Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
I was so grateful for that 12-years-in-the-future prologue, and for the happy ending, because the rest of the book was just one punch to the gut after another. I stayed up reading waaay too late two nights in a row. Warning (although it may spoil a bit of the mystery in the beginning): it’s about pedophilia and sexual abuse. No clue where the innocent-looking cover comes from.
This book wins the award for cover NOT matching what's inside. I suppose it's my fault for reading it based on the cover, thinking it would be a sappy read in between Stephen King novellas. Joke's on me.
Thank goodness it's fiction although I'm sure there are true stories that have also occurred. Jordan's parents have been sexually abusing him and having "sex parties" with him as the star for years. The whole concept is so hard to grasp how in the heck 1) parents decide to sexually abuse their child and 2) they hide it so well behind such professional positions and demeanors that no one discovers what's going on until their son almost commits suicide.
I tried to separate the subject from my rating. Despite having several narrating perspectives, many perspectives had the same voice. The pacing was rather unique because of the subject matter. The jaw-drop came early, and your lingering wonder was if the mom had known/had participated. "Moving on" and healing become the central theme of the novel as Jordan adapts to his new life with his friend's family, which is still recovering from their own loss. I enjoyed the character of Nate, a unique take on a teen boy. I kept getting Sarah's love interests confused.
Coming away from the book, what stays with me is the creepy subject matter more than the book itself.
Thank goodness it's fiction although I'm sure there are true stories that have also occurred. Jordan's parents have been sexually abusing him and having "sex parties" with him as the star for years. The whole concept is so hard to grasp how in the heck 1) parents decide to sexually abuse their child and 2) they hide it so well behind such professional positions and demeanors that no one discovers what's going on until their son almost commits suicide.
I tried to separate the subject from my rating. Despite having several narrating perspectives, many perspectives had the same voice. The pacing was rather unique because of the subject matter. The jaw-drop came early, and your lingering wonder was if the mom had known/had participated. "Moving on" and healing become the central theme of the novel as Jordan adapts to his new life with his friend's family, which is still recovering from their own loss. I enjoyed the character of Nate, a unique take on a teen boy. I kept getting Sarah's love interests confused.
Coming away from the book, what stays with me is the creepy subject matter more than the book itself.
Wow. I finished "The Kindness of Strangers" last night, and it is truly one of the most remarkable books I've read to date. The story telling and character development is top-notch and the story haunted me when I was away from it. Clearly, it could be triggering for anyone with a personal connection to child sexual abuse, although there is not a tremendous amount of graphic detail. The book is truly about these people and the complexity of the human spirit. I highly recommend it.
I can't really recommend this book; it is well written with superb characters, but the subject matter is difficult to grapple with. I think I'm glad I read it, but it is one I will never re-read.
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-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
A must read if you can deal with the subject matter . An emotive,compelling tale of the horrors of abuse and how it affects not only the child but also the people it touches.
Despite the grim situation, it is incredibly well written with compassion yet without couching the horror in coy terms. It is honest which is sometimes difficult to read, it can make your heart hurt. This issue is so often exploited for shock value or tabloid fodder. There is no sensationalism in this story - but raw truth.
The characters that are able to share their unique perspective really draws out the complex reactions to abuse experienced in the wider community but without the characters losing their individual identities. Their emotions and motivations come across as genuine. They are ordinary people who have to cope with a tragic set of circumstances while still living their lives.
Dont write this off as fiction, it is very grounded in reality.
This book reminds you that this does happen, it is likely happening in your neighborhood and pretending it doesnt or ignorning it, is why it happens. While it may be hard to read about, it is even harder for children to live.
Despite the grim situation, it is incredibly well written with compassion yet without couching the horror in coy terms. It is honest which is sometimes difficult to read, it can make your heart hurt. This issue is so often exploited for shock value or tabloid fodder. There is no sensationalism in this story - but raw truth.
The characters that are able to share their unique perspective really draws out the complex reactions to abuse experienced in the wider community but without the characters losing their individual identities. Their emotions and motivations come across as genuine. They are ordinary people who have to cope with a tragic set of circumstances while still living their lives.
Dont write this off as fiction, it is very grounded in reality.
This book reminds you that this does happen, it is likely happening in your neighborhood and pretending it doesnt or ignorning it, is why it happens. While it may be hard to read about, it is even harder for children to live.
This was a good book, though the underlying subject matter (pedophilia, sexual abuse) is difficult to tolerate, especially as a parent.
A really tough subject (incest, sexual abuse, pornography), dealt with head-on and with compassion for the victims. I thought that Sarah's struggle to understand Courtney added a valuable perspective since it allowed room for attempting to humanize an abuser without making the character actually sympathetic. The most valuable perspective, though, was obviously Jordan. His conflicted words and actions rang true throughout the book.
challenging
tbh i don't really know why i picked this up, it's a really difficult subject to tackle and truly not enjoyable to read about
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No