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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
This is a dense, dark book, but it also carried a message about forgiveness and hope.
The book basically opens with the big reveal: Daniel was murdered by his friend, Jonah, who has killed himself. Throughout the story, the details are revealed. But the story is really about the aftermath -- about a father who's lost and a girl who needs a home and a family.
The story covers a lot -- religion, abuse, suicide, and so much more -- but it's deftly handled by Tompkins. I read this for my book club and we had A LOT to discuss, which is a good thing. The epilogue wasn't my favorite, but everything up to it was very well done.
The book basically opens with the big reveal: Daniel was murdered by his friend, Jonah, who has killed himself. Throughout the story, the details are revealed. But the story is really about the aftermath -- about a father who's lost and a girl who needs a home and a family.
The story covers a lot -- religion, abuse, suicide, and so much more -- but it's deftly handled by Tompkins. I read this for my book club and we had A LOT to discuss, which is a good thing. The epilogue wasn't my favorite, but everything up to it was very well done.
Kind of a rather..far reach plot line but other than that, lovely book. Joanne Tompkins is a great writer!
TW: the dog dies, but it's not traumatic. I cry at EVERYTHING, but this one wasn't even that bad.
Soon after his 16 year old son's violent murder at the hands of his son's best friend (and subsequent suicide), Isaac takes in a pregnant 16 year old girl who ends up on his property. The story is told from multiple perspectives, but it's interesting that Evangeline's is the one told in third person while the others are in first.
I have no regrets about the time spent on the book, but I didn't find it particularly meaningful, other than learning a little more about Quakers
Soon after his 16 year old son's violent murder at the hands of his son's best friend (and subsequent suicide), Isaac takes in a pregnant 16 year old girl who ends up on his property. The story is told from multiple perspectives, but it's interesting that Evangeline's is the one told in third person while the others are in first.
I have no regrets about the time spent on the book, but I didn't find it particularly meaningful, other than learning a little more about Quakers
I have mixed feelings about this book. The writing was beautiful, but it was not a page turner. I enjoyed the insight into the Quaker faith and all the characters were so intriguing. The last two pages were really unnecessary, but other than that, it was really good!
This book was just okay. I liked the idea of it, but I felt the outcome was a little bit of a cop-out. I wish the author had just picked one of the two boys to make the father of the baby and then there would have been a more in-depth story with the two parents dealing with the child of one of their dead sons'. Just my thought. Otherwise, it was okay.
This is more of a 4.5 but I really, really liked it. In a sea of a lot of 3 star books lately, this kept you on your toes just the right amount, made you think about the characters in ways you may not have, and is just a general good read overall.
If this book is anything, it's resilience and love. I'm so emotional...
The synopsis entertained me more than the actual book, unfortunately. The characters fell flat, one of the narrators puzzled me as to why we heard their voice, and the narrative meandered too much (ultimately landing places you anticipated far earlier.)
LOVED the first 2 parts of this book. Struggled to put the book down as the characters were developed and the plot unraveled. Couldn’t get enough!!!
However, the 3rd part I was slightly disappointed with. I felt the smaller parts of the plot got dragged out a bit too far. In saying that, the last 40 odd pages I really enjoyed with the internal grapple of Isaac, but also, felt like we were going round in circles with Isaac through the whole book…..?
However, the 3rd part I was slightly disappointed with. I felt the smaller parts of the plot got dragged out a bit too far. In saying that, the last 40 odd pages I really enjoyed with the internal grapple of Isaac, but also, felt like we were going round in circles with Isaac through the whole book…..?