The Feathered Bone - by Julie Cantrell (Paperback)

About the Book

"Feathers---no matter what size or shape or color---are all the same, if you think about them. They're soft. Delicate. But the secret thing about feathers is . . . they are very strong."

Book Synopsis

"Feathers--no matter what size or shape or color--are all the same, if you think about them. They're soft. Delicate. But the secret thing about feathers is . . . they are very strong."

In the pre-Katrina glow of New Orleans, Amanda Salassi is anxious about chaperoning her daughter's sixth-grade field trip to the Big Easy during Halloween. And then her worst fears come true. Her daughter's best friend, Sarah, disappears amid the magic and revelry--gone, without a trace.

Unable to cope with her guilt, Amanda's daughter sinks into depression. And Amanda's husband turns destructive as he watches his family succumb to grief. Before long, Amanda's whole world has collapsed.

Amanda knows she has to save herself before it's too late. As she continues to search for Sarah, she embarks on a personal journey, seeking hope and purpose in the wake of so much tragedy and loss.

Set amidst the murky parishes of rural Louisiana and told through the eyes of two women who confront the darkest corners of humanity with quiet and unbreakable faith, The Feathered Bone is Julie Cantrell's master portrait of love in a fallen world.

Review Quotes

"Inspired by the real-life kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart, the author of the Christy Award-winning Into the Free and Carol Award winner When Mountains Move has written an excruciatingly dark and disturbing novel about the devastating impact of sex trafficking on two families. Although Cantrell inserts a grain of hope in the novel, her portrait of loss and heartbreak will leave readers reeling. This latest work is bound to be nominated for all the major CF literary awards." Starred review--Library Journal

4 1/2 stars. 'Deeply emotional, moving and full of amazing imagery, Cantrell's latest is a triumph. Although some of the pain on the pages is incredibly difficult to read, this novel is stunning in its ability to convey the different meanings of slavery and being trapped in untenable circumstances. The ending is healing; this is a book to be savored and pondered.'--RT Book Reviews