Newton and Polly: A Novel of Amazing Grace

Although I have heard and sung the song Amazing Grace many times, I don't think I ever had really heard the story behind it. Jody Hedlund does a wonderful job at bringing that song and backstory to life. In this book you will get to know the characters surrounding the song, and it will make the song even more meaningful to you when you sing. I enjoyed this book immensely. Jody held me captive by Newton's charismatic charm, Polly's innocence and godliness, as well as her strong character. Newton was a bit of a reckless, free will kind of guy, who mostly just went with the flow of whatever he felt like doing until one day, his choices were removed from him by force. Eventually, during dire circumstances, John finds God and His amazing grace. Once a slave owner himself, in his later years of life he fight for the Abolitionist Movement. Polly, is quite a character also, young, sweet, and a survivor as well as supporter of Newton. She believed in him and proves it. They always made quite a team together. I really appreciated Jody's fact background at the end of the book that cleared up the facts and fiction aspects of the novel. It was very insightful. I loved Jody's creative telling, and learning more about the context of this song, will certainly make me appreciate it even more every time I hear it. I received this book from Blogging for Books free to review. All opinions are my own and I was not asked to review it positively.