Book Review: Levi's Will by W. Dale Cramer

"He has come to bury his father. The event is a milestone for any man - the falling of the last barrier before his own yawning mortality - but for Will McGruder it is more, having lost great chunks of his father in the tempest of his life, a tempest that with every passing year seems more preordained." Levi's Will, pg. 10.

When Will Mullet left his father's farm, in the Old Order Amish community, he chose to leave behind his past, his family and his name. But the past isn't so easy to bury, and there are things that Will can't forget. Eventually his thoughts drive him back to his father's farm, but Levi won't talk to his son. Will has been put on the ban, and Levi will not forgive a young man's indiscretions.

Levi's Will is a story of the power of truth, forgiveness and love. Will not only seeks to be reconciled with his father and family, but also to bridge the gap between himself and his youngest son - but the road home is long and full of trials. Will isn't sure that he is ready to face them all.

I really enjoyed this story. I appreciated the unique perspective that Cramer uses to tell the story. The story carried me along, and I felt that I knew Will and his son, Riley, well by the end. I also found Cramer's style intriguing. The story bounces back and forth between the present and Will's past, yet the flow of the story feels natural and not disjointed. The characters are complex and very human. I enjoyed watching them grow as the story went on. Excellent craftsmanship!

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing.)