A review by wthames
The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book drops you straight into child murder BUT immediately and deliberately sets a tone of empathetic closeness that is, at first, deeply unsettling. Shocking things happen. But never for shock-value. You are forced to examine all facets of Chrissie's mind, upbringing, and character. No conclusions are drawn easily, and it can be darkly enthralling to sink into the rhythm's of her twisted alternate-logic and deeeeply skewed sense of the world. You won't be asked to forgive the unforgivable, but you may come away from this read with a level of empathy and understanding you didn't know you could give. Surprisingly emotional. 
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