The Truest Pleasure

However, the book, while similar to 'Gap Greek' in its emphasis on hard work, differs enormously, I felt, in the plotting and storytelling. There is little suspense in this one (it's no page turner!) and many scenes often seemed more like little essays on various tasks and trials of that era. But often these scenes had no link to a story line--and the story line itself was much too simple for me, just no complexity. Also, I found the book very repetitive--it went over the same themes and disagreement between Tom and Ginny again and again, with little advancement of the story.

In addition, I didn't find the narrator, Ginny, likeable. I was often so frustrated with her I wanted to wring her neck! In 'Gap Creek,' on the other hand, the female narrator, Julie, is immensely sympathetically drawn and I was very caught up with her and her story. I did feel sorry for Tom, Ginny's husband, in this novel, but that's about as far as I was pulled into this book.

The ending that's supposed to be so heartwrenching, by the way, we already know about, thanks to the back cover of the edition I had, so it came as no surprise. But at that point, I was just glad to finish the book and had no more feeling for Ginny at the end of it then I did at the beginning.

I did learn that this is only Morgan's second novel, I believe, so maybe somewhere between this one and 'Gap Creek' he really honed his novel-writing skills! I'd highly recommend 'Gap Creek' over this title (unless you want to read it for period history and don't care so much about the storytelling/plotting), but I think highly enough of Morgan, despite this disappointing earlier book, that I'd still like to look up other later books of his--I just can't believe that 'Gap Creek' is the only really good novel he has in him!


What comes between   January 24, 2003
 3 out of 6 found this review helpful

Throughout time, religion has motivated people, nations and politics . Whether the motivation is for the good depends on the beholder.

In _The Truest Pleasure_ religion comes between Ginny and her husband, Tom. In the first chapter, we meet Ginny as she succumbs completely to a Pentecostal service, talking in tongues and rolling around the ground like a dog.

I was sympathetic to Tom and felt his frustration with his wife that was hell bent to go to these bizarre hell raising services. The more he protested, the more stubborn Ginny became. Soon, a couple who could move mountains together spent most of their time bickering over religion and harboring grievances against each other for months at a time.

That did not stop them from finding physical love under the sheets. In these moments of coupling, they did find their way together, and made their truces.

It was not an easy time, right after the Civil War and the ranch required a young, strong manager. Tom was that, and much more. Ginny's pa had become to old to do much of the work around the ranch. Tom put everything he had into making improvements on the land and bringing in a profit for his efforts. He was known as a hard, honest worker.

But, Ginny craved more. She wanted him to be more socially skilled, able to carry a conversation and be knowledgeable. But Tom was a simpler man, one to set back and listen, take off his shoes and nod off by evening time. In a simply lovely story of faith and love, we meet a man and wife that make their way in the world.


What comes between   January 24, 2003
 3 out of 7 found this review helpful

Throughout time, religion has motivated people, nations and politics . Whether the motivation is for the good depends on the beholder.

In _The Truest Pleasure_ religion comes between Ginny and her husband, Tom. In the first chapter, we meet Ginny as she succumbs completely to a Pentecostal service, talking in tongues and rolling around the ground like a dog.

I was sympathetic to Tom and felt his frustration with his wife that was hell bent to go to these bizarre hell raising services. The more he protested, the more stubborn Ginny became. Soon, a couple who could move mountains together spent most of their time bickering over religion and harboring grievances against each other for months at a time.

That did not stop them from finding physical love under the sheets. In these moments of coupling, they did find their way together, and made their truces.

It was not an easy time, right after the Civil War and the ranch required a young, strong manager. Tom was that, and much more. Ginny's pa had become to old to do much of the work around the ranch. Tom put everything he had into making improvements on the land and bringing in a profit for his efforts. He was known as a hard, honest worker.

But, Ginny craved more. She wanted him to be more socially skilled, able to carry a conversation and be knowledgeable. But Tom was a simpler man, one to set back and listen, take off his shoes and nod off by evening time. In a simply lovely story of faith and love, we meet a man and wife that make their way in the world.