Tristan's Gap

By Nancy N. Rue

Book Overview

She thought they had the perfect family... For eighteen years Serena Soltanis has poured herself into her family, making every effort to please her husband and to protect her daughters from the evils of the world. Respected and admired for her obvious parenting success, she leads a popular mothers' group at her church, passing along wisdom gained through years of experience. until she woke up in a mother's worst nightmare. Then the unthinkable happens. Sixteen-year-old Tristan, the quiet "good girl" of the family, disappears-and the search brings to light unpleasant truths that prompt Serena to question nearly everything she believes about her children, her marriage, and her faith. "Where did we go wrong?" Brokenhearted by her daughter's behavior and her husband's angry response, Serena struggles to see God's hand of grace in their lives. Initially determined to rescue Tristan from whatever trouble she's in, Serena learns the painful lesson that true strength won't be found in regaining control of her daughter's choices but in finally learning when to let go.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400070341
• ISBN13: 9781400070343
• Release Date: May 2006
• Publisher: Waterbrook Press
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Awesome Book

This book is a real page turner. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it. It kept you guessing and wanting to know more. It was real to life with God at the center. It helps with the questions of trust and faith in God, and how "problems" in life can bring you closer to Him.

Great Book

I loved this book and could not stop reading after I started it. It has a good message and is interesting from start to finish. You never really know what is going on in a family or who your best friend might turn out to be when the going gets tough.

Compelling Read

Rue's clean, evocative prose cuts to the heart of human nature with compassionate grace. A book to be savored. Wonderful for discussion groups. As relevant as today's headlines.

WONDERFULLY RICH!

This could be every parent's nightmare. Rue writes a compelling story with rich characters that provide readers with lessons of faith and trust. A must read!

deep powerful modern day character study

In Delaware Serena Soltanis lives for her family. She will do anything to make her husband Nick comfortable and to insure her daughter sixteen years old Serena and son ten years old Max are safe. Her community especially her church sees her as a role model in raising children. She is so highly regarded Serena heads a local church group that counsels, advices and mentors young mothers. Everything is perfect in Serena's world until Tristan suddenly vanishes without warning. Serena is stunned and begins to doubt her parenting skills. While her raging spouse holds Serena culpable over the embarrassment of their teen runaway, she worries until Tristan returns home. Serena begins to soul search as she ponders coming down harder on Tristan, but wonders if perhaps loosening the control to allow some freedoms might be the answer. She seeks a balance between safety and freedom for she fears tighter control will drive Tristan away again. This interesting family drama focuses in on the issue of teen safety vs. freedom. Serena and Tristan are wonderful characters as the mom wants her children safe in a dangerous world, but has stifled her daughter. Nick is an idiot though part of his reaction is fear that he hides from his spouse. As Serena struggles with when you let them go (mindful of Gibran's The prophet), fans obtain a deep powerful modern day character study. Harriet Klausner