Into the Trees by Robert Williams (4-Sep-2014) Paperback

by Robert Williams

From prize-winning author Robert Williams, a novel about love and fear, family and security, and the search for sanctuary in the middle of chaos.Harriet Norton won't stop crying. Her parents, Ann and Thomas, are being driven close to insanity and only one thing will help. Mysteriously, their infant daughter will only calm when she's under the ancient trees of Bleasdale forest.The Nortons sell their town-house and set up home in an isolated barn. Secluded deep in the forest, they are finally approaching peace - until one night a group of men comes through the trees, ready to upend their lives and threaten everything they've built.Into the Trees is the story of four dispossessed people, drawn to the forest in search of something they lack and finding their lives intertwining in ways they could never have imagined. In hugely evocative and lyrical writing, Robert Williams lays bare their emotional lives, set against the intense and mysterious backdrop of the forest. Compelling and haunting, Into the Trees is a magisterial novel.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Contemporary, Suspense, Adult, Fantasy, Book Club

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Robert Williams grew up in Clitheroe, Lancashire and currently lives in Manchester. His first novel, Luke and Jon, won a Betty Trask Award, was translated into seven languages and called 'a hugely impressive debut' in the Daily Telegraph. He has worked in a secondary school library, as a bookseller for Waterstones, and has written and released music under the name The Library Trust.

Reviews

[jennyliest · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️

[Karen Mace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drawn into this book by the eerie cover and it turned out to be slightly different from what I was expecting but still a very enjoyable read!

It started really strongly with the family having to move to the forest as it was the only place that seemed to settle their daughter Harriet who was prone to nighttime crying. Being so isolated then seemed to plague the family where they are hit by a very terrifying incident that changes their whole outlook.

There are some other interesting characters in this story, namely Raymond who worked on a nearby farm and is a loner but seemed to find solace in having Harriets' family nearby.

I did find the story then split into a few different genres which took away from the initial impact of the storyline but still made you think and was a fascinating look at human behaviour and how the actions of others impact on you. The ending was very abrupt though which did distract for me!

[Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was inexplicably shelved as YA at the library, and that combined with the first chapters skewed my expectations. It starts out fablelike, with a crying baby who will only stop crying in the deep forest. Sleep deprivation is a strong motivator, so the parents move to an old barn in the woods, and finally get a good night's sleep. As they settle in, we are also introduced to Raymond, a painfully shy giant of a man who works at a nearby farm, and Keith, a low-life neighbour from town. Then a crime is committed. The novel takes a different path, and becomes a bleak drama about four people fighting for their way of life. There is depth to the characters, and an ominous atmosphere that kept me reading. The ending was satisfying and quite hopeful, but I pity the teenager who picks up this gloomy tale.

[Sarah Kallus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harriet ist ein Schreikind und die Familie ist wirklich überfordert und am Ende der Nerven, nachdem ihnen kein Arzt einen vernünftigen Rat geben konnte. Eines Nachts fährt der Vater mit Harriet in den Wald und als er dort mit seiner kleinen Tochter auf dem Arm spazieren geht, verstummt ihr Geschrei. Nachdem ihm dies zum dritten Mal passiert, beschließt die Familie, ein Haus im Wald zu kaufen, doch der Mutter ist das Leben im Wald, abgeschieden von jeder Gesellschaft, nicht geheuer. Zu recht, wie man feststellen wird, denn eines Tages schleicht ein Trupp maskierter Männer durch den Wald und die haben keine guten Absichten...

Vier Menschen, die es alle aus den unterschiedlichsten Gründen in den Wald zieht, begegnen sich auf die ein oder andere Art und Weise und verknüpfen damit die Fäden ihres Schicksals.


Der Roman von Robert Williams ist leicht geschrieben. Eine leichte Sprache, doch umso stärkere Atmosphäre kann er damit heraufbeschwören. Diese Geschichte hat etwas Magisches, etwas unerklärlich Anziehendes, es ist wie ein Sog, dem du einfach nicht widerstehen kannst, dabei passiert während dieser 300 Seiten gar nicht mal allzu viel. Doch das Abtauchen in diese Wälder und Landschaften und vor allem auch in die Geschichten der einzelnen Personen ist unglaublich interessant. Die Spannung wird hier aus dem Leben gegriffen und aus dessen Unberechenbarkeit.
Es hat mir Spaß gemacht, in dieser düsteren Umgebung zu verweilen und voller Erwarten Seite für Seite umzublättern und zu lesen, zu sehen, was mit den Charakteren passiert, wie sie sich entwickeln und was aus ihnen wird. Zu sehen, das jedes Leben seine Traurigkeiten hat und dass alle davon auch viel besser hätten verlaufen können. Zu sehen, dass man es einfach selbst in der Hand hat, was man daraus macht.
Ich finde, dass dieses Buch, rückwirkend gesehen, sehr viel zu sagen hat und viel mehr Aussagen tätigt, als man auf den ersten Blick erkennt oder auch beim Lesen bemerkt. Im Nachhall gibt es einiges, worüber man nachdenken kann und ich tue es gerne, da dieses Buch mich in irgendeiner Form wohlig begleitet hat, trotz dass es so düster war und nicht viel Freudiges mit sich brachte. So hatte es eben doch eine Message zu liefern, die ich erkannt habe. Und das bedeutet mir sehr viel.
Rundum kann ich sagen, dass es ein Buch für Leser ist, die es auch mal ruhiger angehen können und denen die Geschichte der handelnden Personen am Herzen liegt, die sich für das Leben und dessen Ungewissheit interessieren und begeistern können und für das Schicksal, das zuschlägt, wann immer es will.

''Katastrophen passieren nur selten. Den Großteil ihrer Tage stehen Sie auf, leben ihr Leben und gehen ins Bett. Sie wollen sich doch nicht den Rest Ihres Lebens vor etwas hüten, das wahrscheinlich nie eintrifft.''

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book definitely wasn't the thriller I was hoping it would be. It was more of a character study that touched on mental health and dealing with trauma. So I did still enjoy reading it, but I kind of felt like the author didn't really let us in enough with the characters. It felt like as a reader I was on the outside and so I never felt emotionally invested in what happened to the family. Coupled with an ending that felt quite lacklustre, this didn't really reach the heights I wanted. A decent page turner though for a book with such slow pacing.

[Miia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking, gentle, fast paced. I wanna read more by Robert Williams.

[Claire Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I'd met the author at a library reading and couldn't wait to get started. His pared down simple writing style suits the tense atmosphere and the short chapters keep the pace fast. The characters were so well developed I genuinely cared about their outcome. A genuinely excellent read which encourages me to read this author's other books.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt as though I started one book and finished another when I read 'Into the Trees'. It began with a crying child who was driving her sleep-deprived parents to distraction and could only be placated by being driven far into the woods each night. Her parents seize on this and build a house in the isolated woods as a way of getting their family life back on track. A great premise for a horror/supernatural novel I thought, as I read the first few chapters. However, the book turned into something quite different and became a novel about the insecurities and relationship problems experienced by the couple after they are the victims of a robbery. The mystery of baby Harriet's crying is never explained and seems to act as a device to engineer the family to the point in the story where they are held hostage and I have to say I felt somewhat cheated by this change in direction as it became a run of the mill read.

For more reviews, see https://www.facebook.com/PrincessTami...

[Sofia Brito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the feeling of the book, the woods, the trees, the house, the family. Loved to be transported to the deep British countryside, the farms and the little villages. Loved the simplicity of Raymond with his giant body and mind of a child, the scheming Keith with his chavy daughters and battered wife, the fragility of Thomas family whose perfect life was destroyed by evil men. Couldn't stop reading it. Five stars!!!

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written quick read. Four main characters all deftly drawn - I felt I knew them. A family buy a house in a forest as it seems to be the only place their new born stops screaming. Fast forward eight years and a distressing event changes family dynamics. Excellent psychological observations on what fear, loneliness and isolation can do to one. A page turner.

[Sarah Wakeford · Rating 1 out of 5]

What in the actual heck did I just read..
It went absolutely no where.
Thomas and Keith were absolutely terrible humans. I don’t know how Anne put up with him and then took him back

[Raychel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m rewriting the tag line at the bottom of my copy: “a seriously misogynistic book by a seriously misogynistic author.”
This is one of those books where I don’t have a lot of words for how bad this is. The male characters of despicable (excluding Raymond, he’s an angel). They’re overtly sexist, violent, and aggressive. The plot doesn’t really make any sense. This could have been a great commentary on the effects of trauma on the mind and mental illness in general, but it was absolutely ruined by how awful Thomas and Keith are and there are absolutely no redeeming qualities. Ann, Harriet, and Raymond are the only good characters, and they’re why I would even give this one star.

[Jose Ortega · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would be lying if I was to say that I was disappointed with the general outcome of the story. In the beginning, when they start taking Harriet into the forest I began to create expectations that the author would expand on the story, and expand on the further mystery of why Harriet cries so much. I WAS disappointed that they never narrated the story from Harriet's point of view until the end, and I was expecting an actual sanctuary in the middle of chaos. Regardless to that, the author did make an interesting turn regarding the characters' stories, and how closely related they truly were. I found that very intriguing. I also deeply love the fact that even though the clear differences in personality from the main male characters' points of view, he managed to make they moods similar. Meaning that when one character's happiness resulted in the others' happiness, and one character's misfortune ended up making the others have misfortune. Now that I said this I can say that had it not been for the very beautiful ending, I would rate this book probably a 2 or 3. The ending was what I had expected throughout the entire book. I wanted characters mesmerized by the beauty of the forest, and I wanted it alive! So basically, if you're interested in nature and reading into peoples' attitudes in times of desperation, I highly recommend this book.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite an interesting book, where the start really grew you in, especially as that crying child mirrored my own youngest daughter! It then drifted somewhat, with no explanation for the crying, ann became unhappy with the isolation, the novel lost its way a bit.

Thomas then struggled to cope following the robbery, understandably, now it was Ann who took solace from the forest.

Perhaps it was too clever and I missed the connections, but there seemed to be loose ends and the ending left me feeling dissatisfied. It felt rushed, especially after such a build up in the first few chapters.

I did still enjoy the book and found the very short chapters kept the momentum going.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book does feature a criminal act, namely the hostage taking and robbery of a bank manager and his family, this novel was more about people and relationships and how everything interconnects. I enjoyed the writing style and found it a quick read with interesting events and relatable characters.

[Susan Atkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really took me by surprise. I normally read Thrillers and they say never judge a book by its cover but thats exactly what I did!
A light read, not many characters and thoroughly enjoyable. It fact I read it in a day and will definitely read his other books. Thought provoking and moving, try it if you want something a bit different.

[Hugo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific, almost gentle novel, loosely following the thriller format it is, possibly incorrectly, presented as, focusing instead on the simple and sympathetic character of Raymond, the fraught and traumatised Thomas, and the pathetic and little man Keith and how they orbit and interconnect with each other.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, liked how the chapters were short and how each characters life was explaining well, you felt like you knew each character really well and understood them.

I'd definitely read another book by this author

[Alison Millar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as I was hosting an author event in a library with Robert Williams. I am really glad I did. Robert's descriptions of relationships is excellent, meaning that you have a real connection to the characters. I will be reading his other novels.

[Sean Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A dark fairy tale. Simply written, simply told. Could've ended better though.

[Helén Szőke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my type of read, but I picked it up, flicked through, was hooked and read it all. An easy read, did not conclude as the start seemed to promise. I might read more by this author

[Beth (bibliobeth) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Into The Trees came my way via the wonderful booksellers at Mr B's Emporium Of Reading Delights in Bath who recommended this novel (and sold it remarkably well!) in a reading spa that I attended with my sister, Chrissi Reads. It's been a little while now since we first heard about it so my memory had faded somewhat about why I was so excited to read it but then everything came flooding back as soon as I had read the first intriguing chapters. After a previously disappointing reading experience with a previous Mr B's recommendation, Hideous Creatures, I was so relieved to be pleasantly surprised by this novel. It's relatively slow paced so if you're a fan of non stop action in your plots, this may not be the book for you. There is one major, dramatic event which is pivotal to the characters in our story but apart from this, it's very much a methodical character study of how this event affects both the family in the book and those closest to them.

This is the tale of Ann and Thomas Norton whom when our story begins, are struggling with their new baby, Harriet. She refuses to sleep at night and our poor, severely sleep-deprived parents are really suffering with the exhaustion and physical, mental and emotional stress of it all. On a whim one night, Thomas drives Harriet into the forest and strangely enough, she stops crying. After repeating the experiment numerous times, the couple discover that it is only when Harriet is within the trees that she will sleep through the night. Of course, this is an answer to their prayers and they immediately sell their house and move to one within the forest so that they can all finally be happy. Unfortunately, their peace and happiness does not last for long when a terrible crime is committed against the family. The reverberations of this incident will haunt parents and children alike, especially Thomas who sinks into severe depression with the guilt of not being able to better protect his family and terrified that it could happen to them again.

I absolutely adored the opening chapters of this novel, which I also believe was its strongest part (and if it had carried on in this vein, there is no doubt I would be giving it a higher rating). The mystery behind why baby Harriet will not stop crying unless she is in the forest was almost fairy-tale in its execution and although we never find out exactly why the trees had such a calming effect on her I was fascinated to see how it would all turn out. I'm finding it quite hard to categorise this novel or pop it into a genre, I don't think it slots easily into a neat little box. There's parts of it that are almost fantastical but not quite, then there's the literary style of the author's writing and finally, the thriller portion where the family are attacked. The pace ebbs and flows, reaching a peak when the crime is committed and then slowly meandering down to a much more sedate narrative. I very much enjoyed the characterisation, particularly of Thomas and Thomas' new friend, quiet but soft-hearted Raymond.

Furthermore, the villain of the piece is wonderfully drawn, very easy to hate yet incredibly authentic to read. Think of the worst neighbour you've ever had (or heard about) and then imagine him written down as a character. He was very believable and I also appreciated his journey as a character, through self-loathing, greed and despair. As a reading experience, I definitely had an enjoyable time with this novel. There were parts that were stronger than others and the ending left me feeling slightly crestfallen, just wanting a bit more but it's certainly made me curious to check out some of the author's other works.

For my full review and many more, please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com

[Terese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much I stayed up half the night reading it. The writing was elegant but seemed effortless, and the psychology of the characters was brilliantly portrayed.

I've no idea why this was shelved at my local library as YA, this is not YA!
It is a great exploration into loneliness, happiness, and life and life decisions in general. I particularly loved the ending contrasted with the start where we are lead to think that Harriet's crying is unreasonable and that the doctors are wrong, versus them at the end admitting that her crying had gotten better before they moved... but Raymond was truly what made this book shine for me. I ached with Raymond through every syllable.

Keith was another highlight just because he, and his self-justification, were portrayed so well.

Thomas annoyed the heck out of me after "the event", but in a good way, in the way the story wants you to be, I believe.

Basically, if you don't mind a bit of gloom, get this! I might have to buy my own copy to put on my shelf.

[Lyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ Eine ruhige Charakterstudie, die zwar nicht wirklich spannend, dafür aber auch niemals langweilig ist. Vor allem der flüssige, angenehme Schreibstil, die gut ausgearbeiteten Figuren und die unterschwellige beunruhigende Stimmung lassen einen neugierig weiterlesen. ~

Inhalt

Thomas und Ann sind mit den Nerven am Ende, denn ihr Baby Harriet schreit, und das stundenlang und ununterbrochen. Nichts scheint zu helfen, doch als Thomas eines Tages mit ihr durch einen Wald fährt, ist sie auf einmal still und schläft ein. Immer wieder zeigt Harriet die gleiche Reaktion, und so beschließt die Familie, ein Haus im Wald zu bauen. Thomas liebt das abgeschiedene Fleckchen Erde auf Anhieb, doch Ann ist die Einsamkeit nicht ganz geheuer - zu recht?

Warum habe ich dieses Buch gelesen?

Ich hatte zuvor noch nie von diesem Autor gehört, und hätte mir das Buch wohl auch nicht selbst gekauft, da es mir aber als Teil des Jahresabos vom Berlin Verlag zugeschickt wurde, habe ich natürlich gleich hineingelesen.

Tatsächlich ist dieses Buch ganz anders als man es am Beginn erwartet. Der Klappentext klingt ganz stark nach Thriller, die Bezeichnung "Roman" trifft es allerdings sehr viel besser. Trotz der aufwühlenden Vorkommnisse, hat dieses Buch einen ganz eigenen ruhigen, unaufgeregten Erzählstil.

Dennoch wurde es nicht langweilig, und das liegt vor allem am sehr angenehmen Schreibstil. Dieser ist so flüssig, dass man schnell voran kommt und auch neugierig bleibt wie es weitergeht. Die Sätze sind schön geschrieben, nicht kompliziert, dabei aber auch nicht zu kurz. Es fällt leicht, sich alles bildlich vorzustellen. Hier war auf jeden Fall ein Könner am Werk. Erwähnen sollte ich auch noch die nur spärlich vorhandenen Dialoge, die gegen Ende aber immer mehr werden. Wenn dann aber etwas gesagt wird, ist es stets lustig oder bedeutungsvoll. Lange konnte ich das Buch nicht einschätzen, denn trotz des ruhigen Schreibstils schwingt permanent eine beunruhigende Stimmung mit, so dass man dem Frieden zu keiner Zeit so richtig trauen kann. Wer aber einen richtig spannenden Thriller erwartet, der ist mit diesem Buch sicher nicht gut bedient, denn atemlose Spannung findet man hier zu keinem Zeitpunkt. Was einen dazu bringt weiterzulesen, ist schlichte Neugier auf die interessante Geschichte. Bei diesem Buch handelt es sich eher um eine Charakterstudie, denn die Welt und das Leben von vier Hauptpersonen wird über viele Jahre genau beschrieben.

Die Personen sind eine Stärke dieses Romans. Man lernt Ann, Thomas, Keith und Raymond im Laufe des Buches immer genauer kennen und erfährt nach und nach wie ihre Leben verknüpft sind. Die Welt ist klein - das wird in diesem Buch wieder anschaulich gezeigt.
Alle Hauptpersonen sind ausnahmslos gut ausgearbeitet und dreidimensional. Dadurch, dass sich der Autor für jeden einzelnen so viel Zeit nimmt, hätte es mich auch verwundert, wenn es anders wäre. Jeder von ihnen geht durch Höhen und Tiefen, und das beschreibt der Autor sehr anschaulich. Besonders bei der Beschreibung von Keith hat es mir gefallen wie sein Äußeres immer wieder sein Innenleben wiederspiegelt. Zu den Nebenpersonen ist nicht viel zu sagen, da sie nur selten und kurz vorkommen. Die, die man kennenlernt, sind aber auch überzeugend.

Besonders gut gewählt hat der Autor das Setting. Der Wald wird wundervoll beschrieben, mit passenden Adjektiven und lebendigen Personifikationen. Die Atmosphäre - sowohl die Schönheit als auch die Einsamkeit - wird toll eingefangen. Es gefällt mir auch wie die Stimmung oft von der Natur reflektiert wird, oder sie benutzt wird um über etwas über die Personen auszusagen. Ebenfalls gelungen: Das leichte Aufblitzen von subtilem Humor.

Ein paar Dinge haben mich etwas gestört: Erstens, dass man am Ende manches nicht erklärt bekommt, z.B. was mit Raymond ist (hier wäre ein Epilog sehr schön gewesen!) oder warum sich Harriet im Wald immer beruhigt hat. So kann man es sich zwar schon auch zusammenreimen, (sie liebt den Wald einfach, den Duft, die Bäume, die Geräusche, und nicht einmal ein Unwetter schafft es, ihr dort Angst zu machen) dennoch wird es nie deutlich gesagt. Zweitens: Man hätte viel mehr herausholen können, wenn man mehr Spannung zugelassen hätte. Ich sage mit Absicht "zugelassen", denn spannende Vorkommnisse gab es genug, nur wurden manche davon nicht einmal erzählt, sondern nur erwähnt, wodurch viel Spannung verloren gegangen ist. Drittens: Ich finde es nicht wirklich realistisch, wegen eines Schreibabys ein Haus im Wald zu bauen. Bis dieses nämlich fertig ist, hat das Kind wahrscheinlich schon wieder damit aufgehört. Wenn man das aber ausblenden kann, gefällt der Roman durchaus.

Was ich noch anmerken möchte: Der Geschichte hätten ein paar mehr Absätze sicher gut getan, denn so befand sich teilweise auf einer Seite kein einziger Absatz, so dass es für mich anstrengend zu lesen war (Absätze machen das Lesen viel angenehmer) und wenn man kurz abschweift, fällt es auch schwerer, gleich wieder einzusteigen.

Mein Fazit

Eine ruhige Charakterstudie, die zwar nicht wirklich spannend, dafür aber auch niemals langweilig ist. Vor allem der flüssige, angenehme Schreibstil, die gut ausgearbeiteten Figuren und die unterschwellige beunruhigende Stimmung lassen einen neugierig weiterlesen.

Ich empfehle dieses Buch allen, die die ruhigen Töne und Wälder mögen. Wer einen Thriller erwartet oder auf atemlose Spannung hofft, für den ist diese Geschichte sicher nicht das Richtige.

Erzählstil: Personaler Erzähler; Präteritum;
Perspektive: aus männlicher und weiblicher Perspektive (Thomas, Ann, Keith, Raymond)

Bewertung:

Idee: 5 Sterne
Ausführung: 4 Sterne ♥
Schreibstil: 5 Sterne
Personen: 4 Sterne


Zusatzkriterien bei diesem Buch:

Spannung: 3 Sterne
Setting: 5 Sterne


Insgesamt:

❀❀❀❀

Ich vergebe vier Lilien!


Ist dieses Buch Teil einer Reihe? - Nein, nicht, dass ich wüsste. (wird noch upgedated, sollte ich etwas erfahren)

[Annette Keating · Rating 1 out of 5]

By page 35, I had already decided this book made no sense. Harriet is 4 months old at the beginning- the book describes several weeks where the parents test this forest theory. Reasonably speaking, we can assume she is 6 months old by the time they decide to move to the forest. It takes 6 months to build the house- by then, Harriet is already a year old and no longer an infant. No parents would choose such a permanent solution based on a temporary problem. Even the strained dialogue tries to convince us (are we being crazy?)

Also, therapists don't just immediately and blatantly tell you you're wrong to make you feel awkward and stupid- or immediately throw drugs at you. (At least not from my experience)

An explanation to the soothing effects of the woods is never explained and never referred to again. There seems to be a dramatic twist when Raymond is questioned by police, but then this is dropped like a hot potato too. Meanwhile, years of frustration, anger and resentment in a marriage is cured overnight with no explanation and no effort from either parent...?

Puuuuuhlease.

[Michelle Lewis-Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into the story thinking it was one way when it was something else. However I enjoyed getting to know the family and Raymond. You could see how situations and circumstances attributed to choices being made by the characters. I enjoyed the abrupt ending as it gave me hope that living in fear would not continue with the young family members, the cycle has stopped which I think some people missed. Also I lived in Chipping for a couple of years so I am very aware of Bleasdale Forest, Parlick Hill and other places. It was easier for me to imagine their surroundings. Great book, great message, would highly suggest it.

[Hailey Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of build up for a few pages of true action and anticipation that leave you a little disappointed. I enjoyed some aspects of this story, but after all the time they build up to two key moments in the book – once you finish them you are let down.

Waiting for the masked men that show up, I was expecting so much more than what we were given. However, there is an underlying heart warming story of a family coming together with a lonely outsider – but even that could have been expanded. I’m not sure if this story was supposed to be a thriller, or a heart warming story – but it missed the mark of conveying either.

[Kerri Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the synopsis and cover design wrongly lead you to assume this falls into the thriller/horror genre but it most definately not,so manage your expectations. It may have some high stake, thrilling elements but this is more contemporary fiction.

Now that's been said, this was brilliant. Well paced, flawed but loveable characters (Raymond 4eva!), beautiful setting, great dynamics and dialogue, great writing. This was a well crafted character study on the effects of trauma, of love, family and strength. I absolutely flew through this, I would love to read more from this author!

[Social_Sloth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very different type of book, I can't really place it into any genre. It is unique in the way it is written, organized, and the plot. It is much more real, showing a real adult world with divorce, trauma and lack of work. It's a side that few books that I've read show, and this story does it without having a trace of being boring. It had me glued to the story from the first page and never could I loose interest. It is well written, with interesting characters and can be recommended to anyone.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice change of pace for me. Not a horror or thriller; but a nice, more realistic and not overly violent, family story. This book is very well written and the characters are great. Characters you really get invested in and wonder and worry about. This is a story of family and friendship. I really enjoyed it.