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Different
A couple at odds, a family in danger, and a boy who doesn’t speak.
Frank MacBride’s intention to keep his family safe is complicated by relationship challenges with his wife Sofia, and by their young son Sam's increasingly unusual and unsafe behavior.
Frank MacBride’s intention to keep his family safe is complicated by relationship challenges with his wife Sofia, and by their young son Sam's increasingly unusual and unsafe behavior.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2019
28 people are currently reading
870 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 2, 2020
Datta Groover has created an intriguing and gripping tale that readers will have a hard time letting go of.
Read full review in the 2020 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2020 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
April 11, 2019
Staying focused on work is easy for me. At least it was before this book came along. The day after starting this book, while at work I found my thoughts drifting to 'Different'. I couldn't wait to get back to this reading this book. I wanted to see what would happen next! That continued pretty much every day until I was able to finish reading this book. It was a very fun read. It took some twists and turns that surprised and delighted me. I enjoyed the characters, even when I didn't always like them, or more accurately, I didn't like how they were acting. The author adeptly weaves a tapestry that ultimately reveals us to ourselves. He didn't sugar coat or deny the flaws of his characters. He allowed me to still view them with compassion, respect and ultimately with affection. I am an avid reader and there are only two writers that I anxiously watch and wait for their next book. Datta Groover is now added to the list. I can't wait to read his next book. In the meantime, I highly recommend that you read this one.
June 20, 2023
Ugh… I tried my best to finish this novel. I thought the plot sounded interesting, and it had won some prestigious awards.
The characters are very one-dimensional. It is impossible to ignore the poor character development. The plot is predictable and boring. I am not by any means qualified as an editor. But, I read ALL the books, and this reads as if it was written by a freshman in high school.
#couldntevenfinish
The characters are very one-dimensional. It is impossible to ignore the poor character development. The plot is predictable and boring. I am not by any means qualified as an editor. But, I read ALL the books, and this reads as if it was written by a freshman in high school.
#couldntevenfinish
March 17, 2019
I thought this book was thrilling and heart felt. The journey this family took through the eyes of the parents was gripping and compelling! I couldn’t put it down! When it came to the end of the book, I was both sad and excited. I was sad for myself that it was the end of the books story and excited how it ended. I was left desiring more!
March 22, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. The characters seemed real as well as their conflicts. The way that it covered the family dealing with Sam's specialness was amazing. Also the family dynamics were on point. I will be referring this to friends
March 24, 2019
I loved the extremely relatable characters, real-life struggles and page-turning suspense, and I especially loved the vulnerability and heart in Different. I enjoyed this book very much and was not ready for it to end.
April 1, 2019
I won this copy in a Goodreads Giveaway, all opinions are my own. This is a quick read one part mystery, one part family drama with a little mystical thrown in. I don't want to spoil the story but I do want to say that it really drew me in and kept me reading!
April 2, 2019
**I received this book from a goodreads giveaway**
I appreciate the author and GR for both letting me check out this book. I was pretty excited to get it since I rarely win anything, and the synopsis had me thinking it would be a book about a boy with autism.
I have to admit that it did take me a while to read it, and a while to get into it, I was waiting for stuff to happen, it's basically a book about a family and their day to day life, I was hoping for more about Sam, and autism, but he doesn't really have autism, at one point in the beginning he was said to have borderline autism, which to me was weird, I'd never heard of borderline, so I just lumped it with autism and once I had that in my mind, it was very hard for me to let it go, so the way the book actually progressed was hard for me to grasp.
I spent most of the book wanting to know more about Sam, he was more intriguing than the core story and the problems of his parents. It's a story about family and struggles they went through, but I just wanted to knock both of the adults out, they were both not very strong characters, almost bumbling along, not very intelligent at times. I just didn't connect with them and didn't really love them. We didn't learn too much about the sisters, they weren't very strong secondary characters, I would have liked to see more of them and their interactions with Sam.
The plot itself was pretty good, I can see why there was so much time spent on daily matters and problems, to lend to the overall plot and conclusion, but I had a hard time keeping interest waiting on something to happen, I didn't truly get into the story until the last bit of it. Despite that and my difficulty overcoming the word autism (but that is just because I am an autism mom with aspie tendencies myself so if you have the symptoms and say the word, its hard to see anything but that, a normal person probably could accept and move on), the author showed promise with his words and story, I would definitely read another of his books and would enjoy watching his growth as an author.
I appreciate the author and GR for both letting me check out this book. I was pretty excited to get it since I rarely win anything, and the synopsis had me thinking it would be a book about a boy with autism.
I have to admit that it did take me a while to read it, and a while to get into it, I was waiting for stuff to happen, it's basically a book about a family and their day to day life, I was hoping for more about Sam, and autism, but he doesn't really have autism, at one point in the beginning he was said to have borderline autism, which to me was weird, I'd never heard of borderline, so I just lumped it with autism and once I had that in my mind, it was very hard for me to let it go, so the way the book actually progressed was hard for me to grasp.
I spent most of the book wanting to know more about Sam, he was more intriguing than the core story and the problems of his parents. It's a story about family and struggles they went through, but I just wanted to knock both of the adults out, they were both not very strong characters, almost bumbling along, not very intelligent at times. I just didn't connect with them and didn't really love them. We didn't learn too much about the sisters, they weren't very strong secondary characters, I would have liked to see more of them and their interactions with Sam.
The plot itself was pretty good, I can see why there was so much time spent on daily matters and problems, to lend to the overall plot and conclusion, but I had a hard time keeping interest waiting on something to happen, I didn't truly get into the story until the last bit of it. Despite that and my difficulty overcoming the word autism (but that is just because I am an autism mom with aspie tendencies myself so if you have the symptoms and say the word, its hard to see anything but that, a normal person probably could accept and move on), the author showed promise with his words and story, I would definitely read another of his books and would enjoy watching his growth as an author.
April 4, 2019
It's been a while since I've gotten so emotionally invested in a books characters. Now I want to know more about their lives!
March 19, 2019
I couldn't look away. This book is amazing! Looking foward to more from a great author!
April 16, 2019
**I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway**
I could happily have done with fewer subplots as there was a lot going on but the main story was quite fascinating. I would have preferred to leave some of the twists alone and to focus more on Sam as he was definitely someone I wanted to know about.
I could happily have done with fewer subplots as there was a lot going on but the main story was quite fascinating. I would have preferred to leave some of the twists alone and to focus more on Sam as he was definitely someone I wanted to know about.
April 5, 2019
Datta’s book Different has been difficult to put down. I haven’t finished reading a book in a long time, because I typically get bored very quickly. Not with this book! I got drawn in right from the first page, read it in record time and was sad when I finished it. I really wanted to know how this family’s story continued. Datta is a master at storytelling and at keeping readers engaged paragraph after paragraph. Very real, believable, complex and interesting characters as well as surprising and captivating twists and turns along the way in the story. This book is an absolute must-read.
March 31, 2019
"Different" pulled me in fast! I easily and quickly became invested in the characters, cheering them on from the sidelines, or saying, "No, don't do it!" and worrying about the consequences of their actions.
Only good writing can do that!
"Different" explores family dynamics, intimate relationships, marriage, spiritual beliefs, and the complex array of consequences each apparently unrelated incident contributes to. And then there's the issue of what it is to be "Different."
Well paced and entertaining, with a dash of mystery and intrigue, Datta Groover's "Different" is clever, beautifully written and a must read.
I hope Datta Groover is already writing his next book, because I'm already in the queue to read it.
Only good writing can do that!
"Different" explores family dynamics, intimate relationships, marriage, spiritual beliefs, and the complex array of consequences each apparently unrelated incident contributes to. And then there's the issue of what it is to be "Different."
Well paced and entertaining, with a dash of mystery and intrigue, Datta Groover's "Different" is clever, beautifully written and a must read.
I hope Datta Groover is already writing his next book, because I'm already in the queue to read it.
June 18, 2020
Datta is not only an insightful writer who understands the vicissitudes of loving exchanges, but, he lays bare the secrets to successful relationships between man and wife, father and son, parents and daughters, citizen and community. The story is so well weaved together that the reader hardly has pause in the unfolding external and internal drama. Frank McBride and his wife, Sofia struggle to find stasis only by plumbing their pasts due to the incessant rigors of the present. The mystery of their son's refusal to speak reflects so much of their own struggle to own their histories and put it behind them. I found myself hankering for their family to succeed in that most elusive of dynamics - emotionally being invested in each other's best interests. Realistic, intriguing, satisfying - hard to find all in one book. Datta is a gentle guiding hand in lifting the reader to a life of hope out of the emotional chaos that bewilders human beings for invisible causes. Sometimes, the genesis of our present dawn upon us by the hands of an expert writer. This book is, indeed, different in a most inspiring way.
April 26, 2019
Truly a different kind of book.
I wasn't into the book when I started it but then I could see the characters development and became much more satisfying. It's a spiritual book and something makes you take stock and think about life. You never know what God will throw at you.
I wasn't into the book when I started it but then I could see the characters development and became much more satisfying. It's a spiritual book and something makes you take stock and think about life. You never know what God will throw at you.
April 24, 2019
Amazing! Just the right amount of twists! Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen next I would be surprised. Loved it and will recommend to fellow readers looking for a good read!
April 10, 2020
I won this book last year in a Goodreads giveaway and just not got a chance to read it. I am sad that it took me this long to read it, this was actually are a really good book. The characters seem so real, their struggles so real. I think some times there could have been more focus on Sam and less twists and turns, but over all this was a good book and a quick read. I look forward to reading more by this author.
July 3, 2019
When I started reading this book I didn't realize it was reflected in the past few years. The characters were either immigrants or children of immigrants. The characters drew me in and I wanted to read more about their lives. I felt as if I knew each one of them and wanted to be friends with these people. I want to read more from this author.
December 10, 2019
I stayed up half the night finishing Different, at the same time not wanting it to end. The writing style was fluent & easy to read, while the main characters felt familiar & easy to connect to from the book’s beginning.I especially loved little Sam, his challenges & authenticity warmed my heart.
January 4, 2020
I zoomed right through it. Entertaining. The development of the boy Sam was predictable. However, the events in the lives of his family were not. I really wanted the story to continue. I was sad when I got to the last page. Looking forward to Datta Groovers next book!
February 8, 2020
Insightful and worthy read
An insightful book that makes you think and hope at the same time. The evolution of the characters and relationships along with weaving in of spiritual insights is beautifully done. A sweet story definitely worth reading. I very much enjoyed it.
An insightful book that makes you think and hope at the same time. The evolution of the characters and relationships along with weaving in of spiritual insights is beautifully done. A sweet story definitely worth reading. I very much enjoyed it.
June 14, 2019
A great, fun, and interesting read! No pun intended but it is so refreshing to read a different kind of story! Loved it!
August 8, 2019
Fascinating read
July 21, 2021
Intriguing read that defies being pigeonholed into a specific genre. Family drama and mystery woven with themes of family bonds and loyalty. Groover creates three-dimensional characters that feel like real people you’ve met and, perhaps, broken bread with.
The story pulls the reader into a family’s challenges- a marriage relationship needing full commitment and disclosure, a son’s unique obstacle, and individuals grappling with what it means to be a couple, a parent, a spiritual being. Groover avoids cliche and platitudes yet builds an inspirational story that reminds us that personal growth may hurt for a season but opens our lives to so much potential.
The story pulls the reader into a family’s challenges- a marriage relationship needing full commitment and disclosure, a son’s unique obstacle, and individuals grappling with what it means to be a couple, a parent, a spiritual being. Groover avoids cliche and platitudes yet builds an inspirational story that reminds us that personal growth may hurt for a season but opens our lives to so much potential.
April 12, 2020
I just didn't find the characters very likable. Sam yes, but the rest no. Lots of "abnormal" (to use one of the author's words) situations.
August 5, 2020
Didn’t finish it. Terrible waste of time.
March 11, 2021
Amazing story
I absolutely loved this story, read it in 2 days. The characters are relatable and you can’t help but cheer them on, in spite of their shortcomings.
I absolutely loved this story, read it in 2 days. The characters are relatable and you can’t help but cheer them on, in spite of their shortcomings.
May 1, 2023
A lovely, well written, book. Each unexpected high and low really made encouraged me to be more introspective. Thanks for the gift, Datta 📚🤓
May 29, 2019
I received this novel through a Goodreads giveaway. Although it was not at all what I expected and, at times, struck me as unrealistic, I enjoyed the family's story. From what I'd read earlier, I looked forward to story about a boy with autism, but Sam was a relatively small, though important, part of the story. If you enjoy stories about the ups and downs of daily life and the mistakes that people too often make that get them into difficult situations, you should like this novel. If you're interested in autism, accept that this isn't really a book about a child with autism, but more a book full of surprises involving a boy who is different, a family that loves and nurtures him, and a few unsavory characters that the giveaway description didn't lead me to expect. All in all, it's an interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews