Kinfolk

Kinfolk by Sean Dietrich was read by the author. I often find this to be a mixed bag because an author knows the pronunciation of the names s/he is using and the voices that s/he imagined when writing the book, but may not be a proficient narrator. That was not the case in this instant. The author had a slow, southern drawl that was perfect for the setting of this story. The story is primarily about “Nub,” a man in his sixties who was divorced and estranged from his daughter due to his alcoholism, and Minnie, a fifteen year old Waffle House line cook. Minnie had been dealt a hand of bad luck. Her father was in prison as a convicted murderer and her mother died. Nub and Minnie’s paths crossed in a shared hospital room, and both of their lives were changed for the better. This is a story of found family, second chances, country music, and the power of love and forgiveness. It took me a while to really engage with this audiobook. The author followed the storylines of Nub, his daughter Emily, Minnie, and Minnie’s father and there was quite a lot of world-building that was done to really set the scene for the story. I stuck with it because the writing was good and the characters were interesting and I was sure that when the author pulled it all together it would all make sense. It turned out that I was absolutely right and the resulting story is one that will stick with me for a long time. He described the hardships of living in a small town in impoverished circumstances, struggling with impact of PTSD from fighting a war, growing up as a child of an alcoholic, or finding one’s parent after a suicide. The intersection of these characters’ lives result in the opportunity to make amends for past mistakes or find hope when it seemed all hope was lost. It is a story that leaves the reader with a feeling of well-being when a number of seemingly hopeless circumstances are altered for the better. I fell in love with these characters and if you are a lover of historical fiction, you may too. I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after listening to an advanced complementary copy of this audiobook thanks to Netgalley and Harper Muse.

Blood does not always make a family. Sometimes the most unexpected person comes into your life and loves you. That person will be your family from then on. I loved Minnie and Nub. This is a journey of perseverance, a higher power that you have to follow and don’t look back. I couldn’t put this book down and enjoyed this story immensely.