When this one came through as a donation to my Little Free Library Shed recently, I was reminded how I felt when I first read it. Have youCatching up…
When this one came through as a donation to my Little Free Library Shed recently, I was reminded how I felt when I first read it. Have you read it or seen the movie?
And, do you recall having that feeling about a book or a movie that you aren’t sure you want to re-visit it because it was that frightening?
And, to be honest I am not a fan of horror, scary or being told “boo” around any dark corners.
So, the question for me was, did I really want to go here again just to submit this review?
Well, obviously I did. So, what was I thinking?
When I tell you that this is that kind of a book that once you decide to place yourself within the pages of it, you are making a commitment to maybe not choose to sleep for a week afterwards, will you believe me?
Please know that, I care enough about you to put this much into words. But I am not going to give you explicit details. Nope. Not because I am not a spoiler revealer kind of a person, but this is the kind of a book that is better to go into blindly. At your own risk. It will be important to know that there will be slow reveals. Tension. Because something is ALWAYS happening. And, it WILL always be about choice. For you as a reader. And, for the characters to make. At the cabin. At the end of the world.
And, as the cover of the book says, “save your family or save humanity. Make the choice.”
But the real choice is whether you as the reader will want to just open the pages of this book.
When I ordered this book from my local library, I didn’t know what kind of book I was going to be reading. I just knew it was a Baldacci book, and thaWhen I ordered this book from my local library, I didn’t know what kind of book I was going to be reading. I just knew it was a Baldacci book, and that is all that mattered to me. And, I can’t believe I didn’t put this in my ‘currently reading’ pile. Oh well. Believe it or not, I have been reading it. It is a book to be reckoned with, in all its 477 pages. But before I get in to discussion of it, back to Baldacci.
I love all his characters. And, who knew if it was going to be someone from the past, or someone new. I just knew I had already developed my relationships with, Atlee Pine, Aloysius Archer, Amos Decker, Alex Jamison, Travis Devine, Will Robie, John Puller, Sean King, Michelle Maxwell and Oliver Stone.
I never expected to be taken into a historical fiction courtroom drama with two new characters to add to my personal “love” list. But here I was. Ready and willing.
And, to be honest, my heart was on fire from page one. And, that even included the ‘Author’s Note.’
“I wish we lived in a world that was just and equal for all, and that lawyers could concentrate on being simply lawyers and not spokespersons for a cause. …and we can all rise high or fall low, but we should all be judged by the same standard. That is the only way we can move forward as a country, as a people.”
This is a stand-alone featuring two new characters in 1968 Freeman County, Virginia, a hotbed county, and area of the state, filled with hate and prejudice. We meet Jack Lee a white lawyer who is given a case to defend a black couple, Jerome and Pearl Washington that have been accused of killing a rich white couple.
And, when we are talking the south, it doesn’t look like they are going to get a very fair chance at trial with a Judge that has Ku Klux Klan leanings, George Wallace poised to run for President and an all-white jury.
To help Jack on the case is Desiree DuBose a Black lawyer from Chicago who is fierce about justice and equality.
What will this team discover? Will they be able to overcome these odds?
As I turned pages and read, I couldn’t help but feel the 60’s past and today’s present merging too closely together. I wanted to cry out in frustration and sadness that something was wrong – that there was a time machine that had made a mistake – that thought that 2024 was 1968 all over again and to please let me blink myself awake to a better more thoughtful, just present. That I must be dreaming.
And then, I got out of my head and reminded myself I was within the pages of a really excellent story with solid character development. It was describing the 1960’s south realistically. The courtroom drama was spectacular and dramatic and real-feeling.
There will be much to digest within these pages. Be patient. It will be worth the journey.
This story is fresh and intense, and thrilling, and showcases the human corruptness. I can only hope that this is just the beginning of Dubose and Lee as future characters and fighters of justice in an upcoming Baldacci series.
Also, I recommend that everyone read the ‘Author’s Note’ at the beginning. It is heart-felt and timely. What he shares at the end of it, which makes even more sense once it is read and digested, I think is worth including…
“I wanted each to learn from the other, and …to eventually find mutual respect and empathy for one another. In the end, what can we strive for that is more vital, for all of us?”...more
Is it possible to become oneself at age 61? When we consider a coming-of-age novel we typically think of teenagers coming into themselves and finding Is it possible to become oneself at age 61? When we consider a coming-of-age novel we typically think of teenagers coming into themselves and finding their way. But this one looks at a grown woman, Willa, who has led a life in which it has passed her by in such a way – predictable in many ways, that when an opportunity comes by, she has a chance to grab a hold of her life and begin again. At age 61. Perhaps then she can learn to live.
Will readers connect or relate to Willa?
Can Willa be the “grandmother” to Cheryl, walk the dog and find herself?
While watching Willa grow into herself, readers also learn about her past, to understand why this moment of growth could be important to her.
Clock Dance is told in three stories followed by a short novel – in other words – glimpses into four periods of Willa’s life. Seemingly trauma-filled. So, when Willa has this opportunity to change/grow…
Will it be enough to bring her the freedom she needs? Will she be able to transform her life?
And, what is a clock dance? How does it relate to the title of the book? Cheryl and friends perform what they call a “clock dance.” Willa imagines her own ‘clock dance’ would be a race against time. Is this ‘grandmother’ experience to Cheryl her own race against time?
In many ways it was a well-written story, but at times difficult to read because of Willa’s timidity and weakness to the men in her life.
Still, by the time Willa has her breakthroughs, will it be enough to give readers satisfaction in the end?...more
“The future is unwritten, brimming with potential.”
Believe it or not, this was not an overnight read. I took my time with this one, in-between other n“The future is unwritten, brimming with potential.”
Believe it or not, this was not an overnight read. I took my time with this one, in-between other novels. Of course, I would. It is after all 542 pages.
Kuang our author is also a translator. So, writing a story about a fictional place called Babel fits.
She has created a story where bright children are taken from all corners of the British empire, circa 1830’s, fluent in Chinese or Arabic, raised in England and put to work at Babel to translate. They are there to benefit the rich in London.
Readers are following Robin from childhood in China, through his “upbringing” at Babel, and his hope that through translation it will bring people together.
“We’re here to make magic with words.”
Still, our protagonist Robin is a complicated character. He may have been born into poverty in China and raised by a wealthy father in England, but this background only seems to add to his impediments. He’s overprivileged, middle-classed, brave at times, noble, too and sometimes naïve. He really wants the best, but he isn’t quite sure how to always make it happen.
“Words tell stories. Specifically, the history of those words – how they came into use, and how their meaning morphed into what they mean today – tell us just as much about a people, if not more, than any other kind of historical artifact.”
While Babel primarily follows Robin, readers also get glimpses into the lives of his three Babel classmates, Ramy, Victoire, and Letty. Each of them will have their own unique story. And, they are all flawed and engaging characters for readers, to follow.
Still, this story is not an easy read. At times, it can be thoughtful, character driven with beautiful prose. But it is also grim and harrowing, at other times. And, not all characters are likable and their opinions are sometimes detestable and difficult to read. But it will also be an interesting, dark and haunting view of historical fiction.
For some readers this story is considered a masterpiece. For others it is a difficult slog. For others it is a meaningful artful read. I haven’t decided how I feel yet. I am still digesting it. And, a bit, in-between about it. The way I read it. Which puts me at 4 stars....more
“Every voice matters, no matter how small. It’s time to make a difference.”
While in my local library, perusing the shelves, especially the children’s “Every voice matters, no matter how small. It’s time to make a difference.”
While in my local library, perusing the shelves, especially the children’s section, I noticed this book. I thought it looked interesting, and appeared timely considering how many books have been banned lately in public schools and libraries. So, I thought I would check it out.
“We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
So many important messages for young children to learn at such a young age. But when is the right time to have these discussions? Is there ever a right time?
And, then I started to read the pages.
And, I saw the kids within the pages that were talking about assembling, and boycotting, and demonstrating, and learning about filing a lawsuit.
And, once again I wondered.
What messages are we instilling in the children? Are they the right age to be reading this message?
I agree that rights are important. We want to fight for what we believe in. And, showing the steps for how to manage a campaign in how do this is key.
And, asking questions and reading and understanding and being educated about our history is relevant and important.
But do young children need to know about striking?
The author provides in the back good information about peaceful protests and a glossary of terms.
Still, I am not sure this book is really child age appropriate. It states that that this book’s reading age level is 5-8 years and grade level pre-school – 3rd grade. But I see this as probably best read by a tween or teen who is ready to understand the responsibility of their voice and what it means when they take action using it.
If it is being read by anyone younger, they certainly will need a parent or teacher who can provide them with much direction and support.
To me, this is truly a very mature book with a very mature learning lesson that may be hard for any child 5-8 years old to understand. The visual illustrations almost feel like they shout loudly with their words and messages that could seem intimidating instead of inspiring to a young child. And, considering the intention of this book by the author, I don’t think that would be a good result.
3.5 stars rounded down because of age appropriateness confusion....more
“We can make different choices with better outcomes. We can have remorse and we can atone—without forgetting that sometimes we have to live who we’re “We can make different choices with better outcomes. We can have remorse and we can atone—without forgetting that sometimes we have to live who we’re not in order to know who we are.”
“You are so much more than your trauma.”
To be honest, Jada Pinkett Smith has been more on the periphery to her actor husband, Will Smith. He has always been the star of the family to me, despite the famous Oscar slap. My review of “Will” is here, if interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It wasn’t until the height of the pandemic when I noticed her. I happened to be on Facebook one day, and because her show, Red Table Talk passed across my feed, I noticed Jada for the first time, beyond her relationship to Will. This time I decided to watch her.
For those unfamiliar with Red Table Talk, it was an American talk show featuring Jada, her mother Adrienne and her daughter Willow who sat around a red table and tackled current social and cultural issues with an inter-generational perspective. It was respectful, thoughtful, fascinating, heart-full, heart-wrenching, deep, trailblazing and wasn’t afraid to tackle difficult issues with other individuals well-known in the entertainment industry.
I was truly spell-bound that day listening to the women share their thoughts and feelings. I can’t even begin to tell you what the topic was that day, but I found myself looking forward to her episodes after that one, and was disappointed when her show was cancelled last year (2023).
So, when her book came out, I was one of those people first in line at my local library to get on the list to check it out. Of course, it would take a while before I received it. And, unfortunately, I forgot to add it to my “currently reading” list when I did eventually get it.
My review…
If you are looking for self-healing, you might have come to the right book. Because this may be what Jada Pinkett Smith is attempting here for herself. This is definitely her story to tell, laid out quite bluntly on the table for all to see – the good, bad and ugly – all of it – the “unhealed trauma” of her life. Her vulnerability, depression, struggles, important people, difficult people, cycles of chaos, and transition to acceptance.
“The sweetest part was my kids—Jaden, Willow, and my bonus son, Trey—my three favorite people in the world. They were, hands down, the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Even knowing this, it doesn’t erase being diagnosed with complex trauma with PTSD and depression.
And through it all, you can’t help but root for her as she finds her way. For everything she shares about her journey, there is still something inspirational she offers to her readers.
“A woman has a right to her adventures, even if it means courting her shadows as guides to her brightest light. And she has a right to her pitfalls as well as her triumphs, and to the wisdom gained that leads to her self-actualization.”
This may be an imperfect story, and some may not like her, but I appreciated her laying herself bare. This was obviously a therapeutic, spiritual journey for her to write this book. And for some, it may be a bit too self-indulgent.
Personally, I don’t think she needs permission from anyone to be deemed worthy.
We all can be deemed worthy in our own eyes. That is all that truly matters....more
���The only true threat to birds that has ever existed is us.”
Franny Stone is a somewhat mysterious character and, on a quest to electronically tag what“The only true threat to birds that has ever existed is us.”
Franny Stone is a somewhat mysterious character and, on a quest to electronically tag what might be the last remaining colony of arctic terns before they embark upon the “longest natural migration of any living creature.”
To do so, she has sought passage on a boat to follow the birds on what could be their final migration. It is captained by Ennis Malone who is looking for some elusive herring.
There is something eerie and menacing about these 2 characters, as readers set sail along with them on this trip.
As readers, we do feel a sense of camaraderie among the crew, as Franny learns what she needs to be helpful on the ship. And at times the author takes us back in time to get a sense of Franny’s traumatic past.
Who is Franny really? Why is she on this trip to watch these elusive terns? What happened to her? Why is she being pursued?
Franny to me was hard to like or love. But I loved her insight and her mission. So, I could forgive her for her shortcomings.
And as I said earlier, there is a mystery to Franny that draws readers in, and we can appreciate her connection to the natural world, especially the birds.
As readers, we become just as aware as she does of how climate change is affecting them.
“If the animals have died it will not have been quietly. It will not have been without a desperate fight. If they’ve died, all of them, it’s because we made the world impossible for them.”
Even with the flaws of this plot, it still has a way of providing a descriptive backdrop that is stunningly beautiful. And, how can we not be touched when Franny mutters…
“What happens when the last of the terns die? Nothing will ever be as brave again.”
I loved those birds and the scenery.
In some ways this novel tries to be well-crafted in attempting to be eco-friendly. It wants us to be eco-aware on a personal and global level. It wants us to be hopeful, just as we are grieving all these changes to our world because of climate change. And hopefully, invest as humans to save our world…especially the animals.
I have to admit first that I am going to be an outlier here. You probably could tell by my 3 star rating, right? But you have aOkay, where do I begin?
I have to admit first that I am going to be an outlier here. You probably could tell by my 3 star rating, right? But you have a right to know why. So, I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to tell you why.
I didn’t include this book in my “currently reading” when I received it several weeks ago. Probably because I wasn’t convinced, I wanted to read it.
I felt some level of excitement about receiving it as a donation to my Little Free Library Shed, because I knew my neighbors would be thrilled about having it available to them because this book is on the “hotlist” at our local public library. Which means if you are interested in reading this book, you are probably #467 on the list before the book will be available for you to check out from our library. That is how popular this book is right now.
Also, every time I receive a donation of a Kristin Hannah book, it comes and goes almost as fast as any Petersen, Connelly, Grisham, Picoult, or Baldacci book.
But I am not always a Kristin Hannah fan. And, the subject matter of this book, is not my favorite, so I wasn’t particularly anxious about reading this book.
So, when it was donated, I wasn’t all happy hooray ready about entering the pages.
Which leads me back to again why it wasn’t on my “currently reading” list of books here.
Thus, it took me awhile to make a decision to read it. Are you still wondering if I am going to offer a review? Thank you, if you are still reading this!
When I finally did begin to read, it wasn’t a nostalgia I was necessarily happy to return home to, as this book is filled with… despair – addiction – war – disrespect to soldiers – inadequate training for them – snipers – PTSD – Agent Orange.
Yes, the author does a somewhat convincing job of creating the historical scenery descriptions by taking us back to Viet Nam.
But her writing wasn’t connecting me to her story. It wasn’t capturing me. It wasn’t holding me. I didn’t feel emotionally vested.
I felt as a reader we were awkwardly stumbling a long trying to keep up. The plot twists seemed so strained. I just didn’t feel as engaged as I would have liked to have been.
The only thing that seemed to feel somewhat genuine was the way Hannah included women in the experience, especially nurses. Through her writing, she tried to show, their conviction and importance to the war story. Women – the real, unsung heroes. And since that was the title of her book, perhaps the author’s passion was met. As she shared in her author’s note, she was honored to tell their story. It just didn’t work for me....more
I thought I had read and reviewed every one of Jodi Picoult’s books, and, then this one was donated to my Little Free Library Shed. What? I missed oneI thought I had read and reviewed every one of Jodi Picoult’s books, and, then this one was donated to my Little Free Library Shed. What? I missed one?
I could tell with what I read on the back cover about it, I needed to be prepared, so with my Kleenex already beside me, I was ready.
Chris and Emily are best friends. Their families have been best friends since Chris and Emily were children. They have lived next door to each other since they were kids. So, it is no surprise that they should be considered soul pals. But when Emily is dead of a single gunshot wound to the head at age 18, how are the police to believe that Chris did not intentionally murder her?
But Chris insists that it was part of a suicide pact that he made with Emily – it is just he could not follow-through and kill himself.
The problem is that the police don’t have the full story. Only Chris and Emily do, and Emily is dead.
So, will the police believe Chris?
What really happened to Emily to cause her to want to end her life? Will we as readers, truly know Emily’s story?
And, if we don’t believe Chris, should he be charged with murder?
Readers will be taken through the courtroom, Chris’ incarceration, and the families grief. But mostly, inside the minds of what really was going on for Emily and Chris.
And, that is what makes this page-turning story, heart-breaking and heart-wrenching, as Picoult challenges readers with ethical and emotional issues that feel much too real not to feel believable. Yes, please have Kleenex available.
This Good Morning America Book Club January 2024 selection was donated to my Little Free Library Shed for the neighborhood. I have been fortunate to wThis Good Morning America Book Club January 2024 selection was donated to my Little Free Library Shed for the neighborhood. I have been fortunate to win a couple of Good Morning America selections in the past for my LFL (Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and The Niger Wife by Vanessa Walters).
My review…
This book was difficult to read. Its setting starts with the lead-up to WWII with Japan’s invasion and occupation of Malaya (now known as Malaysia). As readers we will witness horrific violence, women becoming spies upon their neighbors, boys being forced into labor camps, girls being kidnapped to become *comfort women, scenes of brutality inflicted by Japanese soldiers, that will make one wonder whether they can endure the book beyond a few pages, let alone, chapters.
The question that lies with the characters…
What are they willing to do during wartime to stay alive?
The novel shows how power is given and taken – including the desire for more…power.
And yet, simmering beneath it all, is a hope for something better. For the self, the family, the nation.
But can we as readers even find our way to that place of hope when we are struggling through the disturbing visuals of humanity on every other page?
I had hopes that Chan could find a way to ease our reading experience between wartime scenes and narrative by making it feel less strained – even, less vivid. I am not good with “reality viewing” in this way and her over-explaining just felt quite uncomfortable for me.
And, if I am being truly honest, which I am…I walked away from this novel several times and started and finished other books in-between this one, because the scenes were too hard for me to read. And each time I picked it up again, I debated whether I should just DNF the book completely.
Because…I truly kept wondering…will human connection be possible? I’d like to believe that characters do find ways to love and laugh in the face of these extraordinary times being described. But the difficulty of reading this story made it hard for me to connect to it and feel it.
I may be an outlier. Still, I would say to any one choosing to read this book, to approach with caution.
Triggers: Violence, Rape, Pedophilia, Wartime
*comfort women definition: a woman or girl who was forced to engage in sexual activity with Japanese soldiers as part of a system of brothels operated by the Imperial Japanese Army in its occupied territories between 1937 and 1945....more
A body floats down a river. For several pages as readers we are experiencing this, not certain what isCatching up…
As readers we open the book to this…
A body floats down a river. For several pages as readers we are experiencing this, not certain what is truly going on with this floating body…until the moment when…
We know that the policeman would be attending to her. This feels like the true beginning of where this story will take us.
We are in South Africa. One story follows the present-day investigation of the murder of Melanie du Preez, the daughter of a prominent professor, who defends the Afrikaans culture. The second story is set in the past, and talks of the brutal, early life of the colony.
The stories will provide a police procedural with unsettling details and depth that give a sense of realism to the times.
At times the novel feels chilling and compelling and difficult to read with realistic characters and subject matter that may be triggering – drug and alcohol addiction, prostitution, and prejudice.
And yet, because of the thought-provoking plot, it is not surprising that it won South Africa’s Sunday Times Fiction Prize in 2014....more
Christopher Drayton has died. Did he accidentally fall off the cliff or was he pushed? How much do we really know about Christopher Drayton? What woulChristopher Drayton has died. Did he accidentally fall off the cliff or was he pushed? How much do we really know about Christopher Drayton? What would lead him to this cliff? Was it an accidental death? Or was it homicide?
The setting for Drayton’s death is Canada. These are daunting questions for the police investigation being led by Esa Khattak and his assistant, Detective Rachel Getty.
But what is so compelling and heart-full about this story, isn’t just the police procedural look into the death, but what lurks below the surface of the crime.
This story touches on the brutality and terror of war crimes, the Bosnian conflict and how it affected the people touched by those horrific experiences. But the author tells it with such a slow, intense, sensitivity.
The story may be difficult for some, and it takes a while to kick in, but once it does…it is haunting, compelling and emotionally spellbinding up to the last page.
I believe this debut novel will move readers....more
There comes a point in which one wonders, how many different ways can an author tell the story of the Holocaust and not sound like another book we havThere comes a point in which one wonders, how many different ways can an author tell the story of the Holocaust and not sound like another book we have already read.
And then, this one comes along.
And its creative storytelling, reaches a new level of heart and soul and sadness and grief and anger and love and as readers our hearts break.
Because it is truly a different and unique story. And we can’t help but want to read it. Even though it is another Holocaust story.
This is the story of 4 people.
And of course, six million people. During WWII.
But the focus is on 4 people, Nico, Sebastian, Fannie and Udo. Our narrator, we presume, is Truth.
And as we read, we recognize this as a parable story about hope. It is telling readers that Truth is at the center of everything. We just need to be aware of the liar first.
And, it is because of the lies that affect life and death to neighbors and families the question becomes…
How do those betrayals affect lives and relationships moving forward – and what truly is the Truth?
This is a brutal telling on the loss of that Truth during WWII. And what it means to tell a lie. It also explores the depth of forgiveness when faced with betrayal.
Can one seek atonement knowing it is a human need? How does one make things right after telling such lies?
And maybe in some ways it is asking us, as the reader to look deeply at our own relationship with truth – especially with so much division in our present world.
After all, if lies can be so pervasive, can’t truth, as well?
This book even though it is another Holocaust story, provides an opportunity for teaching and learning. Which makes it a perfect book group selection....more
The estate of Ian Fleming made their decision that Anthony Horowitz would continue the legacy of their hero for a 3-book trilogy, utBond. James Bond.
The estate of Ian Fleming made their decision that Anthony Horowitz would continue the legacy of their hero for a 3-book trilogy, utilizing unpublished material by Fleming. So, Horowitz kept him in the era when Mr. Fleming was writing the character. This is the final book.
What? James Bond killed M? Our very own favorite, number one secret agent 007 killed the head of the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6?
Why?
What exactly happened to Bond that would have him turn against his employer/mentor?
To tell you more would give away the plot. Because what is always important to know in Intelligence Service, is that nothing is as it seems.
But let us just say, that the one’s behind the assassination, the one’s that led Bond…James Bond to this awful place gladly, warmly welcomed him back. Which makes this one of his most important assignments to date.
An assignment, I say? Of course. And this is where the true suspense begins. Bond will be tasked and tested like never before. He is clearly aging and tired.
In this final story, will this be the end of Bond’s illustrious career? Is this Horowitz’ way of showing his respect to the greatest spy of all time? Casting him off as a murderer? Or is there more to the story that readers need to see?
And, will this be an ending that readers will be ready to accept?
There will be one technique used in the book that Horowitz researched that occurs that was a bit over-the-top for me. I felt a bit queasy, uncomfortable, and had to suspend disbelief. It seemed out-of-character for the Bond we have grown to know and love. But to divulge what it was would be a spoiler.
Other than that…
In true Bond fashion, this one will be an action-packed, fast-paced, page-turner, that will be exciting, in the right places.
I remember receiving this for a gift. I was so thrilled, because I wanted to read it before displaying it in my Little Free Library Shed. Catching Up…
I remember receiving this for a gift. I was so thrilled, because I wanted to read it before displaying it in my Little Free Library Shed. I always admired Pitts as a columnist, and my gal pals and I had read and discussed his book “Freeman.” (Also, just reviewed and posted today.)
I have now re-visited this book again so that I could post my review for Goodreads.
Pitts is clearly comfortable with historical fiction. But this time he ventures to 1941.
So much of the message of this book speaks to the hatred and violence of racism that comes from world wars. In this way the book is heartbreaking – and the traumas and suffering feels real.
Maybe that is the point. Maybe Pitts is wanting to remind us of the brutality of history. That it isn’t about the good old days. That we can’t gloss over things. That we can’t pretend things didn’t happen the way it happened. That we can’t re-write history.
And, we can’t help but wonder, how Pitts shows what the world was like living during that time for men & women of color with their struggles, prejudices, injustices and racism. But let’s get real here…
We are now in 2024 – what has changed?
Maybe his point is that there is too much hate in the world. And we…need to change.
With this story…it is ultimately about redemption and acceptance that is beautifully written. One we can learn from and hopefully grow and evolve with… and hope we can do better as a humanity....more
Several years ago, a few of my gal pals decided to read and discuss this book since we truly admired Pitts as a columnist and were excitedCatching up…
Several years ago, a few of my gal pals decided to read and discuss this book since we truly admired Pitts as a columnist and were excited for him to win the Pulitzer. We were hopeful we would like this book, as well. (And yes, a perfect book discussion selection!)
I have since had the opportunity to re-visit it so I could bring my review to Goodreads.
This is the story of Freeman, which seems an appropriate name for Sam, an ex-slave in post-Civil War America. Sam is a self-educated employee of the Philadelphia Free Library, who was a Union Soldier. He had been walking through a war-torn land of chaos and lawlessness attempting to find his long-lost wife. His wife was sold into slavery years earlier.
It may feel like the North has won the war, but the worst horrors of slavery don’t look like they have ended.
This book will give readers American history we didn’t get in school, the Civil War, African American history up close, along with an engrossing read.
As readers we witness an epic storytelling experience with characters that feel real and are well-developed and will stay with us long after we turn the last page.
The story is so compelling and passionate that readers will feel as if we are present to the realities of the time. Unsettling in its telling, but a relevant and realistic glimpse at an important time in history.
There is so much to appreciate about Pitt’s ambitions in this story. A well-deserved win....more
I remember reading this many years ago. And now that it has been donated to my Little Free Library Shed, I have had the opportunity to re-Catching up…
I remember reading this many years ago. And now that it has been donated to my Little Free Library Shed, I have had the opportunity to re-visit it and bring my review to Goodreads.
This is a short novel about a woman named Nanny who is working with a psychologist via hypnosis. Nanny is dealing with some difficult suppressed issues from childhood that have caused her depression in adulthood that she is wanting to work through.
Although the story may seem like it could be uncomfortable, it actually is full of grace and humor and the power of love.
But there may be some triggers readers will want to be aware of because there is also a lot of pain, dysfunction, and addiction throughout these pages, too.
Still…‘All New People’ shows that life can be more powerful than death, and that laughter can transcend the darkest moments, and bring out the strength of the human spirit. That is a testament to Lamott’s ability to write about real people.
Once again, I am re-visiting another classic reading experience that just happened to be donated to my Little Free Library Shed. I am now Catching up…
Once again, I am re-visiting another classic reading experience that just happened to be donated to my Little Free Library Shed. I am now bringing my review to Goodreads.
I know I am going to be an outlier here. Typically, I appreciate this author’s books, and maybe when I first read this book, I could understand the artfulness of it. But for whatever reason, I was just not in to her. It was just too dark for me. And if this causes you to stop reading my review from this point on, I get it completely. I am sorry to disappoint.
If I were to describe this book in one word, I would say…
Intense.
Our narrator is a quiet girl named Ruth who is so use to loss that nothing feels permanent to her. Her father is barely a memory. A photograph. She lives with her sister Lucille and a succession of guardians on a mountain lake that has also claimed the lives of her mother and grandfather. Her grandfather having died in a train accident. Years later her mother leaves her two daughters with her grandmother on the porch, and then takes her own life.
There doesn’t seem much for Ruth to hold on to but memories and dreams. And then Aunt Sylvie comes to take responsibility for the girls. But she is flowing in madness.
And because Ruth is the one narrating, we are never sure what exactly is going on with Ruth. Is she in fever madness, too?
“I have never distinguished readily between thinking and dreaming. I know my life would be much different if I could ever say…”
What did I just read/re-visit?
This was just too melancholy for me. I may have been in the wrong mood to re-visit this one. Another time, perhaps? I don’t know. For all those 5-star reviews out there, thoughts? ...more
I didn’t know why I wanted to read this story. But my Goodreads friend, Mark Porton’s review was so compelling, it called to me. Review here: https://I didn’t know why I wanted to read this story. But my Goodreads friend, Mark Porton’s review was so compelling, it called to me. Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And then several of my other GR friends chimed in with their notes telling me that they couldn’t wait to hear what I thought about this book. Something told me I was going to be in for my own chilling experience.
So, when it arrived from my local library, I opened the pages.
I wasn’t wrong.
The first page got me. How are we to feel?
We are following an inmate on death row. Obviously, he is not a good person. He is on death row for a reason. He did bad things and he is being punished for it. He is going to be put to death for his crimes. How can we humanize him for his bad deeds?
Well, the author is asking us to do just that.
How many lives are affected by what a murderer does? It isn’t just those individuals that are killed. There are others that are affected. The family members. The friends. The community. The law enforcement who investigate their crimes. There are so many people who feel the loss. So, every decision made in that moment, an altered universe is created by that loss.
But is this the intention of the author for us to feel or see or understand?
What does this author want us to experience with Ansel, our death row inmate as we progress through the chapters in hours, and minutes before his final moment?
As readers, we will meet the people whose lives have been affected. And, as readers we will feel things.
Are we supposed to care about Ansel? Because there is something in me that is fighting this feeling – and I am not comfortable, at all.
We are also invited into Ansel’s early life. We in a sense are being introduced to the beginnings of a serial killer. Is this giving an excuse to the makings of a serial killer?
Are we supposed to feel empathy for this person? To say that creates a feeling of discomfort for this reader is an understatement. Not just because this person/character is a serial killer of multiple women, but also because he is going to be executed by his state.
How can I feel empathy for someone that has killed all these women?
Although it is a legal penalty in 27 states (in the United States), 20 states currently have the ability to execute death sentences.
Our state of California has not instituted the death penalty since 2006. A federal judge ruled in 2014 that capital punishment is unconstitutional because it is arbitrary and plagued with delay.
And here in this story, we are being asked to show empathy towards Ansel, someone who has shown horrific behaviors since age 3.
And then we are at the zero hour.
“Too soon, you are in the room.”
Did I want to be there?
No. But the words were there for me to read.
And being asked to witness his execution, how do I do that? Skip read? Not witness it at all?
And what about these women that he killed? Is it fair to imagine the lives they may have led?
I wanted the book to end. I still feel the chills.
There is a seductiveness to the way this story is told. In this fascination about Ansel’s life, his ending, how do I reconcile my feelings about this story?
I recognize how compelling this story was, and how artfully the author leads readers on this journey.
But as unsettling and disturbing as it was, it was heart-felt, at the same time. Which makes it a perfect book group selection.
I think this is it in my Jodi Picoult phase of reading and re-visiting her books. I almost feel like after re-visiting so many of her pastCatching up…
I think this is it in my Jodi Picoult phase of reading and re-visiting her books. I almost feel like after re-visiting so many of her past books, I have been sitting with an old friend and conducting a heart-felt conversation about all these different characters that have been in this amazing author’s repertoire.
And now, I come to this book. Her debut novel. This was our introduction to her. She was unknown to the world. How would we react to her?
For many, this book wasn’t noticed initially. It probably took a few more Picoult novels before this one was even read. And then, when it was finally read, it may not have been particularly cared for because of the multiple P.O.V.’s. (5).
And because each narrator had a story to tell, it wasn’t even clear whose story was in current or past tense. So, by the time we got to the end of the story, we weren’t sure if there was any satisfactory resolution, for any of the characters.
And for this reader, I felt completely left in the dark. Which considering the subject matter, was not a safe place to be left.
I had so many questions. To reveal my questions would give away spoilers.
Let’s just say, this is a story of love, loss and self-discovery. It is also a story of abuse.
The characters felt shallow, oblivious and flat, and unlikable for the most part. So, whether my questions get answered or not, I’m not sure I would be invested enough to care.
Sadly, this was not a great debut. Thankfully, Picoult grew as an author with later novels and found a way to create better voices for her characters in future stories. ...more
Loading...
