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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Domestic abuse, Car accident, Death of parent
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Merritt inherits a house in North Carolina from her deceased husband's grandmother. She leaves Maine with the intention of starting her life over, seeking solitude and peace to recover from an abusive marriage, the death of her mother and estrangement and death of her father. Instead, she ends up with a mystery, a flamboyant stepmom and a ten year old brother to deal with. It is a very good story about the far reaching fingers of domestic violence and the damages that keeping silent does, entangled with a mystery.
A few too many storylines left me feeling unfulfilled at the end. But definitely engaging!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sad story with lots of life quips thrown in. Should have ended three chapters before it did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder
I received this book for free from a Goodreads giveaway. I really enjoyed it. It was very well written and the characters had a depth and warmth that I could connect with. It had a good pace and kept me engaged, I found myself thinking about the characters even when I wasn't reading it. I loved all of Loralee's truths. Even though I anticipated the ending and the connection between Merritt and Gibbes, I enjoyed how the story unfolded. I'll be checking our more books by this author.
The Sound of Glass by Karen White is a lovely contemporary novel. In 1955 Edith Heyward was married to Calhoun, a lawyer, and they lived in his centuries old family home in South Carolina along with their three year old son. While he was away, a plane crashed nearby to their home. A suitcase landed in their yard. Edith opened the suitcase and discovered a letter. Edith received a visit from the police, but not about the suitcase. Calhoun was in a car accident and died. This is the best thing that could have happened, because Calhoun was abusive (mentally and physically). Edith was artistic in a unique way (you have to read the book to find out) and also made wind chimes out of sea glass. She hung them outside the house and gave them to friends.
Merritt Heyward’s husband, Cal has been deceased for two years when Merritt finds out he inherited his family home in South Carolina. The home now belongs to Merritt. Merritt lost her mother when she was twelve and her father passed away recently. Merritt’s marriage to Cal was not easy. He was abusive and cruel. Merritt now has a hard shell around her to keep people out. She dresses in long sleeve tops and long skirts in drab colors.
Loralee Purvis Connors was married to Merritt’s father, Richard. She has a ten year old son, Owen. Loralee has packed up their Georgia home and is heading to South Carolina. She is taking Owen to meet his half-sister, Merritt. Loralee convinces Merritt to let them stay with her. Loralee is the opposite of Merritt. Loralee is outgoing, friendly, always has on make-up, wears high heels, and likes leopard prints. Loralee also has a lot of sayings. Loralee has her work cut out for her with Merritt. Loralee wants to see Merritt as the happy person she was before tragedy hit her life. Owen is an adorable geek. Merritt cannot help liking Owen.
Dr. Gibbes Heyward was Cal’s brother younger brother. They were born ten years apart. Gibbes is the complete opposite of his brother. He is friendly, helpful, generous with his time, and good with children. Gibbes originally comes to the house to get some items he would like from his old room. He feels something for Merritt. Merritt, being the prickly person that she is, keeps pushing him away. Gibbes and Loralee slowly work on Merritt.
Loralee has another reason for visiting Merritt, but she is not ready to reveal it to her yet. Slowly Merritt, Loralee, Owen, and Gibbes get to know each other. Merritt and Gibbes also work to find out what Edith did up in the attic and the secret behind the suitcase. The Sound of Glass is a wonderful novel. It is a complicated novel (and I found it hard to summarize). I give The Sound of Glass 5 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed this book immensely. This is the first book I have read of Karen White’s, but it will not be the last.
I received a complimentary copy of The Sound of Glass from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Merritt Heyward’s husband, Cal has been deceased for two years when Merritt finds out he inherited his family home in South Carolina. The home now belongs to Merritt. Merritt lost her mother when she was twelve and her father passed away recently. Merritt’s marriage to Cal was not easy. He was abusive and cruel. Merritt now has a hard shell around her to keep people out. She dresses in long sleeve tops and long skirts in drab colors.
Loralee Purvis Connors was married to Merritt’s father, Richard. She has a ten year old son, Owen. Loralee has packed up their Georgia home and is heading to South Carolina. She is taking Owen to meet his half-sister, Merritt. Loralee convinces Merritt to let them stay with her. Loralee is the opposite of Merritt. Loralee is outgoing, friendly, always has on make-up, wears high heels, and likes leopard prints. Loralee also has a lot of sayings. Loralee has her work cut out for her with Merritt. Loralee wants to see Merritt as the happy person she was before tragedy hit her life. Owen is an adorable geek. Merritt cannot help liking Owen.
Dr. Gibbes Heyward was Cal’s brother younger brother. They were born ten years apart. Gibbes is the complete opposite of his brother. He is friendly, helpful, generous with his time, and good with children. Gibbes originally comes to the house to get some items he would like from his old room. He feels something for Merritt. Merritt, being the prickly person that she is, keeps pushing him away. Gibbes and Loralee slowly work on Merritt.
Loralee has another reason for visiting Merritt, but she is not ready to reveal it to her yet. Slowly Merritt, Loralee, Owen, and Gibbes get to know each other. Merritt and Gibbes also work to find out what Edith did up in the attic and the secret behind the suitcase. The Sound of Glass is a wonderful novel. It is a complicated novel (and I found it hard to summarize). I give The Sound of Glass 5 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed this book immensely. This is the first book I have read of Karen White’s, but it will not be the last.
I received a complimentary copy of The Sound of Glass from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Truly excellent fiction - an interesting plot, memorable characters and gorgeous writing style! Highly recommended!!!