Official Review: My Valley Experience -Beating the Odds
-
Misael Carlos
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 2694
- Joined: 16 Jan 2018, 17:12
- Favorite Book: The Sins of a Master Race
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 214
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-misael-carlos.html
- Latest Review: Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures by Catherine A. Pepe
Official Review: My Valley Experience -Beating the Odds
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "My Valley Experience -Beating the Odds" by Gertrude Flynn-White.]
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
My Valley Experience -Beating the Odds by Gertrude Flynn-White narrates the author's journey as she battles her way through life's difficult adversities and life-changing choices. She recalls her past, growing up from a poor but independent family. At a young age, she learns the value of education and how to balance school, leisure and church. Excelling in class, her father moves her to another school and although separated from her parents, Flynn-White's spiritual relationship with God remains intact even as she goes through her academic studies. She grows up to become a modest and productive woman who is rich in values, principled and strong believer of God. How she utilizes these tools as goes thru stages in her life: youth, love, marriage, parenthood and career will be the focus of this book. Will tribulations defeat her and get her to succumb to her weaknesses and finally give up?
There were so many things to appreciate about this novel. The book was noteworthy of valuable lessons in life. I did not feel Flynn-White was imposing her beliefs on me as I read, and felt no demands to follow her advices. There were many sayings by different authors that made me appreciate the beauty of life and living even more. A prayer at the end of each chapter was related to the topic discussed and many bible verses were sprinkled throughout the book. Unsurprisingly, I did not encounter even a single profanity in this book.
Flynn-White used simple words instead of the flowery and deeper ones some writers use to impress readers and this worked to her advantage because the reading was light and easy. She imparted the value of paying it forward by serving her community and God. When she said one should not let being poor define one's destiny was very impactful.
There were shocking and chilling moments that the author experienced as a mother and if I were I to suffer the same fate, I would have given up. Only a person with an immense and indomitable will can withstand such painful challenges. I admired, and at the same time envied her unshakeable faith in God. Despite all the difficult and at times life-threatening accidents, she was steadfast with her complete trust. She was absolutely sure she would be saved every time an adversity came her way.
Hope, acceptance, forgiveness, value of education, making choices, and making mistake and learning from them were just some of the positive things Flynn-White discussed in My Valley Experience -Beating the Odds. I would find myself nodding in agreement as she pointed out realizations that I already know and yet taken for granted in the past.
On the downside, the author should have provided translations of acronyms like KJV and NIV because these will not quite be understood by those who do not read the bible. She mentioned she worked as a teacher even without reaching tertiary level but she did not specify the education level of her students.
There were minimal grammatical errors as I read the book: a missing article, an incorrect placement of the article “the,” and an incorrect placement of a punctuation mark.
I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. The positivity of her message was clearly reached out to me, and the very minimal and insignificant grammatical errors did not spoil my reading.
To all people who believe in God and Jesus, you will love My Valley Experience -Beating the Odds by Gertrude Flynn-White. On the other hand, non-believers of God, Jesus, and the bible will be unable to connect or relate to the novel.
******
My Valley Experience -Beating the Odds
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
My Valley Experience -Beating the Odds by Gertrude Flynn-White narrates the author's journey as she battles her way through life's difficult adversities and life-changing choices. She recalls her past, growing up from a poor but independent family. At a young age, she learns the value of education and how to balance school, leisure and church. Excelling in class, her father moves her to another school and although separated from her parents, Flynn-White's spiritual relationship with God remains intact even as she goes through her academic studies. She grows up to become a modest and productive woman who is rich in values, principled and strong believer of God. How she utilizes these tools as goes thru stages in her life: youth, love, marriage, parenthood and career will be the focus of this book. Will tribulations defeat her and get her to succumb to her weaknesses and finally give up?
There were so many things to appreciate about this novel. The book was noteworthy of valuable lessons in life. I did not feel Flynn-White was imposing her beliefs on me as I read, and felt no demands to follow her advices. There were many sayings by different authors that made me appreciate the beauty of life and living even more. A prayer at the end of each chapter was related to the topic discussed and many bible verses were sprinkled throughout the book. Unsurprisingly, I did not encounter even a single profanity in this book.
Flynn-White used simple words instead of the flowery and deeper ones some writers use to impress readers and this worked to her advantage because the reading was light and easy. She imparted the value of paying it forward by serving her community and God. When she said one should not let being poor define one's destiny was very impactful.
There were shocking and chilling moments that the author experienced as a mother and if I were I to suffer the same fate, I would have given up. Only a person with an immense and indomitable will can withstand such painful challenges. I admired, and at the same time envied her unshakeable faith in God. Despite all the difficult and at times life-threatening accidents, she was steadfast with her complete trust. She was absolutely sure she would be saved every time an adversity came her way.
Hope, acceptance, forgiveness, value of education, making choices, and making mistake and learning from them were just some of the positive things Flynn-White discussed in My Valley Experience -Beating the Odds. I would find myself nodding in agreement as she pointed out realizations that I already know and yet taken for granted in the past.
On the downside, the author should have provided translations of acronyms like KJV and NIV because these will not quite be understood by those who do not read the bible. She mentioned she worked as a teacher even without reaching tertiary level but she did not specify the education level of her students.
There were minimal grammatical errors as I read the book: a missing article, an incorrect placement of the article “the,” and an incorrect placement of a punctuation mark.
I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. The positivity of her message was clearly reached out to me, and the very minimal and insignificant grammatical errors did not spoil my reading.
To all people who believe in God and Jesus, you will love My Valley Experience -Beating the Odds by Gertrude Flynn-White. On the other hand, non-believers of God, Jesus, and the bible will be unable to connect or relate to the novel.
******
My Valley Experience -Beating the Odds
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
-
Stephanie Elizabeth
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 2989
- Joined: 18 Jul 2018, 15:41
- Currently Reading: We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
- Bookshelf Size: 212
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-stephanie-elizabeth.html
- Latest Review: Do You Remember Me? by Wm M Crouch
I am happy to hear that the author did not force their beliefs on the reader. Thank you for your wonderful review!
Latest Review: Do You Remember Me? by Wm M Crouch
-
Misael Carlos
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 2694
- Joined: 16 Jan 2018, 17:12
- Favorite Book: The Sins of a Master Race
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 214
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-misael-carlos.html
- Latest Review: Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures by Catherine A. Pepe
Thank you for commenting! Happy reading to us!Stephanie Elizabeth wrote: ↑08 Aug 2019, 07:28 I am happy to hear that the author did not force their beliefs on the reader. Thank you for your wonderful review!
-
essyallan7475
- Posts: 68
- Joined: 04 Aug 2019, 20:58
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 21
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-essyallan7475.html
- Latest Review: Geraldine by Edmund M Aristone
A great review. It shows with hard work we all can achieve our goals
Latest Review: Geraldine by Edmund M Aristone
-
BookPower9
- Posts: 209
- Joined: 05 Jul 2019, 21:55
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 387
People are designed to withstand whatever adversities come their way. Only if faith to God is always present. But to keep that faith needs to know God personally. And the only way to do that is to keep on reading the Bible. Little by Little, everyday, faith will eventually grow. Hope I may have the opportunity to read his book. Thanks for he review.
