I think I’m going to have to come up with one more rating graphic for ABSOLUTE MUST READ BOOK. Because the green go sign just doesn’t do this book justice!
I JUST finished this book tonight and couldn’t wait to blog about it! This book was AMAZING and I will definitely be purchasing a copy of this book and will definitely be reading it again. And again. And probably again! This book was so powerful to me because I could completely relate to the main character, Isabel. She’s in her early 30s and has to move through a very difficult time of personal growth. The season is long and hard, and is not – at all times – done with much grace or dignity. But in the end, she comes out shining!
I sure hope that Hollywood never tries to make a movie out of this book because they would completely ruin it.
You can read a synopsis here.
This book is a definite GO!
I only have one precaution: if you are dealing with emotional or mental health issues it might be wise to let your therapist know that you are reading this book as there will probably be a lot of things that come up in the book that give you pause to think. If you are not working with a therapist, and you start to identify with any of the main characters in the book, that is probably a very good sign that you should get professional help. 
You can read the Wikipedia Overview Here.
I read this book in 2 days. But had I a little more time on day 1, I would have finished it that day since I skipped most of it. I was only really interested in what happened to the dog in the night — which of course is a mystery. Which…actually…unravels only a few chapters into the story as the reader is able to put the pieces together a lost faster than the narrator. Because the narrator is a 15 yr old autistic boy. Which makes the point of view very interesting, but – in the end – tediously boring for my fast-paced, on the brink of being diagnosed Attention Deficit brain. Which is why I skipped almost every other chapter since every other chapter wasn’t about the plot but rather about what the narrator thought about things either related to – or not related at all to – the actual storyline itself. Which was supposed to be part of the storyline – but I just couldn’t get into the whole of the book.
As with all adult fiction – you have the typical issues revolving around undesirable language, rebellion, adultery, thievery, murder, anger…rage… nothing that’s not found in the Book of Chronicles though. And at least in this book there isn’t even one graphic sex scene. The Song of Solomon is more embarrassing to read through than some of these modern day novels! LOL!
But all in all, I’d have to say this was a very clever book. I mean, you have to be a very clever author to figure out how to write from the perspective of a 15yr old autistic boy – and pull it off! And I was able to relate to all the characters, so for that, I applaud Mark Haddon. He is a very good author. I’m sure this will become a classic along the lines of Catcher in the Rye, Lord of the Flies, The Trial, 1984, etc. It really is on that kind of level. I was very impressed with his capabilities as an author. I just did find myself bored to death with the tedious details in the story. But I still would highly recommend this book as a good read for adults and probably something that will be referenced in future literature.
So I say give it a go!! This is definitely a book I would want to purchase for my home library.
(I’ve started with the most recent since this book since it is the one that is most fresh in my memory, and then I’ll work my way up the list I left on the original post. )
For everyone’s sake, I’m keeping the rating system around here pretty darn simple.
If I like a book, and it’s something I’m going to keep because I’ve bought it – or buy it because I’m reading the library’s copy, I’m going to say so and I’m going to give it “a go!” – which also means I think you (reader) ought to give the book a try! This picture will appear somewhere in the post.
If it’s something I don’t really like, but don’t really hate – and so I can’t really say if it’s bad or not, then I’m going to let you decide. I’ll jot my thoughts down and then simply leave the following image attached to the title of the blog and you’re basically on your own with the book. Best of luck!
And if it’s horrendous, awful – totally without any redeeming worth – and I have a strong desire to host a book burning party – I will absolutely let you know! I will tell all there is to tell about the book and put a great big warning sign before the post!!
I like this idea. It’s simple. And if I find cuter graphics, I’ll surely change them out. LOL!
Here’s the list of books I’ve read since January which I will eventually get around to reviewing. I won’t exactly be really detailed in some of them – I just might say GO READ IT or NEVER PICK THIS BOOK UP. I will figure out a rating system – and incorporate that too. It’ll be fun. Wanna tag along? Are you reading fiction books and want to offer some book reviews? Leave a comment and we can incorporate – I would love to have a few other authors on this blog! Note: some of these are actually non-fiction…
- The Memory Keeper’s Daughter
- Redeeming Love
- The Pilot’s Wife
- The Weight of Water
- Light on Snow
- The Mermaid Chair
- Song of Solomon
- The Dance of the Dissident Daughter
- The Good Mother
- Learning to be Human
- The Heart of Woman
- A Shining Affliction
- Water for Elephants
- gods Behaving Badly
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night
- The Lord of the Flies
- But Inside I’m Screaming
- ME & EMMA
- Everything Must Go
- the difference between you and me
- A Student of Living Things….
- Cranberry Queen
