Kim Vogel Sawyer’s latest novel,
Through the Deep Waters, is the story of Dinah Hubley, who wants to escape her disreputable past. Born to a prostitute and raised in a
brothel, Dinah dreams of becoming a well-respected
Harvey girl. The requirements of becoming a server in one of Mr. Harvey's restaurants were to be of good moral character, have at least an eighth grade education,
display good manners, be neat, articulate and...be between the ages of 18 and 30. Dinah is only 17, but begs for an opportunity when a desperate situation makes it necessary for her to get away.
Her only option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at
Harvey's Clifton Hotel
in Florence, Kansas, while waiting for her 18th birthday. Unused to
trusting others, Dinah is reluctant to accept the interest of chicken
farmer, Amos Ackerman, or the friendship of her co-worker, Ruthie. As
both try to teach her about the love of God, will she turn to Him for
forgiveness and healing? Can she forgive herself, and bravely share the
sin that brings her so much shame with the people she has grown to
love...or will the past continue to haunt her?
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The Clifton Hotel - Florence, Kansas
courtesy of Harvey House Museum |
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I have loved every book I have ever read by Kim Vogel Sawyer, but I must admit that this one has been my favorite of all. I have always been a bit intrigued by the Harvey Girls (I love old
movies!), so learning more about the lives of some of these girls and the standards of behavior required for them to maintain, along with the prestige and privileges of different positions was enthralling. But the circumstances of Dinah's upbringing and her progression as she slowly learns about God and tentatively puts her trust in Him is also like watching a flower slowly bloom and come to life. The novel has conflict and situations that affect people always, and the characters do not remain one dimensional through out the book. It has been a while since I have read a fictional novel that I only put down because my eyes literally would not stay open, but this one kept me wanting to read just one more chapter before falling asleep. Excellent historical novel that can speak to those who prefer contemporary stories. Well done!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
A past filled with shame can be washed away with a love that conquers all
Born
to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid
seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in
every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her
dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in
an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn’t old enough, her only
option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in
Florence, Kansas. Eager to put everything behind her, Dinah feels more
worthless than ever, based on a single horrible decision she made to
survive.
The Clifton offers a life Dinah has never known, but
blinded to the love around her, Dinah remains buried in the shame of her
past. When a handsome chicken farmer named Amos Ackerman starts to show
interest, Dinah withdraws further, convinced no one could want a
sullied woman like her. Despite his self-consciousness about his
handicapped leg and her strange behavior, Amos resolves to show Dinah
Christ’s love. But can she ever accept a gift she so desperately needs? -
See more at:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=221541#sthash.FrcsTiXT.dpuf
A past filled with shame can be washed away with a love that conquers all
Born
to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid
seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in
every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her
dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in
an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn’t old enough, her only
option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in
Florence, Kansas. Eager to put everything behind her, Dinah feels more
worthless than ever, based on a single horrible decision she made to
survive.
The Clifton offers a life Dinah has never known, but
blinded to the love around her, Dinah remains buried in the shame of her
past. When a handsome chicken farmer named Amos Ackerman starts to show
interest, Dinah withdraws further, convinced no one could want a
sullied woman like her. Despite his self-consciousness about his
handicapped leg and her strange behavior, Amos resolves to show Dinah
Christ’s love. But can she ever accept a gift she so desperately needs? -
See more at:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=221541#sthash.FrcsTiXT.dpuf
