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Be Ready for the Lightning
From acclaimed New Face of Fiction alumna Grace O'Connell, a suspenseful, poignant and provocative tale about violence, sibling love, friendship, heroism--all told through the lens of a young woman trapped in a hijacked bus.
On the surface, Veda's life in Vancouver seems to be going just fine--at nearly thirty, she has a good job, lifelong friends, and a close bond with her brother, Conrad. But Conrad's violent behavior, a problem since he was a teen, is getting more and more serious, and Veda's ongoing commitment to watch out for him is pushing her to a breaking point.
When Veda is injured as a bystander during one of Conrad's many fights, she knows it's time to leave Vancouver for a fresh start. She heads to New York, staying in the Manhattan apartment of old friends Al and Marie. Exploring the city, she swings between feeling hopeful and lost--until one day the bus she's on is hijacked by a sweet-faced gun-toting man named Peter. He instructs Veda and the other passengers to spray paint the bus windows black, and what ensues is a gripping and unpredictable hostage situation, the outcome of which will make Veda question everything she knows about herself and the nature of fear.
Told with powerful immediacy and warmth, at once unsettling and engrossing, Be Ready for the Lightning is a story of violence, its attractions and repulsions; of love, loyalty and friendship; and of a young woman finding an unexpected kind of bravery.
On the surface, Veda's life in Vancouver seems to be going just fine--at nearly thirty, she has a good job, lifelong friends, and a close bond with her brother, Conrad. But Conrad's violent behavior, a problem since he was a teen, is getting more and more serious, and Veda's ongoing commitment to watch out for him is pushing her to a breaking point.
When Veda is injured as a bystander during one of Conrad's many fights, she knows it's time to leave Vancouver for a fresh start. She heads to New York, staying in the Manhattan apartment of old friends Al and Marie. Exploring the city, she swings between feeling hopeful and lost--until one day the bus she's on is hijacked by a sweet-faced gun-toting man named Peter. He instructs Veda and the other passengers to spray paint the bus windows black, and what ensues is a gripping and unpredictable hostage situation, the outcome of which will make Veda question everything she knows about herself and the nature of fear.
Told with powerful immediacy and warmth, at once unsettling and engrossing, Be Ready for the Lightning is a story of violence, its attractions and repulsions; of love, loyalty and friendship; and of a young woman finding an unexpected kind of bravery.
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2017
5 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
About the author
Grace O'Connell
13 books48 followersI’m a Toronto-based writer and editor and the author of Magnified World (Random House, 2012). I’m represented by Martha Magor Webb at McDermid & Associates and my publicist is Ruta Liormonas at McClelland & Stewart.
My work has appeared in publications including The Walrus, Taddle Creek, the Globe & Mail, the National Post, Quill & Quire and the Journey Prize Stories. I’ve been nominated for the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award and two National Magazine Awards for fiction. Previously, I taught creative writing at George Brown College and I now teach at the University of Toronto. I also write a books column for This Magazine, work as a freelance writer, ride a crummy but beloved bike named Billy and chase after cats on the sidewalk to pet them.
I love to write about the ways in which people know and don’t know each other, ways in which we try to be happy, the lies and memories and homes we build and destroy and re-build, and the two big engines of interesting actions: fear and love. I like swimming in lakes, road trips where someone else drives, parking lot carnivals, walking in the woods, overly elaborate candy stores, and, of course, books.
My work has appeared in publications including The Walrus, Taddle Creek, the Globe & Mail, the National Post, Quill & Quire and the Journey Prize Stories. I’ve been nominated for the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award and two National Magazine Awards for fiction. Previously, I taught creative writing at George Brown College and I now teach at the University of Toronto. I also write a books column for This Magazine, work as a freelance writer, ride a crummy but beloved bike named Billy and chase after cats on the sidewalk to pet them.
I love to write about the ways in which people know and don’t know each other, ways in which we try to be happy, the lies and memories and homes we build and destroy and re-build, and the two big engines of interesting actions: fear and love. I like swimming in lakes, road trips where someone else drives, parking lot carnivals, walking in the woods, overly elaborate candy stores, and, of course, books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
June 18, 2017
It embarrassed me to love him, when everybody else did too. In the books I read, girls who like boys were vapid B-characters. The protagonists were always girls who hated the main boy, had bigger things on their minds, but who ended up with him anyway. I wanted to be like that, to be a main character with better things to do than fall in love. But what did I know? Maybe love was supposed to be embarrassing.
Intrigued by the title and the cover, I was absolutely blown away by the prologue which happens to begin with our main protagonist, Veda, and other people being taken hostage by a man styling himself like Peter Pan(not dressing like him, but making the literary connections). But the chapters alternate and take readers on the before and after of the events that will unfold on that bus. This did frustrate me a bit because I was fixated on the present and I grew impatient to know why the past could be so relevant to what was actually happening on that bus.
There were so many unhealthy relationships in this book that it's actually hard to choose which one was the worst. It really created an unsettling atmosphere throughout the book and I certainly was hoping/anticipating some type of twists and when it came- it was totally anti-climatic. Why do I say this? Well, the book dragged quite a bit and I was left asking myself "what was it all about?" Personally, Be Ready for the Lightning was just an okayish read for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
Intrigued by the title and the cover, I was absolutely blown away by the prologue which happens to begin with our main protagonist, Veda, and other people being taken hostage by a man styling himself like Peter Pan(not dressing like him, but making the literary connections). But the chapters alternate and take readers on the before and after of the events that will unfold on that bus. This did frustrate me a bit because I was fixated on the present and I grew impatient to know why the past could be so relevant to what was actually happening on that bus.
There were so many unhealthy relationships in this book that it's actually hard to choose which one was the worst. It really created an unsettling atmosphere throughout the book and I certainly was hoping/anticipating some type of twists and when it came- it was totally anti-climatic. Why do I say this? Well, the book dragged quite a bit and I was left asking myself "what was it all about?" Personally, Be Ready for the Lightning was just an okayish read for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2017
3+ stars. I'm having a bit of trouble rating Be Ready for the Lightning. Compared to the previous book I read by Grace O'Connell -- Magnified World -- it is much better. O'Connell has matured as a writer. Her writing is stronger and her characters are more believable. Also, I liked what I saw as the main theme -- the challenging love between two siblings. And O'Connell handled the two timelines in an interesting way, slowly bringing them together by the end. But, still, the reading experience fell a bit flat for me. It's well constructed, but I didn't always feel particularly engaged. The story is told by Veda, and focuses on five childhood friends, including her brother Conrad. Veda recalls her adolescence and early adulthood, while in parallel she tells readers about her experience as a hostage on a bus in New York City. Don't read this story for mystery or suspense. It's much more in the nature of a character study. As I say, it has real strengths, but I didn't love it. The backstory between the childhood friends felt a bit too pat, like something I had read many times before, with the exception of Veda's relationship with her flawed brother Conrad. But I liked it enough to want to see what O'Connell does next. I'm always willing to give new Canadian authors a try, and I think O'Connell shows real promise. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
June 16, 2017
A group is kidnapped by a Peter Pan figure and the author mixes the before the event and the future of what happened after the event. Interesting method that leaves you wondering what happened and why and all the scenarios that one can think of.
March 18, 2020
This story was dark and it hit hard. I felt some real hurt from this book, and that only shows how good of a writer Grace O'Connell is.
Our lead, Veda, is taken hostage on a bus. It's scary, people are going to die, and Veda is just the random bystander who got stuck in the middle of the mess. She hasn't had the easiest of lives, and it seems like everyone around is is slowly figuring everything out (yet also crashing and burning just as hard as her at the same time). Everyone's relationships seem to be struggling or really bad for them, yet everyone goes on as if life is normal.
I'd be curious to see someone tear this book apart and explain the themes. I think Grace was trying to go somewhere with these issues, but it just felt all around dark. People's lives were crumbling, Veda takes a deep dive in a random direction near the end, and the ending is just as mind blowing. Was there a reason? Was this just fiction and meant to shock people? I want to know.
This book was presented to me as a thriller, but I feel like it's more of a character development study or contemporary story. The thrills don't last as long as the relationships and drama. It's also a very slow moving story, so if you love fast paced books like me then it might not hit as well.
My biggest con of this book was that it jumped back and forth between the timelines. I wanted to see how the entire scenario before the incident occurred and then jump into the scary situation Veda was presented with. The way the book was written, it did leave me clinging to the pages and wanting to know more, but it also frustrated me immensely.
Overall, this book is truly unique and I'm glad I had a chance to pick it up. I love reading books by Canadians even if they aren't my typical genres. I think this book will really hit with some people! It's truly moving.
Three out of five stars.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Our lead, Veda, is taken hostage on a bus. It's scary, people are going to die, and Veda is just the random bystander who got stuck in the middle of the mess. She hasn't had the easiest of lives, and it seems like everyone around is is slowly figuring everything out (yet also crashing and burning just as hard as her at the same time). Everyone's relationships seem to be struggling or really bad for them, yet everyone goes on as if life is normal.
I'd be curious to see someone tear this book apart and explain the themes. I think Grace was trying to go somewhere with these issues, but it just felt all around dark. People's lives were crumbling, Veda takes a deep dive in a random direction near the end, and the ending is just as mind blowing. Was there a reason? Was this just fiction and meant to shock people? I want to know.
This book was presented to me as a thriller, but I feel like it's more of a character development study or contemporary story. The thrills don't last as long as the relationships and drama. It's also a very slow moving story, so if you love fast paced books like me then it might not hit as well.
My biggest con of this book was that it jumped back and forth between the timelines. I wanted to see how the entire scenario before the incident occurred and then jump into the scary situation Veda was presented with. The way the book was written, it did leave me clinging to the pages and wanting to know more, but it also frustrated me immensely.
Overall, this book is truly unique and I'm glad I had a chance to pick it up. I love reading books by Canadians even if they aren't my typical genres. I think this book will really hit with some people! It's truly moving.
Three out of five stars.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
June 7, 2017
If I had to use one word to describe Be Ready for the Lightning by Grace O’Connell, I would say vivid; from the descriptions of the scenery to the characters, everything in this book was so intricately developed and detailed. I could smell the smells and hear the sounds. I felt like I knew these people, they were my friends and my confidants. Throughout my reading, I felt a visceral attachment to them, which made this one feel suspenseful and explosive. O’Connell is a master of imagery and I was captivated by her prose.
The novel opens like every other day. Veda has just moved from Vancouver to New York, running from her complicated relationship with her brother, and is starting her day like every other day: by almost missing her bus. As she gets on just in time and begins to the monotony of her bus ride, a man a hijacks the bus and shoots the driver. Veda finds herself in an unpredictable hostage situation.
The narrative style of this novel was incredibly unique and interesting. The novel is told in several sections and in several time periods. It is told partially in the relative past as Veda experiences the events on the bus, partially in the present as Veda deals with the aftermath of the ordeal and the rest, told in flashbacks, as Veda remembers moments from her childhood and timelines the relationship with her brother, Conrad as they grow up in a Vancouver suburb. I couldn’t help but consistently wonder how all these pieces would fit together and how her past experiences would help her in the present. Veda, as a character, is very observant. Constantly taking inventory of things around her. I found this to add to the tone that O’Connell sets throughout the novel. No detail is missed and no stone is left unturned.
This is absolutely a slow burn of a read, definitely not a fast-paced, in your face style of thriller. But don’t get it twisted, this one, although not the type of novel I am usually into (I know I complain about slow moving books ALL THE TIME), Be Ready for the Lightning had me grabbing on to every word and holding my breath. I could not wait to see what would happen and how this would pan out.
If you like stories that are character-centered and will have you anxiously awaiting a resolution, this would be a perfect read for you. I also feel like there is so much in this narrative that would make a fantastic book club discussion. AND to top it all off, O’Connell is a Canadian author. Which you know I am always delighted to find!
The novel opens like every other day. Veda has just moved from Vancouver to New York, running from her complicated relationship with her brother, and is starting her day like every other day: by almost missing her bus. As she gets on just in time and begins to the monotony of her bus ride, a man a hijacks the bus and shoots the driver. Veda finds herself in an unpredictable hostage situation.
The narrative style of this novel was incredibly unique and interesting. The novel is told in several sections and in several time periods. It is told partially in the relative past as Veda experiences the events on the bus, partially in the present as Veda deals with the aftermath of the ordeal and the rest, told in flashbacks, as Veda remembers moments from her childhood and timelines the relationship with her brother, Conrad as they grow up in a Vancouver suburb. I couldn’t help but consistently wonder how all these pieces would fit together and how her past experiences would help her in the present. Veda, as a character, is very observant. Constantly taking inventory of things around her. I found this to add to the tone that O’Connell sets throughout the novel. No detail is missed and no stone is left unturned.
This is absolutely a slow burn of a read, definitely not a fast-paced, in your face style of thriller. But don’t get it twisted, this one, although not the type of novel I am usually into (I know I complain about slow moving books ALL THE TIME), Be Ready for the Lightning had me grabbing on to every word and holding my breath. I could not wait to see what would happen and how this would pan out.
If you like stories that are character-centered and will have you anxiously awaiting a resolution, this would be a perfect read for you. I also feel like there is so much in this narrative that would make a fantastic book club discussion. AND to top it all off, O’Connell is a Canadian author. Which you know I am always delighted to find!
July 18, 2017
Dreamy, shocking, uncomfortable, and luminous. This is a delicious read to sink into, switching back and forth between Veda's suburban Vancouver upbringing among a close-knit group of friends and a surreal bus heist in NYC. There's something here for every reader- tense crime drama, poignant coming-of-age narrative, vivid-characters, a thwarted romance, and so much more. For fans of Maile Meloy, Emma Straub, and Meg Wolitzer.
July 10, 2017
*2.5 stars*
The book opens with the main character Veda involved in a hostage situation on a New York City bus. After the opening chapter, the story jumps back in time to Veda's childhood in Vancouver. The rest of the book alternates between this childhood in which Veda's brother and their circle of friends play a predominant role, the hostage situation, and many points in between.
I'm afraid that I didn't love this book. Although the writing was good, I just didn't connect with any of the characters which meant that I wasn't invested in discovering their outcomes. And the outcomes didn't even really materialize. Now I definitely don't like having my story endings all neatly concluded and wrapped up with a nice bow but this book left so many unanswered questions that it just ended up being an unsatisfying read. Given the level of excitement and intrigue with which the book opened, I expected so much more.
I received this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
The book opens with the main character Veda involved in a hostage situation on a New York City bus. After the opening chapter, the story jumps back in time to Veda's childhood in Vancouver. The rest of the book alternates between this childhood in which Veda's brother and their circle of friends play a predominant role, the hostage situation, and many points in between.
I'm afraid that I didn't love this book. Although the writing was good, I just didn't connect with any of the characters which meant that I wasn't invested in discovering their outcomes. And the outcomes didn't even really materialize. Now I definitely don't like having my story endings all neatly concluded and wrapped up with a nice bow but this book left so many unanswered questions that it just ended up being an unsatisfying read. Given the level of excitement and intrigue with which the book opened, I expected so much more.
I received this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
September 25, 2021
Even if I'd hated this book I'd have given it stars for the Canadian setting. I didn't relate to this one as deeply as I did with Magnified World, but the characters here are quirky in a relatable way and I got quite attached. 3 1/2 stars.
July 21, 2017
Please read all of my reviews at http://ultraviolentlit.blogspot.ca!
Be Ready for the Lightning is a fascinating story about a hostage situation on a New York City bus, as experienced by a young woman named Veda, and the long-lasting connection she feels for her attacker. The novel is punctuated by this extreme event, but it is also a close-up look at Veda’s life before and after the incident, and her complicated relationship with her brother Conrad and their childhood friends.
Veda and Conrad grew up in Vancouver with loving parents and a close-knit group of friends, including Conrad’s best friend Ted, and siblings Annie and Al. Veda always had a crush on Ted, but it is not until he returns to Vancouver in their early twenties that they begin a relationship, which is plagued by Ted’s excessive drinking. Veda and Conrad had always been very close as children, but Conrad’s violent tendencies – possibly caused by a childhood head injury – are increasingly out of control. When Veda is injured as a bystander to one of Conrad’s bar fights, she decides it’s time for a fresh start.
She ends things with Ted and leaves her career as an audiologist to move to Manhattan and stay with Al and his new wife Marie. While out looking for an apartment and exploring the city, Veda gets on a bus that ends up changing her life. The bus is hijacked by a mentally unstable man named Peter who is obsessed with Peter Pan and thinks he can “save” the passengers by shooting them and taking them to Neverland with him.
We do not know the complete outcome of the hostage situation until the last line of the novel, as it is interspersed with Veda’s backstory in Vancouver. The two timelines gradually merge, until we are able to see the aftermath of the shocking, unpredictable incident and its ongoing effects on Veda and the people who love her. Although this dramatic event is at the centre of the novel, it is most of all a character study, exploring the relationships between siblings and the bonds of childhood friends.
The literary connection to Peter Pan can be found in more than just Peter’s love for the story – it can also be found in the siblings’ history of living with secrets, and refusing to grow up. Veda is able to connect with Peter because of her own unstable brother, although Conrad is troubled in a very different way. Veda loves unconditionally, not only Conrad but Ted too, and her obsession with Peter becomes yet another unhealthy relationship filled with misplaced loyalty. There is much to explore in this novel, and the depth of character is impressive. I really enjoyed the tight balance of thriller and psychological character study, and I will certainly read more by Grace O’Connell.
I received this book from Random House Canada and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Be Ready for the Lightning is a fascinating story about a hostage situation on a New York City bus, as experienced by a young woman named Veda, and the long-lasting connection she feels for her attacker. The novel is punctuated by this extreme event, but it is also a close-up look at Veda’s life before and after the incident, and her complicated relationship with her brother Conrad and their childhood friends.
Veda and Conrad grew up in Vancouver with loving parents and a close-knit group of friends, including Conrad’s best friend Ted, and siblings Annie and Al. Veda always had a crush on Ted, but it is not until he returns to Vancouver in their early twenties that they begin a relationship, which is plagued by Ted’s excessive drinking. Veda and Conrad had always been very close as children, but Conrad’s violent tendencies – possibly caused by a childhood head injury – are increasingly out of control. When Veda is injured as a bystander to one of Conrad’s bar fights, she decides it’s time for a fresh start.
She ends things with Ted and leaves her career as an audiologist to move to Manhattan and stay with Al and his new wife Marie. While out looking for an apartment and exploring the city, Veda gets on a bus that ends up changing her life. The bus is hijacked by a mentally unstable man named Peter who is obsessed with Peter Pan and thinks he can “save” the passengers by shooting them and taking them to Neverland with him.
We do not know the complete outcome of the hostage situation until the last line of the novel, as it is interspersed with Veda’s backstory in Vancouver. The two timelines gradually merge, until we are able to see the aftermath of the shocking, unpredictable incident and its ongoing effects on Veda and the people who love her. Although this dramatic event is at the centre of the novel, it is most of all a character study, exploring the relationships between siblings and the bonds of childhood friends.
The literary connection to Peter Pan can be found in more than just Peter’s love for the story – it can also be found in the siblings’ history of living with secrets, and refusing to grow up. Veda is able to connect with Peter because of her own unstable brother, although Conrad is troubled in a very different way. Veda loves unconditionally, not only Conrad but Ted too, and her obsession with Peter becomes yet another unhealthy relationship filled with misplaced loyalty. There is much to explore in this novel, and the depth of character is impressive. I really enjoyed the tight balance of thriller and psychological character study, and I will certainly read more by Grace O’Connell.
I received this book from Random House Canada and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2017
Phenomenal! "Be Ready For The Lightning" by Grace O'Connell is a wonderful book!
The storyline follows Veda a girl involved in a hostage situation. Her character arc is fascinating and there is a perfect amount of character development for her character. Grace has done a good job creating her character and the development for Veda is on point! Accompanying Veda is a fantastic cast of supporting characters. All of them bring unique characteristics to the story. Each character is memorable and they all help to forward the plot. Grace is able to craft such interesting and likable characters, that they all feel very real and relatable.
The story in the book follows two story lines, one past and one present, both of which are interesting to the reader. One storyline provides terrific character development and a heartwarming story. The other storyline puts you right into the action and danger. I like the fact that grace was able to intertwine these two story lines and the story flowed really smoothly. Some books have trouble when there are two story lines, but this book combined the two story lines perfectly.
The characters are all written exquisitely, and you will get attached to all of them. The story is mesmerizing and you will not want to put this book down, i finished reading it in one day because of that! Overall Grace O'Connell has done an amazing job writing this book and i highly recommend it to anyone! 5 Stars! Won in goodreads giveaway!
The storyline follows Veda a girl involved in a hostage situation. Her character arc is fascinating and there is a perfect amount of character development for her character. Grace has done a good job creating her character and the development for Veda is on point! Accompanying Veda is a fantastic cast of supporting characters. All of them bring unique characteristics to the story. Each character is memorable and they all help to forward the plot. Grace is able to craft such interesting and likable characters, that they all feel very real and relatable.
The story in the book follows two story lines, one past and one present, both of which are interesting to the reader. One storyline provides terrific character development and a heartwarming story. The other storyline puts you right into the action and danger. I like the fact that grace was able to intertwine these two story lines and the story flowed really smoothly. Some books have trouble when there are two story lines, but this book combined the two story lines perfectly.
The characters are all written exquisitely, and you will get attached to all of them. The story is mesmerizing and you will not want to put this book down, i finished reading it in one day because of that! Overall Grace O'Connell has done an amazing job writing this book and i highly recommend it to anyone! 5 Stars! Won in goodreads giveaway!
April 3, 2017
I was interested in this title because of the fact that it was set in Vancouver (Very few books are and I think it's a shame because it's such a beautiful city). Unfortunately I found myself quite underwhelmed throughout the read. O'Connell does have a gift when it comes to imagery, but I found the story to be less than captivating. It's dangerous to tell a story as a reminiscence from the main characters point of view, and in this case I think it works against the author by taking away from the suspense. I also think that mental health is a very difficult theme to do well in a fictional format and I didn't see this book as saying anything new or interesting on the subject. Overall I enjoyed her writing style, just was fairly uninvested in the story and characters.
*I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Indigo Books and Music in exchange for an honest review*
*I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Indigo Books and Music in exchange for an honest review*
May 20, 2017
In Be Ready for the Lightnng, the storyline moves back and forth between Veda's life in Vancouver beginning in her childhood and a hostage taking on a bus in New York. Grace O'Connell writes very well, it just seemed as if the two plot lines didn't gel. The back story took away from the hostage incident as I was anxious to return to Veda's life in Vancouver with her mercurial brother, Conrad. Not quite to my tastes, but it will be enjoyed by many.
Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2017
A very moving and beautiful story – it has a central, gripping plot for sure, of the bus hijacking – but for me, the central tension revolved around the difficulties of growing up. How do we grow into our own skins, and how do we relate to our siblings and friends as they find their peace (or not) of being adults in a trying reality? Perfectly paced and written with Grace O'Connell's tight signature prose, I am hoping for a sequel.
May 20, 2017
This story of a woman who survived a hostage situation on a bus is fascinating. It is well written and the characters memorable. The question of what causes an ordinary person to erupt into violence is one no one seems able to answer. Another great book by a Canadian writer. Thanks to Goodreads for the giveaway.
July 14, 2018
A powerful examination of the strength of the human bond in even unfathomable circumstances.
July 27, 2017
There’s a lot to love about Grace O’Connell’s sophomore effort, the first being the wonderful title. I’m not sure what it is exactly, but the phrase”Be Ready for the Lightning” seems to be a call for action and alertness as you begin reading which builds the anticipation until major events begin to take place. But unlike a typical crime thriller, this is a very literary book, delving into the protagonist’s inner life just as much as what’s going on around her.
I don’t want to give anything away so my summary of the plot might seem a bit vague, but essentially it’s about Veda, a young woman who grows up alongside her older brother who is prone to violence among strangers. After a particularly dangerous encounter back home, Veda moves to New York to clear her head, and finds herself in a hostage situation on a city bus. The chapters are made up of flashbacks to Veda’s childhood and early adulthood interspersed with present-day live action of the hostage situation. The book continues on from there, where some very surprising yet believable events take place. Even to the very last page I kept expecting horrific things to take place, so like the title suggests, you are kept on your toes for the entire novel.
Photo Credit: Sara Lefton
O’Connell is an up-and-coming star of the Can-Lit world. She’s written one well-received book before this one called Magnified World, which I also really liked. And not that this would make much difference to most readers, but she is literally one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Although I haven’t spent much time with her I do recall being utterly charmed by her and her kindness. I’m not sure whether this comparison would make her cringe, but I saw aspects of her main character Veda reflected in O’Connell herself. I can’t point to any specific reason for this belief, but when I imagined Veda in my head, I saw O’Connell’s face. Weird I know, but I think many readers picture the authors inhabiting the characters they write on a regular basis.
I was captivated by this book for a few reasons; the suspense is deftly doled out throughout the book so I kept turning the pages even after my self-appointed bedtime of early as possible 10pm, the main character of Veda is flawed, likeable and extremely realistic and the content matter is timely because the recent threats of terrorism seem to be forcing everyone on edge, regardless of whether these fears are rooted in reality. It’s obvious O’Connell is a creative writing teacher because she doesn’t make the obvious mistakes that other writers tend to, and it’s the kind of book that other writers WISH they wrote. I have high hopes for this one as award season rolls around.
So when you read a book, do you sometimes picture the author as one of the characters, or is it just me? Does this mean I have a lazy imagination? Comment below!
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June 23, 2017
O'Connell has a gift for imagery, for dialogue, for writing--and this skill makes Be Ready for the Lightning a great read.
Veda has always kinda floated through life, doing things more because she was expected to than actually following some inner desire. As a result she finds herself somewhat lost, not really knowing who she is and wondering why she lets life, and people, walk all over her. But then she gets caught up in a hostage situation on a bus, and everything changes.
The story switches back and forth between the bus and Veda's childhood through to the aftermath of the attack. Sometimes this worked, and sometimes it didn't. Though interesting to watch Veda evolve (and somewhat discomfiting as I know all too well her feeling of displacement, of not know why she does the things she does), I didn't really feel like I knew her by the end, or that she still even knew herself. She still let other people tell her, although it is slowly dawning on her that what she sees as weaknesses in herself--mainly her unquestioning compassion for others--is actually strength. However, so much time is spent in the past, in explaining how Veda got to this point, that there is little time to fully explore this. The narrative would have been a little tighter, I think, if O'Connell kept some of these past instances as quick backstory. This is clear with the late introduction of Sunny, an interesting and complicated character that did much more than the others to show Veda to herself, she was just not given the time to fully do so--their relationship was too compressed and a lot left unexplored. Too much time spent on the past and what Veda was not.
There was a large cast of characters, mostly there to bounce against Veda in their own way, but she never really let them in; or had the strength enough to tell them how she felt. (Again, something I can much sympathize with, making her all the more realistic.) But another character that played a large role was her brother Conner, who is set up as a man-boy unable to stop getting in fights that leave both parties bloodied and running from cops. Although this serves to propel on part of the narrative, O'Connell simply paints in violent tendencies in one light--that he is a monster of sorts and everyone is afraid of him. He is cowed only when something horrific happens, but still it is implied that he could snap at any moment. But what of why he got that way? To me, it seemed as though Conner had an excess of passion, something, like Veda, he had a hard time articulating but instead of retreating inward like his sister, he lashed out when believing he was correcting injustices. I found him rather complex, but with so many competing story lines, the author did not have time to really explore this.
Overall, Be Ready for the Lightning is about finding hidden strengths, of realizing you have the support of the ones who love you most--though it may not always seem so. It is a coming-of-age of sorts, just one that felt unfinished.
Veda has always kinda floated through life, doing things more because she was expected to than actually following some inner desire. As a result she finds herself somewhat lost, not really knowing who she is and wondering why she lets life, and people, walk all over her. But then she gets caught up in a hostage situation on a bus, and everything changes.
The story switches back and forth between the bus and Veda's childhood through to the aftermath of the attack. Sometimes this worked, and sometimes it didn't. Though interesting to watch Veda evolve (and somewhat discomfiting as I know all too well her feeling of displacement, of not know why she does the things she does), I didn't really feel like I knew her by the end, or that she still even knew herself. She still let other people tell her, although it is slowly dawning on her that what she sees as weaknesses in herself--mainly her unquestioning compassion for others--is actually strength. However, so much time is spent in the past, in explaining how Veda got to this point, that there is little time to fully explore this. The narrative would have been a little tighter, I think, if O'Connell kept some of these past instances as quick backstory. This is clear with the late introduction of Sunny, an interesting and complicated character that did much more than the others to show Veda to herself, she was just not given the time to fully do so--their relationship was too compressed and a lot left unexplored. Too much time spent on the past and what Veda was not.
There was a large cast of characters, mostly there to bounce against Veda in their own way, but she never really let them in; or had the strength enough to tell them how she felt. (Again, something I can much sympathize with, making her all the more realistic.) But another character that played a large role was her brother Conner, who is set up as a man-boy unable to stop getting in fights that leave both parties bloodied and running from cops. Although this serves to propel on part of the narrative, O'Connell simply paints in violent tendencies in one light--that he is a monster of sorts and everyone is afraid of him. He is cowed only when something horrific happens, but still it is implied that he could snap at any moment. But what of why he got that way? To me, it seemed as though Conner had an excess of passion, something, like Veda, he had a hard time articulating but instead of retreating inward like his sister, he lashed out when believing he was correcting injustices. I found him rather complex, but with so many competing story lines, the author did not have time to really explore this.
Overall, Be Ready for the Lightning is about finding hidden strengths, of realizing you have the support of the ones who love you most--though it may not always seem so. It is a coming-of-age of sorts, just one that felt unfinished.
May 10, 2017
Thanks so much to NetGalley for providing me with ane-ARC of this book for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
I thought this book was going to be just a thriller, but I am so glad it turned out to be so much more than that.
The story follows the main character, Veda, in two timelines: one present day and one beginning in childhood and progressing forward until the two timelines meet. In the present day, Veda is visiting some friends in New York City and while she's riding the bus one day, a man hijacks the bus and soon it becomes a terrifying hostage situation. The second timeline focuses on everything up to that point growing up in Vancouver, her friendships as a child, her brother, Conrad who never seems to back down from a fight, etc.
Like I said, this book isn't really a thriller. Sure, there is the hijacking, but the whole situation is pretty much stretched out over the entire book and frankly, I became more engrossed in Veda's life than the bus. I'm not too familiar with hijacking/hostage taking but from my general knowledge and movies, I think O'Connell portrayed it fairly accurately. There was a police negotiator who was trying to talk the man down and the situation seemed to be well planned.
The part I really enjoyed, however, was Veda's life before. She narrates the story starting back when she and her brother were young, with their friends Ted, and brother-and-sister Al and Annie. She tells of growing up with a mixed heritage, half-Korean and half-Irish, what that looked like and how that affected her and her brother. Veda spins an enchanting tale of her life and even though there isn't anything particularly special or significant that happens, I couldn't put this book down. I wanted to see how things turned out and what was going to happen next, not because the story was thrilling, but because I was genuinely invested in the characters and their story.
For the most part, this book is set in Canada, specifically Vancouver, however, there are references to other provinces and Canada in general throughout. I don't remember the last time that I read a book that made me so excited to see Canadian references! As a Canadian myself, I was also pleased to see that O'Connell didn't just take typical Canadian stereotypes and wedge them into the story. Being a Canadian writer herself she is able to include details that didn't come across as cheesy.
I really loved this story as a whole and I'm sure there are a few flaws that I am overlooking but I think I've found a new favourite.
Overall, highly recommend!
I thought this book was going to be just a thriller, but I am so glad it turned out to be so much more than that.
The story follows the main character, Veda, in two timelines: one present day and one beginning in childhood and progressing forward until the two timelines meet. In the present day, Veda is visiting some friends in New York City and while she's riding the bus one day, a man hijacks the bus and soon it becomes a terrifying hostage situation. The second timeline focuses on everything up to that point growing up in Vancouver, her friendships as a child, her brother, Conrad who never seems to back down from a fight, etc.
Like I said, this book isn't really a thriller. Sure, there is the hijacking, but the whole situation is pretty much stretched out over the entire book and frankly, I became more engrossed in Veda's life than the bus. I'm not too familiar with hijacking/hostage taking but from my general knowledge and movies, I think O'Connell portrayed it fairly accurately. There was a police negotiator who was trying to talk the man down and the situation seemed to be well planned.
The part I really enjoyed, however, was Veda's life before. She narrates the story starting back when she and her brother were young, with their friends Ted, and brother-and-sister Al and Annie. She tells of growing up with a mixed heritage, half-Korean and half-Irish, what that looked like and how that affected her and her brother. Veda spins an enchanting tale of her life and even though there isn't anything particularly special or significant that happens, I couldn't put this book down. I wanted to see how things turned out and what was going to happen next, not because the story was thrilling, but because I was genuinely invested in the characters and their story.
For the most part, this book is set in Canada, specifically Vancouver, however, there are references to other provinces and Canada in general throughout. I don't remember the last time that I read a book that made me so excited to see Canadian references! As a Canadian myself, I was also pleased to see that O'Connell didn't just take typical Canadian stereotypes and wedge them into the story. Being a Canadian writer herself she is able to include details that didn't come across as cheesy.
I really loved this story as a whole and I'm sure there are a few flaws that I am overlooking but I think I've found a new favourite.
Overall, highly recommend!
May 26, 2017
Be Ready for the Lightning by Grace O'Connell is a work of fiction.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Second, I must confess that this is not my normal genre, so although I my rating may not be high, I know the majority of people will eat this one up. The three stars that I give this book is solely for the prose. O'Connell is a really good writer.
I did, however, have a problem with the actual plot. It told the story of Veda, a young woman from Vancouver, who is held hostage on a bus in New York, and whose bravery saves the day. It alternates between Veda's life before and after the event. It is a tale of friendship, love, family and bravery. It is also a story of mental health issues, violence, lies and deceit. Unfortunately, as good as this plot sounds, it missed the mark. There was no excitement, no suspense. I actually liked the character of her brother Conrad more than Veda. He, at least had some substance. It became a very long read.
Again, I really enjoyed the writing. It was crisp, clean, and her characters were quite deep (if a bit boring). That and the fact that the author is Canadian, earned Grace O'Connell the 3 stars.
Now, I know there will be a lot of others who find this book thrilling, so please, give it a chance. These are only my opinions, and they really only matter to me!
For more of my reviews, please visit https://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Second, I must confess that this is not my normal genre, so although I my rating may not be high, I know the majority of people will eat this one up. The three stars that I give this book is solely for the prose. O'Connell is a really good writer.
I did, however, have a problem with the actual plot. It told the story of Veda, a young woman from Vancouver, who is held hostage on a bus in New York, and whose bravery saves the day. It alternates between Veda's life before and after the event. It is a tale of friendship, love, family and bravery. It is also a story of mental health issues, violence, lies and deceit. Unfortunately, as good as this plot sounds, it missed the mark. There was no excitement, no suspense. I actually liked the character of her brother Conrad more than Veda. He, at least had some substance. It became a very long read.
Again, I really enjoyed the writing. It was crisp, clean, and her characters were quite deep (if a bit boring). That and the fact that the author is Canadian, earned Grace O'Connell the 3 stars.
Now, I know there will be a lot of others who find this book thrilling, so please, give it a chance. These are only my opinions, and they really only matter to me!
For more of my reviews, please visit https://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
June 8, 2017
The #wastemytime trend from 2016 carried over into 2017 with this book. The premise sounded really interesting; the main character gets trapped on a bus with a gunman, the windows are spray painted black so the police can't see in, and he holds them hostage. Sounds interesting enough right? Except this book did the complete opposite.
You would get 3 long (boring) chapters of her life thus far, and then get one small taste of her being on the bus. With about 100 pages left we get an entire chapter dedicated to her day before she got on the bus, leading you to believe the next chapter is going to be all about what actually happened on the bus. Wrong. Instead we get a page simply titled "after" and totally skip over the entire bus hostage taking. There were only 100 pages left so after getting over my anger, I finished the book (with numerous eye rolls and questions of "this is what we skipped over the bus scenes for?!") and in total I probably got around 8 pages of her actually on the bus and confronting the gunman. But don't worry! if you were really interested in her life we get to follow up with her always-ready-for-a-fight brother, her odd grouping of childhood friends, and her all consuming attraction to the gunman (yes you read that right, she actually kisses his comatose body a few times and befriends his mentally ill sister in some weird friendship thing so she can be closer to him).
So if all of that sounds like your cup of tea then go ahead, and then let me know exactly how much of your time it wasted (it totally it probably wasted 4 days of my time).
You would get 3 long (boring) chapters of her life thus far, and then get one small taste of her being on the bus. With about 100 pages left we get an entire chapter dedicated to her day before she got on the bus, leading you to believe the next chapter is going to be all about what actually happened on the bus. Wrong. Instead we get a page simply titled "after" and totally skip over the entire bus hostage taking. There were only 100 pages left so after getting over my anger, I finished the book (with numerous eye rolls and questions of "this is what we skipped over the bus scenes for?!") and in total I probably got around 8 pages of her actually on the bus and confronting the gunman. But don't worry! if you were really interested in her life we get to follow up with her always-ready-for-a-fight brother, her odd grouping of childhood friends, and her all consuming attraction to the gunman (yes you read that right, she actually kisses his comatose body a few times and befriends his mentally ill sister in some weird friendship thing so she can be closer to him).
So if all of that sounds like your cup of tea then go ahead, and then let me know exactly how much of your time it wasted (it totally it probably wasted 4 days of my time).
September 8, 2017
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Grace O'Connell for the free advance copy!
3.5 Stars
Veda, an audiologist from Vancouver with a complicated circle of family and friends, moves to New York where she becomes an unlikely victim - and hero - of hostage situation on a Manhattan bus.
From the first page, I really enjoyed this book. The prologue is gripping and the protagonist is engaging, interesting and her voice is well-written. This book had the potential to be five-stars, but it meanders a bit too much. For a book that starts so strong, the ending, and really the second half of the book, is extremely anti-climactic. The post-shooting story line felt disingenuous and stilted, especially compared to the story leading up to it. I was disappointed at the lack of catharsis or development following the protagonist's trauma.
Still, it was a decent read and I did enjoy it. Its probably not a novel I'd read again, though. Recommended if you enjoy character dramas focusing primarily on long-term relationships between the characters.
3.5 Stars
Veda, an audiologist from Vancouver with a complicated circle of family and friends, moves to New York where she becomes an unlikely victim - and hero - of hostage situation on a Manhattan bus.
From the first page, I really enjoyed this book. The prologue is gripping and the protagonist is engaging, interesting and her voice is well-written. This book had the potential to be five-stars, but it meanders a bit too much. For a book that starts so strong, the ending, and really the second half of the book, is extremely anti-climactic. The post-shooting story line felt disingenuous and stilted, especially compared to the story leading up to it. I was disappointed at the lack of catharsis or development following the protagonist's trauma.
Still, it was a decent read and I did enjoy it. Its probably not a novel I'd read again, though. Recommended if you enjoy character dramas focusing primarily on long-term relationships between the characters.
October 16, 2017
A semi-recent giveaway win, I'm not sure I would have picked up Be Ready for the Lightning by Grace O'Connell on my own otherwise, but I was intrigued enough by the synopsis–plus, it's a Canadian author–to give the book a try. This is the story of Veda, who finds herself on a bus in a hostage situation. The story then switches to her childhood in Vancouver, to the bond she had with her brother, despite his violent tendencies, and to the situations that lead to her being on that bus in the first place.
Despite the intensity of the opening scene, Be Ready for the Lightning is definitely a slow-moving story, and the pace meant it took me much longer to read than it should have. I can also be a bit frustrated by books that switch between tenses, I always spend one waiting for what happens in the other, and that was the case here as I waited to find out what happened on the bus. Plus, when I did find out, any "twist" was just disappointing to me. Ultimately, even though the book is well-written and has some lovely imagery, I just wasn't very committed or enthralled by the story.
Despite the intensity of the opening scene, Be Ready for the Lightning is definitely a slow-moving story, and the pace meant it took me much longer to read than it should have. I can also be a bit frustrated by books that switch between tenses, I always spend one waiting for what happens in the other, and that was the case here as I waited to find out what happened on the bus. Plus, when I did find out, any "twist" was just disappointing to me. Ultimately, even though the book is well-written and has some lovely imagery, I just wasn't very committed or enthralled by the story.
July 25, 2017
The book begins with a gunman blowing out the brains of a NYC bus driver at the start of a hostage taking situation and then flashes backward in time into a retelling of the narrator's life and how she got into this predicament. The story moves along at a good clip and the characters are believable and approachable. Of course, the fact that she talks about growing up on certain streets in Vancouver that I know well did contribute to the ease with which I grew attached to this book, but I still would like to think that I would have found it to be a well-written story even if I did not know the city. There are subplots of kids growing up well, some not so well, and plenty of gritty and credible realism. There is an underlying message here that sometimes redemption is possible even for those did not start well, alas not for everyone, but for those who have perseverance, a good heart, and sometimes a little luck, they may well get it.
November 5, 2017
This is a wonderful book! Grace O'Connell has created living characters that leap off the page. We follow Veda through some of her childhood events and see her friends and relations with all their good and bad traits. Their actions and choices resonated through her, revealing that we never know if we said the right thing or made the right choice. Reasons for actions and reactions, as well as how those truly affect others, are unknowable in others and in ourselves.
We watch as she remembers and forgets, acts or doesn't act. Each section was framed wonderfully by pieces off the horrific event that touched Veda's life. Through the novel, wee learn more about Veda as she begins to understand herself, her own limitations and her strengths.
It was a truly awesome book. I felt so connected to Veda and her world, like it was mine.
Thank you to Goodreads for the give-away advanced copy in exchange for this honest review. I recommend this to everyone!
We watch as she remembers and forgets, acts or doesn't act. Each section was framed wonderfully by pieces off the horrific event that touched Veda's life. Through the novel, wee learn more about Veda as she begins to understand herself, her own limitations and her strengths.
It was a truly awesome book. I felt so connected to Veda and her world, like it was mine.
Thank you to Goodreads for the give-away advanced copy in exchange for this honest review. I recommend this to everyone!
April 18, 2018
Veda and her brother Conrad (Connie) are the main characters in a group of five close friends that grew up together. Everyone tip toes around Conrad's constant fighting that began in adolescence, which to me, is the meaning for the title. Veda and Conrad's parents ruminate over why Conrad didn't change after high school. The expectation for him to attend university and then get a proper job was shattered when he didn't snap out of it.
Narrator Veda hooks up with one of The Five, Ted, and they fall into a relationship of convenience. She unfortunately spends many years hoping he will become the boyfriend she wants. It's when she becomes a hostage on a New York city bus that the most fascinating part of this book takes place, when she develops character. The interaction between her and the hijacker is unusual.
My full review is on: https://booksandbrands.blogspot.ca/20...
Narrator Veda hooks up with one of The Five, Ted, and they fall into a relationship of convenience. She unfortunately spends many years hoping he will become the boyfriend she wants. It's when she becomes a hostage on a New York city bus that the most fascinating part of this book takes place, when she develops character. The interaction between her and the hijacker is unusual.
My full review is on: https://booksandbrands.blogspot.ca/20...
April 30, 2018
I have mixed feelings about this one... Grace O'Connell is definitely a talented writer and she manages to include a number of very poignant and striking observations about memory, growing up and family in a story that still has a lot of engaging plot elements. And yet, sometimes I felt like the novel was trying to do too much. The whole multiculturalism bit felt very forced and while of course it's timely, I failed to see the connection between that theme and the rest of the book. That being said, I still enjoyed the second half much more than the first sections so if you can manage to get through the first hundred pages, I don't think that you'll regret it.
The cover also doesn't do justice to the novel, it has a very YA feel to me, which initially turned me off from picking up the book sooner.
A big thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for sending along a finished copy for review.
The cover also doesn't do justice to the novel, it has a very YA feel to me, which initially turned me off from picking up the book sooner.
A big thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for sending along a finished copy for review.
July 2, 2017
This was a very quick read. It was intriguing to be flashing back to the bus hijack, and to before Veda's move from Vancouver to New York. This novel was very compelling and definitely made you want to find out what exactly happened on the bus, and what led Veda to leave her home town. There is a lot more layers happening within this novel other than just the bus hijack. The relationships in Veda's life aren't always the most positive, and I think that is something everyone will be able to related to in this book. What stopped this from being a 5 stars for me, was the lack of bus scenes. I was waiting the full novel for the final moments on the bus... and it was the shortest chapter in the book. This novel was very entertaining and I would definitely recommend this author to others.
October 7, 2017
A well-written book about the complexities of sibling relationships. As other reviewers have said, it begins with an intense action scene, but spends most of its time on the main character's backstory. I liked how the story went back and forth between the present and the past -- it helped explain Veda's response to the violent scene on the bus, drawing parallels between the Peter the hostage taker and Conrad, Veda's brother.
It's not an action-packed page turner, but the undercurrent of suspense builds the story and intrigue. And Veda's experience offers a thought-provoking and empathetic perspective on the conflict between healthy and harmful loyalty toward another person.
Thanks to Goodreads for this Giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
It's not an action-packed page turner, but the undercurrent of suspense builds the story and intrigue. And Veda's experience offers a thought-provoking and empathetic perspective on the conflict between healthy and harmful loyalty toward another person.
Thanks to Goodreads for this Giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2018
I received this book in a goodreads giveaway. I was hooked on this book just a few pages into it. I forgot the synopsis before I started reading it, adding to my intrigue with Veda's current terror/dilemma and her back story of growing up in Vancouver. It seems that all the books I've been reading lately are split time lines, which can be hard to keep straight, but are such an enjoyable puzzle to piece together. I found Veda's complex and detailed life's story so interesting that if I didn't know it was fiction, it could pass for non-fiction. Now I just need to find someone to "read it forward".
June 6, 2017
I received an advanced copy through goodreads first-reads.
I loved this whole book. I couldn’t find a flaw in the story and really enjoyed it. The story goes back and forth between the past and the present. It is done in a way that makes you want to know what happens next in both places. Grace O'Connell creates her main character Veda’s point of view to feel like you are her and really understand what she’s going through, from her childhood to her present. If you want something a bit different, shocking with a dash of heartbreak then be ready for the lightning is for you.
I loved this whole book. I couldn’t find a flaw in the story and really enjoyed it. The story goes back and forth between the past and the present. It is done in a way that makes you want to know what happens next in both places. Grace O'Connell creates her main character Veda’s point of view to feel like you are her and really understand what she’s going through, from her childhood to her present. If you want something a bit different, shocking with a dash of heartbreak then be ready for the lightning is for you.
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