Martha Zimmer is a former elementary school teacher. A widow for several years, Martha lives alone in her farm. She rarely has visitors except her students at Christmas. Other than that, she finds company in her lighthouse man crafted by one of her former students for her mailbox. BUT, all this is about to change when one day her door knocks in unusual time.
On the doorsteps of Mrs. Zimmer, is a black man, a white woman and a recently born baby. This night will change the life of all the four forever.
Lynnie – also known as “NO-NO” girl- is a resident of the Pennsylvania state school for incurable and feeble minded since the age of eight. Lynnie who is not smart as her older sister “Hanna” was sent to the state school, when her parents were too embarrassed to keep her with them. Since been admitted, Lynnie slowly lost the few words she could speak. Month after month her family visits became scarce until they stopped completely. Lynnie found company in Doreen, Kate and Buddy. Doreen her chatty roommate and best friend. Kate who is the only supervisor who cares about the residents of the state school. Buddy is the one man that Lynnie loves. On that day, Lynnie was that beautiful girl with golden curls and blue eyes standing on Martha’s doorstep, holding her baby girl.
Homan _ also known as buddy or no. 42- is another resident of the state school. He has lost his hearing after an attack of fever. Unlike Lynnie, He was admitted by police after he ran away from home following an accident. Homan was called by the school supervisors no. 42. He was a strong man with a special gift toward anything he sets his mind to do. For Homan, Lynnie was “beautiful girl”, since he didn’t know the names of people , he always used something to name them. Homan was the black man that same night.
Kate saw beyond others. She never saw the residents as just incurable and feeble minded. Lynnie was her favorite, she noticed that Lynnie while cleaning the floors she used the mob in special directions as if drawing. when given paper and pencils, Kate expectations was met and Lynnie appeared to be a fine artist. Kate also was burdened by more secrets than she could bare.
At the end of that night, Lynnie get back to Kate and Doreen in school, Homan runs away and the little baby stays with Martha. That night was the start of it all. Will they all be reunited again? Will their faith change forever? Or will Lynnie and Homan remain just another two residents of the feeble minded and incurable school?
The story line starts from 1968 to 2011. Throughout the book, Ms. Simon the author takes us through the lives of all the characters turn by turn.
This is book is so beautiful and heartbreaking in the same time…. The writing is absolutely gorgeous . The author moves easily between characters and time…. And the end was too good and touchy…. I cant remember the last time I have read a book like this except “the girls”…. Its worth reading but be prepared for tears.
As any book, there was controversy reviews for it. Most reviewers thought this book had a glorious and sentimental story. One reviewer who rated 5 stars said that she thinks this story will have an impact on her for life. Other reviewers thought that many parts of the story was unbelievable as the ability of Lynnie to hide her pregnancy, and people helping Martha without thinking of consequences.They also said that toward the end the story became dull and hard to follow.
If you read and enjoyed books like The language of flowers Love Anthony , you may enjoy this book.
Rachel Simon (born 1959 in Newark, New Jersey) is an American author of both fiction and non-fiction. Her six books include this 2011 novel The Story of Beautiful Girl, and the 2002 memoir Riding The Bus With My Sister. Her work has been adapted for film, television, radio, and stage.
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