“Time is not what you think it is.”
In the summer of 1966, nine-year-old John is thrust into a mystery where his own voice beckons him towards a truth he has carried since birth—a truth with an unspeakable cost.
Meanwhile, across the years, in 1914, another young soul named Edward grapples with the haunting family secrets that bind him. Linked by threads of tragedy, redemption, pain, and triumph, their parallel journeys converge, and the bond between the two boys transcends the limitations of time itself, imparting lessons that echo across the ages. As the narrative unfolds, questions arise: Can these two boys truly cross paths, or are they somehow each other’s imaginary friends?
Set against the fading glory of old St. Joseph, Missouri, ‘The Childgrove’ invites you on a 109-year voyage through a genre-bending, semiautobiographical tale that challenges your perception of reality and imagination, exploring the blurred line where the difference becomes so indistinct as to be meaningless.
Now on Audible!
Suspense Filled!
The author, John Goldsberry, crafts a complex yet intriguing story projecting the need to believe, trust, and have faith in oneself and others. He further stresses that things are not always as they seem and that our minds are complex, which provides us with ways to protect and heal ourselves. Although the storyline is complex, the author, who narrates, provides a clear path from beginning to end. This audiobook is done in a theatrical style peppered with music from the 1900s, creating an intriguing and suspense-filled storyline from a child’s point of view that leaves the audience on the edge of their chair.
AudioBookReview
The Childgrove is a poignant and compelling read that will linger in the minds of readers long after the story concludes. I would certainly recommend it to fans of unique and original fiction everywhere.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
This captivating tale transcends time and reality, with a narrative exploring themes of tragedy, redemption, and the enigmatic nature of time itself. Set in old St. Joseph, Missouri, the novel invites readers on a thought-provoking voyage through a tale that blurs the lines of reality, challenges perceptions, and leaves lingering questions about the nature of existence and connection.
Author John Corbin Goldsberry has crafted a gripping and atmospheric work filled with historical touches, cleverly interweaving the lives of John and Edward to create a tapestry rich in emotion and depth. There is so much heart and soul put into the character work of this story. As a result, the exploration of themes such as family secrets, identity, and the passage of time resonated deeply, prompting introspection and contemplation long after turning the final page. The novel’s unique blend of historical fiction and speculative elements kept me engaged throughout with a brilliant descriptive lexis and atmosphere building that offered an immersive experience that transported me to the fading glory of old St. Joseph, while simultaneously traversing the enigmatic realms of time and consciousness.
Bron Bakers for OnlineBookClub.org
The Childgrove is an intriguing is a book that skillfully blends fact and fantasy, leaving you to question which is real. The author sets out to teach the importance of trusting the journey or process instead of solely focusing on your destination. and aims to inspire readers to follow their intuition and persevere through obstacles. I definitely look forward to reading it again soon. I recommend this enlightening book to any reader who enjoys historical fiction based on true facts. It will also be a great fit for anyone who enjoys thriller books.
Nothing lasts. Nothing is static. History flows like a river and we flow with it into the sea of forever. But that sea remains, remembers, and accepts all. Time is not what you think it is.