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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Bookclub read, although I had a physical copy in my collection already. I got the Kindle copy and audiobook from the library, went primarily with audio. Liked it, didn't love it. 3.5 stars. I may do a bit of re-reading before bookclub, and see if that ups my appreciation. There were some discussion questions included in the book at the end, and reading those has already made me delve a little deeper than I had on my own initial listen.
The prologue, and half the chapters, are 1st person (past tense) from Tucker's POV. Then there are several 3rd person chapters, POV of Mutt and Mose. A lot of what was going on, especially at the start, seemed so random though, a little "why is all this included?" and while some of it was building blocks, some still seems random on reflection. I would have liked to have the chapters noted somewhat in the table of contents (if it was Tucker/Mutt/Mose) but there weren't headers in the book, at at least the switch from 1st to 3rd help keep the sections more distinct. There was some movement from the present to past memories as well.
The abuse was a little hard to read about ... and to believe ... that there wouldn't have been consequences? That Rex just got away with that, to the boys, to Miss Ella? All of Mutt's reactions, the cleaning. SPOILER while the abduction wasn't really unexpected, it happened so suddenly in the book that I felt like I'd missed something. I had to stop, rewind, pull up the spot in the Kindle copy ...
Definite title tie-in ...
I liked the photography symbolism, and the "changing your lens" ...
I liked the conversations between Tuck and Miss Ella throughout (the present, even though she'd passed away).
Laughed out loud at the "“You know how you asked me to tell you before I hurt somebody?” “Yeah,” I said, holding my cracked ribs. “Well, I’m telling you.” Go Mutt.
No proFanity (not a surprise as this is Christian fiction). Other words I note: swathed, route (pronounced "rowt" in audio), snuck, plethora
The prologue, and half the chapters, are 1st person (past tense) from Tucker's POV. Then there are several 3rd person chapters, POV of Mutt and Mose. A lot of what was going on, especially at the start, seemed so random though, a little "why is all this included?" and while some of it was building blocks, some still seems random on reflection. I would have liked to have the chapters noted somewhat in the table of contents (if it was Tucker/Mutt/Mose) but there weren't headers in the book, at at least the switch from 1st to 3rd help keep the sections more distinct. There was some movement from the present to past memories as well.
The abuse was a little hard to read about ... and to believe ... that there wouldn't have been consequences? That Rex just got away with that, to the boys, to Miss Ella? All of Mutt's reactions, the cleaning. SPOILER
Definite title tie-in ...
I liked the photography symbolism, and the "changing your lens" ...
I liked the conversations between Tuck and Miss Ella throughout (the present, even though she'd passed away).
Laughed out loud at the "“You know how you asked me to tell you before I hurt somebody?” “Yeah,” I said, holding my cracked ribs. “Well, I’m telling you.” Go Mutt.
No proFanity (not a surprise as this is Christian fiction). Other words I note: swathed, route (pronounced "rowt" in audio), snuck, plethora
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love Charles Martin, and this was another great one. I loved the plot and the characters. Definitely one that kept me coming back for more whenever I got the chance. Most of his books get a 5-star review from me but this one was a 4-star. Still a book I would highly recommend. It didn't make me cry which is usually what gets a 5-star review from me! Just ask my book club!
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
4+ stars. A very sweet inspiring heart felt story. I feel there were some holes in the writing and in the story which is the only reason I didn't give this 5 stars. This is my first time reading anything by Charles Martin but won't be the last.
This is my favorite novel of Charles Martin's and I have read all that he has written. The relationship between Ella Rain and the boys is beautiful.
Interesting story, tho it felt a bit too drawn out at times.
Some books leave their mark on the reader and this one touched me. When I first started reading, Martin’s imagery captivated me. The story, places and people came to life with each word I read. Wrapped in Rain focuses on the turbulent childhoods of Tucker and Mutt Mason. It is a poignant look at a childhood, steeped in violence, and the woman who helped them through it. Tucker’s story is told in first person and Mutt’s in third. Martin does a great job of breaking these into chapters, so that the reader is never lost. The novel reflects on the boys now and on key moments in their past. Martin takes the reader on an emotional, thought provoking ride while delivering a message of love, hope and man’s ability to overcome.
Tucker and Mutt are the sons of Rex Mason, a man who can turn a dime into gold. He drinks excessively, and often turns to violence. Rex takes it out on his sons and their housekeeper/caretaker, a black woman named Miss Ella. While he spends most of his time in Atlanta, when he comes home (Waverly Hall)it is a time of great fear for the boys and Miss Ella.
I fell in love with each of the characters. Events in their childhood forever change them. I felt their pain, shared in their joy and just wanted to hug them.
Miss Ella is a wise woman, blessed by her love for the lord. She loves the boys as if they were her own. She tries to protect them, and empower them to become better men than their father. She deeply touches all those around her.
Tucker has the weight of the world on his shoulders. He is such a good man, but lives in fear of becoming his father. Despite all of his success, the little boy inside him wants his Daddy’s approval.
Mutt is a troubled soul. He has spent the last seven years in a mental institute dealing with the voices in his head. I truly loved him and found myself rooting for him every step of the way.
Katie, Mutt and Tucker’s childhood friend returns to Waverly Hall, escaping a bad marriage. She arrives with Jase, her five year old son. Each has a profound effect on the boys. Katie, despite her own trials in life, is able to help the boys move forward. Through Jase, Tucker is able to see himself and what could have been.
Wrapped in Rain isn’t the kind of book you read in a day. It is meant to be read slowly, digested, and savored. The wisdom of Miss Ella will stay with me forever. Some books touch you and stay with you. Wrapped in Rain is one of those. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
A special thank you to Book Sneeze for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
For my complete review visit my blog at :
http://kimbathecaffeinatedbookreviewer.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kimbathecaffeinatedbookreviewer
Tucker and Mutt are the sons of Rex Mason, a man who can turn a dime into gold. He drinks excessively, and often turns to violence. Rex takes it out on his sons and their housekeeper/caretaker, a black woman named Miss Ella. While he spends most of his time in Atlanta, when he comes home (Waverly Hall)it is a time of great fear for the boys and Miss Ella.
I fell in love with each of the characters. Events in their childhood forever change them. I felt their pain, shared in their joy and just wanted to hug them.
Miss Ella is a wise woman, blessed by her love for the lord. She loves the boys as if they were her own. She tries to protect them, and empower them to become better men than their father. She deeply touches all those around her.
Tucker has the weight of the world on his shoulders. He is such a good man, but lives in fear of becoming his father. Despite all of his success, the little boy inside him wants his Daddy’s approval.
Mutt is a troubled soul. He has spent the last seven years in a mental institute dealing with the voices in his head. I truly loved him and found myself rooting for him every step of the way.
Katie, Mutt and Tucker’s childhood friend returns to Waverly Hall, escaping a bad marriage. She arrives with Jase, her five year old son. Each has a profound effect on the boys. Katie, despite her own trials in life, is able to help the boys move forward. Through Jase, Tucker is able to see himself and what could have been.
Wrapped in Rain isn’t the kind of book you read in a day. It is meant to be read slowly, digested, and savored. The wisdom of Miss Ella will stay with me forever. Some books touch you and stay with you. Wrapped in Rain is one of those. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
A special thank you to Book Sneeze for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
For my complete review visit my blog at :
http://kimbathecaffeinatedbookreviewer.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kimbathecaffeinatedbookreviewer
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is excellent which is to be expected since it's by Charles Martin. I loved the characters, I loved the plot and I loved the resolution. I started this as an audiobook. I enjoyed this book so much that I had to get the ebook so I could finish it quickly. Even at 2x the audiobook was too slow for me.
This book is so good - Tucker was flawed and real and Miss Ella - just wow! She was actually the heroine of the story and truly a model of Chrit's love and forgiveness. Read this - you won't be sorry! One of my top 10 books I've read this year!
This book is so good - Tucker was flawed and real and Miss Ella - just wow! She was actually the heroine of the story and truly a model of Chrit's love and forgiveness. Read this - you won't be sorry! One of my top 10 books I've read this year!