A Trick of Nature

by Suzanne Matson

When one of his players is struck by lightning, high-school football coach Greg Goodman, an ordinary family man, has his suburban routine shaken up--especially after he becomes involved with the player's drug addict mother. Reader's Guide included. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. It held my interest, but these people have no idea how to communicate. I wanted to shake them. But I was sorry when the book ended, so that has to mean something.

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suzanne Matson writes a thinly plotted, simple story of a high school teacher, Greg, and his wife, Patty. Greg gets involved with Tim Phelps, a poor student dying to play football. After getting his father to agree Greg allows the team to practice during a thunderstorm. When tragedy strikes it unleashes feelings that Greg and Patty had no idea they were feeling and that this would impact their daughters, 16 year old twins. I enjoyed this novel, but Matson is a good writer and will come up with richer fare in the future.

[Debbie Akers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one starts well, then gets slow later on. I had a hard time staying interested, but was happy I made it through, as the ending wasn’t bad. The book is basically a study of a marriage in trouble with none of the characters being particularly remarkable, really. (There is one crisis that happens that is unusual, though). And maybe that’s the point. Maybe they’re supposed to be cliche so people relate?

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

credit where credits due (and this was echoed by some other reviews) this is an easy breezy read which for me was really nice. There wasn't a lot that I didn't like aside from a few moments that seemed a little melodramatic, but there wasn't a lot that I really loved. I would casually recommend it as a light read

[Nancy T. Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complications of life

A 38 year old man has to reorder his life after a tragic accident occurs when he is the coach of a JV football team.

[P. Kimberlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Can be read quickly. Kept my interest. Would recommend this book to others. Good beach read it lazy summer days

[Amy Lambert · Rating 2 out of 5]

So slow…. I gave up with 100 pgs left

[يوسف عبداللطيف · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Suzanne Matson" managed to create space for genuine critique in "A Trick of Nature: A Novel" without relying on cheap rage-bait. The text offers a sharp breakdown of freedom and identity in modern times. Big respect to "Suzanne Matson".

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gobbled this baby up. I wasn't really expecting a lot from this, thought it would be a good "beach read". I wound up really liking her characters and her portrayal of a 20ish year-old marriage. Her writing style was poetic without trying too hard. "He had a sudden flash of what things used to be like, her old eagerness for him that through the years had paled, like a rug gradually and invisibly bleached of its vividness. Then when you shifted something, a heavy piece of furniture, a glowing patch of color underneath showed you how much had been lost without your even noticing." An engaging story that kept me interested.

[Kaitlin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This starts out slow, then is briefly interesting once the affairs and lightning strikes begin. It quickly tapers off again, though. I wish I had given up on this instead of finishing it. The characters themselves are tedious and their inner dialogue is pointless. There is nothing to distinguish the characters from each other, as they all think the same things over and over. There is no lesson to be learned or redeeming quality in this. Not worth reading.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book did not capture me the same way Hunger Moon did I still enjoyed it. The main point of view is male and I always like seeing how authors portray their main character if it's a different gender. Mostly I like to consider how the author gives the character's motivation for their actions. As a whole, good book but I remember it being a little sad to me.

[Sboysen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly this story epitomizes the modern day family issues (except for the lightening strike). It left me with a heavy heart. This is a great study in how far-reaching our sins are. You think your choices only affect you? This book says "think again". Quick read, great writing style and engaging plot. Rather lack luster ending, however.

[Karschtl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interessante Ausgangssituation, die dann aber doch ins für mich langweilige abdriftet. Die Eheprobleme, die Suche nach der Mutter... Muss man nicht gelesen haben, es tut aber auch nicht wirklich weh.