The Weight of Glass

by Stuart Heatherington

BOOK TRAILER WEIGHT OF GLASS, a novel of suspense, contains one hell of a twisted ending you'll never see coming. Here are a few early M-M (AMAZON TOP 500 REVIEWER) UK AMAZON says 5 I enjoyed this book immensely...and I highly recommend it to others.This is so introspective, emotionally revealing and realistic that I can't believe it is a work of fiction.Readers Favorite "Book Reviews and Award Contest" (AMAZON VINE VOICE) says 5 "I had to keep reminding myself this is a work of fiction. Well written, well developed with a dynamic plot what more could a reader ask for." THE BOOK INN BLOG (AMAZON VINE VOICE) says 5 "This book was hard to put down! I couldn't stop, I had to know what would happen next...it's an amazing story and you really have to read the book!!"APEX REVIEWS (AMAZON VINE VOICE) says 5 "Heatherington inspires a compelling sense of empathy in the reader...A highly recommended instant classic."REVIEWER "LYNN" (AMAZON VINE VOICE) SAYS 5 "A deeply and emotional story that is very hard to put down once started. Being the first book written by Mr. Heatherington and if this is any indication of his future books he will be an author to watch for.""RED ADEPT REVIEWS" (AMAZON TOP 1000 REVIEWER) says 4 3/4 "This book put me in mind of The Prince of Tides, by Pat Conroy. The storyline was filled with surprises. There were scenes that made me cry, scenes that made me chuckle, if a bit darkly, and scenes that made me want to cheer." Hidden in Amy Macon’s memoir, as much a mystery as a survival guide for a torturous childhood, is the need to stitch together the fabric of a family's dark history. Her brother, Lee Macon, can't forget waking up inside his mother's coffin or the memory of the man who put him there. That's a secret he’s kept from Amy for 30 years. But if there's one thing they understand, it's out of a houseful of children, only two of them remain alive. Now, in the wake of their youngest sister’s murder, Amy must have the truth, knowing it will ease the scars brought on by time, if not the ones carved in her wrists. In this, Lee finds himself blindsided by a sister’s resolve, drawn up by the corners of a broken heart and forced to share what, as a boy, he so desperately fought to conceal. Problem is no one said it would be easy digging up the dead. It never is. Sifting through the bones of the past, means piecing together the mystery of a family long buried in violence. A provocative novel of literary/suspense, The Weight of Glass is a story of a family’s struggle with revenge in the wake of tragedy.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Memoir

359 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 19, 2010

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a tough read; very intense. The horrible abuse that the characters of the story were subjected to was heart wrenching. It was almost painful to read their story. One could almost feel their pain as the recalled the abuse they suffered at the hands of their stepfather.

It was also tough for me due to the author's melodic and descriptive writing style. I found myself having to reread sentences quite often to fully grasp and appreciate the author's meaning and intent. In the beginning of the story it was a little difficult to keep track of who was who and which character was narrating, but once I became accustomed to the writing, this story really pulled me in.

It was encouraging to read about two ordinary people trying to overcome their abusive past and move forward. I liked the fact that the author didn't over-simplify their lives and have a "happily ever after" style ending. Instead he wrote them as real people with real flaws. I appreciated that.

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. The premise of child abuse and its blight on the adult survivors is a powerful one. Many of the book's passages were almost poetic. But after a while I could only wonder if anything good ever happened to this family, or was it just one more sensational story after another. I also frequently found the "bridge" story of the surviving siblings' reunion to be muddled, hard to follow who was talking at times. And after a while, I didn't really care. I just kept reading to see what Mr. Heatherington would put his characters through next.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it

[Wonderkell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Weight of Glass is one of those books that just struck a chord with me as a reader. There are many reasons for this, and they all come down to how well it is written.

Right from the very beginning I was drawn straight into the lives of Lee Macon, his sister Amy & their respective families. What happened to Lee & Amy, and their other siblings, is so horrific that it is almost unbelievable. There is just so much that happens, particularly to Lee, that I spent most of the book with my heart breaking for this guy. But the reason I believed the horrors was the way in which Stuart Heatherington writes about child abuse. I am an abuse survivor myself (though nowhere near to the same extent), and I found myself psychologically identifying with so many of Lee & Amy's words that it would be impossible not to believe the truth of the book's characters.

The book is also written with such poetic but simple & poignant language that it is possible to become totally immersed in this story and the lives of the characters. I really, really wanted Lee and Amy to find peace with their lives.

I won't go into to much detail, as that would give away the story. The only problem I had with the book (an ebook version) is that there were a few errors in terms of words being misspelt, but they weren't the type of words to be picked up by a spell-check; words such as 'their' & 'there' being in the wrong context. It did distract a little from what would otherwise be a beautiful & professional book.

[Lanette Kauten · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE WEIGHT OF GLASS is a poignant and riveting look at child abuse told from the standpoint of two adult survivors- broken, alcoholic Lee who just wants to forget, and his self-righteous but well-meaning sister Amy. The novel starts off with an excerpt from Amy’s memoir, which is weaved beautifully through the first part of the story, primarily told by Lee.
The accounts of their abuse are horrific, but the writing is tasteful and rarely lends to sensationalism. Even though the focus is the childhood abuse brought on them and their siblings by their step-father, the theme is healing, even though the reality is some wounds never completely close over, and some scars never fade.
My main criticism about this book is the timeline gets confusing about half-way. At first it was evident when Lee and Amy were in the present and when they were looking back on their damaged past, but when Lee visited his brother in prison, it was a few chapters before I realized he was thinking back, and the story did not suddenly propel itself forward. Dates at the head of each chapter would have been a simple remedy without disrupting the flow.
Because of the compelling nature of THE WEIGHT OF GLASS in the deft hands of its author, I believe that if the right agent had taken on this book and helped the author make the book marketable and the verbiage less flowery, then once in the hands of a large publisher, this could have been a best-seller.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm having a giveaway on my blog- 3 ebooks

So emotional, passionate and heart wrenching!!

This book was hard to put down! I couldn't stop, I had to know what would happen next.
It's a story of how 2 people who survived horrific abuse at the hands of their stepfather and they relive the past, telling about the abuse they suffered and what they did to try to stop it.
The story is written so beautifully, at times poetically.
There were parts where I was on the edge of my sitting, praying this boy would tell someone about his abuse and there were parts where I was hoping something would happen to the stepfather, and something does a couple of times! I don't want to give to much away, it's an amazing story and you really have to read the book!!

[Nancy Castell-Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Weight of Glass has fast become one of my favorite books. I was hooked from the beginning. The book moves around from the present to different points in the past but it's so seamless, I hardly realize I have changed my thoughts. The book revolves around one main character, Lee (who was my favorite) but there are several other characters that the author writes stories around... and I found myself a little sad each time we changed from one to another.

Toward the end, I thought I caught the author in a mistake as his present and past collided.. I hate it when authors make silly mistakes but this author was totally surprising. He got me.

Read this book!

[Georgeanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm at 40% and I can't finish this book. The author's writing is so superb that I'm unable to bear reading about any more of the abuse these children suffered. It reads like a true story and it's too believable for me to keep plowing through it, and having my heart ache for these kids. It's not a failing on the author's part. I'm just too much of a 'mush' to be able to disengage from the despair in these pages.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as a free ebook from amazon. I have to admit I was thrown a little from cover (doesn't give it justice), but I found it to be a great novel from a new voice! The story is deep, raw, and emotional. I found it confusing in the beginning to follow, but once I picked up the rithym I found it enjoyable. The story is a heavy one, told by main character as he reflects back on his dark, troubled childhood. Great job Stuart! I look forward to reading more from you

[Karrin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was so poorly written that I put it down halfway through the first chapter. Lucky it was only a $2.99-er on Kindle. Don't bother, though!

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

First chapter had too much bad language for my taste. Did not go any further.

[Charna Gilfeather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

It takes a lot for me to give 5 stars and I thought this book was excellent. The characters were amazing. The storyline thought provoking. I'm sure I missed some of the timelines and can't wait to re-read it.

[Melissa Herman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read!!

[T · Rating 1 out of 5]

There were a number of things I found promising about this book, but it is not the sort of book I enjoy reading. Not because of the topic, but because of the overabundance of bad language in it.

[Cheryl Masciarelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE WEIGHT OF GLASS by Stuart Heatherington
Published by Stuart Heatherington
ASIN: B003WMA670
At the request of the author, an EBook edition was provided, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (from author): Hidden in the words of Amy Macon’s memoir, as much a work in progress as a survival guide for a torturous childhood, is the need to stitch together the fabric of a family’s dark history.
For Lee Macon, growing up meant you had to forget waking up inside your mother’s coffin or the memory of the man that put you there. That’s a secret he’s kept from his sister for 30 years.
Things change, however, when Amy joins Lee at the family’s beach house to lay their sister to rest. Showing up will ease some of the scars brought on by time, if not the memory of the ones etched upon Amy’s wrists. But more importantly, Lee understands the staggering truth behind her murder.
What they know is this: out of a houseful of children, only two of them remain alive. One is pushing to escape the past and the other hell-bent on bringing it to light. In this, Lee finds himself blindsided by a sister’s resolve, drug around by the corners of a broken heart and forced to remember what, as a boy, he so desperately fought to hide. Problem is no one said it would be easy digging up the dead. It never is. But if they’re going to sift through the bones of memory, it will mean uncovering the mystery of a family long buried in violence.
A provocative novel of survival and redemption, The Weight of Glass is a story of one family’s struggle with forgiveness in the wake of tragedy.
My Thoughts and Opinion: This was a very hard read due to the nature of the story line. A very disturbing and profound plot of extreme child abuse of 4 siblings, only 2 surviving to adulthood and trying to deal with the past. The story alternated between an adult brother and sister reliving and confessing to each other the torture they both endured of their childhood and how it affected them. At times, I had difficulty as to who was remembering the memories and had to reread a few pages to fully grasp which sibling it was. The characters were very hard for me, and this is my opinion only, to relate to as the abuse was so horrendous at times, that I could not imagine. A very depressing, and at times, horrific read. Unfortunately, in this day and age, we hear and see real life stories like this on the news every week.
My Rating: 3

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

When describing this book to a friend, his response was, "wow...sounds, um, uplifting."

It's a sad story of living through the deaths of family members and child abuse told through the eyes of two sibling who survived it all.

Predominantly told by Lee, the brother, in a series of recollections as he's telling his sister, Amy, her girlfriend, Nicole, and his daughter, Charlie, about the beatings he withstood during his young life at the hands of his uber-religious stepfather. Amy recounts the sexual abuse she suffered in an attempt to save her younger sister from it through memoir inserts every few chapters or so.

Both viewpoints paint a sad and horrifying picture of what child abuse looks like and how it can seriously alter people for the rest of their lives. It also manages to show how these characters were able to come to grips with their pasts and attempt to let it all go. I found myself stunned by the pictures painted by the author and rooting for Lee and Amy as they told their stories, including their attempts to get back at their stepfather for the miserable things he did to them. And, as horrible as this may make me sound, I was happy to learn of the ways they broke him down and had him tumbling from the high pedestal he'd placed himself on. I don't condone their actions (although fictitious), however, I can understand why they did what they did.

There were various side stories involving their younger siblings, Paul and Darla, and their stepbrother, Marcus. They didn't play as big of a part in the book as their interactions with their stepfather though.

Overall, I really liked this book. It had me hooked in the prologue (a piece of Amy's memoir) and, although sometimes sickening to imagine the events going on in the book, carried itself through to the end. At times I wondered how all this could possibly happen in a single family, but the more I read, the more it seemed plausible. If a home is entirely broken, how deep can anger and pain run and affect the lives of the numerous people in it?

[Susan Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sins of the Fathers

An exhilarating, provocative read, THE WEIGHT OF GLASS by Stuart Heatherington is about sins of the fathers, the ineffective love of a mother, and the destruction of a family. It is about child abuse, violent and sexual, spanning generations, leaving children maimed as adults and chained to the wheel of learned behavior. It is about truth buried in the mists of memory until a murder uncorks the dregs of what Lee Macon tries for most of his life to conceal from himself.

In the wake of their sister's murder, Amy and Lee, two of the four children, meet and as they reminisce, the story of their family's dark secrets unfolds. Interleaved in this present are parts of Amy's memoir, an attempt to understand the terror of her childhood, as well as Lee's reflections leading to self discovery, albeit imperfect, and a revelation that is central to the novel's meaning. If the plot is at times complex and cyclical, the story is straightforward and suspenseful.

THE WEIGHT OF GLASS is explicit, sometimes shocking, and not for the faint of heart. But if the book's language is direct, it is also lyrical, a feast so sumptuous that at times, its beauty left me breathless. I will not soon forget the beauty of the South Carolina shore, a backdrop for most of the book or scenes involving Amy and her preacher stepfather, or his fire and brimstone words, or the spiders, or the burials. I recommend THE WEIGHT OF GLASS to all adults interested in lyricism and suspense.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of the ramifications of acquiring an evil stepfather who brings abuse in many forms. An uncomfortable subject despite not dwelling too heavily on the damaging details but more on the resulting effects on wife and five children.
Mostly this is well-written and shows a nice flair for the fresh descriptive phrase, although the early part of chapter five, for instance, strives far too hard at this resulting in a blurring effect, often making the meaning unclear.
The various insights into the trauma caused to the individuals is horribly believable.
I found the structure: interspersed Amy manuscript, changing timelines and many memory flashes, confusing. Incidents made little sense without already knowing the whole story and so they were read and forgotten by the time their relevance emerged. A second read of course makes the whole thing more coherent, but the reader shouldn’t be required to read a book twice to fully grasp its complexity.
I would suggest a more careful edit for typos etc. Things like: medal for metal,
bell instead of belle, shear for sheer, a part for apart etc. Quite a few throughout.
Generally the quality of the writing is very good and with a more controlled timeline this would work well and allow the writer’s obvious ability to shine through.

[Mandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book - I read it in less than a day because I wanted to find out what happened. However, the subject matter was depressing. The story was sometimes difficult to follow. It was impossible to tell what was going on. For instance, at one point the daughter, named Charlie, is talking to her father. She says something, dad replies, quotation marks at the beginning and end of dad's sentence, a new line with new quotation marks and "he said." Who said? The dad? Because the line makes no sense when attributed to the dad. It makes sense if attributed to the daughter. The next line only makes sense if the dad is saying it, so I can only assume the author meant "she said." At another point, the dad said he was getting ready to become a great grandfather. I puzzled over that comment for awhile, as well. I thought maybe I missed something, like maybe Charlie was his granddaughter instead of his daughter. But later on, the story talks about his daughter rubbing her belly (referring to the child she's carrying.) It would benefit from some editing. All in all, a fairly well told tale. I don't know that I would necessarily recommend it to anyone because the subject matter is pretty heavy for a fictional read.

[Danielle Beaulieu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although the story itself, "The Weight of Glass", wasn't that bad, the telling of it was just awful. The first issue I had was that I'm guessing the author, Stuart Heatherington, either published this novel himself or he had a very cheap publisher do it for him as there were many, many grammatical errors and just lazy editing. Words were misspelled and tenses were incorrect; these are things I wasn't even looking for and yet they continuously jumped off the page at me. Very distracting. Also, the story line contained a lot of flashbacks and storytelling within the plot and at times I had some difficulty keeping up with who was being discussed, which situation was being discussed, and generally what was going on. I believe that had the novel been written a little better, I would have very much enjoyed this story; unfortunately, the plot was not strong enough (in my opinion) to carry all of the negative aspects, which I feel would have been caught in the editing process had the author gone with a more reputable publisher.

[Kamila Lidle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only made it 11% of the way through this book before having to stop. I was so confused by the way the story jumped around in time that I couldn't get to the heart of the story. I tried to continue reading in an effort to give the author a chance, but the extreme abuse was rough, then to have flashbacks and memoir writing and then jumping to the present in a way that made no sense to me made me put down the book with a sigh of exasperation.

I don't feel I can rate this book fairly because I got it free and was trying a new style and it is NOT the kind of book I regularly read, and think others should at least give it a try, just be forewarned that if you like your story to go from point a to b to c this may not be a good book for you as it seems to go from f to b to A to Z and so on.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

As others have written, it was a difficult subject; however, since it hit really close to home for myself, it drew me in. I had picked it up for the kindle as a freebie and am glad I did. It kept me intrigued, throughout. (I listen to the TTS for most of my kindle books, while I clean house or run errands and I must say, I found a lot of stuff that needed cleaned, just so I could keep listening to this story)

I enjoyed the way it was written with the main character visiting with his sister and telling her bits and pieces from the past. That was well done and helped keep up the suspense. I look forward to this author's next book.

[Sharyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, what a good book. Extremely saddening and maddening subject, but for the most very well written. I love the dialogue between Lee and Nicole, reminded me of my (now ex) brother in law and myself. I found at times there was too much description in what was seen in the surrounding areas and unfortunately I found myself skipping paragraphs because of this. All in all it was a good book though and I would absolutely refer this one to friends, as long as I could ensure it would hurt them due to the subject matter.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only made it as far as page 27 in this. I was totally confused by the story and who was telling it kept changing each chapter which didn't help and I just got bored by it, I'm afraid. I downloaded it 5 months ago and it has great reviews apart from one other reviewer it didn't appeal to the same as me.
He also used won't in place of want, rung instead of wrung (!!) and I gave up when he mentioned "....her face in a puzzle of orange shadows and knotted towel". I just didn't understand the line at all and had enough by then.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subject matter is a real downer: a step-father who abused his wife's children, mentally and physically, in the name of God. The story is told by the oldest son Lee with inserts of a memoir written by oldest sister Amy. The two have gathered along with her lover and his daughter to dispose of their younger sister's ashes and rehash their experiences and learn to begin the healing process.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject matter itself is difficult to read about. Within the book there were parts of the book that I thought were very well written and transport you to that time and place. But there are parts that I thought were more difficult. There is some jumping around from timeline to timeline that I found jarring and not as well done.

[Liz Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could not read this at bed time. The description of the child abuse is too graphic. Lots of formatting problems with this book made the dialogue hard to follow at times, but it is well worth the effort.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee is trying to come to terms with his past, and it's difficult. The book gradually reveals his story, and that of his siblings.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too depressing for me.

[Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is just not my type of book, was a morbid horrible junk read!

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it.