Tell the Wolves I'm Home in Crazy Challenge Connection

May 19, 2014 Book Concierge rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 20th-century, literary-fiction, book-club, debut, new-york, coming-of-age, relationships, sisters, library, social-commentary

The only person who has ever really understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus is her Uncle Finn, a famous painter who is also her godfather, confidant and best friend. With him, she always feels safe and important. So when he dies of AIDS and her mother withdraws into silence, June feels completely lost. Her sister, Greta, has grown increasingly distant over the last several months, her parents, both accountants, are caught up in tax season, and she hasn’t any friends at school. But there is someo The only person who has ever really understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus is her Uncle Finn, a famous painter who is also her godfather, confidant and best friend. With him, she always feels safe and important. So when he dies of AIDS and her mother withdraws into silence, June feels completely lost. Her sister, Greta, has grown increasingly distant over the last several months, her parents, both accountants, are caught up in tax season, and she hasn’t any friends at school. But there is someone who understands how devastating Finn’s death has been for June. A few days after Finn’s funeral June receives a package – the beautiful Russian teapot Finn always used. Inside the pot is a note from Toby, a man who knew Finn and misses him, too.

This is an emotional coming-of-age story, set in 1987 when a diagnosis of AIDS was a certain death sentence, and many people responded with fear and cruelty against those afflicted and their families. I liked the very personal story of one family’s response to this issue, and particularly how Brunt used an innocent child to concentrate on the love and admiration for the person, rather than the disease that killed him. June is a remarkable young protagonist. She is sensitive and caring, but lacks confidence and feels alone due to her “differentness” and feelings that no one understands her. Her youth and lack of maturity lead her to make some startling naïve decisions, and her inability (and inexperience) in reading people’s motives contributes to her confusion and distress. Ultimately, however, she shows great courage and great love.

I was in tears towards the end – something that rarely happens to me. And I really liked the final resolution of the story. I thought Brunt did a good job of recreating that near-hysteria of the time, but I was disturbed by the amount of freedom June and Greta had, and the total lack of supervision their parents exercised over them. How they got away with all they got away with is astounding to me. I was also conflicted about Toby, his motivations, and behavior. He is an adult, and while he has his own vulnerabilities, I have a hard time looking away or excusing him.

However, the emotional impact of the story completely carried me away, and it’s on the strength of that reaction that I give it 5 stars.
...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Aug 12, 2013 Carol rated it it was amazing

Shelves: carol-brunt-rifka

Such a great story. June, a shy, isolated, young teen, has a endearing, close-relationship with her godfather/uncle, who unfortunately dies prematurely. With this loss, June's world is off-kilter and questions her mother (his sister) who is unable to talk about his death. June's life is trapped in chaos as she tries to understand what happened. Finn’s death brings a surprise into her life. Someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and ev ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 02, 2019 Beth rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical, cybilsreaddown

Very immediate -- the author recreates the voice of a young teenage girl that makes all the emotions and events seem tremendously important and relevant. A good read.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 28, 2016 Annika rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Fantastic!

2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 16, 2012 Barbara ★ rated it it was ok

Shelves: zzz-cover-food, zzz-cover-body-part, zz-cover-green, debut, challenge-books, read-2015, young-adult, fiction, x-set-in-usa-new-york, glbt

I don't usually torture myself with books of this nature. You know the majorly depressing ones. As usual I read this for a challenge and wish I hadn't. I know it's a coming of age type book but the relationship between June and Finn was creepy and bordered too closely on incest. There's no sexual relationship and 14 year old June was the problem not Finn but a good portion of this book gave me the heebie-jeebies.

I also had issues with the entire family - the parents were totally absent, working ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 11, 2013 Katharine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: heart-warming, think-about-it, favorites

Infinite number of stars. This book is one of those rare discoveries you search for every time you pick up a book. It's a book you feel in your soul. A book you want to savor and never want to end. One you hold in your hands, almost meditatively staring at the cover, trying to absorb all of its depth of emotion and wisdom. It's a book you physically embrace, close to your heart, like a long lost friend or something you've been searching for all of your life and unexpectedly found; and now, you n ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 13, 2014 Stacy rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2014, young-adult, audiobooks, annoying-protagonists

This book was beautifully written. I adored Toby's character, and Greta fascinated me, even when she was being mean.

The problem that I had with this book was the narrator. June made me cringe. A lot. I know that teenage girls can be naive and self-centered, but she really got on my nerves. And her obsession with her uncle was sick. Still, she was brave and had a very kind heart, and that redeemed her for me. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 13, 2013 Helen Southall rated it really liked it

Shelves: gcac, fiction

An excellent book. A study in family relationships - parents, children, siblings, uncle, friends - pretty much covers the gamut. Set in the1980's with aids as a major plot element, the novel is a good snapshot of the attitudes and culture regarding this new and devastating illness. Very well paced at the beginning and end but a bit sloggy in the middle. That is why it didn't get 5*s. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 16, 2019 Marla rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adult, zz-2019, with-reservations, book-club, young-adult, book-discussion, lgbt, catholic, made-me-cry

4.5 stars. This story was dark and uncomfortable, but also poignant and hopeful. I remember the start of the AIDS epidemic when people weren't just HIV positive and lived for decades. Back in the beginning, it was a death sentence and AIDS victims were treated like lepers. This tale touches on this feeling of fear and sadness.

*** Lots of secrets, don't read my spoilers unless you've read the book ***
Likes:
* Uncle Finn painting June & Greta's portrait
* Short chapters
(view spoiler) 4.5 stars. This story was dark and uncomfortable, but also poignant and hopeful. I remember the start of the AIDS epidemic when people weren't just HIV positive and lived for decades. Back in the beginning, it was a death sentence and AIDS victims were treated like lepers. This tale touches on this feeling of fear and sadness.

*** Lots of secrets, don't read my spoilers unless you've read the book ***
Likes:
* Uncle Finn painting June & Greta's portrait
* Short chapters
(view spoiler)

Dislikes:
* Why is there a bear on the cover?
* Finn is dying of AIDS
* Lots of dysfunctional relationships
* Horrible relationship between Greta and June
* Too many secrets
* June not having any friends her age
(view spoiler)

With-reservations:
gay couple, AIDS, prison, underage drinking & smoking, lying, truancy, prejudice, bullying ...more

Like · see review