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Everything Breaks
Tucker was supposed to be the designated driver. But there was something about the beauty of that last true summer night, that made him want to feel out-of-control just once. He drank so much and so quickly that he was instantly sick. That left Trey to drive. "I'll catch up to you later," were the last words Tucker would ever say to his friends as he heaved by the side of the road. It was the last time Tucker would ever see them alive.
Tucker’s grief and guilt are just about unbearable and he wonders how he can continue living himself. When he meets the Ferryman who carries souls of the newly deceased across the rivers that divide the world of the living from the world of the dead, Tucker gets a chance to decide: live or die. The temptation to join his three best friends on the other side may be too much for Tucker to overcome. A gripping, haunting and emotional read.
Tucker’s grief and guilt are just about unbearable and he wonders how he can continue living himself. When he meets the Ferryman who carries souls of the newly deceased across the rivers that divide the world of the living from the world of the dead, Tucker gets a chance to decide: live or die. The temptation to join his three best friends on the other side may be too much for Tucker to overcome. A gripping, haunting and emotional read.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2013
10 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Grove
21 books18 followersVicki Grove lives in a 100-year-old farmhouse on a few acres of land outside of Ionia, Missouri (pop. 118). Her son and daughter, Michael and J.D., attend college, and her husband Mike is a music teacher and directs a bell choir. They have lots of cats and a goldfish pond teeming with bossy, headstrong goldfish. Sharing the pond with that rambunctious crew is one gentle red-eared turtle, Yertle. Behind the house grow three cherry trees, three apple trees, a corn patch, grape vines, and, on a good year, enough strawberries for Vicki to make a dozen jars of jam.
Vicki has written for magazines ranging from Twilight Zone to Reader’s Digest. She received the 1996 SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for a story in American Girl. Altogether, she’s published about 300 articles and short stories. “Because it’s not such a huge time and energy commitment, writing a short story is kind of like eating popcorn,” she says. “Writing a book, on the other hand, is a big deal, sort of like Thanksgiving dinner. You’d get tired of snacking or feasting if you did it all the time, so I alternate!”
Eight of Vicki’s eleven books are middle grade or young adult novels for Putnam. Her most recent are Rimwalkers, Crystal Garden, Reaching Dustin, The Starplace, and Destiny. Reaching Dustin and The Starplace were School Library Journal Best Books of 1998 and 1999.
Vicki writes every day in a tiny white office her dad built in her hayfield. He modeled it on her childhood playhouse, and it has its own birdhouse (where a tree frog named Joop is living). A purple clematis vine snakes up the side of the office, and beneath it grows a white peony bush Vicki transplanted from her grandmother’s farmhouse in Illinois, the setting for Rimwalkers.
Vicki has written for magazines ranging from Twilight Zone to Reader’s Digest. She received the 1996 SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for a story in American Girl. Altogether, she’s published about 300 articles and short stories. “Because it’s not such a huge time and energy commitment, writing a short story is kind of like eating popcorn,” she says. “Writing a book, on the other hand, is a big deal, sort of like Thanksgiving dinner. You’d get tired of snacking or feasting if you did it all the time, so I alternate!”
Eight of Vicki’s eleven books are middle grade or young adult novels for Putnam. Her most recent are Rimwalkers, Crystal Garden, Reaching Dustin, The Starplace, and Destiny. Reaching Dustin and The Starplace were School Library Journal Best Books of 1998 and 1999.
Vicki writes every day in a tiny white office her dad built in her hayfield. He modeled it on her childhood playhouse, and it has its own birdhouse (where a tree frog named Joop is living). A purple clematis vine snakes up the side of the office, and beneath it grows a white peony bush Vicki transplanted from her grandmother’s farmhouse in Illinois, the setting for Rimwalkers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 17, 2014
I did not enjoy Everything Breaks, by Vicki Grove. In truth, I could tell the book wasn't for me from the moment I cracked the cover, but I wanted to give it a chance. It was stubbornness that kept me reading, a desire to understand how a book that seemed so unfocused and random would be published. Yes, in the end Grove pulls together a point, but it wasn't particularly interesting to me. The book read more like an over extended short story, delivered almost emotionlessly and very matter-of-factly by a character whose head I hated being in. Grove did not do a convincing job with a male voice in my opinion. And yes, I’m sure some of the emotionlessness was intentional because the guy was in shock. I did feel bad for the guy. I mean, he’d suffered a terrible tragedy, but it felt more like I had to take his word for it when it came to how he was suffering. It was so strange. I liked the funeral the best. It’s a sad, sad thing to state, but at least I saw people’s upset and outrage. The hitchhiker girl part of the story was creative, but it read more like a trippy dream, as though Tucker was going insane rather than actually going through what he went through. The dog was beyond odd, and while it made sense once you understood what was going on, it was exceptionally bizarre until you did. At least the lighter once explained made sense and was a pretty cool detail. I liked the rock and how it was explained at the end too. I liked the stepmother Janet well enough. And Mrs. Beetlebaum, a teacher. I probably liked his grandfather Bud the best, though honestly he read like a crazy old man much of the time. Even Tucker’s friends left me rather indifferent. It was hard to take the tragedy to heart when the people involved felt so abstract. Like I said, the book just wasn’t for me. I wouldn’t recommend it.
August 30, 2015
Honestly, I didn't know it at the time I bought it, but it was a book I needed to read. If you didn't know, this book is about a boy named Tucker and him coping with the loss of his three best friends and all the feelings that come with it. (please read the summary of the book because I suck at explaining things)
The reason I say I needed this book was because I recently lost one of my best friends in a car accident. It's a complete shock when you are talking to someone one day and they are gone the next.
It took me a while to read this book because not only was a busy preparing for college but this book also touched my heart and it was difficult to read without thinking of the friend I had lost.
this book took unexpected turns though, which I really loved.
Everything was well written and well executed and the feelings and emotions channeled well through the words.
High praise for this book.
I absolutely loved it.
The reason I say I needed this book was because I recently lost one of my best friends in a car accident. It's a complete shock when you are talking to someone one day and they are gone the next.
It took me a while to read this book because not only was a busy preparing for college but this book also touched my heart and it was difficult to read without thinking of the friend I had lost.
this book took unexpected turns though, which I really loved.
Everything was well written and well executed and the feelings and emotions channeled well through the words.
High praise for this book.
I absolutely loved it.
August 31, 2013
I am finding myself really conflicted with how to review this book. For the majority of the book I found myself quite confused with no idea of which direction the book was suppose to be going in. So we have Tucker, a kind of quiet teen with what comes across as having what I would describe as a 'follower' type personality. Loyal, trustworthy and an all round great friend. We follow Tucker and his friends at the start of the book living their every day lives doing every day things until things go sour when his mates car careen over the side of a mountain with them in it.
Now things up until this point were quite boring. I found it quite jumpy and found myself lost maybe because of the writing style. It would drift off in one direction then end up in another.
After the 'accident' things got even more confusing for me. Weird things happening with no explanation or description. Even though the book was heavily descriptive, I found it was descriptive in the wrong parts leaving me confused for the majority of the book, and it wasn't until the very last few chapters that I kind of had a clue as to where the story was going. Although I find the storyline itself unique and fascinating, the delivery just didn't sit well with me.
One positive for the book was that the characters were well established. They were described well and I got a sense of who they were as people. However the writing style made it hard for me to make a personal connection to them.
Throughout the majority of the book I rated Everything Breaks as a 2 star read. What bumped it up to a 3 was the ending. The message for the book appealed to me and that is to embrace life.
Although Everything Breaks wasn't exactly for me, I have been reading reviews from a few people who have loved it so you might too!
Now things up until this point were quite boring. I found it quite jumpy and found myself lost maybe because of the writing style. It would drift off in one direction then end up in another.
After the 'accident' things got even more confusing for me. Weird things happening with no explanation or description. Even though the book was heavily descriptive, I found it was descriptive in the wrong parts leaving me confused for the majority of the book, and it wasn't until the very last few chapters that I kind of had a clue as to where the story was going. Although I find the storyline itself unique and fascinating, the delivery just didn't sit well with me.
One positive for the book was that the characters were well established. They were described well and I got a sense of who they were as people. However the writing style made it hard for me to make a personal connection to them.
Throughout the majority of the book I rated Everything Breaks as a 2 star read. What bumped it up to a 3 was the ending. The message for the book appealed to me and that is to embrace life.
Although Everything Breaks wasn't exactly for me, I have been reading reviews from a few people who have loved it so you might too!
July 9, 2013
I really liked Vicki's new book. She has put some of her personal experiences in this one that I can recognize from her talks at school. She intertwines realistic teen fiction with the mythology of ancient Greece. It really works together I think. I read an uncorrected Galley copy so will have to wait till it comes out in October and read it again. Loved her main character Tucker and his step grandfather Bud.
July 30, 2013
A complex study in emotions and letting go, set in the rural Midwest. There are moments of real suspense as we go deeply into the psychology of this young man struggling to make sense of a terrible accident. The mythological characters can be scary and the story is dark, but the lessons are thought provoking and have stuck with me.
May 7, 2018
Ugh. I was so excited to read this, it sounded so promising. As the pages progressed I realized there was really nothing to it. I was undeniably bored and I kept pushing through because I thought it was bound to pick up and a storyline was bound to emerge. *Donald Trump-"WRONG!" *
Man I still feel disappointed about this, what a flop.
Move on friends, it not worth the energy to turn the pages.
Man I still feel disappointed about this, what a flop.
Move on friends, it not worth the energy to turn the pages.
July 2, 2013
A deeply moving tale of life and death, morality and innocence, love and letting go. And there's a three headed dog.
May 18, 2017
This book was alright. I was pretty much confused during the whole book as to what was happening. The author left out lots of details that could have been useful to understanding what was happening. I would not recommend this book to just anybody, you need to have patience because the exciting part doesn't come until the end of the book.
September 28, 2017
The premise of the story had so much promise, but I felt like it wasn't fulfilled. I enjoyed reading this and thought the author had great ideas, but I wanted more. I found the main character to be annoying at times and although I thought the ending was cute and satisfying, I don't see myself recommending it over other books.
June 16, 2018
I read this book shortly after a close friend of mine passed away in a car accident, it was a book I never knew I needed to read with a message I never knew I needed to hear. I absolutely loved this book and now it will forever hold a special place in my heart.
April 14, 2025
I personally loved this book most people are saying it was confusing which I agree with but so is grief and loss which tucker endures a lot of. Whit ch makes this the perfect book to learn and accept grief as it is.
October 21, 2016
I thought this book was hard to understand, i think it was hard to understand because the point of view was from a guy and all the other books I have read were from the point of view of girls. Over all I did not like this book.
June 26, 2017
This was the first book that I read from Vicki Grove, I love it, Great read.
April 12, 2024
I read this in one day. Could not put it down. Heartbreaking story.
December 2, 2017
1.5/5 Stars.
I really didn't enjoy this book. There was nothing wrong with it, I was just bored. There were a couple of factors I enjoyed, hence the 2 stars over 1, but they were limited.
I really didn't enjoy this book. There was nothing wrong with it, I was just bored. There were a couple of factors I enjoyed, hence the 2 stars over 1, but they were limited.
October 15, 2013
View the full review here:
http://www.iswimforoceans.com/2013/09...
Tucker plays by the rules. He doesn't really even toe the line, but that one night, he decided to just let it all go - all the stress, all the pain - all of it. In an instant though, his actions (or inability to act) lead to events that nobody could have seen coming, but nevertheless leave him with an unimaginable sense of guilt. As he begins to spiral into a downward hole of depression and anxiety though, he finds that there is an out. He can with his friends...but he'd have to give up everything he has left. Is it worth it?
I was immediately drawn to Everything Breaks because of what is presented as an extremely emotional storyline. Despite added paranormal elements, we're offered a raw, vivid and unimaginable pain in which characters are given the ability to sink or swim. That's my cup of tea; reality. Author, Vicki Grove, has written a dark, grief-ridden tale that will sweep you up in a maelstrom of drama. With overriding themes of love, grief, loss and overcoming tragedy, Everything Breaks offers readers a profound and meaningful story.
I confess that I'm finding it a bit hard to formulate my thoughts on this novel because it seems to me that we're provided some excellent elements of storytelling, while others are left lacking. In regards to the novel's strengths, I must say that the character development is probably the best attribute of all. Tucker is such a tangible character, which makes his grief and pain all the more accessible through the story. From the start, the author paints a clear picture of not only his appearance, but his temperament, his past and the driving force behind all his actions. Furthermore, the secondary characters are also extremely well done. Trey, though he appears only fleetingly, is a powerhouse that drives the fury and whirlwind of action into which we're placed at the very start. Bud, Tucker's step-grandfather, was definitely the highlight for me though. We sense that he's losing it a little bit, but he's got this personality and light about him that keeps us invested in Tucker's journey with Bud. Unfortunately, however, it seemed to me that there was a disconnect in terms of the pacing, descriptiveness and overall plot otherwise. I found that, although Everything Breaks offers readers a ton of detail, none of it really explained what I needed to know or enlightened me as to what was driving the events of the story. I felt that that really affected what could have otherwise been a pretty steadily-paced novel. The plot, too, was almost a little bit too complex because of the lack of detail in the right places. Too often, I found myself thrown off as to how and why we ended up with Tucker and Bud in certain scenarios. I do think that the overall message and theme of the novel, which is clearly and tastefully revealed at the end, saved the novel a bit, but I closed the book feeling as though the resolution which we were offered just didn't feel right.
Overall, I'm still left a bit in the lurch as to why Everything Breaks didn't quite work for me. The author writes well, and the idea behind the story is solid, but I was definitely left wanting. I give it a 3 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA stories, especially those who enjoy paranormal stories and those involving themes of grief and loss.
I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
http://www.iswimforoceans.com/2013/09...
Tucker plays by the rules. He doesn't really even toe the line, but that one night, he decided to just let it all go - all the stress, all the pain - all of it. In an instant though, his actions (or inability to act) lead to events that nobody could have seen coming, but nevertheless leave him with an unimaginable sense of guilt. As he begins to spiral into a downward hole of depression and anxiety though, he finds that there is an out. He can with his friends...but he'd have to give up everything he has left. Is it worth it?
I was immediately drawn to Everything Breaks because of what is presented as an extremely emotional storyline. Despite added paranormal elements, we're offered a raw, vivid and unimaginable pain in which characters are given the ability to sink or swim. That's my cup of tea; reality. Author, Vicki Grove, has written a dark, grief-ridden tale that will sweep you up in a maelstrom of drama. With overriding themes of love, grief, loss and overcoming tragedy, Everything Breaks offers readers a profound and meaningful story.
I confess that I'm finding it a bit hard to formulate my thoughts on this novel because it seems to me that we're provided some excellent elements of storytelling, while others are left lacking. In regards to the novel's strengths, I must say that the character development is probably the best attribute of all. Tucker is such a tangible character, which makes his grief and pain all the more accessible through the story. From the start, the author paints a clear picture of not only his appearance, but his temperament, his past and the driving force behind all his actions. Furthermore, the secondary characters are also extremely well done. Trey, though he appears only fleetingly, is a powerhouse that drives the fury and whirlwind of action into which we're placed at the very start. Bud, Tucker's step-grandfather, was definitely the highlight for me though. We sense that he's losing it a little bit, but he's got this personality and light about him that keeps us invested in Tucker's journey with Bud. Unfortunately, however, it seemed to me that there was a disconnect in terms of the pacing, descriptiveness and overall plot otherwise. I found that, although Everything Breaks offers readers a ton of detail, none of it really explained what I needed to know or enlightened me as to what was driving the events of the story. I felt that that really affected what could have otherwise been a pretty steadily-paced novel. The plot, too, was almost a little bit too complex because of the lack of detail in the right places. Too often, I found myself thrown off as to how and why we ended up with Tucker and Bud in certain scenarios. I do think that the overall message and theme of the novel, which is clearly and tastefully revealed at the end, saved the novel a bit, but I closed the book feeling as though the resolution which we were offered just didn't feel right.
Overall, I'm still left a bit in the lurch as to why Everything Breaks didn't quite work for me. The author writes well, and the idea behind the story is solid, but I was definitely left wanting. I give it a 3 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA stories, especially those who enjoy paranormal stories and those involving themes of grief and loss.
I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
Read
January 27, 2014Author Vicki Grove impressed me years ago with REACHING DUSTIN so I was thrilled to see this book at the bookstore a few weeks ago. More of a young adult offering, I predict it will be popular with both teen guys and girls. A creative combination of reality and touches of mythology-related fantasy, EVERYTHING BREAKS speaks of friendship and loss in a unique way that tries to make sense of needless tragedy.
Tucker, Trey, Zero, and Steve are inseparable. Tucker and Trey have been friends since age four, while Zero and Steve joined the crew in recent years. They play sports together and party together as one would expect from teenage boys. Tucker has inherited the role of watchdog and caretaker for the group. Not a fan of beer and in possession of a level head, he is normally the designated driver who makes sure the gang gets to and from parties like the beach bonfire set to be their last of junior year.
The guys make a pit stop at a local carryout to make use of an illegal ID so they will have some beer to start off the night. The perfect place for a pre-party happy hour is the old zinc mine on the way to the beach. The huge gravel piles have long been a temptation for Trey. He is itching to test out the red Mustang he rescued from the junkyard and loving restored. He announces tonight is the night he will take the car to the top of Hawk's Slope and as he brags, "fly."
Tucker surprises his friends when he downs not one beer, but three, while they hang out and contemplate Trey's daring stunt. At his command the four boys pile in the car, and Trey heads toward Hawk's Slope. Before he can accelerate to top speed, Tucker yells from the backseat that he needs to puke. He's out the door before the car comes to a complete stop. That's the last thing Tucker remembers until he hears screaming coming from the direction of the beach, and what he discovers changes his life forever.
Filled with guilt that he didn't prevent the accident that took the lives of his best friends, Tucker withdraws. He goes through the motions of school and home, but strange visions begin to torment him. Tragedy has already touched Tucker's life. His mother died of cancer and soon after remarrying, his father left Tucker with his stepmother and her ailing father. It's his stepmother's father, Bud, who seems to understand what Tucker is going through. Dealing with his own disappointments, Bud makes a connection with Tucker that might provide the hope that Tucker needs.
An interesting visitation from the mythological ferryman Charon and the frightening appearance of Cerberus, the three headed hound of Hell, give Tucker a new perspective on the life he has ahead of him despite the horrific accident that took his closest friends. Although moving on is not easy, Tucker is able to imagine a vision for the future.
In EVERYTHING BREAKS author Vicki Grove includes multiple plot lines involving Tucker's past and present, as well as looks inside the lives of his friends and others who care for him. Readers will witness as the characters reveal the tragedies they have suffered and the various ways they have learned to carry on.
Tucker, Trey, Zero, and Steve are inseparable. Tucker and Trey have been friends since age four, while Zero and Steve joined the crew in recent years. They play sports together and party together as one would expect from teenage boys. Tucker has inherited the role of watchdog and caretaker for the group. Not a fan of beer and in possession of a level head, he is normally the designated driver who makes sure the gang gets to and from parties like the beach bonfire set to be their last of junior year.
The guys make a pit stop at a local carryout to make use of an illegal ID so they will have some beer to start off the night. The perfect place for a pre-party happy hour is the old zinc mine on the way to the beach. The huge gravel piles have long been a temptation for Trey. He is itching to test out the red Mustang he rescued from the junkyard and loving restored. He announces tonight is the night he will take the car to the top of Hawk's Slope and as he brags, "fly."
Tucker surprises his friends when he downs not one beer, but three, while they hang out and contemplate Trey's daring stunt. At his command the four boys pile in the car, and Trey heads toward Hawk's Slope. Before he can accelerate to top speed, Tucker yells from the backseat that he needs to puke. He's out the door before the car comes to a complete stop. That's the last thing Tucker remembers until he hears screaming coming from the direction of the beach, and what he discovers changes his life forever.
Filled with guilt that he didn't prevent the accident that took the lives of his best friends, Tucker withdraws. He goes through the motions of school and home, but strange visions begin to torment him. Tragedy has already touched Tucker's life. His mother died of cancer and soon after remarrying, his father left Tucker with his stepmother and her ailing father. It's his stepmother's father, Bud, who seems to understand what Tucker is going through. Dealing with his own disappointments, Bud makes a connection with Tucker that might provide the hope that Tucker needs.
An interesting visitation from the mythological ferryman Charon and the frightening appearance of Cerberus, the three headed hound of Hell, give Tucker a new perspective on the life he has ahead of him despite the horrific accident that took his closest friends. Although moving on is not easy, Tucker is able to imagine a vision for the future.
In EVERYTHING BREAKS author Vicki Grove includes multiple plot lines involving Tucker's past and present, as well as looks inside the lives of his friends and others who care for him. Readers will witness as the characters reveal the tragedies they have suffered and the various ways they have learned to carry on.
Read
May 27, 2016In Everything Breaks, Vicki Grove wanted us to think about death, guilt and the end, whether that be death of yourself or your life after the deaths of your loved ones. All of these themes were brought up when Tucker, a quiet teenager, lost all three of his only friends because he couldn't drive. After their deaths, he blamed himself because he decided to drink, even though he was the designated driver. The author wanted us to experience Tucker's complete loss and state of hopelessness. Grove wanted the readers to feel the blankness and guilt that Tucker felt. Outside of all the darkness, Grove wanted to also emphasize the importance of support. For example, Tucker gets unexpected support from Bud, his grandfather, and Ms. Beetlebaum, his history teacher. Without their support and personal stories, Tucker decided not to end his life and go with Charon to the Underworld to reunite with his friends. Tucker wanted to reunite with his friends mainly because he felt as if he should have been in the car with them and died just like they did. There weren't many mythological elements in the novel. The biggest theme incorporated into the novel was the transition from the chaos to order. Outside of the theme, a few other features and character were relevant in the novel. Directly after the crash and throughout the following weeks, Tucker saw Cerberus. At first Tucker thought he was going crazy, and it was just an ordinary dog instead of a 3 headed dog with swirly eyes and a snake tail. Cerberus is also depicted as a happy, energetic dog, despite his job to keep the living out and the dead inside of the Underworld. The novel also included Charon, but wasn't very accurate according Greek mythology. Instead of being an old man, Charon was a young, rambunctious woman with bright blue hair. The process of going to the Underworld was different as well. Instead of going to the River Styx with Hermes and then going down the river with Charon, Charon goes to you and then you travel to the Underworld however you like, like with your favorite car.
Even though this recommendation does spoil a lot of the plot, I do recommend this novel because the reason to read the book, is for the feelings that you encounter. The angle that the author takes with the Greek mythology references was also very interesting.
Even though this recommendation does spoil a lot of the plot, I do recommend this novel because the reason to read the book, is for the feelings that you encounter. The angle that the author takes with the Greek mythology references was also very interesting.
June 6, 2023
edit 6/6/23: the more i think about this book the more pissed off i get. two it is.
original, written 5/5/23:
what the hell even was the second half of this book lmao. literal joke, i swear to god.
anyways, it was... fine, i guess. just fine.
original, written 5/5/23:
what the hell even was the second half of this book lmao. literal joke, i swear to god.
anyways, it was... fine, i guess. just fine.
November 6, 2013
"Don't pay the ferryman,/
Don't even fix a price./
Don't pay the ferryman/
Till he gets you to the other side.
That song was going through my head as I read this book. So was an alternate title: "A Coin for the Ferryman." But I've got to admit, the title Grove came up with suits her plainspoken young MC better.
I love Vicki Grove! And I loved Tucker, the main character in this touching and imaginative novel. Tucker is 17; it's the fall of his junior year in small-town Oklahoma, and he and his friends are preparing for the final bonfire of the year. Their preparation involves a couple of six-packs, and Tucker, the designated driver, gives in to peer pressure and gets drunk. There's a horrific crash; Tucker's three best friends die, and Tucker himself is literally haunted by guilt. Only three people have an inkling what he's going through - his step-grandfather, Bud, who's a Korean war vet; a strange girl Bud and Tucker pick up on the road; and Tucker's social studies teacher, who gives him an obolus. At the same time, Mrs. Beetlebaum gives him a stern warning. He mustn't give the obolus away - no matter what. For - though Tucker doesn't know it yet - the coin is payment for Charon, and the dark ferryman will be only too happy to take him out of his life-
What Grove does so very well, here as in her other books, is to use Greek mythology to illuminate the struggles of teens in the real world. If - as I did - you accept the magical realism - you'll be impressed by how seamlessly the myth twines itself into Tucker's experience of grief, survivor guilt and depression. Tucker's a very loveable character, as is Janet, his hardworking and loving stepmom, and Bud, her father. Nicely done.
Don't even fix a price./
Don't pay the ferryman/
Till he gets you to the other side.
That song was going through my head as I read this book. So was an alternate title: "A Coin for the Ferryman." But I've got to admit, the title Grove came up with suits her plainspoken young MC better.
I love Vicki Grove! And I loved Tucker, the main character in this touching and imaginative novel. Tucker is 17; it's the fall of his junior year in small-town Oklahoma, and he and his friends are preparing for the final bonfire of the year. Their preparation involves a couple of six-packs, and Tucker, the designated driver, gives in to peer pressure and gets drunk. There's a horrific crash; Tucker's three best friends die, and Tucker himself is literally haunted by guilt. Only three people have an inkling what he's going through - his step-grandfather, Bud, who's a Korean war vet; a strange girl Bud and Tucker pick up on the road; and Tucker's social studies teacher, who gives him an obolus. At the same time, Mrs. Beetlebaum gives him a stern warning. He mustn't give the obolus away - no matter what. For - though Tucker doesn't know it yet - the coin is payment for Charon, and the dark ferryman will be only too happy to take him out of his life-
What Grove does so very well, here as in her other books, is to use Greek mythology to illuminate the struggles of teens in the real world. If - as I did - you accept the magical realism - you'll be impressed by how seamlessly the myth twines itself into Tucker's experience of grief, survivor guilt and depression. Tucker's a very loveable character, as is Janet, his hardworking and loving stepmom, and Bud, her father. Nicely done.
July 19, 2014
First, the cover is false! The dog seen in the book is 3 headed. Do the cover artists read the books??
Second, the idea behind this is very interesting (guy loses three friends in drunk driving accident and then struggles to come to grips with his own survival and whether he played a role in their death/could have prevented it). Ultimately, the book is very life-affirming, and that's a plus.
BUT.... (third) the text is a bit choppy in parts and sometimes it's enough to jerk the reader out of the experience. I appreciate books that don't spell everything out, but sometimes this one errs on the side of too little connective tissue.
All in all, an interesting read, a very classical look at death (including paying the ferryman...), and a book that, while dark and morbid in parts, ends up celebrating a life well lived. Too much a cautionary tale? Perhaps, but I don't think that's what will turn readers away if they don't enjoy the book.
Second, the idea behind this is very interesting (guy loses three friends in drunk driving accident and then struggles to come to grips with his own survival and whether he played a role in their death/could have prevented it). Ultimately, the book is very life-affirming, and that's a plus.
BUT.... (third) the text is a bit choppy in parts and sometimes it's enough to jerk the reader out of the experience. I appreciate books that don't spell everything out, but sometimes this one errs on the side of too little connective tissue.
All in all, an interesting read, a very classical look at death (including paying the ferryman...), and a book that, while dark and morbid in parts, ends up celebrating a life well lived. Too much a cautionary tale? Perhaps, but I don't think that's what will turn readers away if they don't enjoy the book.
October 25, 2014
I just want to say that this book was an interesting experience for me. 'Interesting' is most likely not the most accurate word.
Tucker has just lost his best friends, in an car accident that he was very nearly in. He feels so much guilt over surviving, and for having let his friends ride to their deaths.
The thing is, Tucker must realize that he wants to live, even it it means without his friends. For me, it was just amazing and heartbreaking when he realizes his desire to stay alive. I can relate to Tucker. If it felt like pulling out a sliver from his heart, it feels like that to me too. Coming to the realization that there is something that makes us want to hold on, even though it's so painful, is so...difficult.
This book means a lot to me, however I do suppose it can a bit messy. I mean, there do seem to be a few tangents that do not have much importance. It can be a bit dreary at times, but there are some lines that make it worth it.
(at least to me)
Tucker has just lost his best friends, in an car accident that he was very nearly in. He feels so much guilt over surviving, and for having let his friends ride to their deaths.
The thing is, Tucker must realize that he wants to live, even it it means without his friends. For me, it was just amazing and heartbreaking when he realizes his desire to stay alive. I can relate to Tucker. If it felt like pulling out a sliver from his heart, it feels like that to me too. Coming to the realization that there is something that makes us want to hold on, even though it's so painful, is so...difficult.
This book means a lot to me, however I do suppose it can a bit messy. I mean, there do seem to be a few tangents that do not have much importance. It can be a bit dreary at times, but there are some lines that make it worth it.
(at least to me)
January 5, 2016
Innocent Wonder, that's what his friends call him. But one summer night, Tucker decides to not be so innocent. Although he was supposed to be the designated driver, he drinks too much and gets sick.
Trey took the wheel as Tucker was by the side of the road, feeling not so well. He told his friends he'd see them down the road and it was the last time he saw them alive.
This book had a lot of interesting ideas, but it was often confusing and not until the last few chapters I saw where the story was even going. The main characters were good, relatable. I liked the ending the best, but overall, I didn't really enjoy the book. I'd give it two and a half stars.
Trey took the wheel as Tucker was by the side of the road, feeling not so well. He told his friends he'd see them down the road and it was the last time he saw them alive.
This book had a lot of interesting ideas, but it was often confusing and not until the last few chapters I saw where the story was even going. The main characters were good, relatable. I liked the ending the best, but overall, I didn't really enjoy the book. I'd give it two and a half stars.
May 26, 2014
Tucker is left reeling after a tragic but preventable accident claims the life of his three best friends. The guilt and responsibility he feels weighs on him heavily and he isn't sure get wants to go on living in a world where everything breaks. At this point in the story magical realism takes over to lead Tucker down the path where he will have to choose between life and death and come to peace with the decision.
Homage to Greek mythology, Charon, Cereberus, and the river Acheron. Just average book about a boy dealing with loss and grief.
Homage to Greek mythology, Charon, Cereberus, and the river Acheron. Just average book about a boy dealing with loss and grief.
January 24, 2016
Vicki Grove has got it going! This was a truly amazing read. By no means was it an easy read, but once started I couldn't put it down. Mr. Bollinger, an ELA teacher in my building, loaned it to me. At first, I wanted to smack him for giving it to me! But he assured me it would all come around in the end. Sort of. Tucker is the DD for his buddies but the one time he actually tries a drink will cause a chain of events that will kill his friends and push him to the edge of sanity. A fantastic book!
July 3, 2014
Parts of this book were really good, but parts of it were quite confusing. There were several references to Missouri and the Kansas City area which made it interesting. The premise of the story was great, however I found the author went off on tangents and added content to the book that was unnecessary and confusing. It could have been much better. Not one I would recommend.
July 31, 2014
love the mythology brought into a modern day situation!
October 21, 2016
The point of view was form boy, I'm used to reading a girl. It made it hard to understand what was going on in the book.
July 3, 2014
Easy, precise, and powerful read.
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