Joyner's Dream by Sylvia Tyson

If you had the opportunity to open the pages of a journal that described your ancestors’ lives would you be intrigued? Leslie Archibald Fitzhelm inherits a written memoir of his family’s history, beginning in mid 1800 England.

Singer songwriter Sylvia Tyson’s gift of lyrical storytelling fills the pages of her first book, Joyner’s Dream, as she describes the eight generations of the Tredwell/Joyner/Fitzhelm clan.

Thieving scoundrels and illegitimacy color Leslie’s past as secrets are revealed and his heritage is unravelled. Joining each generation is a love of music and the intrinsic component that this “universal language” plays in their lives. This was one of the themes that I most enjoyed about the book. Tyson finds a way to link family members together, pre social media/digital access, and she kept me interested in learning about each of the characters. I also enjoyed how well she set the mood of each time period; I felt I was travelling the journey with her.

If reading a spirited tale of family history appeals to you give Joyner’s Dream by Sylvia Tyson a try.