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Grace
Every family photograph hides a story. Some are suffused with warmth and joy, others reflect the dull ache of disappointed dreams. For thirteen-year-old Trevor Kennedy, taking photos helps him make sense of his fractured world. His father, Kurt, struggles to keep a business going while also caring for Trevor’s aging grandfather, whose hoarding has reached dangerous levels. Trevor’s mother, Elsbeth, all but ignores her son while doting on his five-year-old sister, Gracy, and pilfering useless drugstore items.
Trevor knows he can count on little Gracy’s unconditional love and his art teacher’s encouragement. None of that compensates for the bullying he has endured at school for as long as he can remember. But where Trevor once silently tolerated the jabs and name-calling, now anger surges through him in ways he’s powerless to control.
Only Crystal, a store clerk dealing with her own loss, sees the deep fissures in the Kennedy family—in the haunting photographs Trevor brings to be developed, and in the palpable distance between Elsbeth and her son. And as their lives become more intertwined, each will be pushed to the breaking point, with shattering, unforeseeable consequences.
Trevor knows he can count on little Gracy’s unconditional love and his art teacher’s encouragement. None of that compensates for the bullying he has endured at school for as long as he can remember. But where Trevor once silently tolerated the jabs and name-calling, now anger surges through him in ways he’s powerless to control.
Only Crystal, a store clerk dealing with her own loss, sees the deep fissures in the Kennedy family—in the haunting photographs Trevor brings to be developed, and in the palpable distance between Elsbeth and her son. And as their lives become more intertwined, each will be pushed to the breaking point, with shattering, unforeseeable consequences.
416 pages, Paperback
First published March 27, 2012
165 people are currently reading
3809 people want to read
About the author
T. Greenwood
25 books1,812 followersT. Greenwood is the author of sixteen novels. She has received grants from the Sherwood Anderson Foundation, the Christopher Isherwood Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Maryland State Arts Council. She has won four San Diego Book Awards. Five of her novels have been IndieNext picks. BODIES OF WATER was finalist for a Lambda Foundation award and KEEPING LUCY was a Target Book Club selection.
She teaches creative writing for San Diego Writer's Ink and The Writer's Center. She and her family split their time between San Diego and Vermont. She is also a photographer.
More information on T. Greenwood can be found at her websites: http://www.tgreenwood.com
She teaches creative writing for San Diego Writer's Ink and The Writer's Center. She and her family split their time between San Diego and Vermont. She is also a photographer.
More information on T. Greenwood can be found at her websites: http://www.tgreenwood.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews
April 6, 2012
I’ve read all of T. Greenwood’s books, loved them all, and this is truly her most remarkable. The writing, the setting, the emotional stakes are all stunning. This starts out with tremendous power and the tension is kept throughout as we try to figure out how troubled teen Trevor gets to his current place (and what exactly this current place involves). Where I thought this book was going is not where it ended up and I mean that in the best possible way.
As with her other books, in Grace, the characters are all multi-dimensional and complex, not solely good or solely bad (aside from 5 year old Gracy who is just as she should be!) Trevor is perfectly drawn and as a reader your heart aches for him. His parts are almost painful to read because they are so grounded in reality. Even sometimes unsympathetic dad Kurt and mom Elsbeth become likeable or, at least, understandable. One thing that really struck me in this is how the author touches topics and certain uncomfortable realities. She is not afraid to have characters do or say things that people won’t even broach in real life, things that are real and true but avoided like the plague or treated as if they don’t exist. All in, an emotional and affecting read. And I loved the book’s dedication. Powerful.
As with her other books, in Grace, the characters are all multi-dimensional and complex, not solely good or solely bad (aside from 5 year old Gracy who is just as she should be!) Trevor is perfectly drawn and as a reader your heart aches for him. His parts are almost painful to read because they are so grounded in reality. Even sometimes unsympathetic dad Kurt and mom Elsbeth become likeable or, at least, understandable. One thing that really struck me in this is how the author touches topics and certain uncomfortable realities. She is not afraid to have characters do or say things that people won’t even broach in real life, things that are real and true but avoided like the plague or treated as if they don’t exist. All in, an emotional and affecting read. And I loved the book’s dedication. Powerful.
June 6, 2014
4.5 stars. My first book by T. Greenwood, but not my last! Just bought her latest, Bodies Of Water. Her style reminds me a bit of my favorite authors, Diane Chamberlain or Amy Hatvany. They all develop their characters so well. This book had an ending different than what I expected.
April 14, 2012
Tammy Greenwood is a master at writing riveting family drama, and this book might just be her best yet. Kurt and Elsbeth have been together forever it seems, and they've fallen into a number of common traps--accidental pregnancy that canceled college plans, taking over Kurt's family business after his brother was driven out of town, his mother died and his father became ill. The recession and a refinanced mortgage that now involved a huge balloon payment made things that much worse. Then there was Trevor--always a difficult child, and now that he's a teenager, and 6'2", the problems seem to be worse. What his parents don't understand is that he was only defending himself from some major bullies at school who were making his life a living hell. Little 6 year old Grace is the light of everyone's life. But the problems mount, and everyone tries to cope. Kurt picks up a second job, Elsbeth shoplifts compulsively as a way to deal with an ever present feeling of wanting, and Trevor picks up a camera to find a new way to see the world.
In a parallel story, there is the story of Crystal, a high school senior in the same town who has just given birth to a baby that she was forced to give up for adoption. She's struggling with what everyone else wants her to do and what she wants for herself.
Lack of communication and too many assumptions by too many people brings both stories to a literally explosive conclusion in this tightly woven, complex and completely absorbing drama. If you are like me, after reading the first two pages, you will not be able to put this amazing book down.
In a parallel story, there is the story of Crystal, a high school senior in the same town who has just given birth to a baby that she was forced to give up for adoption. She's struggling with what everyone else wants her to do and what she wants for herself.
Lack of communication and too many assumptions by too many people brings both stories to a literally explosive conclusion in this tightly woven, complex and completely absorbing drama. If you are like me, after reading the first two pages, you will not be able to put this amazing book down.
June 11, 2014
This is my first book by T. Greenwood and it most definitely will not be my last! I look so forward to reading more from this author and reading her earlier books. (love the front cover image as pulls on you- to want to learn what is inside this door and family)
The writing quality, the setting, the emotion was spectacular! The character development was excellent and complex. Readers will be drawn from the front cover to the back cover. Appears as though the author is not afraid to tackle certain subjects which is commendable, even though it may be difficult to read at times, like Jodi Picoult, Charles Martin, Lisa Genova, and Amy Hatvany (a fan of all).
Compelling - there is so much to this novel as it goes back and forth from one generation to another. The dynamics of a family with no demonstration of love, or the holding back thereof, and non- expressive-parent who gave up their life early on and is reflective throughout their parenting as they resent being held responsible for their son, and they too are even acting out themselves in all sorts of ways to cope. (Wow, total family dysfunction and drama)!
There are so many aspects to this story which is very realistic to family struggles and obstacles out there today for families which sometimes are often kept quiet and behind the scenes.
Being ignored since birth, Trevor is growing up in a man's body, his mother does not relate with repeated bullying at school with no friends. Unfortunately, he receives no help at school or a home and nowhere to turn. What makes it even worse, he has little control over his emotions.Ah, Grace comes along; the ideal child and younger sister; with all the characters circle around her as she is in the background yet one of the most important. While his parents fight to survive,
Trevor finds solace in a camera as a new way to see the word thru different eyes.There is also a story of Crystal (loved this character;) a high school senior who has given birth to a baby she was forced to give up for adoption and struggling with decisions. Between Kurt, Elsbeth, Trevor and Crystal-- from their voices; their story intertwines, making this a powerful story. GRACE demonstrates how a family can be shattered to bits with sadness, and slowly come out in one piece with hope, sometimes using grief to bind them together.
You will not be able to put this book down, as readers will want to devour every page - Totally amazing, intense, and captivating! Keeps you surprised with every swish of a finger, turning the page to see what is ahead.
The writing quality, the setting, the emotion was spectacular! The character development was excellent and complex. Readers will be drawn from the front cover to the back cover. Appears as though the author is not afraid to tackle certain subjects which is commendable, even though it may be difficult to read at times, like Jodi Picoult, Charles Martin, Lisa Genova, and Amy Hatvany (a fan of all).
Compelling - there is so much to this novel as it goes back and forth from one generation to another. The dynamics of a family with no demonstration of love, or the holding back thereof, and non- expressive-parent who gave up their life early on and is reflective throughout their parenting as they resent being held responsible for their son, and they too are even acting out themselves in all sorts of ways to cope. (Wow, total family dysfunction and drama)!
There are so many aspects to this story which is very realistic to family struggles and obstacles out there today for families which sometimes are often kept quiet and behind the scenes.
Being ignored since birth, Trevor is growing up in a man's body, his mother does not relate with repeated bullying at school with no friends. Unfortunately, he receives no help at school or a home and nowhere to turn. What makes it even worse, he has little control over his emotions.Ah, Grace comes along; the ideal child and younger sister; with all the characters circle around her as she is in the background yet one of the most important. While his parents fight to survive,
Trevor finds solace in a camera as a new way to see the word thru different eyes.There is also a story of Crystal (loved this character;) a high school senior who has given birth to a baby she was forced to give up for adoption and struggling with decisions. Between Kurt, Elsbeth, Trevor and Crystal-- from their voices; their story intertwines, making this a powerful story. GRACE demonstrates how a family can be shattered to bits with sadness, and slowly come out in one piece with hope, sometimes using grief to bind them together.
You will not be able to put this book down, as readers will want to devour every page - Totally amazing, intense, and captivating! Keeps you surprised with every swish of a finger, turning the page to see what is ahead.
April 12, 2012
This was so hard to put down. Stories within stories. Going back a generation, from father to grandfather, lovel denied, twisted punishment. A father that cannot show love, one that withholds love. A boy, difficult from birth, obviously with issues gone ignored for years, awkwardly trying to find his place. Growing up to fast and without guidance. His own mother doesn't understand his needs or her own. And is often repulsed by his behavior.She shoplifts to satisfy her own emptiness. He gets no help or counseling that he desperately needs. is bullied at school. And might as well be wearing a target on his back. Has no control of his emotions.
And along comes Grace, the perfect child that everyone loves, his younger sister.even he loves,her.one thread in this story. That ties so many other together. It was so heartwrenching. A dysfunctional family that left its member hurt and damaged in its wake as it rolled through a small town, collecting debris of others, that could not help be become involved in this near tragedy.
And along comes Grace, the perfect child that everyone loves, his younger sister.even he loves,her.one thread in this story. That ties so many other together. It was so heartwrenching. A dysfunctional family that left its member hurt and damaged in its wake as it rolled through a small town, collecting debris of others, that could not help be become involved in this near tragedy.
May 13, 2017
This book revolved mostly around Trevor, a young teenager who is going through typical mental & physical changes of the mind & body, yet he has no one to talk to who wants to help him or listen to him & maybe reassure him that some of these changes are "normal" & then add your classic case of bullying in there & there's a recipe for disaster.
But there's much more to this story....Trevor's family may seem OK on the surface but there are cracks within each family member. His mom has her own issues & I feel she was selfish at times with her behavior & did not see the signs of what he son was going through. Kurt, the dad, he is trying to keep everything & everyone afloat-elderly hoarding dad, a business that is dying, a mortgage that is ballooning, an unhappy wife & a son he doesn't understand. What a mess.
& then there's Crystal, her story is its own but intertwines with Trevor & his family.
Not a very uplifting book, the story is well written & keeps you turning the pages & up in the air as to how things will play out. The characters are difficult to like, but each one has something to make you want to see them succeed in their lives.
Trevor, he broke my heart.
Our book group is reading 6 of T. Greenwood's book this year & each one has been well received & each different from the other, with a few similarities.
But there's much more to this story....Trevor's family may seem OK on the surface but there are cracks within each family member. His mom has her own issues & I feel she was selfish at times with her behavior & did not see the signs of what he son was going through. Kurt, the dad, he is trying to keep everything & everyone afloat-elderly hoarding dad, a business that is dying, a mortgage that is ballooning, an unhappy wife & a son he doesn't understand. What a mess.
& then there's Crystal, her story is its own but intertwines with Trevor & his family.
Not a very uplifting book, the story is well written & keeps you turning the pages & up in the air as to how things will play out. The characters are difficult to like, but each one has something to make you want to see them succeed in their lives.
Trevor, he broke my heart.
Our book group is reading 6 of T. Greenwood's book this year & each one has been well received & each different from the other, with a few similarities.
April 22, 2012
This book was a page turner but I really wish she'd pared it down and made it a little less frenetic. There were too many "issues". For example, Kurt had an ARM that was turning into a balloon payment, a klepto wife who likes to party and shop online and dreams of a real vacation, a hoarder dad who needs to go into a nursing home, a bullied possibly gay son, a gay brother who was bullied by their father, and his business is failing.I think people do find themselves in a predicament but this was a bit much really and yes, people do make bad decisions and not communicate. People's lives can be shitty because of one thing as easily as five. Greenwood created an intricate orchestra of events but it was really too much. The ending was almost happy for everyone,and I felt like some issues miraculously disappeared.
She is a great writer she just needs to clean up her plot a bit more an focus. I think then she could give her reader a richer experience.
She is a great writer she just needs to clean up her plot a bit more an focus. I think then she could give her reader a richer experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2012
T. Greenwood is a favorite of mine. Her prose is pitch-perfect and heart wrenching. She manages to capture the human experience with a keen eye. I cannot rave enough about her. Her latest novel, Grace, is no exception. We return to Two Rivers to meet the Kennedy's and a teenage mother who just gave up her baby for adoption. The way their worlds collide is significant, dramatic, and so real.
Kurt is a lovable character. One thing about Greenwood is that she is able to show character flaws in a beautiful light. Each of her characters are very human, realistic. The patriarch of the Kennedy family is flawed but he is heroic. He may not handle things the way he should. He doesn't realize until the end just how poorly he's treated his son, but the reader is left with a glimmer of hope that he has changed. His father is an ass and that seems to occupy a lot of Kurt's thoughts.
Elsbeth is someone who made my heart ache. She longed for things she would never have. There was always such a sense of loss with her. And the juxtaposition between her and Crystal was a stroke of sheer brilliance on Greenwood's part. The woman who kept the baby when she was a teenager, married the boy, and stayed is yearning for freedom while Crystal, who gave up her baby and the boy who impregnated her won't have anything to do with her, wants that life.
Trevor is an interesting character. I felt bad for him because he was the scapegoat for everything. And the topic of bullying has been a huge one lately, and I think Greenwood captured the significance of the problem perfectly.
Crystal was probably my favorite character. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because, out of all the characters, she was the one who stood up for herself. She made her decision and went with it, rather than letting life happen to her.
All of these characters encircle Grace. She is always in the background but she is such a poignant centerpiece for the whole novel.
What I love about Greenwood is her characterization, among other things. Each character breathes with life and becomes more than just names squished between the pages in a book. They become people I am familiar with, like an old friend. Her plotting drives forward like an avalanche and I often wonder where she is going with things and then she throws in surprise curves that make you keep reading.
Grace is compelling and dramatic and beautifully written. It is not escapist literature by any means, but it is enjoyable to read and her words carry you away on a comforting ride. I highly recommend this novel and any by T. Greenwood to anyone looking for intelligent reading.
Kurt is a lovable character. One thing about Greenwood is that she is able to show character flaws in a beautiful light. Each of her characters are very human, realistic. The patriarch of the Kennedy family is flawed but he is heroic. He may not handle things the way he should. He doesn't realize until the end just how poorly he's treated his son, but the reader is left with a glimmer of hope that he has changed. His father is an ass and that seems to occupy a lot of Kurt's thoughts.
Elsbeth is someone who made my heart ache. She longed for things she would never have. There was always such a sense of loss with her. And the juxtaposition between her and Crystal was a stroke of sheer brilliance on Greenwood's part. The woman who kept the baby when she was a teenager, married the boy, and stayed is yearning for freedom while Crystal, who gave up her baby and the boy who impregnated her won't have anything to do with her, wants that life.
Trevor is an interesting character. I felt bad for him because he was the scapegoat for everything. And the topic of bullying has been a huge one lately, and I think Greenwood captured the significance of the problem perfectly.
Crystal was probably my favorite character. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because, out of all the characters, she was the one who stood up for herself. She made her decision and went with it, rather than letting life happen to her.
All of these characters encircle Grace. She is always in the background but she is such a poignant centerpiece for the whole novel.
What I love about Greenwood is her characterization, among other things. Each character breathes with life and becomes more than just names squished between the pages in a book. They become people I am familiar with, like an old friend. Her plotting drives forward like an avalanche and I often wonder where she is going with things and then she throws in surprise curves that make you keep reading.
Grace is compelling and dramatic and beautifully written. It is not escapist literature by any means, but it is enjoyable to read and her words carry you away on a comforting ride. I highly recommend this novel and any by T. Greenwood to anyone looking for intelligent reading.
April 13, 2012
I read T. Greenwood's first novel over a decade ago, and since then I have always been anxiously awaiting her next. Her characters are always captivating and her story lines complex and heartwrenching. When I learned the premise of GRACE and later read a sample of the book, it heightened my anticipation of devouring the entire story. I had to know why the characters had come to the place I found them in the opening scene.
Each of the interweaving story lines in GRACE is so very relevant, and the way in which it clashes and comes together with the others is brilliant. Kurt and Elsbeth, Trevor, Gracy, and Crystal are bound by circumstances and parallels that are familiar and yet remarkable. Through a point of view that alternates among the characters, the reader often sees what is not easily perceived by others in the story, but he cannot reach out to stop it. I wanted to. I longed to pull the characters back from their crash course, but the fact that I could not intercede kept me reading at an increasingly dizzying pace, right through the inevitable collision to the end.
And now, to impatiently wait for the next T. Greenwood novel.
Each of the interweaving story lines in GRACE is so very relevant, and the way in which it clashes and comes together with the others is brilliant. Kurt and Elsbeth, Trevor, Gracy, and Crystal are bound by circumstances and parallels that are familiar and yet remarkable. Through a point of view that alternates among the characters, the reader often sees what is not easily perceived by others in the story, but he cannot reach out to stop it. I wanted to. I longed to pull the characters back from their crash course, but the fact that I could not intercede kept me reading at an increasingly dizzying pace, right through the inevitable collision to the end.
And now, to impatiently wait for the next T. Greenwood novel.
May 2, 2012
3.5 A dysfunctional family, though they don;t see themselves as such. The mother too wrapped up in her daughter and the father who doesn't seem to see or understand exactly what is son is going through. Felt so bad fr the character Kyle, though he did have a teacher who encouraged and became a sort of safe haven for the abuse he took at the hands of some of his schoolmates. Very well and touchingly written, this story has one of the most shocking opening chapters I have read in a while and really drew me in to the lives of this family. Really wanted to see how they had ended up in this startling beginning. Did like the ending because despite everything there is renewed hope and a new understanding of the dynamics that made up this family.
April 3, 2015
This was a tough read for me. The opening paragraphs tell of a father holding a gun to his teenage son's head. I was compelled to finish the book to find out why, otherwise I might have put it back on the shelf. There were too many characters with too many serious issues. I know we all have issues but if you can think of a major issue, someone in this book had it. They were all detached and didn't communicate with anyone but then in the end they all communicate and everyone seems "fixed". Am I sorry I read the book? No, I'm not. It's a story that will keep coming back to my mind but every time it does, it will sadden me.
April 6, 2012
Heavy hard read for me. I will review it more later but I will say that Greenwood really touched the wounds of bullying and parenting. Having a son myself that has Asperger's (though this book is not about asperger's) I have experienced so much first hand therefore, her novel was a bit like salt in wounds. Wonderfully written, not just what Trevor is going through, but the hunger for something more, something better that so many 'grown ups' feel. This novel is about far more than Trevor. I will expand my review in a few days
May 2, 2016
I loved this book! A great story of human compassion, human flaws, and all that goes with each.
Told from the viewpoint of a 13 year old boy, it reflects how actions can be misconstrued and should not always be judged prematurely. The effects of bullying can last forever and change one's personality and demeanor.
Knowing what actually took place and the reasons for these actions, and then reading how they have been misinterpreted was very believable.
I would highly recommend this book, and will look for more from this author.
Told from the viewpoint of a 13 year old boy, it reflects how actions can be misconstrued and should not always be judged prematurely. The effects of bullying can last forever and change one's personality and demeanor.
Knowing what actually took place and the reasons for these actions, and then reading how they have been misinterpreted was very believable.
I would highly recommend this book, and will look for more from this author.
June 22, 2012
Story about a couple married at 17 when the girl became pregnant. They are now 30 and struggling to make ends meet and dealing with his father who has hoarding issues and their oldest son, who is being bullied at school. It made me think about all the people who struggle with these issues in real life and made me grateful for all I have been blessed with. I liked the way the couple in the novel was committed to their family, and the ending was very redeeming, it left me feeling hopeful.
October 7, 2012
Extremely well written. This story was so sad. I had conflicting emotions when I finished this book. It was defiantly hard to rate. I gave Grace four stars mainly because it was well written and hard to put down once I started it.
June 16, 2012
Amazing book. I could not put it down. I was hooked from the first page. My heart broke for Trevor.
March 11, 2016
I couldnt put this down, raised all kinds of emotions in me. Had to pause and gasp once in awhile but the book never left my hands:))
March 4, 2013
1st from greenwood for me, paperback, 2012...there's a in memory of: followed by a list of 18 names...and all the other tragic casualties of hatred and intolerance.
did a search of many of the names...most if not all names on the list are victims of bullying...most gay-bullying...suicides...although one was not portrayed as gay and i didn't search each name on the list...one name showed up w/a girl suicide...the names seem to be all male...although this name that appeared side-by-side w/a female...both suicides...were located in different places.
there's a couple quotes that follow: we don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. --anais nin
& i found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. every crystal was a masterpiece of design...when a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind.
--photographer wilson "snowflake" bentley, 1925
story begins:
winter
kurt is suddenly aware of the way the snow looks like something living, like something with a purpose. he has always thought of snow as simply falling from the sky, at mercy to gravity. but now as he marches out across the snow-covered field behind the house, his rifle drawn and aimed at the back of his only son's head, he sees that is it intent in its falling. resolute, determined, even calculated in its descent.
this winter section is like a prologue though it is not labelled as such, two-pages long...followed by a section called last spring that begins:
it started with a gift.
okee dokee then...onward & upward...as the good doctor said, (we must die because we have known them, 1987)...
time place scene settings
*december, midnight...story opens...the year is 2010
*"last spring"...is april, two rivers, vermont
*as the story progresses...we get the "end of april"..."memorial day weekend"..."may"...and a section coming up is subtitled "last summer"...so i assume we're following a line of time...eventually to arrive back at "december-midnight"...? we shall see...a specific date, june 8th...the 4th of july...last fall is another section
*trevor's school...various locations there
*the kennedy homes...kurt/elsbeth's on beasley road...and kurt's old man, jude's
*a hospital
*the salvage yard that has been in the kennedy family, now kurt's
*the salon where elsbeth works, babette's beauty boutique
*walgreen's
*gracy's school...various locations there
*the kennedy backyard...and other exterior locations around the kennedy home (kurt's...and his old man's place, too)
*the barber's & rosco's...where kurt brings his old man
*luigi's...pizza...elsbeth's past
*a grocery store...elsbeth stops here...would work better w/a name...places have as much character as people if they are named, instead of the rather tame "a grocery store"...tell me you've never gone to a place and didn't know its name...any name...can't do it because we name places...but greenwood did not in this case...a minor failing.
*dinner at hunan east
*two rivers...elsbeth is from here
*lake gormlaith...a fun/nice memory/elsbeth...past
*maine/past...shoreline...a good memory of elsbeth's
*ty's house...crystal walks past...to her sister angie's school
*used bookstore & bowling alley...across from the salon
*granby zoo
*rite aid pharmacy, st. johnsburg...where crystal got her preg-test kit
*story land, an amusement park in new hampshire (may)
*a coffee shop on church street
*two rivers high...the name of the school...we don't get that until page 88...though there are ref's to "school" prior...seems like we should have "gotten" the name earlier...set the setting, or something
*econo lodge, where wilder stays
*weekend swap meets...that maury takes pop to
*a hunting shack (past)...northeast kingdom (huh!)...near lake gormlaith...billy was 10
*montpelier...crystal/angie...art store/book store/bear pond
*new little coffee shop near the r-r tracks...again, not provided w/a name...you know it is there...signs...we cannot exist w/o them...yet this one is not provided w/an identity...a minor failing...tell me you have ever walked into a place w/o noticing the sign out front telling you what it is...you wouldn't walk in w/o knowing where you are going...grrrr.
*the river...the trestle...the caboose, or "fortress of solitude" (trevor)
*the ice arena...used for graduation
*burlington, church street mall...crystal/mother
*the 76 station where kurt works a 2nd job
*the trailer moved into kurt's back yard for his old man, jude
*an old man's volvo station wagon, an '85, that crystal buys for a grand
*the pool, where trevor/gracy take swimming lessons/summer
*lake gormlaith, twig's camp
*hudson's (lake)...beer run
*the island at the lake...a tree there
*mrs d's place, apt #4
*leunig's...sweetwaters...outdoor cafe's at the church street mall
*jc penney...where elsbeth shoplifts lingerie
*rest stop 30 miles out of town
*mcdonald's...gas station
*acadia nat'l park...six gun city...santa's village (past)
*the civic...car el drives
*the dumpster
characters
*kurt kennedy, father of trevor & gracy
*trevor kennedy, 13-yr-old
*mrs d, carmen dubois, art teacher, called "nanny mcphee"...a kind of derogative t'would appear...by some students
*angie mcdonald, a good artist/student in trevor's art class & she is crystal's sister...and she is 12 yrs old
*jolyn forchette, another student, jealous & smells like green beans
*gracy kennedy, 5-yr-old, trevor's younger sister
*ethan sweeney, a 7th grader
*mike wheelock, another 7th grader
*mr douglas, the janitor at school
*elsbeth "el" kennedy, kurt's wife, mother of trevor & gracy, works at a salon (babette's beauty boutique) in the mornings, where she has worked for 13 years now, shoplifts at walgreens, is from two rivers (the scene of the action)...she is 30-yr-old
*twig, elsbeth's girlfriend, whose name is tamara though no one calls her that
*twig's boyfriend...w/whom twig went to the bahamas
*principal cross...female...at school, new principal...the old principal is mentioned in passing, one who saw kurt before he grew a bunch size/weight
*a customer at the salvage yard, lady, real estate agent
*a client that she mentions
*beal, a co-worker/employee of kurt's
*billy kennedy, kurts's brother, who took off...is now 500 miles way, a lawyer, sends $ to kurt, but not for the old man
*beal's wife, pregnant w/twins, sally
*a school counselor, female
*crystal mcdonald...gives birth to a baby that is given up...she wants to be alone, one of her defining characteristics...she works at walgreens and she knows that "lady stealing shit"...(elsbeth)...she is young...17-yr-old, class of 2010, born in 1993
*crystal's mother & father
*willa, a dog that crystal walks
*ty mcphee...is the man/boy who got crystal pregnant, class of 2010
*ty's father...writes children books
*dizzy & squirrel, ty's little sisters
*lucia...is a woman to-do w/ty...possibly his mother
*a woman moaning
*a baby cried
*mrs stone. ..baby handed over to...mr&mrs...from burlington...he is a music professor....and she is a poet
*mrs van buren...salon customer of elsbeth's
*a couple of girls from the basketball team (elsbeth's past)
*her coach, elsbeth's past
*her mother
*a girl whose name she could no longer recollect (past)
*two new clients
*carly, the receptionist at the salon/elsbeth
*gracy's teacher
*a couple of really difficult children/gracy's teacher
*only one employee on the floor (later we learn this is crystal)
*the pregnant girl behind the counter (not...she's given birth/crystal)
*jude kennedy...lives alone, wife stomach cancer, had a stroke, collects everything...ran the salvage yard that his son kurt now owns/runs...has a purple heart...in poor health
*theresa..."that bitch from across the street" from jude...theresa bouchard...went to school w/kurt...5-6 boys, single mom
*the doctor/crystal
*lena, crystal's best girlfriend, who takes up w/ty, who went to planned parenthood (understood for an abortion) when she was a sophmore...(seniors now...?...along w/crystal, ty)
*the people at work (walgreens) crystal
*howard, the day manager at walgreens, weekends, when crystal works
*deena, co-worker, crystal's
*some creep buying fiddle faddle
*the lady stealing shit (elsbeth)
*buzz nolan...kurt/elsbeth's former landlord from whom they purchased house they live in
*two crosses...marking teenagers, brothers...killed
*wealthier & younger clients...that go to twig at the salon
*twig's sister in atlantic city
*faithful ladies from plum's retirement community...to elsbeth/salon
*original owner of babette's...photo of...w/his daughter, betsy parker
*crystal had a baby girl...possibly listed as "baby" earlier
*mrs d's brother...friends
*daguerre, talbot, rinehart...famous photographers
*howard...s'spoed to be working photo dept at walgreens
*the acne-riddled manager...at the 76 station where kurt gets a job...a 2nd job...to pay bills.
*carly's cousin in rutland
*somebody in idaho
*a man sitting in her chair, wilder montgomery, something to do w/his wife's father/betsy parker...he is a journalist from florida writing a memoir...the tampa tribune...he is a hunka-hunka burnin' lov
*maury vorhies, retired contractor, knows jude
*irene killjoy (heh!)...a lady from the county...this, opposed to a lineman for the county!...
*inspectors (plural! sheesh! bastids are everywhere!)
*residents at the detention center (cheap labor)
*nick & morty
*a couple of guys pop went hunting with
*a few men from his old bowling league
*alice liddell...lewis carroll's alice
*students
*mrs edam...trevor/math
*mrs o'brien, home room/social studies
*angie's mom...someone in her office (tells news about mrs d)
*the nurse (school)
*mrs lutz, all-purpose substitute
*hospital receptionist (elsbeth calls)
*the boy who'd gotten snatched on his way to school in putney (when i looked at the in memory names...i thought the names were such, as one was a walsh...different walsh, though...not...adam?
*mrs brown...her other clients...elsbeth's
*a woman at the school/phone...elsbeth
*the "principal" during graduation, class of 2010
*mrs noyes, the pta president
*parents, grandparents, siblings, graduation
*marcy madden...tells crystal the news that ty/lena are no more
*commencement speaker...alumnus
*a contractor friend of maury's
*4 kids from class (pool), 2 8th grade girls, savannah & kylie, and a 6th grade boy, rudy hauser
*swim teacher, a college girl, lisa (who might be ethan's sister)
*mireya, twig's younger sister
*mookie, twig's rescue mutt
*ollie, twig's italian greyhound
*the mermaids at weeki wachee
*loretta kennedy, kurt's mother, deceased, cancer...she is "loretta" page 193/chapter...but later, page 286, she is "larissa"...one of those fabled continuity errors mayhap? release the hounds!
*fiona, a girl at uvm who will/would be crystal's roommate
*the kid checking passes at the pool
*the other girls she saw walking w/their mothers
*a woman pushing a stroller w/a toddler...a little boy w/a crusty nose
*the waitress
*grumpy families
*jessica, 2nd-shift cashier at the 76 station
*a customer came up w/a six-pak
*glady's rivers, plum retirement community (dec 1st)
*a lady w/a pair of glasses on a gold chain
*the sales lady (jc penney)
*crystal's father's personal mechanic
*roger lund, the man crystal buys the volvo from...his mechanic
*mr franklin, the new art teacher at trevor's school
*logan monroe...jehovah's witness...excused from part. in halloween parade
*a man from jericho, vermont
*1st graders...parents of the younger kids (halloween parade)
*head-banging, thrashing retarded kids
*police
*pop's buddy lloyd's son, doug
*2 or 3 moms wrestle w/a child
*dentist (not named...should have been, seems like)
*some old guy filling a prescription
*the boys' parents (the dead ones...that accident/crosses)
*three other students (angie)
*elsbeth's mother, single mom...never provided w/a name...unusual, dontcha think?...who remarries, goes to california i think it was...
*nate...her new husband...a pharmaceutical sales rep...
*come to think of it...i don't recall an "elsbeth's dad"...but other than the designation of her mother as a single mom...i don't recall what happened to the father...curious...mighty curious is all
*fiona's roommate...w/whom crystal/fiona have been emailing
*the hockey team...the coach...the goalie
*miller, the goalie
*fire inspector
*connor w/an o and conner w/an e (gracy)
*mrs kelly
*mrs moody, a lady from the office
*a man wearing coveralls (who turns out to be a low man...one of the low men in coveralls)
*mrs bell, school nurse
*heidi lemeau (angie/art class...i think it was)
*the 2 boys at the end of her table
*"chris johnson"...an alias used by crystal
*secretary
*1st, 3rd, twin 5th graders of
*a woman screamed
*crowd
*a couple of volunteers
*the police commissioner
*sergeant jenkins
*people from tv stations in burlington
*noelle...possibly the school secretary
*sergeant carl
*small rat-faced reporter
*kid at the counter (gas station)
*newscaster
*frida kahlo...
the narration
multiple character 3rd-person p.o.v. there are sidebars to the past for many if not all pov's...the past as in a few years prior...but for the most, the time is the present...we have that present-tense prologue that is not called a prologue...then a past-tense storyline.
trevor does not like to go to "pop's"...kurt's old man's place...as one it is full of junk...but he is rarely there...was there last the day after christmas...and now/present...at the end of april...
these people are unaware of the other people in their lives...blink. like...kurt handles the family finances...and elsbeth has no clue as to that situation...and kurt does not clue her in.
a book or two three gets mentioned
the photographs of lewis carroll
a strange word, me
silly bandz...something the kids wear?...i'm afraid to look, alas.
update, finished, 6 mar 13, wednesday evening about 11 p.m. e.s.t.
it shakes! it bakes! it rattles & rolls! why can't i get a job writing those book-jacket blurbs? i've got time, winter and all...we're below our 350-yr-average of 187"...maybe only 165" this winter...so i've time.
yeah...so straight-forward narrative...a few asides to various times in the past for the main cast of characters. there isn't really one hero in the story...w/the multiple character p.o.v. kurt, his wife "el" trevor their son, crystal mcdonald...one chapter from gracy late in the story...
i don't believe the story focused through the eyes of jude and perhaps that is a failing...or not...if a reader would have liked to have read some thru his eyes, what's that say? that the story is alright, the reader wants more? the reader is being a pretentious snob, one of those sidewalk superintendents? it's not like the story felt incomplete...say like if the dollmaker is set up there and someone comes along, 'you going to put a head on that thing?'
the characters are also frustrating...each one is so wrapped up in their so very individual problems and conflict...they do a lot of presuming...see the anais nin quote above, a key to the story i believe, why it is there. and even when they are aware of...issues...yeah, that word...even when aware--elsbeth likes to take things...the old man, jude, likes to packrat things...kurt goes out walking...after midnight--even when the proverbial other is aware, nothing is done...or little, little to nothing...
there's a sense, throughout, of...ummm, a kettle on the stove...ready to boil over...and although there's steam and whatnot...all of the various smaller conflicts...all of those things might...what? splash over the top of the kettle from time to time...all hail doesn't necessarily break loose. so what? dat good bad otherwise? i dunno...that's simply the sense w/o telling you what happened, all those dreaded spoilers and all...she bakes! she rattles! rolls! a real page-turner!
w/the "in memory of" etc at the get-go, i wondered, well, is one of them--the teenage boy, trevor, would make sense, is he gay? most of those names in memory are...portrayed...not all, most...most are portrayed as gay, suicides...etc. but w/trevor...he takes a lot of heat from a couple of knuckleheads...and their bullying escalates...but there's the sense that trevor doesn't really know what he is. i think the focus is more perceptions...see the anais nin quote again, may it do ya fine...
what else? perhaps the willing suspension needs to be engaged enough to accept the motivation for the bad man's actions...at the end...then again, look at our world...an alarm clock w/a snooze button is motivation-enough for a petty thief to come in and foul things.
a good read.
did a search of many of the names...most if not all names on the list are victims of bullying...most gay-bullying...suicides...although one was not portrayed as gay and i didn't search each name on the list...one name showed up w/a girl suicide...the names seem to be all male...although this name that appeared side-by-side w/a female...both suicides...were located in different places.
there's a couple quotes that follow: we don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. --anais nin
& i found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. every crystal was a masterpiece of design...when a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind.
--photographer wilson "snowflake" bentley, 1925
story begins:
winter
kurt is suddenly aware of the way the snow looks like something living, like something with a purpose. he has always thought of snow as simply falling from the sky, at mercy to gravity. but now as he marches out across the snow-covered field behind the house, his rifle drawn and aimed at the back of his only son's head, he sees that is it intent in its falling. resolute, determined, even calculated in its descent.
this winter section is like a prologue though it is not labelled as such, two-pages long...followed by a section called last spring that begins:
it started with a gift.
okee dokee then...onward & upward...as the good doctor said, (we must die because we have known them, 1987)...
time place scene settings
*december, midnight...story opens...the year is 2010
*"last spring"...is april, two rivers, vermont
*as the story progresses...we get the "end of april"..."memorial day weekend"..."may"...and a section coming up is subtitled "last summer"...so i assume we're following a line of time...eventually to arrive back at "december-midnight"...? we shall see...a specific date, june 8th...the 4th of july...last fall is another section
*trevor's school...various locations there
*the kennedy homes...kurt/elsbeth's on beasley road...and kurt's old man, jude's
*a hospital
*the salvage yard that has been in the kennedy family, now kurt's
*the salon where elsbeth works, babette's beauty boutique
*walgreen's
*gracy's school...various locations there
*the kennedy backyard...and other exterior locations around the kennedy home (kurt's...and his old man's place, too)
*the barber's & rosco's...where kurt brings his old man
*luigi's...pizza...elsbeth's past
*a grocery store...elsbeth stops here...would work better w/a name...places have as much character as people if they are named, instead of the rather tame "a grocery store"...tell me you've never gone to a place and didn't know its name...any name...can't do it because we name places...but greenwood did not in this case...a minor failing.
*dinner at hunan east
*two rivers...elsbeth is from here
*lake gormlaith...a fun/nice memory/elsbeth...past
*maine/past...shoreline...a good memory of elsbeth's
*ty's house...crystal walks past...to her sister angie's school
*used bookstore & bowling alley...across from the salon
*granby zoo
*rite aid pharmacy, st. johnsburg...where crystal got her preg-test kit
*story land, an amusement park in new hampshire (may)
*a coffee shop on church street
*two rivers high...the name of the school...we don't get that until page 88...though there are ref's to "school" prior...seems like we should have "gotten" the name earlier...set the setting, or something
*econo lodge, where wilder stays
*weekend swap meets...that maury takes pop to
*a hunting shack (past)...northeast kingdom (huh!)...near lake gormlaith...billy was 10
*montpelier...crystal/angie...art store/book store/bear pond
*new little coffee shop near the r-r tracks...again, not provided w/a name...you know it is there...signs...we cannot exist w/o them...yet this one is not provided w/an identity...a minor failing...tell me you have ever walked into a place w/o noticing the sign out front telling you what it is...you wouldn't walk in w/o knowing where you are going...grrrr.
*the river...the trestle...the caboose, or "fortress of solitude" (trevor)
*the ice arena...used for graduation
*burlington, church street mall...crystal/mother
*the 76 station where kurt works a 2nd job
*the trailer moved into kurt's back yard for his old man, jude
*an old man's volvo station wagon, an '85, that crystal buys for a grand
*the pool, where trevor/gracy take swimming lessons/summer
*lake gormlaith, twig's camp
*hudson's (lake)...beer run
*the island at the lake...a tree there
*mrs d's place, apt #4
*leunig's...sweetwaters...outdoor cafe's at the church street mall
*jc penney...where elsbeth shoplifts lingerie
*rest stop 30 miles out of town
*mcdonald's...gas station
*acadia nat'l park...six gun city...santa's village (past)
*the civic...car el drives
*the dumpster
characters
*kurt kennedy, father of trevor & gracy
*trevor kennedy, 13-yr-old
*mrs d, carmen dubois, art teacher, called "nanny mcphee"...a kind of derogative t'would appear...by some students
*angie mcdonald, a good artist/student in trevor's art class & she is crystal's sister...and she is 12 yrs old
*jolyn forchette, another student, jealous & smells like green beans
*gracy kennedy, 5-yr-old, trevor's younger sister
*ethan sweeney, a 7th grader
*mike wheelock, another 7th grader
*mr douglas, the janitor at school
*elsbeth "el" kennedy, kurt's wife, mother of trevor & gracy, works at a salon (babette's beauty boutique) in the mornings, where she has worked for 13 years now, shoplifts at walgreens, is from two rivers (the scene of the action)...she is 30-yr-old
*twig, elsbeth's girlfriend, whose name is tamara though no one calls her that
*twig's boyfriend...w/whom twig went to the bahamas
*principal cross...female...at school, new principal...the old principal is mentioned in passing, one who saw kurt before he grew a bunch size/weight
*a customer at the salvage yard, lady, real estate agent
*a client that she mentions
*beal, a co-worker/employee of kurt's
*billy kennedy, kurts's brother, who took off...is now 500 miles way, a lawyer, sends $ to kurt, but not for the old man
*beal's wife, pregnant w/twins, sally
*a school counselor, female
*crystal mcdonald...gives birth to a baby that is given up...she wants to be alone, one of her defining characteristics...she works at walgreens and she knows that "lady stealing shit"...(elsbeth)...she is young...17-yr-old, class of 2010, born in 1993
*crystal's mother & father
*willa, a dog that crystal walks
*ty mcphee...is the man/boy who got crystal pregnant, class of 2010
*ty's father...writes children books
*dizzy & squirrel, ty's little sisters
*lucia...is a woman to-do w/ty...possibly his mother
*a woman moaning
*a baby cried
*mrs stone. ..baby handed over to...mr&mrs...from burlington...he is a music professor....and she is a poet
*mrs van buren...salon customer of elsbeth's
*a couple of girls from the basketball team (elsbeth's past)
*her coach, elsbeth's past
*her mother
*a girl whose name she could no longer recollect (past)
*two new clients
*carly, the receptionist at the salon/elsbeth
*gracy's teacher
*a couple of really difficult children/gracy's teacher
*only one employee on the floor (later we learn this is crystal)
*the pregnant girl behind the counter (not...she's given birth/crystal)
*jude kennedy...lives alone, wife stomach cancer, had a stroke, collects everything...ran the salvage yard that his son kurt now owns/runs...has a purple heart...in poor health
*theresa..."that bitch from across the street" from jude...theresa bouchard...went to school w/kurt...5-6 boys, single mom
*the doctor/crystal
*lena, crystal's best girlfriend, who takes up w/ty, who went to planned parenthood (understood for an abortion) when she was a sophmore...(seniors now...?...along w/crystal, ty)
*the people at work (walgreens) crystal
*howard, the day manager at walgreens, weekends, when crystal works
*deena, co-worker, crystal's
*some creep buying fiddle faddle
*the lady stealing shit (elsbeth)
*buzz nolan...kurt/elsbeth's former landlord from whom they purchased house they live in
*two crosses...marking teenagers, brothers...killed
*wealthier & younger clients...that go to twig at the salon
*twig's sister in atlantic city
*faithful ladies from plum's retirement community...to elsbeth/salon
*original owner of babette's...photo of...w/his daughter, betsy parker
*crystal had a baby girl...possibly listed as "baby" earlier
*mrs d's brother...friends
*daguerre, talbot, rinehart...famous photographers
*howard...s'spoed to be working photo dept at walgreens
*the acne-riddled manager...at the 76 station where kurt gets a job...a 2nd job...to pay bills.
*carly's cousin in rutland
*somebody in idaho
*a man sitting in her chair, wilder montgomery, something to do w/his wife's father/betsy parker...he is a journalist from florida writing a memoir...the tampa tribune...he is a hunka-hunka burnin' lov
*maury vorhies, retired contractor, knows jude
*irene killjoy (heh!)...a lady from the county...this, opposed to a lineman for the county!...
*inspectors (plural! sheesh! bastids are everywhere!)
*residents at the detention center (cheap labor)
*nick & morty
*a couple of guys pop went hunting with
*a few men from his old bowling league
*alice liddell...lewis carroll's alice
*students
*mrs edam...trevor/math
*mrs o'brien, home room/social studies
*angie's mom...someone in her office (tells news about mrs d)
*the nurse (school)
*mrs lutz, all-purpose substitute
*hospital receptionist (elsbeth calls)
*the boy who'd gotten snatched on his way to school in putney (when i looked at the in memory names...i thought the names were such, as one was a walsh...different walsh, though...not...adam?
*mrs brown...her other clients...elsbeth's
*a woman at the school/phone...elsbeth
*the "principal" during graduation, class of 2010
*mrs noyes, the pta president
*parents, grandparents, siblings, graduation
*marcy madden...tells crystal the news that ty/lena are no more
*commencement speaker...alumnus
*a contractor friend of maury's
*4 kids from class (pool), 2 8th grade girls, savannah & kylie, and a 6th grade boy, rudy hauser
*swim teacher, a college girl, lisa (who might be ethan's sister)
*mireya, twig's younger sister
*mookie, twig's rescue mutt
*ollie, twig's italian greyhound
*the mermaids at weeki wachee
*loretta kennedy, kurt's mother, deceased, cancer...she is "loretta" page 193/chapter...but later, page 286, she is "larissa"...one of those fabled continuity errors mayhap? release the hounds!
*fiona, a girl at uvm who will/would be crystal's roommate
*the kid checking passes at the pool
*the other girls she saw walking w/their mothers
*a woman pushing a stroller w/a toddler...a little boy w/a crusty nose
*the waitress
*grumpy families
*jessica, 2nd-shift cashier at the 76 station
*a customer came up w/a six-pak
*glady's rivers, plum retirement community (dec 1st)
*a lady w/a pair of glasses on a gold chain
*the sales lady (jc penney)
*crystal's father's personal mechanic
*roger lund, the man crystal buys the volvo from...his mechanic
*mr franklin, the new art teacher at trevor's school
*logan monroe...jehovah's witness...excused from part. in halloween parade
*a man from jericho, vermont
*1st graders...parents of the younger kids (halloween parade)
*head-banging, thrashing retarded kids
*police
*pop's buddy lloyd's son, doug
*2 or 3 moms wrestle w/a child
*dentist (not named...should have been, seems like)
*some old guy filling a prescription
*the boys' parents (the dead ones...that accident/crosses)
*three other students (angie)
*elsbeth's mother, single mom...never provided w/a name...unusual, dontcha think?...who remarries, goes to california i think it was...
*nate...her new husband...a pharmaceutical sales rep...
*come to think of it...i don't recall an "elsbeth's dad"...but other than the designation of her mother as a single mom...i don't recall what happened to the father...curious...mighty curious is all
*fiona's roommate...w/whom crystal/fiona have been emailing
*the hockey team...the coach...the goalie
*miller, the goalie
*fire inspector
*connor w/an o and conner w/an e (gracy)
*mrs kelly
*mrs moody, a lady from the office
*a man wearing coveralls (who turns out to be a low man...one of the low men in coveralls)
*mrs bell, school nurse
*heidi lemeau (angie/art class...i think it was)
*the 2 boys at the end of her table
*"chris johnson"...an alias used by crystal
*secretary
*1st, 3rd, twin 5th graders of
*a woman screamed
*crowd
*a couple of volunteers
*the police commissioner
*sergeant jenkins
*people from tv stations in burlington
*noelle...possibly the school secretary
*sergeant carl
*small rat-faced reporter
*kid at the counter (gas station)
*newscaster
*frida kahlo...
the narration
multiple character 3rd-person p.o.v. there are sidebars to the past for many if not all pov's...the past as in a few years prior...but for the most, the time is the present...we have that present-tense prologue that is not called a prologue...then a past-tense storyline.
trevor does not like to go to "pop's"...kurt's old man's place...as one it is full of junk...but he is rarely there...was there last the day after christmas...and now/present...at the end of april...
these people are unaware of the other people in their lives...blink. like...kurt handles the family finances...and elsbeth has no clue as to that situation...and kurt does not clue her in.
a book or two three gets mentioned
the photographs of lewis carroll
a strange word, me
silly bandz...something the kids wear?...i'm afraid to look, alas.
update, finished, 6 mar 13, wednesday evening about 11 p.m. e.s.t.
it shakes! it bakes! it rattles & rolls! why can't i get a job writing those book-jacket blurbs? i've got time, winter and all...we're below our 350-yr-average of 187"...maybe only 165" this winter...so i've time.
yeah...so straight-forward narrative...a few asides to various times in the past for the main cast of characters. there isn't really one hero in the story...w/the multiple character p.o.v. kurt, his wife "el" trevor their son, crystal mcdonald...one chapter from gracy late in the story...
i don't believe the story focused through the eyes of jude and perhaps that is a failing...or not...if a reader would have liked to have read some thru his eyes, what's that say? that the story is alright, the reader wants more? the reader is being a pretentious snob, one of those sidewalk superintendents? it's not like the story felt incomplete...say like if the dollmaker is set up there and someone comes along, 'you going to put a head on that thing?'
the characters are also frustrating...each one is so wrapped up in their so very individual problems and conflict...they do a lot of presuming...see the anais nin quote above, a key to the story i believe, why it is there. and even when they are aware of...issues...yeah, that word...even when aware--elsbeth likes to take things...the old man, jude, likes to packrat things...kurt goes out walking...after midnight--even when the proverbial other is aware, nothing is done...or little, little to nothing...
there's a sense, throughout, of...ummm, a kettle on the stove...ready to boil over...and although there's steam and whatnot...all of the various smaller conflicts...all of those things might...what? splash over the top of the kettle from time to time...all hail doesn't necessarily break loose. so what? dat good bad otherwise? i dunno...that's simply the sense w/o telling you what happened, all those dreaded spoilers and all...she bakes! she rattles! rolls! a real page-turner!
w/the "in memory of" etc at the get-go, i wondered, well, is one of them--the teenage boy, trevor, would make sense, is he gay? most of those names in memory are...portrayed...not all, most...most are portrayed as gay, suicides...etc. but w/trevor...he takes a lot of heat from a couple of knuckleheads...and their bullying escalates...but there's the sense that trevor doesn't really know what he is. i think the focus is more perceptions...see the anais nin quote again, may it do ya fine...
what else? perhaps the willing suspension needs to be engaged enough to accept the motivation for the bad man's actions...at the end...then again, look at our world...an alarm clock w/a snooze button is motivation-enough for a petty thief to come in and foul things.
a good read.
February 15, 2020
The prologue that opens the book was a nice touch, because it created suspense. I had no idea just where the story was going and all my guesses were wrong. I've read another of this author's books that I liked up until the last part when it took a strange turn and became very melodramatic, which was kind of how I felt about this. Towards the end a lot is piled on all at once and then quickly resolved, which strained credibility a tad. But the characters were well drawn and it kept my interest.
July 13, 2017
One of the best books I've read in years.
June 9, 2017
What a story! I became so wrapped up in these characters. Like her other books a reader can find the rest of the world quietly run in the background while you find yourself immersed in the story.
The book follows mostly Trevor a teenage boy who struggles at home, at school, and in his own mind.
This was the third T. Greenwood book I've read and will be out looking for my fourth today!
The book follows mostly Trevor a teenage boy who struggles at home, at school, and in his own mind.
This was the third T. Greenwood book I've read and will be out looking for my fourth today!
February 25, 2024
Couldn't put this one down. The first of this author I have read - would definitely read more.
April 11, 2022
Slow building suspense around family dynamics and their struggle to navigate life.
May 17, 2012
This is going to be a very mixed review. I was amazed at the quality of writing but disappointed in the story. Grace is a very heart wrenching story. It focuses on four character point-of-views, with their common link being Gracy, a beautiful vibrant little girl.
• Kurt – Gracy’s father. He is hard working and struggling to keep his family healthy and happy. Now he also has to shoulder the problems of his ailing father.
• Elsbeth – Gracy’s Mother – Unhappy with her choices in life and wondering what could have been. She is connected to one child and detached from the other. She is struggling with her identity.
• Trevor – Gracy’s Brother – A trouble young man who has the weight of the world on his shoulders. He always feels alone and misunderstood. Not to mention the troubles of becoming a man.
• Crystal – Passing Acquaintance - A young woman at a crossroads. She has similarities to Elsbeth. She is battling the fallout from a life changing choice and is drawn into the Kennedy family problems.
I felt each character individually and their turmoil. Ms. Greenwood’s style of writing is wonderful and the flow of the storytelling was very well done. I was never confused and always had a clear view of whose portion of the story was being told.
The beginning sequence of Grace really drew me in. Why would a father have a gun to his only son’s head? I can’t remember a book that had me wanting to sneak a peek at the ending more. It grabbed me, but the hold was not very strong. These characters were riddled with problems, secrets and oddities.
This was a slow and agonizing journey for me. I think I didn’t like it 100% because I’m not used to this type of storytelling. There was no romance, suspense or reason for the story. Grace was a no holds bar look into the troubled lives of these four people. I saw the not so good, very bad and the disturbingly ugly. I was sad or angry throughout most of the story. This book really highlights the importance of open communication. Their personal problems were so apparent, but each had their own demons to fight and it was amazing how utterly alone they all felt. I wanted to help each of them so much, but I felt trapped watching their lives crumble.
• Am I sorry I read Grace? No, not really
• Will I be thinking about this novel in the near future? Yes, their stories were that heartbreaking
• Will I read other books written by Ms. Greenwood? Hmmm, I’m not sure. I don’t like sad stories.
So all-in-all, Grace is a very well written book. I cannot fault Ms. Greenwood on the quality of the story, writing or development of the characters. It just isn’t my cup of tea. I read to escape and this story was not an escape for me. Ms. Greenwood does live up to her title of the “family-damage specialist”. After reading this story I need a quick dose of happily ever after.
• Kurt – Gracy’s father. He is hard working and struggling to keep his family healthy and happy. Now he also has to shoulder the problems of his ailing father.
• Elsbeth – Gracy’s Mother – Unhappy with her choices in life and wondering what could have been. She is connected to one child and detached from the other. She is struggling with her identity.
• Trevor – Gracy’s Brother – A trouble young man who has the weight of the world on his shoulders. He always feels alone and misunderstood. Not to mention the troubles of becoming a man.
• Crystal – Passing Acquaintance - A young woman at a crossroads. She has similarities to Elsbeth. She is battling the fallout from a life changing choice and is drawn into the Kennedy family problems.
I felt each character individually and their turmoil. Ms. Greenwood’s style of writing is wonderful and the flow of the storytelling was very well done. I was never confused and always had a clear view of whose portion of the story was being told.
The beginning sequence of Grace really drew me in. Why would a father have a gun to his only son’s head? I can’t remember a book that had me wanting to sneak a peek at the ending more. It grabbed me, but the hold was not very strong. These characters were riddled with problems, secrets and oddities.
This was a slow and agonizing journey for me. I think I didn’t like it 100% because I’m not used to this type of storytelling. There was no romance, suspense or reason for the story. Grace was a no holds bar look into the troubled lives of these four people. I saw the not so good, very bad and the disturbingly ugly. I was sad or angry throughout most of the story. This book really highlights the importance of open communication. Their personal problems were so apparent, but each had their own demons to fight and it was amazing how utterly alone they all felt. I wanted to help each of them so much, but I felt trapped watching their lives crumble.
• Am I sorry I read Grace? No, not really
• Will I be thinking about this novel in the near future? Yes, their stories were that heartbreaking
• Will I read other books written by Ms. Greenwood? Hmmm, I’m not sure. I don’t like sad stories.
So all-in-all, Grace is a very well written book. I cannot fault Ms. Greenwood on the quality of the story, writing or development of the characters. It just isn’t my cup of tea. I read to escape and this story was not an escape for me. Ms. Greenwood does live up to her title of the “family-damage specialist”. After reading this story I need a quick dose of happily ever after.
June 16, 2012
Thirteen year old Trevor, his little sister Grace, and his parents Kurt and Elsbeth make up one side of this intricate story. On the other side is Crystal whose life took an unexpected turn when she became pregnant at seventeen.
GRACE is written in a style that reminds me of books by Jodi Piccoult. Author T. Greenwood takes her readers deeply into the lives and minds of her characters as she gradually reveals their personal issues and their often complicated connections.
Trevor is suffering at the hands of two bullies, and at the same time finding his voice through photography. Not able to talk about the daily torment he suffers, he escapes through the lens of an old film camera his elderly art teacher provides. His deep love for his young sister also keeps him focused when all he wants to do is explode.
Kurt and Elsbeth are childhood sweethearts whose relationship has become stale over time as their focus has turned to economic survival. Kurt works two jobs and any free time is spent looking out for his father whose hoarding issues have attracted the attention of the authorities. Elsbeth works part time as a hairdresser and frantically attempts to hid a shoplifting habit that threatens to spiral out of control. She dotes on Grace and worries constantly about Trevor.
Expectations for Crystal are high. When her unexpected pregnancy threatens to derail her parents plans for her to attend college, her mother steps in and arranges to have an adoptive couple whisk Crystal's baby away immediately after the birth. As time passes, Crystal regrets her decision and begrudges her parents' controlling ways. The emotional impact of giving birth and giving up her child may have set her on a path toward destruction.
I was able to read GRACE thanks to my generous neighbor who passed it on after winning it in a Goodreads giveaway. She suggested it might qualify as YA for older teen readers, and I agree. I know of several high school readers I will be suggesting it to this fall.
GRACE is written in a style that reminds me of books by Jodi Piccoult. Author T. Greenwood takes her readers deeply into the lives and minds of her characters as she gradually reveals their personal issues and their often complicated connections.
Trevor is suffering at the hands of two bullies, and at the same time finding his voice through photography. Not able to talk about the daily torment he suffers, he escapes through the lens of an old film camera his elderly art teacher provides. His deep love for his young sister also keeps him focused when all he wants to do is explode.
Kurt and Elsbeth are childhood sweethearts whose relationship has become stale over time as their focus has turned to economic survival. Kurt works two jobs and any free time is spent looking out for his father whose hoarding issues have attracted the attention of the authorities. Elsbeth works part time as a hairdresser and frantically attempts to hid a shoplifting habit that threatens to spiral out of control. She dotes on Grace and worries constantly about Trevor.
Expectations for Crystal are high. When her unexpected pregnancy threatens to derail her parents plans for her to attend college, her mother steps in and arranges to have an adoptive couple whisk Crystal's baby away immediately after the birth. As time passes, Crystal regrets her decision and begrudges her parents' controlling ways. The emotional impact of giving birth and giving up her child may have set her on a path toward destruction.
I was able to read GRACE thanks to my generous neighbor who passed it on after winning it in a Goodreads giveaway. She suggested it might qualify as YA for older teen readers, and I agree. I know of several high school readers I will be suggesting it to this fall.
September 24, 2014
audiobook
There are several authors who write about family dynamics, Amy Hatvany, Jodi Picoult, Lisa Genova and T. Greenwood to name a few. This is the second book I’ve read by this author but she is right up there in my favorites who write contemporary novels. A family in crisis spiraling down into disaster pushed the limits of my comfort zone while pulling me deeper and deeper into the heart wrenching story of the Kennedy family. It got my attention right away.
Wrong assumptions and poor communication were the downfall of the Kennedy family. The story opens with the father, Kurt, holding a gun on his 13 year old son, Trevor, while marching him into the the snow covered woods. From that point on I was taken with the mystery of “why”. What could this boy have possibly done to bring about this kind of terror or was the father demented? Suddenly, the author thrusts you back a few months to explain the events leading up to the horror in the woods. There is Elsbeth, the mother, who seems to love only her small daughter, Grace, while she mentally pushes Trevor and Kurt away. Kurt and Elsbeth have an estranged martial relationship while Kurt is stressed to the limit with financial problems and his aging father who is a hoarder. Trevor keeps it a secret that he is being bullied by his classmates and seems to stay in trouble as he attempts to to defend himself. He lives in his private world of photography. Elsbeth exists in her own reality apart from the rest of the family. And the odd character is Crystal, a teenager working at the local drugstore who sees the Kennedy family story play out before her eyes. Does this sound complicated? Yes it is, but the drama is so realistic to many families.
As I watched the Kennedy family collide, I realized the authors unique ability to pull me into the drama while giving me glimpses of future hope and redemption for this desperate family. I will be looking forward to more of T. Greenwood’s novels.
There are several authors who write about family dynamics, Amy Hatvany, Jodi Picoult, Lisa Genova and T. Greenwood to name a few. This is the second book I’ve read by this author but she is right up there in my favorites who write contemporary novels. A family in crisis spiraling down into disaster pushed the limits of my comfort zone while pulling me deeper and deeper into the heart wrenching story of the Kennedy family. It got my attention right away.
Wrong assumptions and poor communication were the downfall of the Kennedy family. The story opens with the father, Kurt, holding a gun on his 13 year old son, Trevor, while marching him into the the snow covered woods. From that point on I was taken with the mystery of “why”. What could this boy have possibly done to bring about this kind of terror or was the father demented? Suddenly, the author thrusts you back a few months to explain the events leading up to the horror in the woods. There is Elsbeth, the mother, who seems to love only her small daughter, Grace, while she mentally pushes Trevor and Kurt away. Kurt and Elsbeth have an estranged martial relationship while Kurt is stressed to the limit with financial problems and his aging father who is a hoarder. Trevor keeps it a secret that he is being bullied by his classmates and seems to stay in trouble as he attempts to to defend himself. He lives in his private world of photography. Elsbeth exists in her own reality apart from the rest of the family. And the odd character is Crystal, a teenager working at the local drugstore who sees the Kennedy family story play out before her eyes. Does this sound complicated? Yes it is, but the drama is so realistic to many families.
As I watched the Kennedy family collide, I realized the authors unique ability to pull me into the drama while giving me glimpses of future hope and redemption for this desperate family. I will be looking forward to more of T. Greenwood’s novels.
May 27, 2012
A mesmerizing read which captures your attention from the opening chapter. Thoughts of what could have brought the “story” to this point run foremost in your mind. There is no choice but to read on and discover for yourself! A highly emotional journey in which the characters find themselves held prisoner by even their most simplistic of desires promises to keep the reader committed to turning the pages until all becomes clear, as snapshot in time, also held prisoner. Two Rivers, an out of the way small town in Vermont in which we find a family struggling to keep it all together, during the current day economic meltdown affecting so many families these days and a young woman on the brink of adulthood struggling to come to terms with the result of actions not just her own. What possible thread could they have in common to make their paths cross? Kurt Kennedy, father of two trapped in the salvage yard business he now runs which once belonged to his stroke- ravaged father, Elsbeth his wife working in the small town beauty salon, Trevor their thirteen year old and troubled son who only wants to make the pictures he sees in his mind a reality. Crystal, who once looked forward to starting collage and the dreams of a life with her childhood sweetheart now, left alone dealing with a loss she cannot overcome. At last there is Grace, a divine favor, who at six years old, proves to be the binding force which ties them all together with the unconditional love only a child can provide.
May 11, 2012
I was enthralled with Grace by T. Greenwood from the opening chapter. She tells us the story of a family in Two Rivers, VT and that of a checkout girl from the local Walgreens. Their stories intertwine seamlessly and in ways that seem unexpected, yet so fitting. Every single character has a depth to them, making them all alive beyond the page. I grew attached to all of her carefully constructed characters, dying to know what the final pages would reveal about them all. As a teacher, this novel holds an extra special place in my heart. Greenwood tackles bullying, its painful aftermaths, and the powerful relationships that exist between teachers and their students. This novel screams about the importance of a young person having someone in their life that they trust and feel believes in them. I found myself wanting to race through the final 50 pages to discover how it would all end, but was slowed down by Greenwood's vivid word choice. I found myself reading sections multiple times, amazed by the construction of her images. This novel shows us how a family can be shattered and pieced back together and how shared grief and loss can tie us all together.
May 3, 2012
Amazing story. It's hard to feel too bad about your life as you read about these wounded and hurting people. Ms. Greenwood hits all the right buttons to make you feel so many things. As I read the book I was full of emotions, mainly fear, apprehension, and pity for the hurting characters she portrays. It seems that there is no fix for all the problems that they encounter and endure. Yet life can change and there is redemption for wrong. Justice and grace are elements that make life endurable and even bring about new understanding and a sense of joy. There is much sadness in the book Grace, but there is also hope. In the midst of the greatest adversity, there can be another chance. Grace is a little girl, but it is also the theme of this book. If you read Grace, don't give up part way through. See the book through to the end, and you will experience grace.
June 28, 2012
I've loved everything T. Greenwood has written and looked forward to reading this one. At first I was a little worried that there was too much going on in this book--it covers an awful lot of ground and numerous social and personal issues. But it's wonderful, and the story spins out so well ( pretty gracefully, pun intended). You see inside the characters and watch their struggles with an impending sense of doom that something big and awful is going to happen but you're not exactly sure what. (i won't ruin the ending for you by saying more.) It's not the typical style of book that you would call a page-turner, but it certainly is one. It pulls you along. I was sad to come to the end because I wanted to spend more time with the characters. Can't give a stronger recommendation than that, right?
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