One Part Angel

by George Shaffner

Book Overview

This big-hearted novel about small-town miracles is the entertaining follow-up to Shaffner's popular debut, "In the Land of Second Chances." Welcome to Ebb, Nebraska--home of the Corn Palace, the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 156512457X
• ISBN13: 9781565124578
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
• Length: 350 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.6" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Bravo!

In George Shaffner's `In the Land of Second Chances' he introduces us to Ebb, Nebraska. There we meet the Quilting Circle; a group of strong, mature women who run the town. As the first story unfolds, even though tragedy occurs, there is a constant sweetness about the story and the characters. Mr. Shaffner has surpassed himself in `One Part Angel. The gang from Ebb is back, but in book two we experience the reality and complexities of big city life creeping into the fabric of this small town. The good and the bad are not so easily distinguished. We are forced to accept the fact that `things just aren't the way they used to be'. It takes the entire community to begin rebuilding lives and, ultimately, the town. A beautiful story, and a lovely second chapter in the continuing story of Ebb, Nebraska. .

What a Wonderful World!

Starting this book was like coming home to a place warm and familiar. The characters, just like friends and family, are both loving and loved, despite their flaws, missteps, and serious transgressions. George Shaffner introduced us to the people of Ebb in his first novel and his second novel delves deeper into their personalities and daily struggles--they become even more "whole". We meet other town "folk" as well. I agree with the quote on the cover jacket that "George Shaffner does for writing what Louis Armstrong and "What a Wonderful World" did for music." When I initially read that I thought "that's a tall order!" But just as the song can stop me in my tracks on those days when the world seems overwhelmingly negative, "One Part Angel" is also a balm for the soul.

One Part Angel - A Charmer

One Part Angel, the sequel to In the Land of Second Chances, is a continuation of the charming and quaint tale of Ebb and its residents with an intriguing and moral twist. Having grown up in Nebraska, I relate to the pride of the Nebraska Cornhuskers-Nebraska's claim to fame, the comfort of neighbors looking out after one another and the importance of good Midwestern values. Wilma, the narrator of the story and the owner of the local bed and breakfast, is torn between loyalty to her best friend, Loretta, who has been the victim of a serious crime and is in the hosptial fighting for her life, and her beloved grandson, one of the perpetrators of the crime. "It breaks my heart...". The story explores the depth of friendships and tests the power of hope. Vernon returns to Ebb at the request of Wilma...or was he already on his way? At any rate, he brings with him the hope that all will be resolved. Everyone is looking to Vernon to make things right. The guilty parties must be brought to justice, but how does Vernon convince Wilma's grandson to divulge his secrets? The manner in which Vernon saves the day is through logical deduction and thoughtful and divine reasoning. Truly, an artful expression of charity. The relationship between Clem and the Quilting Circle and its members, who are always at odds with each other, reaches new and intriguing heights. The financial future of Ebb is in question and Vernon is one-step ahead of the game, with Clem trying to figure out how and why. The characters who we came to know in Shaffner's first novel are completely humanized, and you begin to feel you are an intricate part of the community of Ebb. His story-telling is masterful and he has created a cliff-hanger which makes it difficult to put the book down. I am awaiting the third book in the trilogy with great anticipation. The question of the day is: Will we finally learn who this Vernon Moore actually is?

It Makes Me Excited To See The Third One!

This highly-anticipated second novel in the trilogy by George Shaffner was everything that I had hoped for. We got even closer to the characters from In The Land of Second Chances and got to meet a whole new set of characters who were equally interesting. It is a thought-provoking book and Vernon Moore -- our hero -- brings us wonderful insights about charity and what it actually means. George, hurry up with the third one!

Who is that masked man?

Vernon Moore is back, and boy is he needed. Once again, he is being asked to deal with one of life's hardest problems--in this case "the good kid gone bad", Wilma's grandson Matt, the archtype of the alienated, non-communicative, angry teenager who has done something both henious and inexplicable, namely participating in the senseless beating of his grandmother's best friend, his mother's employer, and the woman Vernon loves. While Loretta lies in a coma, Vernon sets to work on Matt, pulling patience, humor, common sense, role playing, bad banjo playing, and circular foods out of his bag of tricks. In the end Matt understands the difference between being strong and being smart, and is able to exercise some charity, for himself, the other perpetrators of the crime, and his family. Ever the multi-tasker, Vernon renews his sparring with Clem, the richest man in three counties, who is once again involved in a mysterious business deal that has the potential of destroying Ebb, placing Wilma uncomfortably smack in the middle between the Quilting Circle spoiling for a fight and her "fiance of perpetuity". As if that isn't enough, Vernon also crosses swords with Reverend Gault, the mysterious and sinister leader of a uber religious cult that has taken up residence near town. Once again, Shaffner deals with a most difficult delimma with humor, wit, and sound argument. This is a must read for all parents whose teenagers seem to have suddenly been replaced by pod people, and angry ones at that. Actually, it's a must read for anyone who enjoys an entertaining page turner that actually makes you give some thought to what is happening. "One Part Angel" is a delightful sequel to "In the Land of Second Chances" and treats the reader to the same level of humor, quirky characters, and surprising twists and turns. By the end, Vernon has performed his magic, and Ebb and its residents are safe once more. And, as Vernon disappears over the horizon in his muscle car de jour, the residents are left shaking their heads and doing their best impression of "who was that masked man?". Some good clues are offered in this book, but guess we'll have to wait until the third in the series to find out.