Letters from Ocracoke: A Novel

I was amazed at how quickly I became lost in this novel. While reading, I was totally immersed in the experience. The story is both heartwarming and heart wrenching, sometimes simultaneously. The characters were fully developed and felt like family...a family that is built on love and understanding instead of blood relation.The setting was one that I know well, both on the physical and the metaphysical planes. It made me homesick to recall the names of towns in Eastern North Carolina that were the foundation for my life. Ocracoke especially holds a great reverence for me, and the remote location (and the great care needed to reach it) is a fitting backdrop for this story.This is a coming of age story, but even more than that, it's a story of defining identity, of questioning, and of facing the (sometimes painful) truth. The reconciliation of faith is a key component of the novel, but it goes beyond religion, into fundamental belief. This is a book that transcends denomination or creed.I finished this book a few days ago and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. I'm already anticipating the next work by this author, but in the meantime, I'm just going to reread this one again. I have a feeling it just keeps getting better.

First of all, I just finished this novel. It is 7 am. I started it yesterday evening. No, I haven't slept yet.The character development is incredible. You grow to love and know the people in this story. I am not a very religious person, but I felt like Mr. Styron really captured Holden's faith and internal struggle with an almost surreal depth. Be warned, when you read this story you will get hungry for the delicious meals that are shared around the Guthrie Household. You will wish it was summer time and you are at the beach on the sleepy little island of Ocracoke. A most importantly you will wish you had some tissues.You will travel to different places in this novel. You will start to think about things, in a different light perhaps. Yes, this story's central theme is spiritual battle between religion and homosexuality….Is it graphic in that sense? Absolutely not. Is it real? Yes. This novel outlines the grim realities of life, but it highlights on the things that matter most. I cannot really give this review justice without giving away the plot….JUST READ IT. You will be glad you did. It sticks with you.

I selected this book for my book club to read and discuss especially since it is written about an area where we live. Beautifully written and brings all the characters to life in an emotional climax that left me in tears. Keep writing!

Captivating and brilliant. The small world of the setting of this book, as like many other places in this world, is rampant with careless misunderstanding; misunderstanding that proves to be a wall surrounding Holden, the young pastor who is new to the island of Ocracoke, NC.Too often, attempts to bring to light the heartache of ostracism make it no farther than to those who experience it. This book goes beyond by featuring vivid accounts of fishing life & the island of Ocracoke, and I now want Emilis Guthrie to serve me breakfast every day of my life.Styron brilliantly severs common misconceptions of inward struggle by making his characters real, relatable, and as if you've already known them for years. His story has the power to change minds and hearts, by transporting readers into the mind of someone who is repeatedly forced to hide himself and his feelings.I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I bawled. I'm proud of that, and more importantly, I'm proud of this author.

This book sucked me in and didn't release me until the very end. Beautifully written. Evocative. Heart-wrenching. Life-changing. It has altered some long-held convictions and helped me grasp the truth that we are all God's beloved.

I have been visiting Ocracoke Island since 1975. I could just feel myself traveling down the sandy lanes which still exist today. I have also enjoyed long term relationships through the years with my gay friends both on and off the island. I also unfortunately experienced way to many deaths through the years because of AIDS and especially when it first moved over to the Eastern USA....I saw gays turn their backs on their friends who were sick...this was so sad...This book will make you smile, laugh and cry but as I told a friend this weekend on Ocracoke Island, it is one of the sweetest books I have ever read....

What a masterpiece of emotional turmoil…. I was so moved. Days after completing the book I am still thinking about these characters and their life long struggles…Each character has their own story and you fall in love with each of them. The author, J.M. Styron, does an excellent job of describing Ocracoke Island, N.C. and gives you a sense of being there. I would highly recommend this book to anyone dealing with some of the issues related to homosexuality and the inward battle of religion. This is a very touching story that will leave you with many things to think about.

Absolutly loved this book! This Author pulls you in with great detail and makes you feel like you are apart of the story unfolding. I have never been so tied emotionally to a book as I have with this one. Every emotion was expressed and can relate to Holden in so many ways! I recommend this book to everyone that is battling their sexuality and religion, Or to anyone out there that dont understand what its like to live in a world full of hate. Love unconditional is what Gods love truely is.