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shannon_reidwheat's review
3.0
Decent first novel. Interesting story. This book was selected as a Kansas Notable book for 2017.
sherylv's review
2.0
I expected more from this book.
Started out promising, but it really did feel like it was a broken record on repeat sometimes. The author does however capture the nuances and thought process of a child very very well.
Not very memorable though written well in certain areas, wouldn't pick up again
Started out promising, but it really did feel like it was a broken record on repeat sometimes. The author does however capture the nuances and thought process of a child very very well.
Not very memorable though written well in certain areas, wouldn't pick up again
lauren5's review
4.0
Finally got to this book that's been sitting on my shelf for a while, was not disappointed! Great book, held my attention and was a page turner
karenleagermain's review
4.0
Thank You to FSG Originals for providing me with an advanced copy of Cote Smith's Hurt People, in exchange for an honest review.
PLOT- Set in the late 80's in the prison town of Leavenworth, Kansas, Cote Smith's debut novel, Hurt People is the story of a broken family. Two young brothers split the time between their recently divorced parents. Their father, a cop, is on the hunt for an escaped murderer dubbed, The Stranger. Their mother, works at a golf course that is filled with co-workers who have "done time", including her new boyfriend. Bored and on their own in their mother's apartment, the two boys sneak trips to the community pool, where they befriend a man named Chris. Could Chris be the escaped convict?
LIKE- Smith's novel nails tension. My stomach was in knots from worrying about the boys in the pool. There is no moment in Hurt People where the sense of impending danger is eased, making it a page-turner. Smith has created a compelling family drama, where each character has a deep sense of regret and isolation. It's actually quite heartbreaking.
There are multiple scenes that are shocking and graphic in content. Smith handles these moments with care and sensitivity. Although it's disturbing and shocking, it's not done simply for shock value. These moments are necessary, driving both the plot and character development. Admittedly, I can't think of too many other novels that I have read, that have similarly shocking elements. It's intense.
DISLIKE- Even though Hurt People is a page-turner, there were points where I felt that the novel was dragging. This is especially true in the climax scene with the tornado. I'd definitely be interested in reading the short story from which Hurt People is based as a comparison.
RECOMMEND- Yes! Hurt People is a powerhouse debut by an author who is surely on the rise. I look forward to reading more novels by Smith in the future.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
PLOT- Set in the late 80's in the prison town of Leavenworth, Kansas, Cote Smith's debut novel, Hurt People is the story of a broken family. Two young brothers split the time between their recently divorced parents. Their father, a cop, is on the hunt for an escaped murderer dubbed, The Stranger. Their mother, works at a golf course that is filled with co-workers who have "done time", including her new boyfriend. Bored and on their own in their mother's apartment, the two boys sneak trips to the community pool, where they befriend a man named Chris. Could Chris be the escaped convict?
LIKE- Smith's novel nails tension. My stomach was in knots from worrying about the boys in the pool. There is no moment in Hurt People where the sense of impending danger is eased, making it a page-turner. Smith has created a compelling family drama, where each character has a deep sense of regret and isolation. It's actually quite heartbreaking.
There are multiple scenes that are shocking and graphic in content. Smith handles these moments with care and sensitivity. Although it's disturbing and shocking, it's not done simply for shock value. These moments are necessary, driving both the plot and character development. Admittedly, I can't think of too many other novels that I have read, that have similarly shocking elements. It's intense.
DISLIKE- Even though Hurt People is a page-turner, there were points where I felt that the novel was dragging. This is especially true in the climax scene with the tornado. I'd definitely be interested in reading the short story from which Hurt People is based as a comparison.
RECOMMEND- Yes! Hurt People is a powerhouse debut by an author who is surely on the rise. I look forward to reading more novels by Smith in the future.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
mabersold's review
2.0
I read this because for my 10 to Try this year, I needed to read a book set where I was born. I don't have any memories of Leavenworth Kansas - my family moved out not long after my birth and I haven't returned, and likely will never return. I've only ever really had vague ideas of what life there might be like, and this book more or less supports those ideas: flat, hot, and kind of a dead end.
On the whole this book isn't really my style, I appreciate the setting but I couldn't really get into the story. It was frustrating to see the protagonist and his brother make obviously terrible decisions, but then again children aren't always known for their risk assessment.
If you like bleak depictions of middle America, this book might be for you. For everyone else, you'd probably be better off with something a bit more optimistic.
On the whole this book isn't really my style, I appreciate the setting but I couldn't really get into the story. It was frustrating to see the protagonist and his brother make obviously terrible decisions, but then again children aren't always known for their risk assessment.
If you like bleak depictions of middle America, this book might be for you. For everyone else, you'd probably be better off with something a bit more optimistic.
tmoore65's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I had randomly bought this book at my library's book sale and really didn't know what to expect, and after reading the reviews on here I was a little nervous. But, I ended up being surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It's been a long time since I've read an "adult" story that was told from the perspective of a child, and I found this method of storytelling very refreshing. Especially with the content of the story I feel like the innocence of the narrator really helped to drive home the point of how tragic and difficult to understand these situations can be for children. Towards the end of the story I just felt bad while I was reading but at the same time I couldn't stop reading. It just sucks that all of the adults in the story were so horrible and especially that the mom didn't take ownership over her role that lead the boys to their situation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, and Torture
Moderate: Child abuse, Kidnapping, and Pedophilia
graventy's review
4.0
Well-written, sad, and realistic depiction of the life of a young boy as he deals with his brother going apart from him and his parents still reconciling their divorce.