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janewhitehurst's review against another edition
3.0
The Dead I Know was well-written, but pretty anti-climactic. The book is narrated from the perspective of Aaron, a teenage boy who has been having terrible nightmares and sleep walking episodes. He doesn't know much about his past, and the reader knows that his nightmares are the link between his loss of memory and what actually happened to him as a child. Unfortunately, when it's all revealed, it's more of a shrug moment than a "holy crap" moment. Not a bad read, but not amazing either.
hayleybeale's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliantly written, complex and compact - this is the story of Aaron Rowe, a young man who starts working at a funeral home and has many secrets locked away, even from himself. Read my full review here.
beastreader's review against another edition
1.0
I was expecting this book to be somewhat like Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. Not in the way that I thought this book would be a love story or a zombie book but in the way that I thought it would be dark like Warm Bodies in exploring death but also in a twisted like hearted way. I got none of this from the fourteen chapters that I read. That is all I could make myself read. I was hoping it would get better as the story went along and Aaron got more familiar with his job. Yet I found it boring and disjointed. The way that it jumped form Aaron having his dreams to real life. Also it felt like big chunks of the story was missing when it would go form the dream like state to the present. Such a bummer.
christajls's review against another edition
3.0
This review originally posted at Hooked on Books
If there's one thing The Dead I Know did well, it's that it convinced me that I never want to be a sleepwalker. It would be terrifying to wake up every morning, unsure of where you are and how you got there. And who knows who would take advantage of you when you're like that *shivers*
Sleepwalking aside, however, there are a lot of reasons to read Scott Gardner's The Dead I Know. In a short period of time the reader watches Aaron Rowe's life completely fall apart in front of him and it is a heart breaking but authentic read. I'm personally amazed by how long he managed to keep it together. He's alone, no friends, living in sketchy caravan park surrounded by criminals and drug users and if that wasn't bad enough he's a sleepwalker trying to take care of an old woman suffering from dementia. I for one, wouldn't have blamed this poor kid if he had broken down much earlier than he did. The Dead I Know tackles a lot of important, but difficult, issues, but it does so with care and respect.
In addition to being an emotional read, The Dead I Know was an interesting look into the life of a funeral director. When Aaron goes to work for the funeral home, I was surprised by how much detail the reader was given. You are exposed to everything, from body pickup, to preparing their hair and clothes, to the building of the casket and finally the funeral itself. It's not always easy to read about, especially if you've lost someone close to you. But as with all the issues in this book, Scott Gardner tackles death honestly. It may not be easy to read about, but it is authentic.
Ultimately, however, I wasn't 100% sure what point the novel was trying to make - if any. Could have been something about the kindness of strangers, or learning to trust others. Or even realizing you're not alone and that no one is an island. These were all potential messages, but they didn't immediately jump out at me. I had to spend some time after I had finished reading, brainstorming on the message of this book and wondering what I was supposed to get out of it. And though it is not usual for me or other readers to spend time dwelling on a book's message after we're done reading, I think the point of The Dead I Know may be lost on a lot of teen readers.
Overall The Dead I Know was a really interesting and fascinating read but it just felt like it was missing something. I can't quite figure out what it was but it left me feeling like my experience with the novel was incomplete.
Final recommendation: A good book for those who have had trouble asking for help, especially when faced with a sick parent/loved one. You are not alone.
If there's one thing The Dead I Know did well, it's that it convinced me that I never want to be a sleepwalker. It would be terrifying to wake up every morning, unsure of where you are and how you got there. And who knows who would take advantage of you when you're like that *shivers*
Sleepwalking aside, however, there are a lot of reasons to read Scott Gardner's The Dead I Know. In a short period of time the reader watches Aaron Rowe's life completely fall apart in front of him and it is a heart breaking but authentic read. I'm personally amazed by how long he managed to keep it together. He's alone, no friends, living in sketchy caravan park surrounded by criminals and drug users and if that wasn't bad enough he's a sleepwalker trying to take care of an old woman suffering from dementia. I for one, wouldn't have blamed this poor kid if he had broken down much earlier than he did. The Dead I Know tackles a lot of important, but difficult, issues, but it does so with care and respect.
In addition to being an emotional read, The Dead I Know was an interesting look into the life of a funeral director. When Aaron goes to work for the funeral home, I was surprised by how much detail the reader was given. You are exposed to everything, from body pickup, to preparing their hair and clothes, to the building of the casket and finally the funeral itself. It's not always easy to read about, especially if you've lost someone close to you. But as with all the issues in this book, Scott Gardner tackles death honestly. It may not be easy to read about, but it is authentic.
Ultimately, however, I wasn't 100% sure what point the novel was trying to make - if any. Could have been something about the kindness of strangers, or learning to trust others. Or even realizing you're not alone and that no one is an island. These were all potential messages, but they didn't immediately jump out at me. I had to spend some time after I had finished reading, brainstorming on the message of this book and wondering what I was supposed to get out of it. And though it is not usual for me or other readers to spend time dwelling on a book's message after we're done reading, I think the point of The Dead I Know may be lost on a lot of teen readers.
Overall The Dead I Know was a really interesting and fascinating read but it just felt like it was missing something. I can't quite figure out what it was but it left me feeling like my experience with the novel was incomplete.
Final recommendation: A good book for those who have had trouble asking for help, especially when faced with a sick parent/loved one. You are not alone.
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
4.0
Book #10 Read in 2015
The Dead I Know by Scott Gardner (YA)
Aaron comes from a messed up home life. He begins a job at a funeral parlor and John, the funeral director, takes him under his wing. It is hard, however, for Aaron to ask for help. This book has a lot of sad elements to it but ends on a hopeful note. It was a good, quick read. I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
The Dead I Know by Scott Gardner (YA)
Aaron comes from a messed up home life. He begins a job at a funeral parlor and John, the funeral director, takes him under his wing. It is hard, however, for Aaron to ask for help. This book has a lot of sad elements to it but ends on a hopeful note. It was a good, quick read. I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
melissapalmer404's review against another edition
4.0
Book #10 Read in 2015
The Dead I Know by Scott Gardner (YA)
Aaron comes from a messed up home life. He begins a job at a funeral parlor and John, the funeral director, takes him under his wing. It is hard, however, for Aaron to ask for help. This book has a lot of sad elements to it but ends on a hopeful note. It was a good, quick read. I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
The Dead I Know by Scott Gardner (YA)
Aaron comes from a messed up home life. He begins a job at a funeral parlor and John, the funeral director, takes him under his wing. It is hard, however, for Aaron to ask for help. This book has a lot of sad elements to it but ends on a hopeful note. It was a good, quick read. I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
raynabear's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
There wasn't really a plot, but it was totally enjoyable. First story read on Libby lol. Bit confusing at the beginning then I google the settings and made alot more sense lol. ( he lives in an Australia, in an rv park)
miahunt1's review against another edition
1.0
Probably one of the most pointless and morbid book I have ever read
janmel77's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I won this as a first read...
I wasn't quite sure what to think when I started it, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. A different story than I usually read, the characters were well developed for the most part. I was a little irritated with Skye, but I suppose that means it was well written or I would have had no feeling towards her at all.
I won this as a first read...
I wasn't quite sure what to think when I started it, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. A different story than I usually read, the characters were well developed for the most part. I was a little irritated with Skye, but I suppose that means it was well written or I would have had no feeling towards her at all.
pwbalto's review against another edition
5.0
The most surprising book I've read in a long time. I expected a horror/suspense kind of jobbie, and there's suspense to be sure - but this is far more a book about coming to terms, coming of age, making new connections while feeling others loosen. I can compare it to Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. A book about a boy AND feelings that a boy will find quite accessible. Remarkable.