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mbarron57's review
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was offered to me because I had read a similar book so I started reading this with no expectation. The plot is a little dark, it centers on a suicide pact, and the last days of the lives of those involved. The books summary also makes reference to the 1968 DNC and Chicago riots but those events are are hardly mentioned with the exception of one chapter which was disappointing.
Also, the writing is a little difficult to understand. I found myself reading and then rereading passages multiple times to figure out just what the author was trying to say. Don't get me wrong the writing is very eloquent and you can tell the author is a capable writer but after awhile I found the rereading tedious.
Overall, I'm glad I got to read the book but it definitely wouldn't be on top of my recommendation list.
This book was offered to me because I had read a similar book so I started reading this with no expectation. The plot is a little dark, it centers on a suicide pact, and the last days of the lives of those involved. The books summary also makes reference to the 1968 DNC and Chicago riots but those events are are hardly mentioned with the exception of one chapter which was disappointing.
Also, the writing is a little difficult to understand. I found myself reading and then rereading passages multiple times to figure out just what the author was trying to say. Don't get me wrong the writing is very eloquent and you can tell the author is a capable writer but after awhile I found the rereading tedious.
Overall, I'm glad I got to read the book but it definitely wouldn't be on top of my recommendation list.
missmesmerized's review
4.0
Lourdes, Michigan, summer of 1968. Four friends make a pact: in exactly fourteen days, before the sun’s first rays hit the lake, they will leap together into death. They are outsiders, all the four of them, for different reasons. Kay Campion is fat, as a child she found her mother who committed suicide and her father re-married only a couple of months later. Vera is beautiful and gracile, but she was bullied due to her crippled fingers. CJ is searching for his identity: does he love boys or girls? And last but not least, Saint who comes from a very poor and highly dysfunctional family. They are looking for someone who loves them just as they are and found each other. Since life does not seem to have much in offer for them, why should they continue living? Will their last 14 days on earth make a change?
The story is told from Kay’s point of view. Only step by step do we learn why she is struggling so much with life. Not just that she has lost her beloved mother and had to see her hanging in the basement, it is also the permanent question what she is to her father. Her emotions are expressed in her dysfunctional relationship with her own body – quite an authentic and typical reaction for teenage girls. Yet, for me even stronger was the character of Vera. She is really lost and without any stable ground to walk on. She seems to be highly gifted and is a perfect example of what bullying can make of a child: turning the talented dancer into a drug addict who confounds physical closeness with love. But also the boys are highly interestingly drawn. CJ who is constantly digging in his father’s past in a concentration camp and Saint who seems to have several personalities reflected in the different ways his name is used.
As shown before, the most stunning about the novel are the characters who are elaborated in every detail and thus really come alive while reading. You can easily imagine them in reality and also their pact make absolutely sense. The title - hinting at Lourdes in France with its famous Marian apparitions – promises a wonder, a sudden and unexpected healing from the things the four teenagers suffer from. But wonders do not happen that often and apparitions and inspiration are reserved for the selected few, not the average boy or girl.
A noteworthy novel which, however, I would not recommend to teenagers with emotional troubles.
The story is told from Kay’s point of view. Only step by step do we learn why she is struggling so much with life. Not just that she has lost her beloved mother and had to see her hanging in the basement, it is also the permanent question what she is to her father. Her emotions are expressed in her dysfunctional relationship with her own body – quite an authentic and typical reaction for teenage girls. Yet, for me even stronger was the character of Vera. She is really lost and without any stable ground to walk on. She seems to be highly gifted and is a perfect example of what bullying can make of a child: turning the talented dancer into a drug addict who confounds physical closeness with love. But also the boys are highly interestingly drawn. CJ who is constantly digging in his father’s past in a concentration camp and Saint who seems to have several personalities reflected in the different ways his name is used.
As shown before, the most stunning about the novel are the characters who are elaborated in every detail and thus really come alive while reading. You can easily imagine them in reality and also their pact make absolutely sense. The title - hinting at Lourdes in France with its famous Marian apparitions – promises a wonder, a sudden and unexpected healing from the things the four teenagers suffer from. But wonders do not happen that often and apparitions and inspiration are reserved for the selected few, not the average boy or girl.
A noteworthy novel which, however, I would not recommend to teenagers with emotional troubles.
ktglick's review
4.0
Disclaimer: I received an advance copy of this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
I was sent this book because I had favorably reviewed last summer's "The Girls" by Emma Cline, and I have to say, it was a spot-on recommendation. At first, I was skeptical. Yes, it had similar themes: it's set in the past (the late 1960s) and follows a group of teenage misfits over the course of a life-changing two weeks. I was pleased to discover that Sharon Solwitz is as skilled and lyrical a writer as Emma Cline.
Right from the start the book sucks you in as, in the same breath as they are introduced, the four main characters make a suicide pact. They will live life to the fullest for the next two weeks and then, together, they will jump off a cliff and end their lives.
Over the next two weeks, we get into each of their heads, to witness the internal struggles that they they are hiding from each other, but that cement them together as friends nonetheless. We live mostly in the head of Kay, who is awkward, overweight and still reeling from the suicide of her mother; but we also spend time in the perspective of each of the others -- it's the only way to learn the secrets they keep hidden from everyone.
The suicide pact is instigated by Vera, beautiful despite the birth defect that deforms her hand. She has done something so unspeakable that she is ready to end it all. Saint, the handsome Buddhist, always wears an aura of calm that conceals both his explosive temper and his passion for Vera. And finally, there is CJ, wealthy and privileged on the surface but inwardly suffering from mental illness and the dawning realization that he is gay. The choices they make over the next two weeks will force them to face who they really are and who they might become -- and will determine the outcome for each of them.
It may at first be hard to relate to the main characters, or understand their choices, but the question of "will they jump, or won't they" will keep you going. As you experience each of their perspectives and get to know each character better over the course of the novel, you come to think of them as real people, and to ache for them. How much you like this book will very much depend on how much tolerance you have for living in the heads of extremely damaged people. Seeing the world through Vera's eyes can be very harrowing and she is not a character that you will much like, even if you come to empathize with her. At the same time, I think there is no other way to convey the reasons behind her actions - Vera would hardly be able to explain them herself as she is such a product of her environment. Things pick up towards the end of the book, as the conflicts draw to a dramatic conclusion, and the characters' final experiences are instrumental in determining their future.
I was sent this book because I had favorably reviewed last summer's "The Girls" by Emma Cline, and I have to say, it was a spot-on recommendation. At first, I was skeptical. Yes, it had similar themes: it's set in the past (the late 1960s) and follows a group of teenage misfits over the course of a life-changing two weeks. I was pleased to discover that Sharon Solwitz is as skilled and lyrical a writer as Emma Cline.
Right from the start the book sucks you in as, in the same breath as they are introduced, the four main characters make a suicide pact. They will live life to the fullest for the next two weeks and then, together, they will jump off a cliff and end their lives.
Over the next two weeks, we get into each of their heads, to witness the internal struggles that they they are hiding from each other, but that cement them together as friends nonetheless. We live mostly in the head of Kay, who is awkward, overweight and still reeling from the suicide of her mother; but we also spend time in the perspective of each of the others -- it's the only way to learn the secrets they keep hidden from everyone.
The suicide pact is instigated by Vera, beautiful despite the birth defect that deforms her hand. She has done something so unspeakable that she is ready to end it all. Saint, the handsome Buddhist, always wears an aura of calm that conceals both his explosive temper and his passion for Vera. And finally, there is CJ, wealthy and privileged on the surface but inwardly suffering from mental illness and the dawning realization that he is gay. The choices they make over the next two weeks will force them to face who they really are and who they might become -- and will determine the outcome for each of them.
It may at first be hard to relate to the main characters, or understand their choices, but the question of "will they jump, or won't they" will keep you going. As you experience each of their perspectives and get to know each character better over the course of the novel, you come to think of them as real people, and to ache for them. How much you like this book will very much depend on how much tolerance you have for living in the heads of extremely damaged people. Seeing the world through Vera's eyes can be very harrowing and she is not a character that you will much like, even if you come to empathize with her. At the same time, I think there is no other way to convey the reasons behind her actions - Vera would hardly be able to explain them herself as she is such a product of her environment. Things pick up towards the end of the book, as the conflicts draw to a dramatic conclusion, and the characters' final experiences are instrumental in determining their future.
abookwanderer's review
4.0
I received an advance e-galley of this novel from the publisher through Netgalley.
Shrouded in electric anticipation, this novel is set during the turbulent summer of 1968, when four friends, each ensconced within their own personal turmoil, make a deadly pact. Poetically written, the four main characters are layered within the story which builds in dreaded anticipation with each page. I knew there wouldn't be a happy ending for all, but the ending felt a little flat after so much of a buildup. Read this one during the hot days of summer when the oppressive heat boils inside your brain and you can almost identify with four stoned teens from 1968.
Shrouded in electric anticipation, this novel is set during the turbulent summer of 1968, when four friends, each ensconced within their own personal turmoil, make a deadly pact. Poetically written, the four main characters are layered within the story which builds in dreaded anticipation with each page. I knew there wouldn't be a happy ending for all, but the ending felt a little flat after so much of a buildup. Read this one during the hot days of summer when the oppressive heat boils inside your brain and you can almost identify with four stoned teens from 1968.
sp3cia1j's review
3.0
I’m waffling between 3 and 3.5 stars here.
Once in Lourdes follows 4 friends over a two week period. Towards the very beginning, they make a pact to commit suicide together, and this knowledge pervades throughout the rest of the book. Part of what prompted me to keep reading was to see what would happen in the end - would they actually do it?
While I did enjoy this book and it’s imagery, I have two chief complaints. One is that it’s all just a little..far fetched. In the span of two weeks so much happens - Vera’s acid trips, their trips to Chicago, Saint streaking, CJ cross dressing. It was just a lot of stuff. And it all happens and it’s like no one cares, including the parents. It seems like the novel could have been just as powerful without some of it. Similarly, it seems as though some of these plot points didn’t do all that much to move the story forward. I could have done without some of it, especially if it was replaced with more character development. I got a good sense of most of the characters, but CJ’s character could have used some strengthening.
Overall, I applaud the author for a unique and haunting tale.
I received a digital copy of this novel from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Once in Lourdes follows 4 friends over a two week period. Towards the very beginning, they make a pact to commit suicide together, and this knowledge pervades throughout the rest of the book. Part of what prompted me to keep reading was to see what would happen in the end - would they actually do it?
While I did enjoy this book and it’s imagery, I have two chief complaints. One is that it’s all just a little..far fetched. In the span of two weeks so much happens - Vera’s acid trips, their trips to Chicago, Saint streaking, CJ cross dressing. It was just a lot of stuff. And it all happens and it’s like no one cares, including the parents. It seems like the novel could have been just as powerful without some of it. Similarly, it seems as though some of these plot points didn’t do all that much to move the story forward. I could have done without some of it, especially if it was replaced with more character development. I got a good sense of most of the characters, but CJ’s character could have used some strengthening.
Overall, I applaud the author for a unique and haunting tale.
I received a digital copy of this novel from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
wordsofclover's review
4.0
I received a free digital copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Kay, Vera, CJ and Saint - four teenagers living in Lourdes, Michigan, in 1968. In love with each other and misunderstood by everyone, the gang make a pledge to jump off the ledge of a local cliff in two weeks time.
TW: Mental health issues, physical abuse, incest, fat phobia.
3.5 stars
This is one of the stories where you have no idea what to think at the start, you think you do in the middle and by the end you’re back to square one but feeling slightly empty like you’ve lost something precious. There’s definitely a lot of depth and emotion in this book, and it’s hidden in the crazy exploits of the kids who are going through so much stuff of their own and not really having anyone but themselves to turn to. Saint has a lot of turned in anger inherited from his father but remains calm, serene but distant on the outside. CJ is gay, and in 1968 that isn’t the best thing to be and he still doesn’t really understand it himself, Vera has a lot of daddy issues, brother issues and also is dealing with a birth defect and then Kay is overweight, had a mother who killed herself and a stepmother she hates. Yeah, lots of issues to explore.
I liked how this book was wild and free at times where things were explored almost accidentally. Because it’s 1968, it’s obvious that a lot of things around sexuality weren’t understood and accepted yet so we see a lot of accidental experimenting with the group such as bisexuality and cross-dressing. It made me uncomfortable at times because it was almost done in a mocking way but at the same time, it was quite beautiful.I particularly enjoyed Saint and CJ’s sexual intimacy scene. It was beautifully done and I would have much preferred that relationship over Saint and Vera as I hated it.
I enjoyed most of the characters except Vera who had the most issues out of all the gang but was the most horrible and pushed the others into situations and thoughts that they didn’t want to be in, or have. The Pledge was her idea in the first place (i mean, what kind of person strolls up to their friends and convinces them all to join her in a suicide leap).
The last chapter felt a bit drawn out for me, which meant by the time the thing we were waiting for came about, everything felt a bit stale for me and almost emotionless. It was like everything went from psychedelic colour to grey in the space of a few pages and I didn’t really care any more. I enjoyed most of the story though, it was a wild ride.
Would be good for people who liked The Careful Undressing of Love, .
Kay, Vera, CJ and Saint - four teenagers living in Lourdes, Michigan, in 1968. In love with each other and misunderstood by everyone, the gang make a pledge to jump off the ledge of a local cliff in two weeks time.
TW: Mental health issues, physical abuse, incest, fat phobia.
3.5 stars
This is one of the stories where you have no idea what to think at the start, you think you do in the middle and by the end you’re back to square one but feeling slightly empty like you’ve lost something precious. There’s definitely a lot of depth and emotion in this book, and it’s hidden in the crazy exploits of the kids who are going through so much stuff of their own and not really having anyone but themselves to turn to. Saint has a lot of turned in anger inherited from his father but remains calm, serene but distant on the outside. CJ is gay, and in 1968 that isn’t the best thing to be and he still doesn’t really understand it himself, Vera has a lot of daddy issues, brother issues and also is dealing with a birth defect and then Kay is overweight, had a mother who killed herself and a stepmother she hates. Yeah, lots of issues to explore.
I liked how this book was wild and free at times where things were explored almost accidentally. Because it’s 1968, it’s obvious that a lot of things around sexuality weren’t understood and accepted yet so we see a lot of accidental experimenting with the group such as bisexuality and cross-dressing. It made me uncomfortable at times because it was almost done in a mocking way but at the same time, it was quite beautiful.
I enjoyed most of the characters except Vera who had the most issues out of all the gang but was the most horrible and pushed the others into situations and thoughts that they didn’t want to be in, or have. The Pledge was her idea in the first place (i mean, what kind of person strolls up to their friends and convinces them all to join her in a suicide leap).
The last chapter felt a bit drawn out for me, which meant by the time the thing we were waiting for came about, everything felt a bit stale for me and almost emotionless. It was like everything went from psychedelic colour to grey in the space of a few pages and I didn’t really care any more. I enjoyed most of the story though, it was a wild ride.
Would be good for people who liked The Careful Undressing of Love, .
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