Talk Back

[twunny]

Recommended to me by a friend for reading after Sartre. It makes sense, but just about anything relates to existentialism if you look at it from the right angle. Apparently, I was under a rock when this book came out, because I don't remember ever hearing about it. It outsold J.K. Rowling that year, though. If you're the type of person who digs popular fiction, this is the book for you, I guess. However, I think this is the book for almost anyone. It is well-written, emotional, and has a great story. It's unlike anything I've ever read.
I think I can get away with saying the following without being guilty of a spoiler, but consider yourseld warned. The book is about a fourteen year-old girl who is raped and murdered in suburban Pennsylvania. And it is narrated from her point of view up in her heaven. I was worried it would be corny, but it was not. The bad stuff was not forced for shock value, and the good stuff was not forced to make it all better. It was all so real,which I find amazing. The plot turns were unpredictable without being unreasonable and it kept me reading. I kind of never wanted it to end. My only criticisms are that sometimes the world moved too fast and that at times it seemed a little pretentious to have "heaven's take on things." However, the POV was the greatest part of the book, so I was able to look past that kind of thing.
One more thing I have to mention. The narrator's father, Jack, is now one of my favorite literary characters ever. I loved the guy. His pain was always there under the surface. When he wore it lke a badge, I respected him, and when he did what he needed to get through the day, I adored his strength.
I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
_________________
I am a dirty liar. And I'm lying when I say that.

[crystaldearest]

i'm so glad you liked it! i read this book a little over a year ago (it might be in my 2005 reviews) and went into what i cal "literary shock". it's a fantastic read.

[jeffp]

You did, indeed, review it last year, crystadearest. The (just updated) cumulative review pages can point people to your review if desired. I love it when things work like they are supposed to.

--jeffp