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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
There's a reason the father in this novel looks like Shaggy from Scooby-Do. This story has a decidedly Scooby-esque feel to it. I thought the writer would do more with it (the opening is so promising that I expected it to be an allegory for the times in which we live), but it turned out to be a fairly ordinary ghost story.
I kept thinking that if it were edited by half, it would make an excellent YA novel.
I kept thinking that if it were edited by half, it would make an excellent YA novel.
I won a copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.
I mostly enjoyed this book. A mixture of the supernatural and modern family struggle with hints of regret, loss, hope, and magic. Well written overall with an easy, readable flow. Very engaging and hard to put down; I always wanted to read more.
My only complaints are that the journal entries all read the same even though they were written by three different people and some didn't read like journal entries at all with far too much dialogue. The epilogue was also not my favourite. Parts of it were ok, but I'm not a fan of the need for a happily ever after and some of this epilogue was just that. But other than those two criticisms I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and will look into reading other titles by this author.
I mostly enjoyed this book. A mixture of the supernatural and modern family struggle with hints of regret, loss, hope, and magic. Well written overall with an easy, readable flow. Very engaging and hard to put down; I always wanted to read more.
My only complaints are that the journal entries all read the same even though they were written by three different people and some didn't read like journal entries at all with far too much dialogue. The epilogue was also not my favourite. Parts of it were ok, but I'm not a fan of the need for a happily ever after and some of this epilogue was just that. But other than those two criticisms I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and will look into reading other titles by this author.
I really liked "The Art of Racing in the Rain." This one, I keep setting down. I've had it for two weeks and still am only 3/4 through it. It's a nice story, and well written, but it just bores me.
Although this wasn't as wonderfully written as The Art of Racing in the Rain..(my opinion only!) I still enjoyed the story...it was just an ok read for me though.....but, I do have to say despite that it was just a mediocre read, I still enjoy the writing style of Garth Stein....and I am so excited to meet him at the end of this month and perhaps..a moment to share with him.....
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I listened to the audio version with many accolades to the narrator. I found myself sitting in the car several times to finish a chapter as I was so engrossed in the book.
Garth Stein skillfully developed the main characters in the book (including the ghosts). This novel is a history, mystery, and love story based on decades of family drama. And above all the book is about love before and after death, and willingness to believe in spirits in our lives.
Excellent read! Thank you Garth Stein.
Garth Stein skillfully developed the main characters in the book (including the ghosts). This novel is a history, mystery, and love story based on decades of family drama. And above all the book is about love before and after death, and willingness to believe in spirits in our lives.
Excellent read! Thank you Garth Stein.
Sooo good! Plot was great. Had no idea that it would take the turn it did. Wonderful modern day ghost story with a lot of other stuff thrown in to boot. I would def recommend if you like ghosts and trees...
Stein's tale of generational secrets and redemption is thick with the magic of restless ghosts. The story is told in recollections as adult Trevor remembers his experiences as a 14-year-old obsessed with the truth. And the Riddell family has many hidden mysteries ready for an inquisitive boy to uncover. The rambling Riddell manor is filled with secret passages to be explored and memories to be exposed. A good tale.
I really enjoyed this book, set in the Pacific Northwest and filled with characters from five generations of one family. Trevor, the narrator, was courageous and forthright. He traveled down physical paths and emotional ones that I certainly couldn't have handled at that age. And I loved that the house was a character in the book as well.
I picked up this book when the author, Garth Stein, came to town and he was a delight to hear. I have a feeling he could engage in a conversation of any topic with some mastery. The only thing that keeps me from giving the book a five-star rating is that I would have like to have known more about the people listed in the family tree in the beginning. Maybe their stories will be told in other books?
I picked up this book when the author, Garth Stein, came to town and he was a delight to hear. I have a feeling he could engage in a conversation of any topic with some mastery. The only thing that keeps me from giving the book a five-star rating is that I would have like to have known more about the people listed in the family tree in the beginning. Maybe their stories will be told in other books?
I loved The Art of Racing in the Rain, so I was excited to read this, even though it's a totally different kind of story. It was interesting enough, but there were too many things going on (mystery, coming-of-age, environmentalism, ghosts, family scandal), which made the book feel kind of choppy to me.