Tag: adult fiction

Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio

Icy Sparks

Gwyn Hyman Rubio (Adult Fiction)

Icy Sparks is a 10-year old girl growing up in rural Kentucky.  Poplar Holler is a small town where everyone has secrets.  Icy’s secret is that she has two sides: the one side everyone sees, and the other side she keeps tucked away and hidden—the side that uncontrollably pops, jerks, and croaks.  Icy’s disorder leaves her afraid, confused, and isolated.  Orphaned at an early age, she relies on the support of her maternal grandparents, as well as another “misfit” in a neighboring town, Miss Emily Tanner—the obese proprietor of a feed supply store.  More than anything, Icy wants to be accepted, but can the frog girl from Icy Creek ever find true friendship and approval?

Rubio paints a cruel and unrelenting picture of small town life in the 1950s as a tight-knit community grapples with an affliction far beyond comprehension and social acceptability.  Icy’s inability to regulate or understand what her young body is doing is heartbreaking, and the reader experiences firsthand her fear and frustration while she searches for normalcy in a world that avoids the strange and unorthodox.

The author gives us a protagonist that has an indomitable spirit and resilience and offers us important lessons in love, faith, and determination.  The only snag appeared near the end of the book when the storyline made an unexpected shift toward religion.  It seemed out of place and a little awkward, although I understand the bigger lesson the author was trying to convey.  Still, Icy Sparks was an enjoyable read and teaches us all that our faults are oftentimes our greatest strengths.

Rating: 4/5

The Solace of Leaving Early by Haven Kimmel

The Solace of Leaving Early

Havel Kimmel (Adult Fiction)

Langston Braverman is a graduate school dropout who’s returned to her hometown of Haddington, Indiana to live with her parents.  In her childhood attic bedroom, she imagines a very different life for herself—one filled with academia, garden tea parties, and tenure.  Amos Townsend is a third-generation preacher whose inspiration to follow God came from a TV show he once watched while at college.  Although Amos wants to give his life to help others, it is his own salvation he seeks.  When two little girls are left orphaned by unimaginable circumstances, Langston and Amos must put aside their animosity toward each other to help these children find peace, normality, and love.

Kimmel is at her best when writing dialogue.  By incorporating subtle gestures, mid-sentence thought changes, and off-topic asides, she captures each character’s unique essence and true personality.  The conversations appear so spontaneous and genuine, the reader almost feels guilty of eavesdropping.

One downside is the author made Langston a very unsympathetic woman who is extremely hard to connect with and, often times, even tolerate.  She comes across as elitist, self-absorbed, immature, and whiny.  But her character is offset nicely by Amos’ uncertain, demure, and steadfast demeanor.  Once you get past Langston’s overbearing personality, as well as her mother’s (AnnaLee Braverman) relentless role as enabler and apologist, you will find yourself totally immersed in a story full of heart, hope, and second chances.

Rating: 4/5

 

 

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde (Adult Fiction)

“How sad it is,” murmured Dorian Gray, with his eyes still fixed upon his own portrait.  “How sad it is!  I shall grow old, and horrible, and dreadful.  It will never be older than this particular day of June. . . . If it were only the other way!  If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old!  For that – for that – I would give everything!  Yes, there is nothing in the whole word I would not give!  I would give my soul for that!”

On the surface, Wilde tells the story of an ill-fated young man who, driven by vanity, trades his soul for everlasting beauty; however, there is a bigger picture to be seen here.  This is also a story of power, influence, and corruption.

Lord Henry Wotton is charismatic, popular, and respected, but holds an absolute disdain for his fellow man and is soured on the ideals of love.  He wields his influence like a sword—slicing away at his victims’ humanity, emotions, and very integrity.  When he meets a naïve and terribly vain Dorian Gray, Lord Henry preys upon the young man’s vulnerabilities with threats of age, obsolescence, and obscurity.

This book’s only drawback is Chapter XI, which documents Dorian’s mounting obsession with material gain and beauty as he accumulates various items from around the world.  Although incredible detail is given to each item’s appearance and history, the information provided is outweighed by the fact that it slows the pace of the story considerably.  With this aside, Wilde delivers a beautifully-written tale and provides us with an unforgettable social commentary on how some people in power choose to use their influence for their own pleasure, purpose, and profit.

Rating: 5/5

 

The Stormchasers by Jenna Blum

The Stormchasers

Jenna Blum (Adult Fiction)

Karena Jorge is a writer for the Minneapolis Ledger.  Charles Hallingdahl is a gifted stormchaser with bipolar disorder.  Twins separated for 20 years who share a horrifying secret from their past.  As Karena discover, “Time will fold over the past if you let it”.  But does it, really?

This book is divided into three parts: the first and third are set in present day with the second set in the past.  I found the middle section far more interesting and better written.  It provides a more intimate look at Karena and Charles, their relationship and unique bond as twins, his debilitating disorder, and the incredible toll it takes on the family.

Blum is a proficient storyteller who deftly exposes the raw emotions of dealing with mental illness.  The book is an easy read with some dramatic moments.  I would have enjoyed this book a bit more if Blum had focused less on the physical tornadoes wracking the Midwest and more on the mental whirlwinds that perpetually plagues and ravages Charles.

Rating: 3/5

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

Little Bee

Chris Cleave (Adult Fiction)

This review will be a deviation from my standard format in order to respect the wishes of the book’s author…and with good reason.

Little Bee is the ONLY book that I’ve ever seen that has a note on the back cover stating, “We don’t want to tell you what happens in this book.”  Whether a brilliant marketing ploy or a genuine desire to thoroughly surprise its reader, it works.  It’s an irresistible hook.

What I will share is that Little Bee tells the story of two very different women from two very different socioeconomic backgrounds whose worlds unexpectedly collide and an unimaginable (and truly shocking) choice is made.  Two years later they meet again, and this is where the story begins.

Honestly, the less said about this book, the more you will savor it.  It will evoke every possible emotion and will leave you breathless and spellbound.  The storytelling is first rate and the characters will leave an indelible mark on your heart.  I promise you will enjoy (perhaps even love) this book and if you do, I hope you will NOT tell your friends about it…only share the title.

Rating: 5/5

The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright

The Wednesday Letters (Adult Fiction)

Jason F. Wright

Jack and Laurel have been married for 39 years and every Wednesday, Jack has written a letter to his beloved…starting on their wedding night and ending on the night of his death.  When their children discover these letters, everything they thought they knew about their parents will be changed forever.

I found this to be two books in one. The first half is a love story told through weekly love letters, while the second half abruptly turns quite religious and spiritual—touching upon themes of redemption, faith, and forgiveness. While the story was laid out slowly and tenderly by Wright, I found the ending to be rushed and forced.  The author’s desire to wrap up every loose end in a nice, pretty bow felt awkward and sloppy and didn’t provide the satisfying conclusion that the author perhaps intended.

Rating: 3/5

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

I Let You Go

Clare Mackintosh (Adult Suspense)

Jenna Gray hopes to escape the memories of a tragic hit-and-run accident by moving to a remote cottage on the Welsh coast.  Meanwhile, two detectives are assigned to the case in hopes of finding justice.  The unexpected occurs when both their worlds collide.

This book truly surprised me (in a good way) inasmuch as I had already determined what direction the story was taking and how it was going to end.  The plot took such an unexpected turn, that I was left asking myself, “Wait.  What just happened?”  Very seldom does that happen so when it does, I relish it!  And if that wasn’t enough, Mackintosh throws in a few extra twists at the end…just for good measure.

I rated this book four stars rather than five only because it did languish a bit at the beginning, but the extra care and attention to fully developing the story and characters do pay off in the end.

 

Rating: 4/5

 

Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling

Captains Courageous

Rudyard Kipling (Adult Fiction)

Harvey Cheyne is the spoiled, arrogant, and disrespectful son of a railway tycoon who, while on his way to Europe to complete his schooling, falls overboard into the Atlantic Ocean.  He is rescued by a fisherman and taken aboard the schooner We’re Here, where he quickly realizes that money, power, and social status matter little on the high seas.  Under the watchful eye of Captain Disko Troop, Harvey soon navigates his way not only through perilous oceans, but also through the turbulent lessons that come with life.

This is perhaps one of the finest stories about life on the sea ever written.  Kipling’s narration is masterful and the storytelling is superb.  The details of life on board a schooner are painstakingly described and detailed—right down to the last eye-bolt.  Every word is carefully chosen and crafted and the result is nothing short of poetic: “The dories gathered in clusters, separated, reformed, and broke again, all heading one way; while men hailed and whistled and cat-called and sang, and the water was speckled with rubbish thrown overboard.”

This book is truly deserving of the word “classic”; however, Kipling’s passion for authenticity often makes reading dialogue difficult at times.  His phonetic transcription of a New England dialect in the late 1800s is often tricky to decipher and comprehend (“furriner” for “foreigner”, “naow” for “now”, and “spile” for “spoil”), but it is this same commitment to genuineness that allows the reader to be wholly transported into a world dictated by the weather and ruled by the sea.  A coming-of-age book about loyalty, friendship, and love that truly gets better with time.

Rating: 5/5

 

The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin

The Pleasure of My Company

Steve Martin (Adult Fiction)

Daniel Pecan Cambridge is a man suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder who, on the surface, appears quite content with the cards that life has dealt him.  However, by peering at the world outside his window, he sees hope, opportunity, and something that absolutely terrifies him…something different.

I adore Steve Martin as an actor and was anxious to see if I would enjoy him as a writer as well.  I must admit that I almost didn’t give this book the chance it deserved. Daniel’s character was a little too self-absorbed (perhaps the title should have clued me in) and neurotic for my liking.  It truly is a matter of sheer will at times to keep reading since Daniel is such an intolerable, infuriating, and exasperating person.  But just as Martin can masterfully pull at his banjo strings, he enables Daniel to somehow pull at our heartstrings and we find ourselves cheering for the unlikeliest of heroes.

Rating: 3/5

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

My Name is Lucy Barton

Elizabeth Strout (Adult Fiction)

Lucy Barton is a woman recovering from what should have been a simple operation.  During her convalescence, her mother sits by her hospital bed and the two begin to idly gossip about hometown neighbors while languishing in their own shortcomings.

This book received mostly positive reviews and appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, although it’s hard for me to understand why.  The story was forgettable, uninspiring, and left me with little to no lasting impression.  Lucy and her mother are unsympathetic, and their constant self-pitying and self-loathing become quite tedious and tiresome.

 

Rating: 1/5