Published on 03/30/2009

This is the second of three volumes in the "Claus: A Christmas Incarnation" series by author C. John Coombes. This volume picks up where young Elizabeth was last seen rolling away in a coach destined for oblivion. At age eleven she attempts to recover from the devastation of losing the love of her caretaker by sudden death. We follow her life as she rebuilds her outlook and ends up a very capable young woman in her thirties who has come into her own, full of grit and spit.

Claus Volume 2 by C. John Coombes: Book Review

Claus Volume 2

C. John Coombes
(2008)
ISBN 9780982221334
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (2/09)

“Claus Volume 2” begins with Mary Sawyer and her husband returning from their month-long honeymoon. Upon their return, they discover that Mrs. Claussen has died tragically. Mr. Claussen convinces Mary to take care of Elizabeth so that he can travel to escape his grief. His first plan is to go to China. Through the loss of Mrs. Claussen, Elizabeth becomes aware of her own mortality.

Elizabeth corresponds with the larger-than-life Mr. Claussen. She misses him dreadfully. After a number of years, she loses contact with him. Not knowing his whereabouts she decides to go in search of him. While searching for him, she finds herself. Her journeys take her through several states and territories. Along the way she encounters several key people that have huge influences on her personal growth.

Among these people is a freed Negro couple whose papers were destroyed when they were kidnapped. They are separated from both themselves and their son. Elizabeth uses her wiles to help reunite the parents. She also sees to it that they reconnect with their status as freed slaves and helps to set them up with meaningful employment. Elizabeth also has encounters with Indians, some are good, and some are bad. All provide her with a great deal of insight into herself.

Elizabeth chooses to venture into dangerous territories. She almost loses her life several times to natural elements and to devious people. She truly is able to discover that she has a great deal of inner strength to help get her through the rough spots. Her journey to find Mr. Claussen becomes a journey of introspection and growth.

I truly enjoyed “Claus Volume 2” as much as the first one. C. John Coombes writes in a manner that immediately pulls me into his stories and makes it almost impossible to take breaks. I really learned to care about the characters and felt caught up in their lives, as if they were real. I truly look forward to reading future works by him. In addition to writing an incredibly compelling tale, he also provides beautiful illustrations and poetry. I highly recommend this novel, especially to people who enjoy quality historical fiction, they will not be disappointed.