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*Editorial Book Review*
by Amy Safford
Publication Date: 20th July 2024
With the turning of another year comes a transformative birthday for Pennie Goode. Turning thirty brings with it a slew of insecurities and uncertainty. She watches the people around her discover themselves, get married, and settle into their lives, while she still feels lost and without purpose. Then, when an accident on the ski slopes lands her in hospital after a close brush with death, she returns home changed.
She arrives with a newfound awareness of the world around her. Strange dreams plague her sleep, while unusual sensations linger during her waking hours, creating an uneasiness that makes her question everything. Is she losing her mind, or has it awakened to another plane of existence, allowing her to perceive connections and impressions that others cannot?
Goode Vibrations of the Wresting Place by Amy Safford blends contemporary fiction with spirituality and historical reflection to explore how the past continues to resonate long after those who lived it have gone. Through Pennie's experiences, the reader is invited to consider whether historical injustices can ever truly be left behind, or whether the consequences of unethical actions continue to shape both people and place across generations.
Pennie is a troubled character. She is surrounded by people who seem to have found their place in life, yet she feels unsettled. She has little money, has yet to fulfil any of her dreams, and begins to wonder whether she has wasted the years already behind her. Reaching thirty is a milestone she is not ready for, and she finds herself facing a quiet personal crisis. She is due to start a new job, one that could open the doors she has been waiting for, but her recent accident has left her questioning everything. Fear clouds her judgement, and she struggles to move forwards. Pennie's introspection is highly relatable, and her uncertainty about the direction of her life creates a character full of hesitation and anxiety. Burdened by growing debts and few achievements to celebrate, she is not where she imagined she would be. The accident becomes a turning point, forcing her to realise that if her life is to change, she must be the one willing to take the leap.
As new sensations begin to take hold, accompanied by vivid dreams and an increasing awareness that something is not quite right, Pennie's plans to begin her new job quickly fall away. Instead, she steps in to help her uncle after he suffers an unexpected heart attack. Accompanying him on property visits and development discussions, Pennie gradually realises that the dreams and impressions she has been experiencing are closely connected to the places she visits and the history they conceal. Her growing sensitivity creates an unsettling atmosphere as disturbing visions, powerful emotions, and moments of inexplicable foreboding become increasingly difficult to ignore. As she uncovers more about the history of the land her uncle hopes to develop, the source of her unease slowly begins to reveal itself.
The history woven throughout this novel, although largely explored through Pennie's investigations rather than unfolding in real time, is clearly the product of meticulous research and has been handled with great care. The inclusion of the Maine School for the Feeble Minded and the history surrounding Malaga Island introduces a disturbing legacy of prejudice, abuse, and long-buried secrets that gradually emerge through Pennie's research and experiences. As she delves deeper into the past, she develops a growing sense of protectiveness towards the people whose lives and choices were stolen from them. Convincing those around her that there are compelling reasons to question the proposed developments proves far more difficult, creating an engaging moral conflict that explores the balance between progress and remembrance.
There are many characters throughout this novel, which can occasionally make it difficult to keep track of names and relationships. While many of them contribute to the wider narrative, several supporting characters receive limited development, making it harder to form a strong connection with anyone beyond Pennie herself. Her uncle, Alfie, is a comforting presence whose warmth and kindness immediately make him an endearing character, while Ward Lewis also leaves a memorable impression. However, the progression from Pennie's initial attraction to Ward to the closeness that develops between them happens rather quickly, making it difficult to fully appreciate both his character and the depth of their relationship. Although many of the characters' stories intertwine, some feel as though they could have been explored in greater depth before the narrative moves on to the next development. As a result, a handful of supporting storylines feel less fully realised than the central narrative, leaving parts of the conclusion feeling slightly abrupt.
Rather than relying on dramatic twists, the novel gradually reveals its secrets through Pennie's growing understanding of both her unusual experiences and the forgotten history surrounding her. Each discovery adds another layer to the mystery, encouraging the reader to piece together the connections between the present and the past. Goode Vibrations of the Wresting Place explores a deeply rooted history while raising thoughtful questions about spirituality, memory, ethical responsibility, and the cost of progress. Although the narrative can occasionally feel weighed down by its large cast and multiple storylines, it remains a thought-provoking novel that blends historical fact, philosophical reflection, and subtle supernatural elements into an original and emotionally resonant story.
The Coffee Pot Book Club
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