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This may be one of my favorite books of this year - it's fantastic! I still can't quite believe it's a debut novel! I will say that this one took me awhile to get into - and I think that was partly a result of getting connected to the narrative voice as well as the 'feel' of the overall story. But, once I connected, WOW! I couldn't stop reading. I wanted more and more and more!
Well written, really interesting and multi-faceted characters, realism at every turn! The primary thing that pulled me ...more
Well written, really interesting and multi-faceted characters, realism at every turn! The primary thing that pulled me ...more
May 28, 2014
Nancy Motto
added it
The quote from the publishers on the back of this books states "Pearl's activities spark the full blown interest of the FBI, putting Pete at the center of a massive manhunt from which no one will emerge unscathed". Lest you think that the so called massive manhunt takes center stage in this book, it does not. Yes an FBI manhunt is woven into the story but I think the publisher does the author a disservice when it makes the manhunt the focus of the book's promotion.
First of all, I cannot believe ...more
First of all, I cannot believe ...more
This debut novel by Smith Henderson is really amazing. The plot, the characters, the writing...it's all first-rate and absolutely compelling. I could not possibly compose a review to do this book justice so I defer to Ron Charles' review in The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/enterta...
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4.5 stars I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and story of this *^*&$%*ed up book. The characters are wildly screwed up and their they all continue to down destructive paths. There's some weird stuff here. Why do I love weird stuff? Not for the faint of heart, but fun in a messed up way.
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I think this is a clear case of overhype. I listened to the audio which seemed to go on forever but probably is the only way for me to have finished it.
I liked the angle of the story being told from the perspective of a social worker but this type of book just gets me all riled up about what's wrong with rural America. Ignorance, child abuse, religious fanaticism, neglect, alcoholism, divorce, distrust of government, gun violence, prostitution, lawbreaking, survivalism, drug abuse, ....everythin ...more
I liked the angle of the story being told from the perspective of a social worker but this type of book just gets me all riled up about what's wrong with rural America. Ignorance, child abuse, religious fanaticism, neglect, alcoholism, divorce, distrust of government, gun violence, prostitution, lawbreaking, survivalism, drug abuse, ....everythin ...more
Some beautiful writing in this debut novel. It's set in the 80's, but given the current free state/libertarian movement in New Hampshire, could just as easily be set here in current day. It is very dark and twisty, which I generally like a lot, but I found the author's treatment of women so negative as to stand out me me as a little problematic. None of the characters were real gems, but the woman were portrayed as particularly unappealing.
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Wow! What a story teller. I was totally involved in this book and in the characters frustrations and concerns. I look forward to future books by Smith Henderson.
Pete Snow is a social worker who is trying to help families on the fringe while his own has major fissures. Nobody in this book is perfect, but all develop a sense of personal morality that sometimes conflicts with others in their sphere.
The narrator was perfect for this book. Aces!
Pete Snow is a social worker who is trying to help families on the fringe while his own has major fissures. Nobody in this book is perfect, but all develop a sense of personal morality that sometimes conflicts with others in their sphere.
The narrator was perfect for this book. Aces!
If this is what Montana looked like in the early 80s, then I am glad that I wasn't there.
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Jun 09, 2014
Michelle
marked it as to-read
Jul 09, 2014
Patti
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Jul 23, 2014
Juny
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Aug 31, 2014
Nancy Vincent
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Sep 19, 2014
Kristina
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Oct 06, 2014
Amanda
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Nov 24, 2014
Julie
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Apr 22, 2015
Kate
marked it as to-read
Dec 11, 2016
Elexa
marked it as abandoned
Dec 19, 2016
Paula
marked it as to-read
May 21, 2018
Stephanie
marked it as to-read
