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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
This is a great read.
"I really wondered why people were always doing what they didn't like doing. It seemed like life was a sort of narrowing tunnel. Right when you were born, the tunnel was huge. You could be anything. Then, like, the absolute second after you were born, the tunnel narrowed down to about half that size You were a boy, and already it was certain you wouldn't be a mother and it was likely you wouldn't become a manicurist or a kindergarten teacher. Then you started to grow up and everything you did closed the tunnel in some more. You broke your arm climbing a tree and you ruled out being a baseball pitcher. You failed every math test you ever took and you canceled any hope of being a scientist. Like that. On and on through the years until you were stuck. You'd become a baker or a librarian or a bartender. Or an accountant. And there you were. I figured that on the day you died, the tunnel would be so narrow, you'd have squeezed yourself in with so many choices, that you just got squashed." -Tell the Wolves I'm Home
"I really wondered why people were always doing what they didn't like doing. It seemed like life was a sort of narrowing tunnel. Right when you were born, the tunnel was huge. You could be anything. Then, like, the absolute second after you were born, the tunnel narrowed down to about half that size You were a boy, and already it was certain you wouldn't be a mother and it was likely you wouldn't become a manicurist or a kindergarten teacher. Then you started to grow up and everything you did closed the tunnel in some more. You broke your arm climbing a tree and you ruled out being a baseball pitcher. You failed every math test you ever took and you canceled any hope of being a scientist. Like that. On and on through the years until you were stuck. You'd become a baker or a librarian or a bartender. Or an accountant. And there you were. I figured that on the day you died, the tunnel would be so narrow, you'd have squeezed yourself in with so many choices, that you just got squashed." -Tell the Wolves I'm Home
It wasn't a book that I got into right away, and it requires some suspension of disbelief, but the longing and loneliness that weaves through this book pulls you in. This is a book that shares the truth that everyone wants to be someone's special person, and we all feel like we're weirdos sometimes. This book references the movie A Room With a View, and it reminds me of the inscription on another E.M. Forster novel, Howard's End: "Only connect. . . " Two simple words that sum up everything.
The story is set in the 80’s where saying the word AIDS is more disgusting than Santa Clause telling a 4 year old to F off. ……
It tells the tale of 14 year old June and the way she and her family are all dealing with the loss of June’s uncle Finn in their own slightly dysfunctional way. June uncovers many secrets about Greta and their mother in her search for answers about Finn and Toby, the mystery man in Finn's life.
The way Toby tried so hard to reach out to June while she tried even harder to not care was almost painful to read. All the characters were beautifully developed each with their own flaws, jealousy, insecurities and fear. This is a fantastic debut novel and I will definitely read more from this author.
It tells the tale of 14 year old June and the way she and her family are all dealing with the loss of June’s uncle Finn in their own slightly dysfunctional way. June uncovers many secrets about Greta and their mother in her search for answers about Finn and Toby, the mystery man in Finn's life.
The way Toby tried so hard to reach out to June while she tried even harder to not care was almost painful to read. All the characters were beautifully developed each with their own flaws, jealousy, insecurities and fear. This is a fantastic debut novel and I will definitely read more from this author.
Tell the Wolves I'm Home was a wonderfully written book that captures some of the rawest of emotions, at one of the most confusing phases of a person's life. The journey and coming of age of June Elbus, a 14 year old girl is written with such beautiful simplicity that you really can't put the book down.
The emotions were so simple that they truly break your heart. The love, loss, grief and jealousy that June goes through were described in a very realistic way. Often times, coming of age stories are a bit over the top, but I found this one to be very appropriate. June experiences things for the very first time, and I remember how confused I was when I was 14. I felt like Carol Brunt describes the confusion and guilt very well, and really engaged the reader in caring for the well being of the characters.
The author really touched upon some of the most confusing experiences that people go through as they transition from childhood into adult life. Realizing that your parents aren't perfect, that communication is a two way street, loss is a part of life, love is powerful and so is jealousy. The protagonist faces many internal conflicts, as well and external ones, and the way the author transitioned into the resolutions was smooth and very well done.
You can't help but sigh after reading this, and then you realize that the next book will have to be really great to emotionally engage you as much as this one did.
It goes without saying, this receives a 5/5 stars.
The emotions were so simple that they truly break your heart. The love, loss, grief and jealousy that June goes through were described in a very realistic way. Often times, coming of age stories are a bit over the top, but I found this one to be very appropriate. June experiences things for the very first time, and I remember how confused I was when I was 14. I felt like Carol Brunt describes the confusion and guilt very well, and really engaged the reader in caring for the well being of the characters.
The author really touched upon some of the most confusing experiences that people go through as they transition from childhood into adult life. Realizing that your parents aren't perfect, that communication is a two way street, loss is a part of life, love is powerful and so is jealousy. The protagonist faces many internal conflicts, as well and external ones, and the way the author transitioned into the resolutions was smooth and very well done.
You can't help but sigh after reading this, and then you realize that the next book will have to be really great to emotionally engage you as much as this one did.
It goes without saying, this receives a 5/5 stars.
I was really impressed with how well the author dealt with AIDS in this book. I've never read a novel set in the 1980s and featuring a character with AIDS, and I thought she did a fantastic job not only with Finn and Toby, but also with other main and supporting characters' attitudes toward the disease.
I also really enjoyed the relationships that the author developed. I disliked Greta until the end of the book, when I felt like the author really redeemed her and her relationship with June. I also think the author did a great job with Toby, who was viewed very differently from character to character.
I also really enjoyed the relationships that the author developed. I disliked Greta until the end of the book, when I felt like the author really redeemed her and her relationship with June. I also think the author did a great job with Toby, who was viewed very differently from character to character.
this is a pretty stellar debut novel.
june is a pretty complex 14 year old. i love how brunt paints that age - just about ready to be an adult, but still yearning to play make believe... her love of her uncle finn - a painter - is strong. and the relationship is one of those matches... they have the kind of friendship that we all want in our lives [or rather finn is the mentor we all want in our lives. and june loves him... she believes more than she should]. when finn dies june is approached by toby - finn's boyfriend who her mom and sister believe is responsible for finn's AIDS and death. set in the 80's when AIDS is a frightening plague the Tell the Wolves manages to weave a very sweet tale about love, loss and family [june and her sister grace have a complicated relationship, as do finn and danni - grace and june's mom].
this is a coming of age novel, but it's more than that. finn [who is a famous artist] paints grace and june as his last work. the painting becomes a symbol of their relationship [all of their relationships really]. one of my favorite parts is when june discovers that finn placed a wolf in the negative space between she and her sister [wolves make appearances more than once in this book]. the way brunt pulls and utilizes art/new york/the cloisters in her story is masterful, and as the novel builds to it's tragic conclusion there is also redemption - which in the end i'm a sucker for.
june is a pretty complex 14 year old. i love how brunt paints that age - just about ready to be an adult, but still yearning to play make believe... her love of her uncle finn - a painter - is strong. and the relationship is one of those matches... they have the kind of friendship that we all want in our lives [or rather finn is the mentor we all want in our lives. and june loves him... she believes more than she should]. when finn dies june is approached by toby - finn's boyfriend who her mom and sister believe is responsible for finn's AIDS and death. set in the 80's when AIDS is a frightening plague the Tell the Wolves manages to weave a very sweet tale about love, loss and family [june and her sister grace have a complicated relationship, as do finn and danni - grace and june's mom].
this is a coming of age novel, but it's more than that. finn [who is a famous artist] paints grace and june as his last work. the painting becomes a symbol of their relationship [all of their relationships really]. one of my favorite parts is when june discovers that finn placed a wolf in the negative space between she and her sister [wolves make appearances more than once in this book]. the way brunt pulls and utilizes art/new york/the cloisters in her story is masterful, and as the novel builds to it's tragic conclusion there is also redemption - which in the end i'm a sucker for.
emotional
reflective
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:
Complicated
I absolutely loved this book. It was an extremely well written "coming of age" story. As I have said in many of my reviews, the most important thing for me is that I have to care for the characters...I don't have to like them, but they must be real. Every character was developed appropriately in this book - some much more than others, but all in the right way.
I am very interested in talking about this book in my book club - I don't know if everyone will like it, but I will be thinking about it for a long time. Perhaps something that pulled me in was that I had an Uncle "Finn," growing up. He wasn't ill, but we had a Finn and Toby. In our family however, Toby was not hidden. My Uncle Finn was EVERY one of his niece and nephews favorite uncle, no exception. Knowing that we were going to get to go to his apartment was always thrilling - on the top floor of a high rise, looking downtown, we could go on the balcony and see the Arch all the way downtown. Some of my favorite childhood (and adult) memories are here.
This story was so incredibly bitter sweet and touching. Obviously, I flat out loved it.
I am very interested in talking about this book in my book club - I don't know if everyone will like it, but I will be thinking about it for a long time. Perhaps something that pulled me in was that I had an Uncle "Finn," growing up. He wasn't ill, but we had a Finn and Toby. In our family however, Toby was not hidden. My Uncle Finn was EVERY one of his niece and nephews favorite uncle, no exception. Knowing that we were going to get to go to his apartment was always thrilling - on the top floor of a high rise, looking downtown, we could go on the balcony and see the Arch all the way downtown. Some of my favorite childhood (and adult) memories are here.
This story was so incredibly bitter sweet and touching. Obviously, I flat out loved it.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
A sweet, tender, and moving story about friendship and loyalty. I'm surprised this isn't on everyone's must read list. What impressed me most was how real the story and setting, and how accurately it depicted being a young girl, as well as the general mindset of the 80s - no sugar coating, no obscure references.