The Northern Cardinal is the state bird of Virginia and several other states. Many of these redbirds make regular appearances in our backyard, snatching up sunflower seeds and occasionally building nests in our maple trees. They are beautiful birds and, when it snows, their striking red color creates a brilliant winter painting.
The book opens with readers meeting 52-year-old Oswald T. Campbell, who has been given a dire prognosis by his doctor. He leaves chilly Chicago, where he is slugging around in ankle-deep slush, and heads for a small rural community called Lost River in Alabama. There, he hopes to find some peace and restoration during what he believes are his remaining days.
Meeting the Neighbors
He’s given little time to feel sorry for himself, as he is quickly embraced by a former Army nurse who rents him a room in her charming bungalow. Not only does he find himself in spacious, airy, and warm accommodations, but he also has three hot meals a day. And then there are the chirping birds and heady fragrance of garden flowers.Taking daily walks, he soon meets the grocery store owner, who is nursing a broken heart. He also meets an injured redbird named Jack. Jack can’t fly, but he hops around hilariously and learns to do tricks.
Jack also becomes the favorite friend of a young, crippled girl named Patsy who has her own sad story, a story that is slowly discovered by those in the community who wish to adopt her as their own.
The mail in Lost River is delivered by boat. The postman takes daily runs up and down the river, and Campbell eventually secures a ride. The fresh air is invigorating and the scenery spectacular. And then there is the wildlife, particularly the birds, and Campbell decides that identifying them is a good way to fill his days. It also inspires him to start painting them.
The postman is also a keen fisherman. He knows the currents, the winds, the shallows, the places where fish lurk, and the lures that attract them. His sage and wry remarks, as well as his huge and caring heart, have him delivering more than the daily mail.
Lost River has a preponderance of eligible ladies. Many of them are members of the Mystic Order of the Royal Polka Dots Secret Society. When they aren’t gossiping, they find ways to do clandestine good works. Campbell, long divorced, now finds himself at the center of feminine attention, from dinner party invitations to dances.
It may not be a good idea to read this delightful novel while you are hungry. The women in Lost River produce a great amount of food, from fresh biscuits and macaroni and cheese to tomato aspic and fried chicken. Adding to the whimsy, Flagg includes several recipes at the end of the book to tempt your palate, like Claude Underwood’s Fried Mullet or Mildred’s Key Lime Pie.
As the months pass, Campbell learns of long-standing feuds, unbreakable friendships, and hearts still healing from lost loves. As a newcomer, but fast becoming a solid member, he starts to care deeply for his newfound home away from the windy city. And he starts to feel better.
A child’s vulnerability and innocence, along with her feathery friend, dominate much of the suspense, leading to an unforgettable and heartwarming finale.
As an Alabama native, Flagg knows well the Southerner’s love of eccentric characters and unusual traditions. She is deft at giving readers a cleverly crafted and wonderfully woven narrative that will keep readers turning the pages and, occasionally, letting out a laugh or two. Family is family—warts, weirdness, and all.
Flagg also likes to include bits of historical information as well. Lost River is a fictional town, but its inspiration is Magnolia Springs. Unique as it is, it’s the only place in the country where mail is delivered year-round by boat.
Christmastime has its classic reads: Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol,” or perhaps Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” or “One Christmas.” Flagg’s engaging and compelling story surely ranks among classic Christmas tales.
Something very amazing and magical happens in Lost River. It’s an event that leaves those who witness it forever changed. I suspect that you, as a reader, will leave the last page with a smile on your face, equally touched and uplifted.
Treat yourself or someone else with a lively and lovely read. We can all use a good dose of cheer, faith, and hope at this very special time of the year.
