Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
I can't understand why I have waited so long to read this book. What a fool I've been. I mean - just look at the title - it's so powerful and yet so mysterious.
This is a beautiful story about love, death, sorrow, misunderstandings, blindness and being vulnerable. How grief can change you and how merciful people sometimes can be. It's not that the story is full of surprising plot twists but it's so well written.
This is a beautiful story about love, death, sorrow, misunderstandings, blindness and being vulnerable. How grief can change you and how merciful people sometimes can be. It's not that the story is full of surprising plot twists but it's so well written.
I'm having trouble figuring out what I want to say about this book. I might add more after I talk about it with my group.
All of the characters felt real to me, and my heart broke alternately for June, Toby, and Greta. Especially Toby. Gosh what a mensch. He put up with a lot. I'm so glad that
The only thing that really sticks in my craw a bit is the idea that I'm also feeling a little bit judgemental about the casual underage smoking and drinking. I know it was set in the 1980s, but sheesh.
All of the characters felt real to me, and my heart broke alternately for June, Toby, and Greta. Especially Toby. Gosh what a mensch. He put up with a lot. I'm so glad that
Spoiler
he gets to spend eternity with his one true love.The only thing that really sticks in my craw a bit is the idea that
Spoiler
June was in love romantically with Finn. I'm not sure exactly what Brunt is getting at with this, because June's feelings didn't really seem romantic to me, nor did they seem sexual. She had really intense feelings for Finn, but that doesn't make them romantic or inappropriate.
Loved! Such a sweet, tragic story. If you grew up in the 80s, this book will bring back many memories - good, bad and sad.
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took awhile to get going but the story was worth the wait
This book has been on my TBR pile since it's release. I kept picking it up and putting it down. Finally I prod through and finished. I don't understand the hype behind this book. I was not enamored by the characters. I did care about Finn and Toby. I thought there would be more on the relationship between the mother and Finn and how it reflected in her relationship with her daughters, Greta and June.
Coming of age? Other than taking up smoking and drinking, I don't feel that June or Greta progressed. The ending or make-up of their relationship feels forced. Too many grievances occurred between them to be solved by a hug.
AIDS and the times? I think this topic as the background gave this story its gravitas. Without this historical time, the story would be about unresolved relations. And since the characters were not all that interesting, it wouldn't be a good read. The use of Mozart's requiem was good use of a connection to this time period and to the AIDS epidemic. But 3/4 way it got forgotten and didn't carry till the end.
The painting is the title of the book but I feel I am missing the connections. Yes the wolf is inside us and it is in the painting in the negative space but what are we supposed to do with this knowledge. What is the connection between the sisters other than them sending messages to each other through the painting. And what is it about the wolves in the woods which turn out to be feral dogs? And why do we need to "tell the wolves I'm home?"
I was also lost in the fascination with medieval England and wearing boots have to do with connecting to her uncle or Toby?
This is a story with possiblities. It could have used a few more revisions to get it where it needed to be for my taste.
Coming of age? Other than taking up smoking and drinking, I don't feel that June or Greta progressed. The ending or make-up of their relationship feels forced. Too many grievances occurred between them to be solved by a hug.
AIDS and the times? I think this topic as the background gave this story its gravitas. Without this historical time, the story would be about unresolved relations. And since the characters were not all that interesting, it wouldn't be a good read. The use of Mozart's requiem was good use of a connection to this time period and to the AIDS epidemic. But 3/4 way it got forgotten and didn't carry till the end.
The painting is the title of the book but I feel I am missing the connections. Yes the wolf is inside us and it is in the painting in the negative space but what are we supposed to do with this knowledge. What is the connection between the sisters other than them sending messages to each other through the painting. And what is it about the wolves in the woods which turn out to be feral dogs? And why do we need to "tell the wolves I'm home?"
I was also lost in the fascination with medieval England and wearing boots have to do with connecting to her uncle or Toby?
This is a story with possiblities. It could have used a few more revisions to get it where it needed to be for my taste.
Interesting premise, quick read, and overall an enjoyable page turner. Could have been about 100 pages shorter however.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read to look into the hearts of others. But then sometimes, a book comes along, and it's like you're looking directly into your own heart. That was my experience with Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt. Now, I don't have an uncle who died of AIDS, but I do have my very own 'Uncle Finn'. And, when June would talk about how she felt about him, I had a rare moment where even though Brunt described it perfectly, I didn't need her words to know exactly how June felt. I think this book was beautifully written and has so much more complexity to it than just the budding friendship between June and Toby. I loved everything about it and it will stay with me forever.
http://thisismybookblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/tell-wolves-im-home-by-carol-rifka-brunt.html
http://thisismybookblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/tell-wolves-im-home-by-carol-rifka-brunt.html