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A review by niaforrester
Whiskey & Ribbons by Leesa Cross-Smith
5.0
C'est finis! I loved this book, and this author's voice. She marries contemporary dialogue and modern relationships with literary prose in a way that worked really well. And the subject matter ... I don't know what it is lately, but I've been reading a lot of books about pain, and loss, and how that can tear families apart, or bring them closer together. This one is of the 'bring them closer together' variety, but in the most unconventional way. I sense a biblical influence here, and I don't mean just the direct references to church, and to God. (I don't want to say more, because that might give something away)
I also have to say that I'm really digging the device of having the present-day action occur over a very short period of time, but having the story unfolding through inner monologue and retrospectives. Done well, it gives a certain moodiness and melancholy to a novel that might otherwise be just boring, and maudlin if unfolding in real time. I think this author produced something that was neither boring nor maudlin, introducing us to rich, layered characters, exposed through the points of view of other rich, layered characters. My favorite was Eamon, as a portrayal of a man who earnestly, honestly just wanted to do the right thing for those he loved. I mourned his loss, dreading every page that got us closer to his death. And I loved Dalton, for his steadfastness to the idea of family, though he believed himself to have been deprived of one for much of his life.
This has been such a great year for books for me. I'm stoked to move on to the next one, whatever it may be. 'Whiskey & Ribbons' is one of those books to look forward to, if you haven't yet read it -- it made me excited at the talent that's out there, and hopeful about what's to come.
Highly recommended.
I also have to say that I'm really digging the device of having the present-day action occur over a very short period of time, but having the story unfolding through inner monologue and retrospectives. Done well, it gives a certain moodiness and melancholy to a novel that might otherwise be just boring, and maudlin if unfolding in real time. I think this author produced something that was neither boring nor maudlin, introducing us to rich, layered characters, exposed through the points of view of other rich, layered characters. My favorite was Eamon, as a portrayal of a man who earnestly, honestly just wanted to do the right thing for those he loved. I mourned his loss, dreading every page that got us closer to his death. And I loved Dalton, for his steadfastness to the idea of family, though he believed himself to have been deprived of one for much of his life.
This has been such a great year for books for me. I'm stoked to move on to the next one, whatever it may be. 'Whiskey & Ribbons' is one of those books to look forward to, if you haven't yet read it -- it made me excited at the talent that's out there, and hopeful about what's to come.
Highly recommended.