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jenknox's Reviews (494)
Torn is a quick read, but it's not an easy read. I found the subject-matter compelling, and more so given that Amber Lehman doesn't hold back details or sugar-coat her characters' experiences.
In a note from the author, Lehman says "I have never ceased to be amazed at the gentle intimacy that we humans can have for each other, and on the contrary, have never ceased to be shocked at the tendency for brutal inhumanity."
This short reflection is truly sums up the over-arching theme of the story that follows. Torn is centered on Krista, a fourteen-year-old girl who just moved to California from the Midwest and her struggles to find a sense of identity and value in her new community. Our protagonist does what teenagers--like it or not--do: she experiments. She embarks on a familiar but nuanced story of sexual awakening as she faces an abundance of temptation, while trying to figure out her personal sense of what is right and wrong as well as a clear definition of her sense-of-self.
Lehman recounts very realistic scenes with vivid intimacy and candor, scenes that are not uncommon to those "coming-of-age" years and should not be ignored for the courtesy of fragile ears. I recommend this book highly. It is a well-written story with the edge of real life.
In a note from the author, Lehman says "I have never ceased to be amazed at the gentle intimacy that we humans can have for each other, and on the contrary, have never ceased to be shocked at the tendency for brutal inhumanity."
This short reflection is truly sums up the over-arching theme of the story that follows. Torn is centered on Krista, a fourteen-year-old girl who just moved to California from the Midwest and her struggles to find a sense of identity and value in her new community. Our protagonist does what teenagers--like it or not--do: she experiments. She embarks on a familiar but nuanced story of sexual awakening as she faces an abundance of temptation, while trying to figure out her personal sense of what is right and wrong as well as a clear definition of her sense-of-self.
Lehman recounts very realistic scenes with vivid intimacy and candor, scenes that are not uncommon to those "coming-of-age" years and should not be ignored for the courtesy of fragile ears. I recommend this book highly. It is a well-written story with the edge of real life.
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A Fearless Woman Indeed
I read this book front to back in a single day, which is something I can rarely do. Jansen has a way of relating to all walks of life in her memoir; she has a way of sharing her journey without imposing it; she has a way of doing all of this without asking for pity for her unimaginable journey. As I read this book, I felt as though I already knew Pamela and she were just recounting her story over dinner. It's that personable, that accessible. It is rare to find a book that seems to keep me company without pretense or some sort of forced message. Sure, there is a message here, but it's the reader's job to bring it to the surface. And herein, the beauty of this woman's life becomes not merely a lesson but a powerful example that anything is possible.
I read this book front to back in a single day, which is something I can rarely do. Jansen has a way of relating to all walks of life in her memoir; she has a way of sharing her journey without imposing it; she has a way of doing all of this without asking for pity for her unimaginable journey. As I read this book, I felt as though I already knew Pamela and she were just recounting her story over dinner. It's that personable, that accessible. It is rare to find a book that seems to keep me company without pretense or some sort of forced message. Sure, there is a message here, but it's the reader's job to bring it to the surface. And herein, the beauty of this woman's life becomes not merely a lesson but a powerful example that anything is possible.
I enjoyed this book. It was, to be honest, not my usual taste. I tend toward more realism, or the ultimate in realism: memoir. In fact, I only read King by Right of Blood and Might due to a book exchange. That said, it was really a great story, and now that I've read it, I might ease up a bit on my genre-specific bias.
OK, so the story is timely: interested in 2012? Read it. In the beginning an asteroid hits the moon, which sets of a series of climactic events that end up wiping out much of the human population. This sets the scene. Good.
The story is then centered on a King, who is faced with the opposition that is his standing. His is the story that truly drives the action, and the ravaged world that acts as the backdrop to the story is one that lends to the atmosphere.
I admire Anna Walls because I could never write something so fantasy-driven. I've tried, and it's just a place my writing mind won't go. I truly appreciate writer who can accomplish this, and do so well.
OK, so the story is timely: interested in 2012? Read it. In the beginning an asteroid hits the moon, which sets of a series of climactic events that end up wiping out much of the human population. This sets the scene. Good.
The story is then centered on a King, who is faced with the opposition that is his standing. His is the story that truly drives the action, and the ravaged world that acts as the backdrop to the story is one that lends to the atmosphere.
I admire Anna Walls because I could never write something so fantasy-driven. I've tried, and it's just a place my writing mind won't go. I truly appreciate writer who can accomplish this, and do so well.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved Phantom when I was younger, and although the story stuck with me, I had forgotten how much resonated for me about the tale. Sharon Cathcart resurrected this for me in her book, only her tale seems propelled by a little less romance and a little more passion: get me?
It's fast-paced, with a widely-sympathetic protagonist (a woman, who is not perfect and quiet), and I simply adored the writing style. I was genuinely impressed by this book!
It's fast-paced, with a widely-sympathetic protagonist (a woman, who is not perfect and quiet), and I simply adored the writing style. I was genuinely impressed by this book!
I was really impressed with Moore's swift, witty style and his ability-one held by only the best essayists-to reflect his candid analysis of, well everything, without spending a single sentence disclaiming his stance or apologizing for the societal connections he draws. "Son of Mr. Green Jeans" was an awesome essay, and to this reader, it carried the whole book.
What I will always value about this book is that it introduced me to Richard Russo, whose work I will now stalk the Amazon e-aisles to find.