Myfanwy Collins

Even though I know I should know better, I have an expectation (prejudice?) that if a book is labeled “LITERARY” it’s going to be slow-paced, introspective and probably have characters that are graduate students or tortured artists.

Echolocation grabbed me right from the opening scene. It is fast-paced and the underclass cast of characters are very very real. I’m pretty sure none of them have been to grad school.

This story reminded me in some respects of the film “Winter Bone” with its gritty, no bullshit characters. It would make a great film. But read the book first because it’s beautifully written.

I like to read the Goodreads reviews after I read the book to see what others thought. This book has been reviewed by a number of skilled reviewers who do a much better job than I can of critiquing this work.

Of all of them, I think Susan Rukeyser’s 5 star review is one of the best for giving a potential reader a sense of what this book is about.

… (mehr)

West and his best friend Mark hated high school, and planned revenge for all the times jocks ignored or made fun of them. After spending time researching terrorists, both homegrown and abroad, they were ready to make their mark on the world. Using knives, machetes and homemade bombs, they worked their way through a school bus filled with high school kids, and forever changed Laney’s world.

With West and her mother now dead, joining the father she’d never known, fifteen-year-old Laney is sent to live with her grandmother, Meme, in the woods of upstate New York in a place upon which civilization has not dared to encroach. Meme is not an exceptionally friendly woman, but she and Laney soon come to an understanding. It is with her help that Laney learns to put herself in the shoes of those who have gone before her and to rely on nature for her needs. She also learns to quiet her own mind and regain the glimmer of a path for her life, which West had taken in his quest for revenge.

“The book of Laney” gave great insight into the minds of terrorists like West and Mark, as the author used real diary entries from homegrown terrorists to help readers understand why they behaved in such a way. The real life horror into which Laney found herself, and how she saw herself after the murders, were all realistic topics.

However, I felt the book lost its attempt at being believable when Laney’s paranormal visions become its highlight. It would have been better if the author had found a realistic way to help Laney find a way to cope with her issues without having to resort to make believe. Struggling teens who may have looked to this book for insight into their own situations will not find solace through paranormal visions.

I would have given the book a higher rating if the author had stayed true to the book’s premise of a young girl learning to cope with life after facing death one too many times, instead of letting it deteriorate into her having multiple visions which enabled her to gain strength and knowledge. In addition the cover is very “blah,” and would have been lovely if it had looked like the beautiful Adirondack woods into which Laney poured so much of her heart and soul.

Because of having a major issue with this hugely unrealistic topic in the midst of realistic ones I can’t recommend this book, but will leave it up to you to decide if you want to read it or not.

Blog link to review: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2015/11/24/the-book-of-laney-myfanwy-co...… (mehr)

Blurbs are rarely what make me pick up a book but when both Roxane Gay and Matthew Quick blurb a book, it goes onto my TBR pile immediately. It's hard to say that I liked or didn't like this book because, similarly to An Untamed State, you can't just put this book in someone's hands and say, "Yes, you'll love it." It's a harrowing ride.

Laney is sent to live with her off-the-grid grandmother after Laney's brother kills several students, then most of his family. To come to terms with this, along with the survivor syndrome that accompanies it is truly a journey.… (mehr)