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snooopyk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
areadseverything's review against another edition
2.0
This book had me in the first half. Or first third. This book was sad in a way that felt like it was sad just for the sake of being sad. Ann was delusional, we never really get to know Wade so his disease is not as sad as it felt like it should have been, and we get these glimpses of other people who have sad lives for almost no reason.
carolann331's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic story!
Foreboding. Tragic. Lives changed in an instant.
These characters and their story will stick with you long after you've finished the book.
I received this book from a fellow book lover (Thanks, Jeff!). For a while I was seeing it everywhere and it was receiving such high ratings that I wanted to read it, too. To make it even more interesting, the story is set in northern Idaho (my home state) and the author lives and teaches at Boise State University. I am often skeptical of books that receive such high praise but I am pleased to say this one is fully deserving of it.
The story is told from various perspectives at various points in time. From these you try to pull together as much you can understand about the characters, what happened, and how it changed them. You glean memories and details from some who witnessed the incident, which would seem simple enough yet one is now in prison and refuses to talk, one is suffering from Alzheimer's, one is dead, and one is missing. The story is not written as a recipe in solving a mystery but rather the results of reality. It's messy. It's complicated. It's heart rendering. It's beautiful. It's real and absolutely unforgettable.
Foreboding. Tragic. Lives changed in an instant.
These characters and their story will stick with you long after you've finished the book.
I received this book from a fellow book lover (Thanks, Jeff!). For a while I was seeing it everywhere and it was receiving such high ratings that I wanted to read it, too. To make it even more interesting, the story is set in northern Idaho (my home state) and the author lives and teaches at Boise State University. I am often skeptical of books that receive such high praise but I am pleased to say this one is fully deserving of it.
The story is told from various perspectives at various points in time. From these you try to pull together as much you can understand about the characters, what happened, and how it changed them. You glean memories and details from some who witnessed the incident, which would seem simple enough yet one is now in prison and refuses to talk, one is suffering from Alzheimer's, one is dead, and one is missing. The story is not written as a recipe in solving a mystery but rather the results of reality. It's messy. It's complicated. It's heart rendering. It's beautiful. It's real and absolutely unforgettable.
tamdot's review against another edition
3.0
This started off strong but lost its way as the author seemed to struggle with what story she wanted to tell.
alyssav's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mamagames's review against another edition
3.0
Some parts were better than others... jumping around between years and perspectives was not as smoothly handled as it could have been... some whole sections seemed to give perspectives I didn't feel added anything to the story... and I was left feeling unresolved. I doubt I'd go back to re-read this one, even though some of the characters stood out to me and the setting and situation was definitely unusual and thought-provoking.
schray32's review against another edition
4.0
This is beautifully written and an amazing first novel. I am left with questions which is good but will look forward to discussing this with friends.
ellenplum's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0