The Visionist

An initially interesting premise became a real slog for me and, eventually, surprisingly slight.

• I received a copy through a First Reads giveaway*
  
  A mom and her children are left homeless after the daughter, who has suffered sexual and verbal abuse from her dad, sets the house on fire while he sleeps.  Mom makes a huge sacrifice by parting with her children and leaving them in the care of Shakers. Meanwhile, she sets out to claim the land before the greedy, rich villain of the town gets his hands on it.  The faith of believers and non believers alike are tested. Told through the point of view of several of the main characters, the reader is challenged to think what is right and what is wrong. Nothing is ever black and white. And in the words of the Shaker that befriends Polly, the daughter, “Is anyone who we think they are? Are you?”