rmarcin 's review for:

Alligator Candy: A Memoir by David Kushner

3.0

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A sad memoir about the death of an older brother, tragically murdered when the brother was just 11. Alligator Candy deals with the grief of a tragedy, as well as how you cope with the day to day life following the tragedy. David Kushner's parents deal amazingly well with the tragedy, while it affects them, they are still able to find joy in life. David and his older brother, Andy, experience the loss of their brother, Jon, in varying ways. This is a story of remembering and holding onto their brother. It is also a story of overwhelming grief. It is the story of how innocence and freedom have become missing in the youth of our world today because we are terrified of what could happen. It is the story of two brutal men who shattered this innocence. While I thought most of the book was poignant, I also thought there were times when the writing seemed strained and dragged along. I can't imagine the horror and sadness of this family, having lived through the tragedy, but I believe that their family was amazingly resilient at how they went on with their lives, while never forgetting Jon and all the people that came together to aid their family.