Duane A. Eide (1937–2021)

Leaving Home was an interesting fictional read.

This novel follows Shane Stenlund after an unfortunate injury that led him to not continuing his secondary school career. He goes off to the big city and learns that life is much different in the city than on the farm.

The story was definitely interesting, although I did not see the big picture or what the theme was. It seemed like it was just meant to be a good, fictional read to escape from reality with. If there was a theme, maybe it just wasn't very obvious.

The character development and plot pace was A-grade. I felt like the story built well over time and nothing seemed to come to early or to late in the story. If anything, I would have liked there to be more interaction with Shane's family but that was not a big issue.

Overall, it was a good read. I was impressed with the book and would suggest it to anyone who wants a good book to escape reality with.

Four out of five stars, due to the lack of evident theme.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.… (mehr)

I picked up this book because I found out it was written by my high school English teacher. In short, a 10-year-old boy is witness to a crime that haunts his sleep for more than a decade. Later in life he meets a woman who he discovers shares his nightmares -- she was the victim. Can they resolve their collective emotional and psychological baggage and forge a relationship?

Having a connection to the author, I really wanted to enjoy this book. Alas, it was a painful experience -- and not in the way the author intended. The contradictory plot elements and endless spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors were dismaying, and all the while I kept wondering how this could be the work of an English teacher.… (mehr)