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North of Here
The sounds of unexpected tragedies—a roll of thunder, the crash of metal on metal—leave Miranda in shock amid the ruins of her broken family.
As she searches for new meaning in her life, Miranda finds quiet refuge with her family’s handyman, Dix, in his cabin in the dark forests of the Adirondack Mountains. Dix is kind, dependable, and good with an ax—the right man to help the sheltered Miranda heal—but ultimately, her sadness creates a void even Dix can’t fill.
When a man from her distant past turns up, the handsome idealist now known as Darius, he offers Miranda a chance to do meaningful work at The Source, a secluded property filled with his nature worshipers. Miranda feels this charismatic guru is the key to remaking her life, but her grief and desire for love also create an opportunity for his deception. And in her desperate quest to find herself after losing almost everything, Miranda and Dix could pay a higher price than they ever imagined.
As she searches for new meaning in her life, Miranda finds quiet refuge with her family’s handyman, Dix, in his cabin in the dark forests of the Adirondack Mountains. Dix is kind, dependable, and good with an ax—the right man to help the sheltered Miranda heal—but ultimately, her sadness creates a void even Dix can’t fill.
When a man from her distant past turns up, the handsome idealist now known as Darius, he offers Miranda a chance to do meaningful work at The Source, a secluded property filled with his nature worshipers. Miranda feels this charismatic guru is the key to remaking her life, but her grief and desire for love also create an opportunity for his deception. And in her desperate quest to find herself after losing almost everything, Miranda and Dix could pay a higher price than they ever imagined.
270 pages, Hardcover
First published January 12, 2016
649 people are currently reading
2234 people want to read
About the author
Laurel Saville
11 books98 followersLaurel Saville is the award-winning author of the novels "Beneath the Trees," "North of Here," and "Henry and Rachel," the memoir "Unraveling Anne" and several other books, as well as numerous articles, essays, and short stories, which have appeared in The Bark, The Bennington Review, Elle.com, House Beautiful, the LA Times Magazine, NYTimes.com, Room and many other publications. Laurel has an MFA from the Writing Seminars at Bennington College.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 293 reviews
March 9, 2016
This book took me by surprise. At first, I didn't find the story more than an OK reading, had a bit of a problem connection to both the story and Miranda. The story wasn't bad, it just felt like perhaps this would be not my kind of book, but somewhere along the way I got hooked.
I think after the intro with Miranda losing pretty much everything that had some meaning to her is over the book's story really take off. Miranda is a very vulnerable young girl, and she isn't ready to be thrown into a life of responsibility when she is left to standing on her two feet. So, it's pretty understandable that she clings to Dix who she has known for years, and they would probably have been very happy if Darius, a charismatic "guru" shows up and she feels the need to leave her old life behind to life after his "philosophy".
To be honest, I think that it was unavoidable if it hadn't been Darius would it had been someone or something else. I got the impressions that Miranda was so lost that in the end the relationship with Dix probably wasn't enough for her. And, that's the tragic part because he is such a perfect guy and yet still she is drawn to this rich boy turned guru that everyone with the expedition of delusional women see is bad news. But, Miranda has always wanted to help lost youths and here she thinks will she get the chance. It's both frustrating and sad to read it.
The book is tragic, but amidst the darkness, there is always light. What I like about this book is how human the characters are, some are gullible and are taken advantage of, and some like Dix and Sally see through the charade and can do nothing but watch. I think personally the thing that makes this book so poignant is that it mirror the real world so tragically well.
North By Here is a very good book. I felt sadness and concern for Miranda throughout the book and the book's story surprised me with its twists. And, I loved that ending. So perfect!
I think after the intro with Miranda losing pretty much everything that had some meaning to her is over the book's story really take off. Miranda is a very vulnerable young girl, and she isn't ready to be thrown into a life of responsibility when she is left to standing on her two feet. So, it's pretty understandable that she clings to Dix who she has known for years, and they would probably have been very happy if Darius, a charismatic "guru" shows up and she feels the need to leave her old life behind to life after his "philosophy".
To be honest, I think that it was unavoidable if it hadn't been Darius would it had been someone or something else. I got the impressions that Miranda was so lost that in the end the relationship with Dix probably wasn't enough for her. And, that's the tragic part because he is such a perfect guy and yet still she is drawn to this rich boy turned guru that everyone with the expedition of delusional women see is bad news. But, Miranda has always wanted to help lost youths and here she thinks will she get the chance. It's both frustrating and sad to read it.
The book is tragic, but amidst the darkness, there is always light. What I like about this book is how human the characters are, some are gullible and are taken advantage of, and some like Dix and Sally see through the charade and can do nothing but watch. I think personally the thing that makes this book so poignant is that it mirror the real world so tragically well.
North By Here is a very good book. I felt sadness and concern for Miranda throughout the book and the book's story surprised me with its twists. And, I loved that ending. So perfect!
February 4, 2016
2.5 stars
This book isn't poorly written, but I found it bizarre and, as a result, never really connected with it. Is it the story of a young woman's struggle to get past her family dynamics? Is it a healing tale of love between two unlikely people? Is it an exploration of the psychological morass of a narcissist who tries to set up his own compound? Spoilers to follow.
Actually, it's all of these things, and the odd mishmash didn't work for me. I kept reading because I couldn't figure out where it was going, and while the writing in some parts is lovely, there is oh so much rich, white, privileged person existential wangsting that I couldn't even. I wanted to slap both Miranda and Darius upside the head so many times that I lost count.
And what is with Dix? I never got his attraction to Miranda, which made him seem like a hapless sop for a good chunk of the book. Love makes us idiots, I get it, but I sorely wanted him to kick her out of his life. He was too good to be true, which doesn't mean I disliked his character, but I did find his extreme forbearance tough to take at times.
Sally is okay, I guess. Her reasons for staying at The Source made no sense to me, but whatever. I think I would have liked her more in another book--she was a potentially interesting character mired in this book's weirdness without much to do. (Question, though: as a social worker, wouldn't she be a mandatory reporter--like, shouldn't she have been legally obligated to report what was happening at The Source? This confused me.)
So, yeah, I read it. At some point, I might even figure out how I felt about it.
This book isn't poorly written, but I found it bizarre and, as a result, never really connected with it. Is it the story of a young woman's struggle to get past her family dynamics? Is it a healing tale of love between two unlikely people? Is it an exploration of the psychological morass of a narcissist who tries to set up his own compound? Spoilers to follow.
Actually, it's all of these things, and the odd mishmash didn't work for me. I kept reading because I couldn't figure out where it was going, and while the writing in some parts is lovely, there is oh so much rich, white, privileged person existential wangsting that I couldn't even. I wanted to slap both Miranda and Darius upside the head so many times that I lost count.
And what is with Dix? I never got his attraction to Miranda, which made him seem like a hapless sop for a good chunk of the book. Love makes us idiots, I get it, but I sorely wanted him to kick her out of his life. He was too good to be true, which doesn't mean I disliked his character, but I did find his extreme forbearance tough to take at times.
Sally is okay, I guess. Her reasons for staying at The Source made no sense to me, but whatever. I think I would have liked her more in another book--she was a potentially interesting character mired in this book's weirdness without much to do. (Question, though: as a social worker, wouldn't she be a mandatory reporter--like, shouldn't she have been legally obligated to report what was happening at The Source? This confused me.)
So, yeah, I read it. At some point, I might even figure out how I felt about it.
February 5, 2016
This very gently told story set in the Adirondacks turned out to be a real little surprise of a read. Our central character is Miranda, who has always led a life of privilege until a series of little tragedies slowly turn her life upside down. A wonderful little story starts to unfold when she takes refuge and assistance from Dix, the family’s local handyman who gives her a place to stay and begin to heal from the tragedies that have torn her life in two.
I have to say that this read is not at all the predictable romance you might expect from the above and there are some wonderful little surprises in store in a story that is at times quirky with colourful idiosyncratic personalities and at other times quite moving. It did take me a while to “get” the read and there were times when I nearly gave up during the first third of it, but once the plot surprises started to be hinted at, and I had an idea of where it was all heading, I found myself well and truly hooked. I loved the way the story turned out to be nothing at all like I was expecting. At around 240 pages it is a fairly quick read and there were times when I thought it would have benefitted from being a little longer, so we could see the character development in action more as there were a couple of times when, with the passage of time, the characters had morphed into their situations and it would have been nice to have seen that happening more, rather than just having it explained away.
All in all though, it is a book that is well worth a read, especially if you are looking for something just a little bit off the wall.
I have to say that this read is not at all the predictable romance you might expect from the above and there are some wonderful little surprises in store in a story that is at times quirky with colourful idiosyncratic personalities and at other times quite moving. It did take me a while to “get” the read and there were times when I nearly gave up during the first third of it, but once the plot surprises started to be hinted at, and I had an idea of where it was all heading, I found myself well and truly hooked. I loved the way the story turned out to be nothing at all like I was expecting. At around 240 pages it is a fairly quick read and there were times when I thought it would have benefitted from being a little longer, so we could see the character development in action more as there were a couple of times when, with the passage of time, the characters had morphed into their situations and it would have been nice to have seen that happening more, rather than just having it explained away.
All in all though, it is a book that is well worth a read, especially if you are looking for something just a little bit off the wall.
March 8, 2016
A special thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Laurel Saville delivers NORTH OF HERE, a complex saga, absorbing, and unpredictable tale of tragedy, loss, sadness, and a journey of despair to hope, set in the wooded mountains of the Adirondacks.
Miranda, from a wealthy family-- wanted to get away from watching her mother fill her days with small and less meaningful tasks moving to her family’s Colonial in Connecticut where she had grown up to their log cabin in the mountains of the Adirondacks. Once in the mountains she did a variety of jobs from tutoring middle school kids to other odd jobs. She was searching for her path and purpose in life.
Her brother (Scott) died in a car accident, earlier. Father dies a year later. A mother and daughter drowning in grief. Then another tragedy strikes.
She meets Dix, the handyman, a kind man and one she began to admire. Marshall Dixon Macomb a solitary man. A good man.
The gloom of winter outdoors matched the dark mood inside. From the cold to her own worry, sadness, and discomfort. Dix’s arrival and departure were the only break in the spell of her dazed mood. Dix first met Miranda when she was in high school and he was back home after college and a couple of years working for a land stewardship organization in Albany. To Dix, Miranda was a distant thing. She was from a different place.
However, after her brother was killed and her father died, he noticed Miranda was more solemn—she seemed bruised. Then her mother started to decay, and Miranda become more fragile. He just fixed things, and then she needed help with the finances.
Then another tragedy. A death, financial misdeeds. A mess. Life and death. Dix offered her help, a guest cabin. Comfort. She needed to heal.
Next we meet some other characters. Darius (David) and Sally. He offers Miranda a chance to do meaningful work at The Source, a secluded property filled with his nature worshipers. Darius is an idealist, charismatic, and Miranda is drawn to him. Miranda was happy with Dix until she gets wrapped up with Darius. By this time Dix has fallen for Miranda and now she is under the control of Darius.
Darius, a college drop-out, living in a compound with new age religions beliefs. We also meet Sally, a tough social worker, who wants to help Miranda and of course find love herself.
Four flawed distinct characters lives are intertwined: Darius, Dix, Sally, Miranda. With alternating chapters of Darius and Miranda, Darius and Sally. Can life be salvaged? Healing or redemption?
Without giving too much away, it is quite difficult to describe NORTH OF HERE. Rebirth? This is not a feel good book; however, deep, intense--nice writing, character-driven, and thought-provoking. More psychological, literary, and suspense; than thriller or mystery.
I started listening to the audio, which I did not find very engaging; nor the narrator's performance. However, attained a reading copy from the publisher, which seemed to flow easier. A lot of emotional dysfunctional family dynamics, human emotions, broken dreams; characters which readers will not care for, and some they will root for—questioning their actions and motives.
Why I did not personally, find this a particularly enjoyable read; it seemed to take too much energy and work. However, others may enjoy the exploration; slow-paced; personality study--grasping for a sense of purpose. It was definitely a mountain climb. My first book by the author, and look forward to reading more. Would make an ideal choice for book clubs with a wide range of perspectives.
JDCMustReadBooks
Laurel Saville delivers NORTH OF HERE, a complex saga, absorbing, and unpredictable tale of tragedy, loss, sadness, and a journey of despair to hope, set in the wooded mountains of the Adirondacks.
Miranda, from a wealthy family-- wanted to get away from watching her mother fill her days with small and less meaningful tasks moving to her family’s Colonial in Connecticut where she had grown up to their log cabin in the mountains of the Adirondacks. Once in the mountains she did a variety of jobs from tutoring middle school kids to other odd jobs. She was searching for her path and purpose in life.
Her brother (Scott) died in a car accident, earlier. Father dies a year later. A mother and daughter drowning in grief. Then another tragedy strikes.
She meets Dix, the handyman, a kind man and one she began to admire. Marshall Dixon Macomb a solitary man. A good man.
The gloom of winter outdoors matched the dark mood inside. From the cold to her own worry, sadness, and discomfort. Dix’s arrival and departure were the only break in the spell of her dazed mood. Dix first met Miranda when she was in high school and he was back home after college and a couple of years working for a land stewardship organization in Albany. To Dix, Miranda was a distant thing. She was from a different place.
However, after her brother was killed and her father died, he noticed Miranda was more solemn—she seemed bruised. Then her mother started to decay, and Miranda become more fragile. He just fixed things, and then she needed help with the finances.
Then another tragedy. A death, financial misdeeds. A mess. Life and death. Dix offered her help, a guest cabin. Comfort. She needed to heal.
Next we meet some other characters. Darius (David) and Sally. He offers Miranda a chance to do meaningful work at The Source, a secluded property filled with his nature worshipers. Darius is an idealist, charismatic, and Miranda is drawn to him. Miranda was happy with Dix until she gets wrapped up with Darius. By this time Dix has fallen for Miranda and now she is under the control of Darius.
Darius, a college drop-out, living in a compound with new age religions beliefs. We also meet Sally, a tough social worker, who wants to help Miranda and of course find love herself.
Four flawed distinct characters lives are intertwined: Darius, Dix, Sally, Miranda. With alternating chapters of Darius and Miranda, Darius and Sally. Can life be salvaged? Healing or redemption?
Without giving too much away, it is quite difficult to describe NORTH OF HERE. Rebirth? This is not a feel good book; however, deep, intense--nice writing, character-driven, and thought-provoking. More psychological, literary, and suspense; than thriller or mystery.
I started listening to the audio, which I did not find very engaging; nor the narrator's performance. However, attained a reading copy from the publisher, which seemed to flow easier. A lot of emotional dysfunctional family dynamics, human emotions, broken dreams; characters which readers will not care for, and some they will root for—questioning their actions and motives.
Why I did not personally, find this a particularly enjoyable read; it seemed to take too much energy and work. However, others may enjoy the exploration; slow-paced; personality study--grasping for a sense of purpose. It was definitely a mountain climb. My first book by the author, and look forward to reading more. Would make an ideal choice for book clubs with a wide range of perspectives.
JDCMustReadBooks
March 8, 2017
Miranda has suffered a shocking loss of all she’s ever known and she’s desperately trying to find her way back to happiness. When she goes back home and starts spending time with her family’s handyman Dix, she thinks she may have found what she needs. Dix knows exactly who he is and he’s very comfortable in his skin. He is calm and peaceful and she finds comfort in his company.
David is a rich kid who has rebelled against his upbringing. He has created a new persona and taken a new name to go along with it. Now known as Darius, he reads a lot of romance in order to hone his skills as a seducer of people. Darius fancies himself a foster figure and he founds a commune to take in wayward souls. Darius’s commune is called The Source and it’s a bit reminiscent of L. Ron Hubbard’s Scientology.
Time reveals that Miranda’s troubles are more deep-seated than we know. She is completely the opposite of Dix. She picks at everything around her, she’s constantly irritated by her life and she just cannot find inner peace. As her relationship with Dix begins to fall apart, she is drawn to Darius and taken with his outlook on life. She wants to participate in the work he does at The Source and feels that it may give her life new meaning. But Dix is concerned about Miranda spending time with Darius. He begins to wonder what’s really going on out at The Source.
North of Here is an exploration of the human psyche. Whether a person is born rich or poor, they still need to find what might bring true happiness and purpose to their life. Ultimately happiness comes from within. People need to explore their inner psyche in order to understand who they really are and where they fit into the world. While this book makes a good point, I just wasn’t overly enthused. The overall atmosphere was somewhat dreary and I just didn’t find that one thing in this book that will make it memorable for me. The whole commune thing is overdone and I’m so bored with it. I think this one would really depend on each individual reader.
I won a hardcover of this book and another one from Magdalena Johansson’s book blog A Bookaholic Swede. As you know, there are a lot of blogs for book reviews because those of us who are readers love to share our discoveries. In this big world of book reviewers, Magdalena is among the truly superb! Please check out her blog. I promise you’ll love it!
I want to thank the publisher (Lake Union Publishing) for providing me with a copy of this book through A Bookaholic Swede’s blog contest for an honest review.
David is a rich kid who has rebelled against his upbringing. He has created a new persona and taken a new name to go along with it. Now known as Darius, he reads a lot of romance in order to hone his skills as a seducer of people. Darius fancies himself a foster figure and he founds a commune to take in wayward souls. Darius’s commune is called The Source and it’s a bit reminiscent of L. Ron Hubbard’s Scientology.
Time reveals that Miranda’s troubles are more deep-seated than we know. She is completely the opposite of Dix. She picks at everything around her, she’s constantly irritated by her life and she just cannot find inner peace. As her relationship with Dix begins to fall apart, she is drawn to Darius and taken with his outlook on life. She wants to participate in the work he does at The Source and feels that it may give her life new meaning. But Dix is concerned about Miranda spending time with Darius. He begins to wonder what’s really going on out at The Source.
North of Here is an exploration of the human psyche. Whether a person is born rich or poor, they still need to find what might bring true happiness and purpose to their life. Ultimately happiness comes from within. People need to explore their inner psyche in order to understand who they really are and where they fit into the world. While this book makes a good point, I just wasn’t overly enthused. The overall atmosphere was somewhat dreary and I just didn’t find that one thing in this book that will make it memorable for me. The whole commune thing is overdone and I’m so bored with it. I think this one would really depend on each individual reader.
I won a hardcover of this book and another one from Magdalena Johansson’s book blog A Bookaholic Swede. As you know, there are a lot of blogs for book reviews because those of us who are readers love to share our discoveries. In this big world of book reviewers, Magdalena is among the truly superb! Please check out her blog. I promise you’ll love it!
I want to thank the publisher (Lake Union Publishing) for providing me with a copy of this book through A Bookaholic Swede’s blog contest for an honest review.
March 12, 2016
This is actually a 3.5 for me, which admittedly is higher than I originally expected. I got the book free with Kindle First and I honestly chose it for the sole purpose that it mentions a “guru” and “nature worshipers.” What’s not to love about a good cult story?
Well, this goes way deeper than that, and it shocked me how emotionally invested I became in some of these characters. Saville, you got me at parts, you really did.
The Characters
Miranda: The main character, Miranda, is a sad person. She’s seen a lot of tragedy in her life, so it makes sense. But even before half of those tragic events happen to her, it feels like she’s a character who’s underwater. She seems to have little confidence in herself (even before the bad things happen), and she consistently mentions how bad she is at talking to people. I can tell that she has color and thoughts and feelings, but everything seems muted somehow. This eventually changed for me later on in the book, but I would’ve liked to establish a connection with her earlier on.
Scott: So Scott is Miranda’s brother and isn’t even in the novel because he’s already dead at the beginning of it, but I felt the need to express my frustration that NOBODY IS THIS PERFECT. There’s a huge paragraph of a description of him and everything about it feels fake and phony. Maybe that was intentional, due to the major theme of social class running rampant in the novel, but it irked me. It probably irked Miranda too, which is why she was so unsure of herself.
Dix: Dix! My man! Let’s be honest, he’s everyone’s man. He’s sweet and caring and helpful and everything that Miranda needs. I was completely neutral about him until he finally started to get angry and stand up for himself. Once that happened, he became my favorite player in this fight, and . One thing though: why don’t we know what he looks like? I finished this entire book and all I know about him is that he’s tall and lean and rugged. What kind of rugged are we talking? Is this Chris Hemsworth from Thor rugged or Leonardo from The Revenant rugged? Because those are two very different things. And yeah, yeah, yeah, I get that physical appearances don’t matter, yada yada yada, but I like to be able to picture what these characters look like. I did find out that he has green eyes, but it took more than half the book to get that minute detail. Let’s stop talking about Darius/David’s movie-star good looks and focus on the good guy here, eh?
Then there are the times in the beginning of the book where Dix appears to be a robot and/or assassin. For example:
While he might not be an assassin, it’s overwhelmingly apparent that he might be a robot (or the tin man from The Wizard of Oz):
I kid, I kid, Dix is a wonderful, intelligent, loving man and not a robot. Or an assassin, for that matter.
Darius/David: He’s an asshole, and that’s the brunt of it. Yeah, he’s a bit sad because all he wants is to be something he’s not, but I have absolutely no sympathy for him and thought he was a whack job right from the beginning of our introduction to him, when this happened:
And everything that happens after this point just further convinced me that he’s a terrible human being.
Sally: What an unexpected gem of a character! I disliked her at first, probably because of her association with Darius. And then she starts to hate him too, which put me on her side. You also quickly figure out that she’s ten times better than Miranda. She’s a real person who does real things to help people better their lives, and she doesn’t live with an idealistic notion of the world. I can forgive Miranda her hopeful naivety because she’s been through a lot and it’s good that she still thinks good things can happen, but the truth is that Sally just gets it, and Miranda doesn’t.
The Writing
I have few complaints with the writing, except for the vague physical descriptions of Dix and, what was it…oh yes, the metaphors. And the similes. The weird, I-don’t-know-what-this-means METAPHORS and SIMILES. See examples below.
I don’t know either, Justin.
Beyond the metaphors, the actual structure of the novel is a bit confusing. I like the chapter titles and how it’s split up into sections, like “Miranda and Dix” and “Darius and Sally.” That’s great. But there are so many time-hops in the beginning that I got confused at points what was happening. It goes from cute Miranda and Dix, to Miranda remembering her brother, to her remembering David (obviously that’s going to come up later, because it’s such a random memory and is clearly meant solely as a plot device), to her thinking about her parents, and so on and so forth.
Then there’s this New Moon moment, which I actually didn’t dislike:
I’m also confused as to why Miranda appears to be English when she’s born and raised in Connecticut (as are her parents, I think):
Sorry, just couldn’t resist that gif.
The Plot
All in all, this novel went a lot deeper than I thought it would. There’s some major social commentary present in these pages, with all the talk of class and privilege and preconceived notions about certain groups of people. It’s a novel that makes you think, which I appreciate, but I do wish that Miranda had been at least a little more likeable and a little less of a bitch to Dix.
Final Rating: 3.5 stars
Well, this goes way deeper than that, and it shocked me how emotionally invested I became in some of these characters. Saville, you got me at parts, you really did.
The Characters
Miranda: The main character, Miranda, is a sad person. She’s seen a lot of tragedy in her life, so it makes sense. But even before half of those tragic events happen to her, it feels like she’s a character who’s underwater. She seems to have little confidence in herself (even before the bad things happen), and she consistently mentions how bad she is at talking to people. I can tell that she has color and thoughts and feelings, but everything seems muted somehow. This eventually changed for me later on in the book, but I would’ve liked to establish a connection with her earlier on.
Scott: So Scott is Miranda’s brother and isn’t even in the novel because he’s already dead at the beginning of it, but I felt the need to express my frustration that NOBODY IS THIS PERFECT. There’s a huge paragraph of a description of him and everything about it feels fake and phony. Maybe that was intentional, due to the major theme of social class running rampant in the novel, but it irked me. It probably irked Miranda too, which is why she was so unsure of herself.
Dix: Dix! My man! Let’s be honest, he’s everyone’s man. He’s sweet and caring and helpful and everything that Miranda needs. I was completely neutral about him until he finally started to get angry and stand up for himself. Once that happened, he became my favorite player in this fight, and . One thing though: why don’t we know what he looks like? I finished this entire book and all I know about him is that he’s tall and lean and rugged. What kind of rugged are we talking? Is this Chris Hemsworth from Thor rugged or Leonardo from The Revenant rugged? Because those are two very different things. And yeah, yeah, yeah, I get that physical appearances don’t matter, yada yada yada, but I like to be able to picture what these characters look like. I did find out that he has green eyes, but it took more than half the book to get that minute detail. Let’s stop talking about Darius/David’s movie-star good looks and focus on the good guy here, eh?
Then there are the times in the beginning of the book where Dix appears to be a robot and/or assassin. For example:
“Warren knew that he was one of a very few people – or perhaps the only person – who knew just how many subtle, sophisticated, and largely hidden skills and assets Dix possessed.”DOES THIS NOT SOUND LIKE AN ASSASSIN?? My first thought was, “This guy totally knows how to hide a body.” And then I thought that the lawyer was probably helping him. It was a whole conspiracy theory in my head and it didn’t pan out in the novel, which is probably for the best.
While he might not be an assassin, it’s overwhelmingly apparent that he might be a robot (or the tin man from The Wizard of Oz):
“Slowly, called upon in this way, his heart, which had been for him a mere functional thing, began to make its other uses known.”
I kid, I kid, Dix is a wonderful, intelligent, loving man and not a robot. Or an assassin, for that matter.
Darius/David: He’s an asshole, and that’s the brunt of it. Yeah, he’s a bit sad because all he wants is to be something he’s not, but I have absolutely no sympathy for him and thought he was a whack job right from the beginning of our introduction to him, when this happened:
“The new name was part of his effort to describe, and maybe even begin to release, a man he was sure was lurking somewhere deep within himself, someone more grand than he yet was, someone destined for greatness, who needed only naming to become flesh and blood.”Crazy. Train.
And everything that happens after this point just further convinced me that he’s a terrible human being.
Sally: What an unexpected gem of a character! I disliked her at first, probably because of her association with Darius. And then she starts to hate him too, which put me on her side. You also quickly figure out that she’s ten times better than Miranda. She’s a real person who does real things to help people better their lives, and she doesn’t live with an idealistic notion of the world. I can forgive Miranda her hopeful naivety because she’s been through a lot and it’s good that she still thinks good things can happen, but the truth is that Sally just gets it, and Miranda doesn’t.
The Writing
I have few complaints with the writing, except for the vague physical descriptions of Dix and, what was it…oh yes, the metaphors. And the similes. The weird, I-don’t-know-what-this-means METAPHORS and SIMILES. See examples below.
“The feeling – a rough, comforting towel against shower-softened skin – lingered long after he was gone."
“His limb felt to her like a young tree with the bark stripped off.”
I don’t know either, Justin.
Beyond the metaphors, the actual structure of the novel is a bit confusing. I like the chapter titles and how it’s split up into sections, like “Miranda and Dix” and “Darius and Sally.” That’s great. But there are so many time-hops in the beginning that I got confused at points what was happening. It goes from cute Miranda and Dix, to Miranda remembering her brother, to her remembering David (obviously that’s going to come up later, because it’s such a random memory and is clearly meant solely as a plot device), to her thinking about her parents, and so on and so forth.
Then there’s this New Moon moment, which I actually didn’t dislike:
“The lonely month of March passed. Then April, with its teasingly warm days and cautiously cool nights. May arrived and, with it, the sound of truck tires on the gravel again.”Take notes, Stephanie Meyer.
I’m also confused as to why Miranda appears to be English when she’s born and raised in Connecticut (as are her parents, I think):
“'Mum? Mummy, do you understand what I’m talking about?’”
Sorry, just couldn’t resist that gif.
The Plot
All in all, this novel went a lot deeper than I thought it would. There’s some major social commentary present in these pages, with all the talk of class and privilege and preconceived notions about certain groups of people. It’s a novel that makes you think, which I appreciate, but I do wish that Miranda had been at least a little more likeable and a little less of a bitch to Dix.
Final Rating: 3.5 stars
October 16, 2018
After suffering through multiple family tragedies, a young woman of previous privilege tries to get beyond what has defined her for years. Miranda has literally lost her family. Brother to a drinking and driving accident, her father to a freak accident involving a tree and lightning, and her mother to complications from a stroke. She just wants to move on, make a life, whatever that will be.
Her family's handyman/caretaker,Dix, becomes her stabilizing force. But even as she tries to relax into this relationship she is still uneasy and searching. When a charismatic young man shows up and founds a nature worshipping cult, Miranda finds herself drawn into the his vortex. Dix watches with increasing concern and then alarm as Miranda is sucked in deeper and deeper.
I was not expecting to like this as well as I did. But I found the author created wonderful character studies and shined a light into the workings of a cult. Well done.
Her family's handyman/caretaker,Dix, becomes her stabilizing force. But even as she tries to relax into this relationship she is still uneasy and searching. When a charismatic young man shows up and founds a nature worshipping cult, Miranda finds herself drawn into the his vortex. Dix watches with increasing concern and then alarm as Miranda is sucked in deeper and deeper.
I was not expecting to like this as well as I did. But I found the author created wonderful character studies and shined a light into the workings of a cult. Well done.
February 18, 2016
Compelled to write a review
I normally am not one to write a review and just stick to a star rating. I gave this book five stars because of the accuracy of the human emotions and the surprise turn of events. It was a book that made me think and reflect about so many different things. The "charismatic" leader who is able to convince others of his spiritual calling and the advantages he then takes of said people. The followers, just searching for themselves and being taken advantage of as a result. The helplessness as a bystander who sees the harm in what is occurring but can't change the outcomes or prevent disaster. The maddening feeling of not being able to help. All of these emotions/acts were executed so wonderfully in this book. I highly recommend this book if this is a subject of interest for you.
I normally am not one to write a review and just stick to a star rating. I gave this book five stars because of the accuracy of the human emotions and the surprise turn of events. It was a book that made me think and reflect about so many different things. The "charismatic" leader who is able to convince others of his spiritual calling and the advantages he then takes of said people. The followers, just searching for themselves and being taken advantage of as a result. The helplessness as a bystander who sees the harm in what is occurring but can't change the outcomes or prevent disaster. The maddening feeling of not being able to help. All of these emotions/acts were executed so wonderfully in this book. I highly recommend this book if this is a subject of interest for you.
July 27, 2019
Laurel Saville is a new author to me and I'm very pleased to have come across her through Kindle First. She is an excellent and natural story teller who writes beautifully, creating interesting characters. Not coming from the USA I was not familiar with the area the novel is set in but I found it fascinating. I would recommend this book - this is a well crafted, thoughtful and thought provoking novel.
February 16, 2016
This book is written in 4 sections. I really liked the first section and the characters Dix and Miranda. But in section 2 things went downhill for me pretty quickly. Everything became too melodramatic and the character Darius gave me the creeps. I couldn't understand Miranda's attraction to him. I know she had a wounded spirit, but something was missing for me. Just ok.
March 7, 2016
3.5 stars
North of Here is a story of contrasts and characters. Of two men. Of two women. Of those born into wealth but walking around poor in spirit. Of those personalities who are self-sufficient and of the ones who always seem to need a rescue.
As I read Laurel Saville’s latest novel, I was struck especially by the differences in the four main characters, seen acutely in the narrative written from these four perspectives in turn. Perhaps most haunting to me was Miranda – the daughter of wealthy parents who loses everything familiar in a matter of months. Yet, for all the wealth she thought she had, she lacks purpose, confidence, and the ability to receive love when it finally comes her way. As a result, she wanders restlessly through her own life in search of what’s missing. The intertwining of Miranda’s narrative with Dix’s was the most heartbreaking. Dix is the hero character, the one who rescues. The one who loves. The healthiest one of the four, by far, and my favorite of the group. Another character called him, “a very good man who had no idea how good he was.” Conversely, Dix is also probably the character who suffers the most pain.
North of Here is also a story that goes deeper than what appears at surface level. An uninhabitable log house, held onto for someone who didn’t really want it, left to go back to nature because “some things just can’t be fixed.” I saw so many parallels between this house and one of the main characters. Another house in the novel also seemed analogous of a main character, this one built around a menagerie of “guru-isms” and false hope. A toxic trailer. A bag of shorn hair. A ring. All of these devices – while useful to the story as objects in and of themselves – could easily be interpreted to carry a metaphoric meaning as well.
Bottom Line: North of Here is not an easy read; rather, its complex characters and poignant plot devices will unsettle you. In places, the writing style was more blunt than I prefer. Still, Laurel Saville has penned a hauntingly unusual story that is not quite romantic fiction and not quite psychological thriller. It is a tale of survival and tragedy. It is a portrait of how grief shapes us, of how wealth shapes us… ultimately of how people shape us. But perhaps most poetically, it is a reminder that “some things just need to be let go” while others need to be held tight and cherished.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
North of Here is a story of contrasts and characters. Of two men. Of two women. Of those born into wealth but walking around poor in spirit. Of those personalities who are self-sufficient and of the ones who always seem to need a rescue.
As I read Laurel Saville’s latest novel, I was struck especially by the differences in the four main characters, seen acutely in the narrative written from these four perspectives in turn. Perhaps most haunting to me was Miranda – the daughter of wealthy parents who loses everything familiar in a matter of months. Yet, for all the wealth she thought she had, she lacks purpose, confidence, and the ability to receive love when it finally comes her way. As a result, she wanders restlessly through her own life in search of what’s missing. The intertwining of Miranda’s narrative with Dix’s was the most heartbreaking. Dix is the hero character, the one who rescues. The one who loves. The healthiest one of the four, by far, and my favorite of the group. Another character called him, “a very good man who had no idea how good he was.” Conversely, Dix is also probably the character who suffers the most pain.
North of Here is also a story that goes deeper than what appears at surface level. An uninhabitable log house, held onto for someone who didn’t really want it, left to go back to nature because “some things just can’t be fixed.” I saw so many parallels between this house and one of the main characters. Another house in the novel also seemed analogous of a main character, this one built around a menagerie of “guru-isms” and false hope. A toxic trailer. A bag of shorn hair. A ring. All of these devices – while useful to the story as objects in and of themselves – could easily be interpreted to carry a metaphoric meaning as well.
Bottom Line: North of Here is not an easy read; rather, its complex characters and poignant plot devices will unsettle you. In places, the writing style was more blunt than I prefer. Still, Laurel Saville has penned a hauntingly unusual story that is not quite romantic fiction and not quite psychological thriller. It is a tale of survival and tragedy. It is a portrait of how grief shapes us, of how wealth shapes us… ultimately of how people shape us. But perhaps most poetically, it is a reminder that “some things just need to be let go” while others need to be held tight and cherished.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
March 8, 2016
2.5 stars
North of Here is a story told in 4 parts. I thought the book was well written but it was completely not something that I expected. It definitely started off strong and I did read through to the end. I have to admit though, this isn't really a book for everyone. I think it's one of those you have to be in the mood for and be prepared to dislike at times. I thought the characters were well fleshed out. My favorite being Dix. He is the one I had the most sympathy for throughout the book.
But in the end, I can't really say that I "enjoyed" the story. The book was really depressing and serious. I kept waiting for a sense of things getting lighter and happier, but they really never did for me. Even the ending left me kind of down. Personally, I like my books with HEA and while there is kind of one here, it wasn't the one I wanted. But, then, I guess life is like that, right?
But I do encourage you to give it a try. I will definitely give this author another shot in the future. I did like her writing style, even if I didn't like this story.
North of Here is a story told in 4 parts. I thought the book was well written but it was completely not something that I expected. It definitely started off strong and I did read through to the end. I have to admit though, this isn't really a book for everyone. I think it's one of those you have to be in the mood for and be prepared to dislike at times. I thought the characters were well fleshed out. My favorite being Dix. He is the one I had the most sympathy for throughout the book.
But in the end, I can't really say that I "enjoyed" the story. The book was really depressing and serious. I kept waiting for a sense of things getting lighter and happier, but they really never did for me. Even the ending left me kind of down. Personally, I like my books with HEA and while there is kind of one here, it wasn't the one I wanted. But, then, I guess life is like that, right?
But I do encourage you to give it a try. I will definitely give this author another shot in the future. I did like her writing style, even if I didn't like this story.
March 4, 2016
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I found this book to be a very emotional read, like a roller-coaster ride with all of the ups and downs in the story. I had no choice but to read it through because I needed to know how it would end!
March 24, 2016
Everyone is affected by their relationships to others – family first. At the opening, Miranda’s brother had died and her mother had turned to alcohol. Then her father dies in an uncanny accident. We’re introduced early-on to the family’s handy man, Dix. He tended to watch out for them, more so after her father’s death. Miranda is intrigued by him. When more misfortune prevails upon Miranda’s life, Dix invites her to stay with him in his cabin. He’s attracted to Miranda and he’s a compassionate and caring individual. She seems to be content with Dix, but alas, the grass always seems greener on the other side. Darius, known as David to Miranda many years ago, reappears. He talks her into working at The Source, a kind of a commune existing in his old fixer upper house.
The beginning held my attention and I desperately wanted to know how Miranda would handle her ever changing situation. However, it seemed to be rather winding instead of focusing on a destination. The setting was the Adirondack Mountains and a very simplistic lifestyle. The author gave Dix and Miranda very distinguishing personalities and I felt empathy for both of them. Real life has ups and downs and so I’d expect fiction to mirror that. In this story, the ‘downs’ were more apparent. It’s sad – Miranda is a depressed individual – it’s a book of the choices we make and often choosing the wrong path. Since there are people who are sensitive to novels with bad language, I just wanted to add that the f-word was included. Rating: 3 out of 5.
The beginning held my attention and I desperately wanted to know how Miranda would handle her ever changing situation. However, it seemed to be rather winding instead of focusing on a destination. The setting was the Adirondack Mountains and a very simplistic lifestyle. The author gave Dix and Miranda very distinguishing personalities and I felt empathy for both of them. Real life has ups and downs and so I’d expect fiction to mirror that. In this story, the ‘downs’ were more apparent. It’s sad – Miranda is a depressed individual – it’s a book of the choices we make and often choosing the wrong path. Since there are people who are sensitive to novels with bad language, I just wanted to add that the f-word was included. Rating: 3 out of 5.
March 24, 2016
"North of Here" is the story of Miranda, who finds herself all alone after losing her parents. She is spinning and trying to find something to hang on to. She becomes wrapped up in a cult of sorts that will shake her down totally. It's a fascinating read about the downfall of one family and the aftermath when only ashes are left.
The story itself was fascinating. I am always interested to see how people fall into things that seem to me to be something that you'd want to stay far, far away from. In the beginning of the book, we see how Miranda is totally lost. To some degree, she seems really to only have her parents close to her. Eventually there is Dix, but he already seems to be filling the hole that her parents left behind. I wanted to get to know Miranda a little bit better but she seems quite distant throughout the book. I wanted to understand her motivation a little bit better throughout the book.
The writing of the book was good. It flowed nicely and had a very nice pace. There were places where I would have liked more detail. I really wanted to understand more about Darius, the leader of the cult, and what made him tick and what his beliefs were and how they were founded. The characters in general felt a little out of arm's reach throughout the book. Overall, I wanted to get to know the character's better but the interesting story kept me reading.
The story itself was fascinating. I am always interested to see how people fall into things that seem to me to be something that you'd want to stay far, far away from. In the beginning of the book, we see how Miranda is totally lost. To some degree, she seems really to only have her parents close to her. Eventually there is Dix, but he already seems to be filling the hole that her parents left behind. I wanted to get to know Miranda a little bit better but she seems quite distant throughout the book. I wanted to understand her motivation a little bit better throughout the book.
The writing of the book was good. It flowed nicely and had a very nice pace. There were places where I would have liked more detail. I really wanted to understand more about Darius, the leader of the cult, and what made him tick and what his beliefs were and how they were founded. The characters in general felt a little out of arm's reach throughout the book. Overall, I wanted to get to know the character's better but the interesting story kept me reading.
February 26, 2016
Striking and beautifully sad.
What a lovely bit of writing. Laurel Saville has a real way with words, elegantly crafting descriptions of people and places in such a way that you instantly know them. In particular, the setting of this novel really resonated with me, because although it's set in the Adirondacks, it actually reminded me of the stark and slightly desolate beauty of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and Dix's character reminded me of some of the people I met while I lived there. And the tone and mood of the story reminded me of the bleak but beautiful feeling I often experienced while living there.
I think the most striking thing about this book was in the character of Miranda. Pretty, earnest, pampered, weak: all she wanted was something to believe in and a sense of purpose. I wanted to shake her, but only a little, because Miranda is all of us, honestly. We have all that lost girl who's an adult in age only, blindly seeking and hoping because no one ever taught us how to live.
What a lovely bit of writing. Laurel Saville has a real way with words, elegantly crafting descriptions of people and places in such a way that you instantly know them. In particular, the setting of this novel really resonated with me, because although it's set in the Adirondacks, it actually reminded me of the stark and slightly desolate beauty of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and Dix's character reminded me of some of the people I met while I lived there. And the tone and mood of the story reminded me of the bleak but beautiful feeling I often experienced while living there.
I think the most striking thing about this book was in the character of Miranda. Pretty, earnest, pampered, weak: all she wanted was something to believe in and a sense of purpose. I wanted to shake her, but only a little, because Miranda is all of us, honestly. We have all that lost girl who's an adult in age only, blindly seeking and hoping because no one ever taught us how to live.
October 4, 2016
It took me a little bit to get into the book, but then I was hooked. Miranda had to deal with the death of one family member after another, and had no idea how to deal with her father's financial mistakes. She grew up never having to worry about balancing a checkbook or worrying about paying her credit card bill. That all changed, luckily Dix was there to help her. Dix was a man of few words, but gave Miranda everything she needed. Then Darius appears, a spoiled rich boy who decides to create his own spiritual compound at a rundown farmhouse. The only thing missing was the Kool-Aid. Naturally, Miranda gets sucked into Darius' crazy ideas. Sally was one of the best supporting characters. I loved the ending.
February 11, 2016
I really liked the first 3/4 of this story. Some lovely prose and well crafted characters whose behaviors rang true. Several passages that showed great insight into human nature. Then things got weird and the author skipped over some weeks here and some months there, and I found myself disconnecting. Characters did things that didn't make sense based on who I thought they were, and it felt like I had skipped a chapter or two. I could have used some more scenes to support the changes, especially in the female MC, Miranda. I did not love the last 1/4 of the book but overall a good read.
January 18, 2016
I received this book from a giveaway and I thank the author for allowing me to read it before it comes out in March.
The first 3/4 of the book had me hooked, where it was hard to put down but the last part of the book disappointed me. I was disappointed that Miranda died and I thought it was cliche that Dix and Sally ended up together at the end. Don't get me wrong, I understand they had a common bond and helped each other out but it just didn't feel right to me.
The first 3/4 of the book had me hooked, where it was hard to put down but the last part of the book disappointed me. I was disappointed that Miranda died and I thought it was cliche that Dix and Sally ended up together at the end. Don't get me wrong, I understand they had a common bond and helped each other out but it just didn't feel right to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2016
3.5 stars. I never read the synopsis for this novel; it was offered on Kindle for free so I jumped in blind. Wow, the story took a turn I wasn't expecting but found immensely intriguing as it unfolded. There are plenty of concise observations made about human nature and interpersonal relationships that don't come off as cheesy, just honest. The story has a deep sadness to it, so heads-up.
Read
February 20, 2016Wow. I never expected to be drawn in to the lives of these characters so quickly. From page one, I was caught in the tangled web of the lives of four main characters--Miranda, Dix, Sally, and Darius. Saville has an ability to create characters whose development is organic and whose lives we care about.
June 8, 2016
I read approximately half of this book.
I rather enjoyed the beginning, getting to know Miranda and Dix. The family was a bit odd. The narrator a bit aloof from the action.
But when we started learning about Darius, I just got bored bored bored, and nothing in the reviews leads me to believe that I would enjoy finishing this book, so FAREWELL BOOK!
I rather enjoyed the beginning, getting to know Miranda and Dix. The family was a bit odd. The narrator a bit aloof from the action.
But when we started learning about Darius, I just got bored bored bored, and nothing in the reviews leads me to believe that I would enjoy finishing this book, so FAREWELL BOOK!
December 31, 2016
I received this book as an Amazon freebie and -- I'll admit it -- I downloaded it because the blurb accidentally made me snort. At the time, it said something like, "...her sadness creates a void even Dix can’t fill."
Sorry. My experience reading it was about that level. I guess I got what I deserved. :D
Sorry. My experience reading it was about that level. I guess I got what I deserved. :D
February 7, 2016
This book definitely didn't take me where I thought it was going to. There are moments in the book that the author brings to life certain characters or events and others that seem to be left unsaid.
February 28, 2016
North of here
I did not care for this story,BUT I could not stop reading it. I thought it moved too slowly but kept reading. It grabbed my interest because of the character conflicts within themselves.
I did not care for this story,BUT I could not stop reading it. I thought it moved too slowly but kept reading. It grabbed my interest because of the character conflicts within themselves.
March 5, 2016
Heart Breaking
Could not put this book down from mid-book to the end. But, it was a bit slow initially getting through all the details of Miranda's life. After surviving growing up, never feeling worthy, happiness was beyond her reach.
Could not put this book down from mid-book to the end. But, it was a bit slow initially getting through all the details of Miranda's life. After surviving growing up, never feeling worthy, happiness was beyond her reach.
June 7, 2016
It started off well and then it just went all sideways... and not in the good way. I don't always need a happily ever after, but this was more squinty eyes and forehead wrinkled in "what the heck was that?"
February 28, 2016
A sad, tragic, yet absolutely beautiful story.
July 15, 2016
The book kept me interested but I did not like the ending.
March 16, 2016
North of Here is a book I will not forget for a long time and perhaps will read again from time to time. I have not read anything quite like it for a good long time, and this book made me feel everything that I usually do not feel too often. This book is a poignant, at times tragic, bittersweet, and overall a heartbreaking tale. That being said, I am so glad I was able to read it and now I will try to write a review that is worthy of this book! This is my first book by Laurel Saville, and it won't be my last.
The 4 main characters in this book are Dix, Miranda, Darius and Sally. There are other characters, but these are the ones the book is written about. How they interact and get to know each other, is quite a story and ultimately it is one of these 4 that will change everyone else's life in a negative way.
Dix is a man that people in his community do not really know, and he works as a handyman for anyone who needs work done, whether they are summer visitors, and they need their homes worked on or people that live around him. The one thing you will realize is that even though he does the kind of work he does, that is by no means the only kind of work he can do. He want to college, got a degree, and he is a loner. His mother and father are his only family and once they pass away it is just him. Dix is a wealthy man, a nurturer, and probably the one man that no one really knows except for his friend a lawyer in town. Dix loves to build and repair things whether it is old buildings, a garden, a driveway leading up to a mansion or anything someone wants done-Dix can do it. He lives alone. He has so much property in and around where he grew up, and no one even knows he owns anything at all! Dix is a man that lives simply, but by no means is simple.
Miranda is a young woman that has had a rough life up to this point. She had a brother she adored and loved her mother and father, she is a good girl, and did whatever was asked of her. Miranda has always lived in the shadow of her older brother, never noticed much by her parents as they were too busy adoring their first born son, her father thrived on making money and living the life of a wealthy person with his wife on his arm, and his beautiful home, as well as his summer home he has had built. After a tragedy hits the family it is not long before the whole family falls apart, leaving Miranda a lonely confused and meek person unwilling to try to do something for herself.
Miranda's mom and Miranda wind up going to the summer home to live once her brother dies in a senseless drunk driving incident, and her father soon follows. By this time Miranda's mother has turned into a drunk, and her father who has no sense of what could happen goes out in a storm and is killed by a huge branch of a tree on his own property. Dix is called to see what happened as once her father did not come in, she called Dix to see if they could get help trying to find him. Dix found him and called the police and paramedics but it was too late. Miranda's mother falls apart, and winds up going for a drive one day and crashing her car. Unknow to Miranda, her mother has been suffering small strokes after her father passed. She is placed in assisted living, which leaves Mirranda to sort everything out, which is quite a mess. Dix knows Miranda can't do it on her own and asks his only friend Warren to help her go through her father's estate. If it was not for is help she would not have been able to salvage anything Also unknown to Miranda, Dix buys their property as the house would not pass any kind of tests needed to qualify for selling it was all built illegally with palms greased to get it built. Miranda really has nowhere to go and is uncertain about her future, so Dix offers her a small cabin on his property for her to use.
Darius, unknown to Miranda is a young man, her brother's age, that comes to visit her brother. Miranda met him when she was very young and he had come with all her brother's other friends to their home to hang out for the holidays, he only went one time, but when he sees Miranda several years later he remembers her. Darius is a mess, and does not want to live with his parents telling him what he can or can not do so drops out of college and when they find out, they cut off his financial allowance. After trying and not being able to do it he calls and begs for forgiveness, so they give him one last chance. He still drops out from school and puts the money away-or tries to. He receives a call one day from his grandfather's lawyer, as he was left a small amount of money. He goes to California, and when that does not work out he is on his way back home to ask for forgiveness when he see a sign rooms for rent and winds up staying there. He goes through an inner change and he starts doing handyman jobs for cash and reads through hundreds of books on anything and everything. He finally decides to buy a place to live and cuts up the credit cards his parents had given him and stays where he is and buys a really worthless older home no one would buy with plans to live off the land and rely on himself. This is where he meets Sally the owner of this land.
Sally is a few years older and she works as a social worker for juvenile delinquent and she is a nice person, she is single, lives alone, and pretty much stays to herself. When Darius tries to get bank financing to buy her house, they refuse and all he has is the $10,000 his grandfather left to him. Surprisingly Sally decides to trust him and sells him the property for the money, and a legal bill of sale document with all the stipulations if he does not pay. Once that is done they celebrate and Sally and Darius have sex for a while until a while later down the road he tells her no more relations. She is actually living in one of the bedrooms After the lease was up on her apartment rather than sign another lease she just decided to stay with Darius. Unknown to her Darius has been leaving flyers all over the town talking about living a holistic type of life. One night she comes home and she sees different women of all ages starting to appear, stay for a while and leave.
By this time Miranda and Dix have started living together and Miranda wants a child so bad, but can't conceive. This causes her to become very depressed with everything and she stumbles across Darius one day at a fair in town, and he remembers her but she does not remember him. She starts going out to his place once in awhile.
This story is about how all of these people connect with each other, and why. The plot twists and turns in ways I could not even imagine, and there is so much personal angst these people are all feeling towards themselves and other feelings develop towards each other as they interrelate. I found myself frustrated with Miranda's character so many times and then realized she just could not help who she was, and how she felt. She was attracted to Darius-not sexually but mentally because of how he viewed the world, and Darius was a in my opinion, creep, inside and out, capitalizing on all these poor people that are lost and to capitalize on someone else's sorrow was not ok to me.
The way this book ends is so shocking to me and it really made me feel so depressed while I was reading about it, but then I also realized that there was not other way for the book to end, and at least one of them winds up with a happy ending in a round about way.
I gave this book 5*****stars as it was a good story and so well written! Most of all because the book mad me feel so many different things and to me that was totally worth reading it for that reason!
The 4 main characters in this book are Dix, Miranda, Darius and Sally. There are other characters, but these are the ones the book is written about. How they interact and get to know each other, is quite a story and ultimately it is one of these 4 that will change everyone else's life in a negative way.
Dix is a man that people in his community do not really know, and he works as a handyman for anyone who needs work done, whether they are summer visitors, and they need their homes worked on or people that live around him. The one thing you will realize is that even though he does the kind of work he does, that is by no means the only kind of work he can do. He want to college, got a degree, and he is a loner. His mother and father are his only family and once they pass away it is just him. Dix is a wealthy man, a nurturer, and probably the one man that no one really knows except for his friend a lawyer in town. Dix loves to build and repair things whether it is old buildings, a garden, a driveway leading up to a mansion or anything someone wants done-Dix can do it. He lives alone. He has so much property in and around where he grew up, and no one even knows he owns anything at all! Dix is a man that lives simply, but by no means is simple.
Miranda is a young woman that has had a rough life up to this point. She had a brother she adored and loved her mother and father, she is a good girl, and did whatever was asked of her. Miranda has always lived in the shadow of her older brother, never noticed much by her parents as they were too busy adoring their first born son, her father thrived on making money and living the life of a wealthy person with his wife on his arm, and his beautiful home, as well as his summer home he has had built. After a tragedy hits the family it is not long before the whole family falls apart, leaving Miranda a lonely confused and meek person unwilling to try to do something for herself.
Miranda's mom and Miranda wind up going to the summer home to live once her brother dies in a senseless drunk driving incident, and her father soon follows. By this time Miranda's mother has turned into a drunk, and her father who has no sense of what could happen goes out in a storm and is killed by a huge branch of a tree on his own property. Dix is called to see what happened as once her father did not come in, she called Dix to see if they could get help trying to find him. Dix found him and called the police and paramedics but it was too late. Miranda's mother falls apart, and winds up going for a drive one day and crashing her car. Unknow to Miranda, her mother has been suffering small strokes after her father passed. She is placed in assisted living, which leaves Mirranda to sort everything out, which is quite a mess. Dix knows Miranda can't do it on her own and asks his only friend Warren to help her go through her father's estate. If it was not for is help she would not have been able to salvage anything Also unknown to Miranda, Dix buys their property as the house would not pass any kind of tests needed to qualify for selling it was all built illegally with palms greased to get it built. Miranda really has nowhere to go and is uncertain about her future, so Dix offers her a small cabin on his property for her to use.
Darius, unknown to Miranda is a young man, her brother's age, that comes to visit her brother. Miranda met him when she was very young and he had come with all her brother's other friends to their home to hang out for the holidays, he only went one time, but when he sees Miranda several years later he remembers her. Darius is a mess, and does not want to live with his parents telling him what he can or can not do so drops out of college and when they find out, they cut off his financial allowance. After trying and not being able to do it he calls and begs for forgiveness, so they give him one last chance. He still drops out from school and puts the money away-or tries to. He receives a call one day from his grandfather's lawyer, as he was left a small amount of money. He goes to California, and when that does not work out he is on his way back home to ask for forgiveness when he see a sign rooms for rent and winds up staying there. He goes through an inner change and he starts doing handyman jobs for cash and reads through hundreds of books on anything and everything. He finally decides to buy a place to live and cuts up the credit cards his parents had given him and stays where he is and buys a really worthless older home no one would buy with plans to live off the land and rely on himself. This is where he meets Sally the owner of this land.
Sally is a few years older and she works as a social worker for juvenile delinquent and she is a nice person, she is single, lives alone, and pretty much stays to herself. When Darius tries to get bank financing to buy her house, they refuse and all he has is the $10,000 his grandfather left to him. Surprisingly Sally decides to trust him and sells him the property for the money, and a legal bill of sale document with all the stipulations if he does not pay. Once that is done they celebrate and Sally and Darius have sex for a while until a while later down the road he tells her no more relations. She is actually living in one of the bedrooms After the lease was up on her apartment rather than sign another lease she just decided to stay with Darius. Unknown to her Darius has been leaving flyers all over the town talking about living a holistic type of life. One night she comes home and she sees different women of all ages starting to appear, stay for a while and leave.
By this time Miranda and Dix have started living together and Miranda wants a child so bad, but can't conceive. This causes her to become very depressed with everything and she stumbles across Darius one day at a fair in town, and he remembers her but she does not remember him. She starts going out to his place once in awhile.
This story is about how all of these people connect with each other, and why. The plot twists and turns in ways I could not even imagine, and there is so much personal angst these people are all feeling towards themselves and other feelings develop towards each other as they interrelate. I found myself frustrated with Miranda's character so many times and then realized she just could not help who she was, and how she felt. She was attracted to Darius-not sexually but mentally because of how he viewed the world, and Darius was a in my opinion, creep, inside and out, capitalizing on all these poor people that are lost and to capitalize on someone else's sorrow was not ok to me.
The way this book ends is so shocking to me and it really made me feel so depressed while I was reading about it, but then I also realized that there was not other way for the book to end, and at least one of them winds up with a happy ending in a round about way.
I gave this book 5*****stars as it was a good story and so well written! Most of all because the book mad me feel so many different things and to me that was totally worth reading it for that reason!
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