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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Dark and evocative. Vivid characterizations of people and life in rural Nevada.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In a small town outside of Reno, Adam Merkel, the new unassuming math teacher has been found by one of his students - quiet, lonely Sal.
Who did it? And why?
Told from the perspective of Sal, his teacher Nora, and a local volunteer fireman, Jake - the mystery of the murder unfolds backwards in a captivating tale tinged with sadness and a feeling of loss...and serves as a reminder of how we can’t escape our pasts, no matter how hard we try.
I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. I had never heard of Heather Young before - but I’m already gobbling up her first book “The Lost Girls.”
Stories told from the perspective of three different people has become such a gimmick this days - but Young’s narrative choice is intentional and serves to unfold the lives of the narrators - and their role in Merkel’s murder - in an exquisite manner.
I found myself wanting to know more, having hope - while the book ultimately felt like we were careening towards a devastating conclusion - that made me feel inexorable sadness - with a bit of hope.
I will tell you - the first chapter is a bit off putting - but the way it ultimately ties into the ongoing story - and the conclusion - is breath-taking and somewhat beautiful.
The only drawback (but doesn’t detract from a great story) is the ending seems rather rushed and becomes a bit convoluted to understand - especially if it’s near midnight, you’re bleary-eyed and just want to finish because the book is so good. And although Jake contributes important plot points to the story, his viewpoint seems almost abandoned halfway through - like Young didn’t know what to do with him after a certain point.
Either way - an exquisite book that is worth the read!
Who did it? And why?
Told from the perspective of Sal, his teacher Nora, and a local volunteer fireman, Jake - the mystery of the murder unfolds backwards in a captivating tale tinged with sadness and a feeling of loss...and serves as a reminder of how we can’t escape our pasts, no matter how hard we try.
I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. I had never heard of Heather Young before - but I’m already gobbling up her first book “The Lost Girls.”
Stories told from the perspective of three different people has become such a gimmick this days - but Young’s narrative choice is intentional and serves to unfold the lives of the narrators - and their role in Merkel’s murder - in an exquisite manner.
I found myself wanting to know more, having hope - while the book ultimately felt like we were careening towards a devastating conclusion - that made me feel inexorable sadness - with a bit of hope.
I will tell you - the first chapter is a bit off putting - but the way it ultimately ties into the ongoing story - and the conclusion - is breath-taking and somewhat beautiful.
The only drawback (but doesn’t detract from a great story) is the ending seems rather rushed and becomes a bit convoluted to understand - especially if it’s near midnight, you’re bleary-eyed and just want to finish because the book is so good. And although Jake contributes important plot points to the story, his viewpoint seems almost abandoned halfway through - like Young didn’t know what to do with him after a certain point.
Either way - an exquisite book that is worth the read!
What I love about book club is that I often read books that I never would have chosen to read myself. And whether I like them or not, it's always an adventure in opening my mind. As I picked up this one, I judged it by its cover: "not for me! a man burning in the desert, hmmm..." My curiosity level was probably a 2 out of 10. Then I read the opening, 'Long Ago.' Curiosity level shot up to a 9. I had trouble pulling myself away from this story when life required it! Heather Young is a wonderful storyteller and writes beautifully. I loved the characters she developed and cared about them all. When the story ended, I had the impulse to go back and read the opening. It was powerful. I'm looking forward to meeting her soon when she zooms into our book club meeting!