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Set in a small town in Newfoundland, this story starts with two young brothers. When one is killed accidentally by a neighbor, the remaining brother, Lewis, tries to put the incident behind him, but he can't help in blaming the man who killed his brother. As he gets older, he keeps a close eye on the man and his family and their lives end up becoming entwined more than Lewis could ever realize.
Full of small town strife, sibling rivalry, hatred and love, this book really causes the reader to become involved in the character's lives. She creates people that you know and ones that you don't want to know. Her characters are real, although they are not necessarily all likeable.
This book reminded me of the small town that I grew up in. There is the sheriff, who knows what everyone is up to and is involved in everyone's lives. There is the shopkeeper, the bad boy, and the farmer. I know these people. I remember times at the river like they have and boys like these boys.
However, this book has a dark side that I have not been privy to in my home town (and don't really want to be privy to). There are some mean people and some sickos and you spend a good part of the book wishing they would just go away. However, they don't. Not all of them.
I would recommend this book. It was an intriguing read and it was kind of disturbing at times but it never kept me from continuing to see what would happen next.
I gave it three stars on Goodreads.
Check out other reviews of this book here: Chaos is a Friend of Mine -- Read React Review -- Comfort Books -- Cmash Loves to Read -- Booksellers without Borders NY -- Leafing Through Life -- Pieces of Fate -- My Life in Not So Many Words -- I'd Rather Be At The Beach
Disclaimer: I was given a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Have you ever experienced small town living? If you don't like one of the main characters in a book, can you still enjoy the book? Would you be able to forgive the person who hurt/killed one of your family members?
I grew up on a pretty isolated Island of 2,500 people. I am guessing I could really relate to the setting of this story in many ways. Sounds like a good read, that gets you thinking about some pretty intense, deep issues. I just bought an e-reader so this just might be the first book on it. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteSounds good to me! I did grow up in a small town and I knew at a young age I didn't want to stick around. I'm just happier with more diversity and less poking around in each other's lives!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book. So good in fact that I downloaded it to my iPad tonight!
ReplyDeleteI temporarily lived in a small town when Chad was in flight school. I'm so not a small town person and I was glad it was temporary. No. I would never be able to forgive someone that hurt a family member.
ReplyDeleteI always appreciate your book reviews.. I need to add some fiction reading back in. And more time for reading in general. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a small town and HATED it! Ha.
ReplyDeleteI usually can not like a book if I don't like the main character!
And no, I absolutely could not forgive someone who killed or hurt a family member...
My husband came from a tiny farming town. It was SO different when I went there for the first time. Everyone we came across had already heard I was coming to town...strange feeling to meet the baker, mail carrier, bank lady etc., and they all have already heard all about me...through the grape vine no doubt. :) I don't know if I could forgive someone who killed a family member. I like to think I would be able to eventually forgive since I know it only hurts the person holding that anger...plus we should forgive everyone. That's rough though. Jessica
ReplyDeletesweatismysanity.com formerly runningtobeskinny.com
OK, Kyria, time to catch up on your blog!
ReplyDeleteNo first-hand experience of small-town life for me, but my dad grew up in a town like that. People in his town can tell I'm from his family just by looking at me. It's weird!
It is very hard for me to like a book if I don't like at least one important character. I don't have to like everybody, but there has to be that one....This one sounds interesting.