ŷ������

I had such an emotional reaction to his book, “We begin at the end�� I wasn’t sure whether I was ready for this one. Review here: /review/show...

So, I didn’t request this book at my local library. But then, this book was donated to my Little Free Library Shed. It has been on the bestseller list. I knew now I had no excuse for not reading it. After all, it was beckoning me to read it by now being present for me to read. And, I could take my time with it. Especially coming in at 592 pages. Fortunately, it had relatively short chapters, some as little as 1 page and as much as 3 pages, making it easier to read.

Still, the question is, would I have the same reaction to this novel as I did to “We begin at the end?��

The answer is…yes.

There is so much to this story that can affect readers. And, I don’t want to give anything away because it is a complicated, epic story that deserves to be read. It is suspenseful, and fascinating at the same time. It is part crime fiction, part coming-of-age, as well as a heart-wrenching love story. A most fierce and determined love story. It is amazing that the author could create all of this in one book �� albeit, nearly 600 pages!

So, what happens when the story explores the line between triumph and tragedy? Or people’s perceptions of right and wrong and how this can change?

One way is as readers we become vested in the characters.

Because the characters are memorable, intriguing and multi-layered. As readers we are curious about them as they start off as teens before the novel unfolds over decades. The story is atmospheric and surprisingly satisfying, even as we wonder how far this author is going to take us emotionally.

Will we be immersed in these characters lives, too? I think so. And, hopeful, too. Which enables those of us who typically steer clear of long novels, to feel almost sad when the last page is finally reached.