Scan barcode
mxsallybend's review against another edition
4.0
Gay, straight, or in between, human stories don't get much more powerful than in Brandon Shire's The Value Of Rain.
At it's heart, this is the tale of a young teenager (Charles) who is catapulted from the arms of his first love into the restraints of a mental hospital. Over the next ten years he is mentally, physically, and psychologically abused, all in an effort to cure him of his gayness - and all at his own mother's behest. While he manages to hold onto his identity, the experience changes him, transforming an innocent boy in search of love into a scarred young man in search of revenge.
This is a book that's, at times, both sad and angry, literally haunted by the dreary sound and images of falling rain. It's not a difficult story, but it is a challenging one, told in a deliberately haphazard fashion. The story jumps around through Charles' life, contrasting past and present, giving meaning to one, while justifying the other. What struck me most about the book was how beautifully Brandon writes, especially when writing about the cruelties which Charles encounters. It's very disconcerting to both admire and despise the same passages, drawn in by the narrative, only to recoil from the subject matter.
Like I said, this is a story that's sad and angry, and full of a lot of pain . . . but that pain, ultimately, leads to a catharsis. Charles evolves as much over the course of the story as he did during the duration of his imprisonment, and even if he can never reclaim his innocence, he can make peace with his situation. As for the ending, it's been a few days since I've read it, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. The human part of me rejects it, demanding a very different sense of satisfaction, but the reader in me admires it, appreciating just how Brandon brought everything together.
A powerfully moving read, it also comes with a note of caution for anybody who has ever felt like an outsider, who has ever been shunned or made to feel ashamed - this is a book that will make you think, feel, and sympathize, whether you want to or not.
At it's heart, this is the tale of a young teenager (Charles) who is catapulted from the arms of his first love into the restraints of a mental hospital. Over the next ten years he is mentally, physically, and psychologically abused, all in an effort to cure him of his gayness - and all at his own mother's behest. While he manages to hold onto his identity, the experience changes him, transforming an innocent boy in search of love into a scarred young man in search of revenge.
This is a book that's, at times, both sad and angry, literally haunted by the dreary sound and images of falling rain. It's not a difficult story, but it is a challenging one, told in a deliberately haphazard fashion. The story jumps around through Charles' life, contrasting past and present, giving meaning to one, while justifying the other. What struck me most about the book was how beautifully Brandon writes, especially when writing about the cruelties which Charles encounters. It's very disconcerting to both admire and despise the same passages, drawn in by the narrative, only to recoil from the subject matter.
Like I said, this is a story that's sad and angry, and full of a lot of pain . . . but that pain, ultimately, leads to a catharsis. Charles evolves as much over the course of the story as he did during the duration of his imprisonment, and even if he can never reclaim his innocence, he can make peace with his situation. As for the ending, it's been a few days since I've read it, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. The human part of me rejects it, demanding a very different sense of satisfaction, but the reader in me admires it, appreciating just how Brandon brought everything together.
A powerfully moving read, it also comes with a note of caution for anybody who has ever felt like an outsider, who has ever been shunned or made to feel ashamed - this is a book that will make you think, feel, and sympathize, whether you want to or not.
dancpharmd's review against another edition
2.0
I appreciated what the author was trying to do, but dear God, the angst was too much.
wulfwyn's review against another edition
5.0
I found this to be an emotional read. It is a story filled with 'rip the band aid off' emotion. When the author asked me to review his book he let me know in advance it was about a gay man. He shouldn't have. It wasn't needed, (*this is a personal opinion - some people may have a hard time with some of the scenes). Yes the main character is gay and his being gay is a huge part of the story. But honestly, I could see the family dynamics and emotions played out in gay and straight families.
The book tells a disturbing story of how far the need for revenge can go. It tells the destructive nature of unforgiveness, ( I have no other I would choose to use). It is a testament to the pain we endure as children that can last a lifetime, coloring every choice we make. The book also address a very graphic look at mental health issues.
I believe this book is an eye opener into how much we can hurt someone we love. A sad part of this is that I believe Charlotte loved Charles and he loved her. The things that haunted Charlotte destroyed her ability to give that love to Charles. Instead she gave him a haunting for him to carry. Brandon wrote fiercely but also with beauty. It is an intense and vivid book that will have you examining what pain you hold on to and what true value it brings to you. It is one that I would recommend to book clubs that choose books that examine life and its impact on us.
* The complete review is on my blog.*
**I received this book with a request to review. I received no compensation for my review. My review is based upon my honest opinions and feelings.**
The book tells a disturbing story of how far the need for revenge can go. It tells the destructive nature of unforgiveness, ( I have no other I would choose to use). It is a testament to the pain we endure as children that can last a lifetime, coloring every choice we make. The book also address a very graphic look at mental health issues.
I believe this book is an eye opener into how much we can hurt someone we love. A sad part of this is that I believe Charlotte loved Charles and he loved her. The things that haunted Charlotte destroyed her ability to give that love to Charles. Instead she gave him a haunting for him to carry. Brandon wrote fiercely but also with beauty. It is an intense and vivid book that will have you examining what pain you hold on to and what true value it brings to you. It is one that I would recommend to book clubs that choose books that examine life and its impact on us.
* The complete review is on my blog.*
**I received this book with a request to review. I received no compensation for my review. My review is based upon my honest opinions and feelings.**
wulfwyn's review against another edition
5.0
I found this to be an emotional read. It is a story filled with 'rip the band aid off' emotion. When the author asked me to review his book he let me know in advance it was about a gay man. He shouldn't have. It wasn't needed, (*this is a personal opinion - some people may have a hard time with some of the scenes). Yes the main character is gay and his being gay is a huge part of the story. But honestly, I could see the family dynamics and emotions played out in gay and straight families.
The book tells a disturbing story of how far the need for revenge can go. It tells the destructive nature of unforgiveness, ( I have no other I would choose to use). It is a testament to the pain we endure as children that can last a lifetime, coloring every choice we make. The book also address a very graphic look at mental health issues.
I believe this book is an eye opener into how much we can hurt someone we love. A sad part of this is that I believe Charlotte loved Charles and he loved her. The things that haunted Charlotte destroyed her ability to give that love to Charles. Instead she gave him a haunting for him to carry. Brandon wrote fiercely but also with beauty. It is an intense and vivid book that will have you examining what pain you hold on to and what true value it brings to you. It is one that I would recommend to book clubs that choose books that examine life and its impact on us.
* The complete review is on my blog.*
**I received this book with a request to review. I received no compensation for my review. My review is based upon my honest opinions and feelings.**
The book tells a disturbing story of how far the need for revenge can go. It tells the destructive nature of unforgiveness, ( I have no other I would choose to use). It is a testament to the pain we endure as children that can last a lifetime, coloring every choice we make. The book also address a very graphic look at mental health issues.
I believe this book is an eye opener into how much we can hurt someone we love. A sad part of this is that I believe Charlotte loved Charles and he loved her. The things that haunted Charlotte destroyed her ability to give that love to Charles. Instead she gave him a haunting for him to carry. Brandon wrote fiercely but also with beauty. It is an intense and vivid book that will have you examining what pain you hold on to and what true value it brings to you. It is one that I would recommend to book clubs that choose books that examine life and its impact on us.
* The complete review is on my blog.*
**I received this book with a request to review. I received no compensation for my review. My review is based upon my honest opinions and feelings.**
moimoi5c878's review against another edition
5.0
"His arms were scarred with a thick pelt of self inflicted hatred and an emotional pain so deep that the only way he knew how to purify himself was with the cutting edge of some sharp instrument."
Keď máte dobrú náladu a chcete si niečo oddychové prečítať odporúčam nepozerať sa na info ku knihe len ju otvoriť. Toľko zábavy vám to prinesie. Celú kopu.
Och bože. Už prvá veta bola podozrivá, zvyšok kapitoly tomu nepomáhal, ale naozaj som nečakala, že to bude až také zlo a keď to vyšlo najavo, nedalo sa už ujsť. Nabudúce nieže prečítam o čom kniha je, ale radšej si ju celú vyspoilerujem aby som nemusela trpieť. Teraz si idem pozrieť obrázky šteniatok a malých tuleňov
More...