Tag: book review

Two young 20 years olds in rural USA get involved in a murder of a homeless man in their dying ex-steel mill town.  Told from the viewpoint of the two men and several other characters it is an interesting tale but very bleak and a sad reality for much of our country.  It is a well written novel told in an interesting stream of consciousness style.  The author has a more recent novel just published that looks good as well.

PJH Rating: ****

Different groups of people, families and stories come together in a small midwestern town.  The characters and stories are all interesting but the novel could have used a better editor as it seemed a bit verbose.  Similar to Kent Haruf novels but not as well written.  (I think I’m getting too picky as the reviews for this were outstanding everywhere)

PJH rating: ***1/2 (love the cover though)

This current Dutch best seller takes place entirely while two couples are out to dinner.  The story unfolds as the evening goes on regarding the trouble the couples sons are in and unfortunately becomes more and more ridiculous as well.  A fun book but not great.

PJH Rating: ***1/2

A British family goes on vacation in the country with extended family who they don’t see often.  Told from 8 different point of views.  Not engaging or well written but slogged through it.  Very disappointing as Haddon’s “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night…” is one of my favorites.

PJH rating:  **1/2

Amy, a a quiet, shy 15 year old, gets romantically involved with one of her teachers.  Isabelle’s boss, Isabelle is Amy’s mother, discovers the relationship and tells her mom.  Although a simple story on the surface, the novel is beautifully written, delving into the emotions of all the characters.  I really enjoy Elizabeth Strout’s style of writing and looking forward to reading her new book that just came out.

****

Novel goes back and forth between a young German woman who had an illegitimate child from a Jewish father during WW2 and her struggles during the war and the aforementioned daughter in modern times who doesn’t know her background but is getting to know her mother.

PJH Rating: ***1/2

An 18 years old orphan girl ages out of the group home she is forced to live in and strikes it out on her own in San Francisco finding work in a flower shop.  Going back and forth between foster homes and the present the story tells how she learned the “language of flowers”.  A great story that draws you in right away.  One of those books you don’t want to end.

PJH Rating: ****1/2

Story of Hattie who migrated to Philadelphia from Georgia in the early 1920’s told from her viewpoint and her twelve children throughout 60 years. Quite a depressing novel but well written and interesting as it is many short stories woven into one portrait of a black woman.

PJH Rating: ****

A 15 year old boy is accused of murdering a fellow classmate in wealthy suburb of NYC.  Told from viewpoint of father, an assistant D.A. where case is being tried.  A fun, quick, hard to put down thriller.

PJH Rating ****

The man who was responsible for the Seattle Worlds Fair in the early 1960’s decides to run for mayor of Seattle 40 years later.  The story goes back and forth between the fair and the modern campaign for mayor.  An interesting view of Seattle, politics, and generational differences.

PJH rating: ****