The
Prodigal Son by Anna Belfrage.
Reviewed by Francine
Set
within the 17th century this book stands alone despite being book 3
in The Graham Series.
It’s
1665 and all thanks to his 21st century time-slip wife Alex (Bk1), Mathew
Graham has returned home to Ayshire (Scotland) post deportation to the colony
of Virginia, only to find life under Charles II is not quite as imagined.
Religious strife is rampant, and outlawed by refusal to swear absolute fealty
to Charles and the Church of England life has become Hell on earth for Scot
Presbyterian ministers. In defiance of crown dictate Mathew shelters and
provides succour to the runaway ministers. One in particular of notorious voice
and with a price on his head causes much anguish for Alex.
Whilst
Mathew engages in risk-laden ventures across the moors, Alex faces a stark reality
from his past life that will surely change hers and no doubt that of her
children, for when Mathew’s ex wife thrusts Ian into Alex’ care the lad bears a
remarkable resemblance to Mathew. Although once thought of his own son until
told otherwise, both Mathew and Alex are thrown into emotional plains of
uncertainty over Ian’s true lineage. All the while their love for each other is
tested, not by the boy, but by events that unfold and threaten to tear them all
apart. Ms Belfrage has most definitely placed an emotional minefield before her
characters of which Mathew and Alex tread with great fortitude, their love
knowing no bounds. This book although full of roller-coaster emotions in a
romantic sense, the historical facts blend unobtrusively with the backdrop of
the time depicted, so too the brief insights to Alex’ previous 21st
century existence.
I will say this, which demonstrates the power of some novels
to draw forth tears, there is one incident that left this reader as bereft as
that of Mathew and Alex.
