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Bookshop Genres Early Thursday: A War, A Hurricane, A Miracle! by Linda S. Cunningham
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About the author

Linda S. Cunningham grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she experienced firsthand accounts of the 1957 hurricane that killed nearly five hundred people in Cameron, Louisiana. She and her family watched the devastation from their picture window. Her father, who served as Director of Civil Defense for Calcasieu Parish, told her the survival stories and gave her access to the coroner's pictures that lend authenticity to the novel. She has a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from the University of Houston. She also has a B.S. and M.Ed. in Health and Physical Education from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She has won awards for screenwriting. She currently resides in Kingwood, Texas.
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Early Thursday
A War, A Hurricane, A Miracle!
by Linda S. Cunningham
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Overview

More than a decade after the end of WWII, the joie de vivre of the Cajun-French culture returns to southwest Louisiana. Spirits are buoyed, and for twelve-year-old Walt LaCour, life is idyllic—except for the caustic relationship with his father. A discovery of a paternity scandal makes Walt wonder if it's true that a German POW could be his real father. The days before the storm, Walt and his family try to protect his friend's Stradivarius violin from being stolen until Hurricane Audrey hits taking with her nearly 500 lives and every shred of normalcy Walt had ever called his own.
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Description

More than a decade after the end of WWII, the joie de vivre of the Cajun-French culture returns to southwest Louisiana. Spirits are buoyed, and for twelve-year-old Walt LaCour, life is idyllic—except for the caustic relationship with his father. A discovery of a paternity scandal makes Walt wonder if it's true that a German POW could be his real father. The days before the storm, Walt and his family try to protect his friend's Stradivarius violin from being stolen until Hurricane Audrey hits taking with her nearly 500 lives and every shred of normalcy Walt had ever called his own. In this fictionalized memoir, an aged Walt LaCour begins with his childhood desperation to find his roots, firmly believing that knowing his history will bring him a separate kind of peace. As Hurricane Audrey pummels his home town, he braves 20-foot tidal waves and eventually comes face-to-face with his own mortality. 

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Overview

More than a decade after the end of WWII, the joie de vivre of the Cajun-French culture returns to southwest Louisiana. Spirits are buoyed, and for twelve-year-old Walt LaCour, life is idyllic—except for the caustic relationship with his father. A discovery of a paternity scandal makes Walt wonder if it's true that a German POW could be his real father. The days before the storm, Walt and his family try to protect his friend's Stradivarius violin from being stolen until Hurricane Audrey hits taking with her nearly 500 lives and every shred of normalcy Walt had ever called his own.

Read more

Description

More than a decade after the end of WWII, the joie de vivre of the Cajun-French culture returns to southwest Louisiana. Spirits are buoyed, and for twelve-year-old Walt LaCour, life is idyllic—except for the caustic relationship with his father. A discovery of a paternity scandal makes Walt wonder if it's true that a German POW could be his real father. The days before the storm, Walt and his family try to protect his friend's Stradivarius violin from being stolen until Hurricane Audrey hits taking with her nearly 500 lives and every shred of normalcy Walt had ever called his own. In this fictionalized memoir, an aged Walt LaCour begins with his childhood desperation to find his roots, firmly believing that knowing his history will bring him a separate kind of peace. As Hurricane Audrey pummels his home town, he braves 20-foot tidal waves and eventually comes face-to-face with his own mortality. 

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Book details

Genre:FICTION

Subgenre:Historical / General

Language:English

Pages:290

eBook ISBN:9781098304812

Paperback ISBN:9781098304805

Overview

More than a decade after the end of WWII, the joie de vivre of the Cajun-French culture returns to southwest Louisiana. Spirits are buoyed, and for twelve-year-old Walt LaCour, life is idyllic—except for the caustic relationship with his father. A discovery of a paternity scandal makes Walt wonder if it's true that a German POW could be his real father. The days before the storm, Walt and his family try to protect his friend's Stradivarius violin from being stolen until Hurricane Audrey hits taking with her nearly 500 lives and every shred of normalcy Walt had ever called his own.

Read more

Description

More than a decade after the end of WWII, the joie de vivre of the Cajun-French culture returns to southwest Louisiana. Spirits are buoyed, and for twelve-year-old Walt LaCour, life is idyllic—except for the caustic relationship with his father. A discovery of a paternity scandal makes Walt wonder if it's true that a German POW could be his real father. The days before the storm, Walt and his family try to protect his friend's Stradivarius violin from being stolen until Hurricane Audrey hits taking with her nearly 500 lives and every shred of normalcy Walt had ever called his own. In this fictionalized memoir, an aged Walt LaCour begins with his childhood desperation to find his roots, firmly believing that knowing his history will bring him a separate kind of peace. As Hurricane Audrey pummels his home town, he braves 20-foot tidal waves and eventually comes face-to-face with his own mortality. 

Read more

About the author

Linda S. Cunningham grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she experienced firsthand accounts of the 1957 hurricane that killed nearly five hundred people in Cameron, Louisiana. She and her family watched the devastation from their picture window. Her father, who served as Director of Civil Defense for Calcasieu Parish, told her the survival stories and gave her access to the coroner's pictures that lend authenticity to the novel. She has a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from the University of Houston. She also has a B.S. and M.Ed. in Health and Physical Education from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She has won awards for screenwriting. She currently resides in Kingwood, Texas.

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Book Reviews

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Sylvia 		Early Thursday This book drew me into a lifestyle unfamiliar to me. I became involved with the characters in a Cajun environment and a history of German prisoners of war and the consequences of that. It was an emotional roller coaster, following the growth of the centerpiece character as he coped with an alcoholic father, questioned his hereditary and felt the emotions of puberty. When the storm hit I felt the fear and horror of it. I really enjoyed this book. It made me laugh and made me cry. Well written. Read more
Anne 		Early Thursday This book gave me all the flavor of Cajun society after WW2 It also is filled with vivid characters and a description of what happened during Hurricane Audrey that will shake you to the core. I loved it Read more
Pat 		Early Thursday I could not put it down! Anyone that has ever experienced a Hurricane will identify with the vivid images that describe the horrible events that this family went through. I enjoyed back story going back to German POW's in Louisiana. It was educational as well as entertaining, especially the French Cajun humor! The love story that develops and the miracles that leads to a surprise ending is very emotional. Loved it! Read more
Scott 		Early Thursday When I started reading this book, I thought Tom Sawyer. Soon the complexity of the story-line started to evolve and I started thinking John Steinbeck. The life of a young boy growing up in the bayou of South Louisiana; enduring the abuse of his alcoholic father; sheltered by the love of his mother, who harbors a deep secret; finding solace in his friends, and his relatives. The pending hurricane looms in the background, until, midway through the narrative, it arrives with a vengeance. The attempt to survive overshadows all else, and will change their lives forever. The post-storm chaos - searching for loved ones, mourning for lost relatives, the and joy of reunion, segue you into the final chapters, that offer resolutions and surprises. On a lighter note, the books draws you into the 'coon-ass' culture - their cuisine, their humor, their music, and their dedication to their extended family. The book is well written and the author's love of her roots make it a joy to read. Five stars! Read more