|
|
|
|
|
|
HomeShop at BookSurgeFictionGeneral |
|
|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
A Haunting Tale which you'll remember after reading.... Apr 30, 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Erik Simon's use of language and writing style was wonderful, with each of the three characters narrating in distinctive voices - one character who is very mature but doesn't have much experience outside of the home, one who harbors secrets from the past, and one who is attempting to deal with the current situation. The narration and plot skip from the present to memories of how each character got to that place. The book comes to a conclusion that, although somewhat shocking and disturbing, is a fitting ending, based on what we know of these people and their world. I don't want to get more specific, as to take away from the experience of reading this book.
I read this book in one day (the only benefit of three hours on trains), wanting to know more about these people. The narration from the young woman, Jimson, was particulary poignant, as she struggles with new feelings and situations. For me, she is the character who will most stick with you after reading this novel.
I highly recommend this book, both for its originality and its wonderful prose. Other Amazon reviewers have mentioned Cormac McCarthy and William Faulkner, and these are valid comparisons. However, Mr. Simon has also found his own unique voice, and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Knocked me out... Apr 29, 2008
When a book is so good, so artfully crafted I want to read it out loud to people over the phone, when it consumes me for days, the characters shadowing me as I run errands and go about my day, when I miss it, like an old friend that I only had half an hour to catch up with and now won't see again for a very long time, that is a huge gift. That is a book that just knocks me out. And that is exactly what Erik Simon's, "A Mother's Tale" is. A knock out.
I loved all of his characters, even the "bit parts" - one of them actually made me cry real tears. But I fell in love with Junie, a character that is as real to me as any friend. She surprised me in the end, angered me even, and I only wish I could talk to everyone who reads this book and ask them what they thought of the ending. I didn't see it coming, and I almost wish it hadn't, but of course, it's exactly as it had to be.
This novel will have a place on my shelf next to my two faves: "Love Medicine" by Louise Erdrich, and "A Light in August" by William Faulkner. Erdrich, Simon, and Faulkner are kindred spirits. Master craftsman, all.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Beauty exists in the harshest of realities Apr 23, 2008
A beautiful story. Evidence that beauty exists even in the harshest of realities (economically depressed South) - think Cormac McCarthy. In other words - not a sun-shiney happy tale - but rather a tale that shows us all that even in the toughest of scenarios beauty, love, and tenderness can be found. Loved it!
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
