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bittersweet_symphony's review
3.0
It took me a long time to warm up to this angst-ridden protagonist. Admittedly, I have plenty of Jon Snow-eque caverns in my own psyche, but she was so insufferable for a good chunk of the book. I think at best it was a good exercise in empathy to read Faithful.
I made very different choices with the early tragedies in my life than Shelby did, but Hoffman's book is a reminder that there's always some redemption possible. An "ideal" life takes many forms. For some of us, it takes into our 40s or 50s to see that, and some of us are allowed that knowledge in our 20s.
All is well that ends well.
I made very different choices with the early tragedies in my life than Shelby did, but Hoffman's book is a reminder that there's always some redemption possible. An "ideal" life takes many forms. For some of us, it takes into our 40s or 50s to see that, and some of us are allowed that knowledge in our 20s.
All is well that ends well.
novelette's review
4.0
This should be like a 4.89. I liked this so much, all the way from start to finish.
tabatha_shipley's review
4.0
What happens when life is turned inside out?
Alice Hoffman explores what tragedy can do to the people who survive it. The journey of these characters, including but not limited to main character Shelby, after a single event changes everything is realistic and relatable. The pain they all experience is raw. I loved Alice Hoffman's ability to capture their pain and their struggles.
This one is an emotional roller coaster, but I recommend you take the journey.
Alice Hoffman explores what tragedy can do to the people who survive it. The journey of these characters, including but not limited to main character Shelby, after a single event changes everything is realistic and relatable. The pain they all experience is raw. I loved Alice Hoffman's ability to capture their pain and their struggles.
This one is an emotional roller coaster, but I recommend you take the journey.
tashaseegmiller's review
5.0
Alice Hoffman is an incredible storyteller, and this journey the reader gets to take with Shelby exemplifies that so well. Weaving in heartbreak, healing, doubt and laughter, FAITHFUL provides everything I've come to love about Hoffman's books.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
2.0
Faithful by Alice Hoffman is a very unusual novel (let me be brutally honest and say it is just plain odd). Shelby Richmond is seventeen years old when she is in a tragic accident that puts her best friend (of a sort) in a coma. Shelby feels survivors guilt and does everything she can to ruin her life. She quits going to high school, tries to kill herself, and then shaves off all her hair. She spends the next two years lounging in her parent’s basement watching television and getting high (let’s not forget the smoking and junk food). The one person she talks to is Ben Mink, her pot dealer. When Shelby is nineteen, Ben is heading to New York for college. He is going to become a pharmacist and asks Shelby to come with him. Shelby then wanders around New York with her bald head (black clothes too). She eventually gets a job at a pet store. Ben is good for Shelby, but she refuses to see it. Shelby is still bent on self-destruction. After the accident, Shelby started receiving postcards. Whoever is sending the postcards is trying to help her move on. To encourage her on the right path. Will Shelby ever be able to move on with her life? Can she forgive herself for surviving an accident?
Faithful, as I said, was a very peculiar book. It is written like Shelby is talking. The reader is subjected to Shelby’s long, depressing narrative. Some parts of the book are compelling, but there are many pages that should have been tossed on the editing room floor (you get the metaphor). I felt that Faithful was not a finished book. It is also a very dark, negative novel. If you are a person prone to sadness or depression, please stay clear of this novel (otherwise, you will want to off yourself by page 75). I give Faithful 2 out of 5 stars (like I said there are some good parts).
Faithful, as I said, was a very peculiar book. It is written like Shelby is talking. The reader is subjected to Shelby’s long, depressing narrative. Some parts of the book are compelling, but there are many pages that should have been tossed on the editing room floor (you get the metaphor). I felt that Faithful was not a finished book. It is also a very dark, negative novel. If you are a person prone to sadness or depression, please stay clear of this novel (otherwise, you will want to off yourself by page 75). I give Faithful 2 out of 5 stars (like I said there are some good parts).
mxunsmiley's review
4.0
I'm going to hold back on a rating because I still need to stew in it, but here are my initial thoughts. The biggest reason I'm hesitant to give it a rating is because it hit way too close to home for me so I feel like that colors my feelings toward it. At the same time, I adore Alice Hoffman's writing and books, so it's not surprising that I got really into this to where I didn't put it down.
It's very hard to write characters with PTSD (or mental illness in general, but reaction to trauma is more specific and comes with its own challenges) that are believable and don't miraculously get better. Shelby's recovery was very progressive, and though the book itself is short, it felt slow and natural. It's very common for people with PTSD to wallow and while I think that can be cathartic for us to read to assure us that we're not alone in how we process trauma, I think it's more helpful to see others like us eventually succeed even if there are bumps along the road and regretful decisions we end up making.
I honestly was in Shelby's place for a very long time so I understood her character too well, especially in the beginning. It was eerie how similar our situations were though of course the similarities ended at some point. This is a book very much rooted in faith (hence the title) and perhaps even in unspoken prayer; many of the events occur as though they were meant to happen, in which Shelby was in the right place at the right time, which I suppose is the magical realism element, which isn't surprising coming from Alice Hoffman.
Maybe one thing I wish could've been cleaner and less rushed was Shelby and James's relationship. I did enjoy it, but I felt like it was more thrown in. It didn't feel as natural as the rest of the book; his reveal felt very abrupt, unlike the parts before. I think I would've liked to read more from James's perspective even though he already reveals a lot. Maybe I would've liked more initial interaction between them? I'm not sure how I would've improved this aspect of the book. I don't think it really bogs everything down though.
I think this is a book I really needed right now. Maybe my own kind of magical realism except in real life!
It's very hard to write characters with PTSD (or mental illness in general, but reaction to trauma is more specific and comes with its own challenges) that are believable and don't miraculously get better. Shelby's recovery was very progressive, and though the book itself is short, it felt slow and natural. It's very common for people with PTSD to wallow and while I think that can be cathartic for us to read to assure us that we're not alone in how we process trauma, I think it's more helpful to see others like us eventually succeed even if there are bumps along the road and regretful decisions we end up making.
I honestly was in Shelby's place for a very long time so I understood her character too well, especially in the beginning. It was eerie how similar our situations were though of course the similarities ended at some point. This is a book very much rooted in faith (hence the title) and perhaps even in unspoken prayer; many of the events occur as though they were meant to happen, in which Shelby was in the right place at the right time, which I suppose is the magical realism element, which isn't surprising coming from Alice Hoffman.
Maybe one thing I wish could've been cleaner and less rushed was Shelby and James's relationship. I did enjoy it, but I felt like it was more thrown in. It didn't feel as natural as the rest of the book; his reveal felt very abrupt, unlike the parts before. I think I would've liked to read more from James's perspective even though he already reveals a lot. Maybe I would've liked more initial interaction between them? I'm not sure how I would've improved this aspect of the book. I don't think it really bogs everything down though.
I think this is a book I really needed right now. Maybe my own kind of magical realism except in real life!
midwifereading's review
3.0
I liked it. I almost put it down, because the beginning chapters are so very depressing and heavy. The focus is on Shelby Richmond, who was driving with her best friend at 17, and got into an accident that put her friend into a somewhat vegetative state, never to recover. At the beginning of the book, she's a walking ball of despair and trauma 2 years after the accident.
By the end, she has come into some cautious hope again, slowly, imperfectly, and with the kind of help we all know -- community. People who accept her and walk with her even through some pretty major mistakes. She learns, grows, changes, and moves forward. I only wish there were illustrations of the postcards...(read it and find out)
It's a solid character-centered story, rather than being plot-driven. It's not particularly deep, but it feels close and familiar. Shelby's growth feels natural, not forced, and is much closer to reality than many similar stories.
NOTES: There is more language than I would have liked, but it's realistic, not gratuitous, and is used well in context. It's not there just to be there. There is also sexual assault in the early chapters. Again -- not gratuitous, and is treated like the horrendous act that it is. But you need to know if you pick it up.
By the end, she has come into some cautious hope again, slowly, imperfectly, and with the kind of help we all know -- community. People who accept her and walk with her even through some pretty major mistakes. She learns, grows, changes, and moves forward. I only wish there were illustrations of the postcards...(read it and find out)
It's a solid character-centered story, rather than being plot-driven. It's not particularly deep, but it feels close and familiar. Shelby's growth feels natural, not forced, and is much closer to reality than many similar stories.
NOTES: There is more language than I would have liked, but it's realistic, not gratuitous, and is used well in context. It's not there just to be there. There is also sexual assault in the early chapters. Again -- not gratuitous, and is treated like the horrendous act that it is. But you need to know if you pick it up.
megn317's review
4.0
At first I thought this book was going to be too somber for me. And I started not to like the main character but as time went on and I kept reading I started rooting for her. Loved how it ended. Second chances are important.
books_yarn_and_the_moon's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
5.0
Alice Hoffman is the queen, I've never read something of hers I haven't loved.
ktswings's review
5.0
I really enjoyed watching Shelby's ebbs & peaks of wearing her guilt, and Hoffman's portrayal of how we accept the love we don't think we deserve. I loved all the supporting characters.
When I lost my mom, I said how alone I felt because the person who loved me best no longer existed, seeing those lines were my own cardinal in the backyard.
When I lost my mom, I said how alone I felt because the person who loved me best no longer existed, seeing those lines were my own cardinal in the backyard.