The Atlas of Untold Stories

Title: The Atlas of Untold Stories

Author: Sara Brunsvold

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Christian Fiction, Books about books

Source: Publisher/Author

My Review:

The Atlas of Untold Stories is not the easiest read because it deals with family dynamics. Family is messy and hard. But it can also be beautiful, despite its complexities. That is this story: messy and beautiful.

Strange how an empty room could be haunted by sound, especially a sound as whispery and distant as the shiff of sand between the bowls of an hourglass.

The Atlas of Untold Stories is a family drama told from the perspective of Edie and her daughters, Chloe and Lauren. From Edie's perspective, we see the rigidity of her mother, how it affected her as a child, and how it seeps into her parenting style.

From Chloe's perspective, we see her avoiding telling her mom a secret by convincing her to go on a road trip. Chloe is full of optimism and hope. Despite many challenges, she perseveres with grace and faith. She is my favorite character.

From Lauren's perspective, we see the mistake she made that led to her termination, its impact on her, and the other things she is hiding from her family. Lauren got on my nerves with her sulking and constant comparisons to Chloe. She has major issues and big sister syndrome.

This one might take a little bit longer to get into, but it is worth it. It is a beautifully complex story with lots of literary delights. 

Thank you to the author and Revell for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

★★★★★/5

Synopsis (Amazon):   

Irrepressible dreamer Chloe Vance needs to tell her pragmatic mom, Edie, that she has accepted a low-paying, two-year art instructor role at a Christian international school in Prague. And her older sister, Lauren--the "responsible one"--is doing all she can to keep the family from finding out she has been fired for a stupid mistake, plus figure out her next career move. Meanwhile, Edie, estranged from her own sister following their mother's recent death, is frankly in no mood for anything else to change.

The one thing they can all agree on? Life in books sure is easier to figure out than life in the real world. As the three women embark on a nine-day road trip to visit significant literary sites throughout America's heartland, they hope to find inspiration through the works and lives of literary greats. And as they experience firsthand the adventure and wonder of the classics, they'll have to come to terms with their own needs and desires, as well as those of the most important women in their lives--each other.

Book lovers can join the ride through America's literary landscape as award-winning novelist Sara Brunsvold takes you on a trip through the sometimes difficult but always beautiful terrain of being a mother, a daughter, and a sister.