, beginning with the Chorus. The story highlights Diana Grace Dixon as a clumsy and miserable ballet dancer who is told that a favor is being bestowed upon her because her snobbish mother begged for the opportunity. Her saving grace is her father, who whisks, Diana away from the elitist school and enrolls her in a afro-centric dance school, much to her mother's dismay. Also showcased are other players who have solid roles throughout the novel. There is Zeely, a preacher's daughter and a friend of Diana's; Brian, the drummer at the dance school; Ron the white boy who somehow finds himself being raised in the same household with Brian; Jeremiah, the son of the church's first family and Joyce, Diana's dance instructor and mentor.
The second section is titled Harmony and the third is Rhythms. Each chapter alternates between the characters and examines their past and present. Fast forward twenty years, Diana who now goes by the name Grace Okoye, is summoned back to Testimony by her former dance instructor, to teach and bring her gift to the students of an alternative school. Grace has trepidation about returning because of a brutal assault that occurred as a teen and the consequences of the assault. Intertwined are the childhood memories and adult lives of Zeely, Brian, Ron and Jeremiah. As adults, each character's life story is somehow related to Grace and the past, coupled with the present, comes crashing down on each of them.
RHYTHMS OF GRACE is an excellent piece about redemptive love, grace and mercy. It is filled with messages for the masses and highlights both the redeeming and abandoned qualities of each character. Each character survived ordeals with God's guidance and as we watched their battles unfold it is evident that the power of prayer is a mainstay that protects us daily. I highly recommend RHYTHMS OF GRACE for the quality of the writing, the characterizations, the social commentary and yes, the story within!
Reviewed by Dawn Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
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Dawn Reeves is a Program Coordinator for a public school system and is an avid sports fan. In addition to participating in on-line book clubs, she is the manager of a local book club.
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