kmj98's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a tour de force. I could not put it down. There is an amazing ending, great character and extraordinarily well written. I hope it is not a Young Adult read, if it is, I would recommend this to the 15 plus set of young adults because of drug use and sexual situations. I am so thrilled there are voices out there like Murdoch's and that the young adult/new adult genres are really getting great writers, stories, and characters. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I could not put it down, and craved it when I did.
thanks, k
thanks, k
girlreading's review against another edition
4.0
4.25* Heart wrenching, disturbing, dark and strangely beautiful. An unforgettable story of family, survival and how the two intertwine. If You Find Me had me totally gripped from page one. I couldn't put it down. Brilliant.
almera's review against another edition
4.0
carey is the bravest and strongest girl. i adore her relationship with her sister so much. the end crushed me. she deserves the world and more. both the sisters do <3
sjj169's review against another edition
5.0
"A book is a living, breathing thing. It spends the first chapters of it's life curled up in the mind, symbiotic with its creator as it grows fat and round." Emily Murdoch
I'm so very glad that this book grew into being. I picked up this small book when I saw it on my friend Jenny's favorite's list. I didn't really imagine what a punch these 245 pages could begin to deliver.
Carey is fourteen and taking care of her sister Jenessa in a camper. Not just any camper-these girls have no running water, no heat other than campfires. Their mother stashes them in the woods and brings them some food when she remembers it or brings another form of abuse when she needs money for her meth fix. She took Carey when she was young because her husband had been awarded sole custody. Hid her in the woods and birthed Jenessa as a "trick baby".
This book is about horrible unimaginable abuse-BUT and a very big but it is-this book is about Carey's strength. I loved this character. She is amazing beyond my piddly little words can even begin to describe.
This book makes me cry but this book also made me smile from my whole heart. Carey's story should be read.
I'm so very glad that this book grew into being. I picked up this small book when I saw it on my friend Jenny's favorite's list. I didn't really imagine what a punch these 245 pages could begin to deliver.
Carey is fourteen and taking care of her sister Jenessa in a camper. Not just any camper-these girls have no running water, no heat other than campfires. Their mother stashes them in the woods and brings them some food when she remembers it or brings another form of abuse when she needs money for her meth fix. She took Carey when she was young because her husband had been awarded sole custody. Hid her in the woods and birthed Jenessa as a "trick baby".
This book is about horrible unimaginable abuse-BUT and a very big but it is-this book is about Carey's strength. I loved this character. She is amazing beyond my piddly little words can even begin to describe.
This book makes me cry but this book also made me smile from my whole heart. Carey's story should be read.
puggers13's review against another edition
4.0
I flew through this book. It's such a heartbreaking story but it also shows the resilience of the human spirit and hope after a story of tragedy.
alifromkc1907's review against another edition
4.0
Read more reviews at http://rainbowreviews.wix.com/readingfree
When Carey and her selectively-mute sister, Nessa, are abandonned by their mother, Carey is left to fend for her and her 5 year old sister. But when social services and her father (who abandonned her and her mom) find them filthy, skin-and-bones, and freezing cold, they are taken to live with her father's new wife, Melissa, and step-daughter, Delaney, will Carey and Nessa run back to their home? Or will they break the silence about their life in the woods?
You may like this book if you like the following sub-genres:
Family life
Sexual/Domestic Abuse
Drug/Alcohol Addiction
Goodreads users gave this book a 4.07 I think it was more deserving of a 4.50.
This book was just lacking something - and I'm not entirely sure what that something is, but I was missing the "mmph" to push this into 5-star territory. I loved the premise of this book. Once I started reading, it seemed a bit predictible. However, the ending through me for a bit of a loop, which was a nice change of pace.
This entire story was very real. It's not uncommon for a parent to take off with the children when divorce is the card being dealt. But it's not expected that they will take off just down the road and hide out in a forest - living completely off the grid. And I think that's what makes this story so unforgettable. Only in the craziest of news stories do we hear about children who have been abandonned by their parent for weeks before anyone is able to step in and take control of the situation. And this was simply one of those stories - two abandonned kids in unthinkable conditions. It really makes you root for the kids' well being. It makes you wish for good things, but it makes you nervous when good things come their way.
I wish I could speak more of the ending because it really makes so much of this book so powerful. The climax point of this novel changes the entire mood of the characters; it makes everything more difficult to grasp. (I suppose you'll just have to read it...)
I disliked the sing-songy nature that came in and out. I know this was a musical family, but I dread reading song lyrics in any book. I simply skip them. It's just - meh. But what really drove me nuts was the praying and the hearing phrases from Mama. I hate when authors italicize. I know that sounds kind of ridiculous, but I didn't need all that mumbo-jumbo from Mama. I got enough of her behavior from the beginning of the novel. I didn't need to hear it italicized the entire rest of the book. I also really didn't need the prayers (italicized). One way or the other, I found them kind of out of place. In the entire book, I never once felt like the prayers contributed to the story line. And maybe it's because I thought it was strange that prayer only happened towards the middle and end, even though church and religion was never really a primary function in the story and so it just felt like filler.
But the southern twang... man, this author nailed it. Droping the -ing's off words, and continually using the phrase, "I reckon." I was really impressed that the dialogue that Carey used was maintained (despite her efforts to change her language). Usually book drop off in the middle somewhere, maybe towards the end it'll kick back in - but this was really consistent throughout. I loved this piece.
I thought the final piece of the book that drove this story home was the girls' lack of knowledge of pop-culture and being up to date on things like cell phones and what it's like to be in a car. These are things that when you live off the grid and you're completely isolated from the age of 4 (and in the case of Nessa, since birth), you don't really get to learn things like slang, or what cell phones and tablets are. I thought the author did such a good job of driving this home -- that they had to learn these things and how much they stood out for not knowing. Murdoch had to put herself in the shoes of someone who had never seen our world today. You have to look at everything with completely blank brain-cells and eyes; nothing can be taken for granted. This was something small, but I think had they known what cell phones were; had they known about slang and bedazzled jeans - I think I would've questioned things. This was a driving point.
When Carey and her selectively-mute sister, Nessa, are abandonned by their mother, Carey is left to fend for her and her 5 year old sister. But when social services and her father (who abandonned her and her mom) find them filthy, skin-and-bones, and freezing cold, they are taken to live with her father's new wife, Melissa, and step-daughter, Delaney, will Carey and Nessa run back to their home? Or will they break the silence about their life in the woods?
You may like this book if you like the following sub-genres:
Family life
Sexual/Domestic Abuse
Drug/Alcohol Addiction
Goodreads users gave this book a 4.07 I think it was more deserving of a 4.50.
This book was just lacking something - and I'm not entirely sure what that something is, but I was missing the "mmph" to push this into 5-star territory. I loved the premise of this book. Once I started reading, it seemed a bit predictible. However, the ending through me for a bit of a loop, which was a nice change of pace.
This entire story was very real. It's not uncommon for a parent to take off with the children when divorce is the card being dealt. But it's not expected that they will take off just down the road and hide out in a forest - living completely off the grid. And I think that's what makes this story so unforgettable. Only in the craziest of news stories do we hear about children who have been abandonned by their parent for weeks before anyone is able to step in and take control of the situation. And this was simply one of those stories - two abandonned kids in unthinkable conditions. It really makes you root for the kids' well being. It makes you wish for good things, but it makes you nervous when good things come their way.
I wish I could speak more of the ending because it really makes so much of this book so powerful. The climax point of this novel changes the entire mood of the characters; it makes everything more difficult to grasp. (I suppose you'll just have to read it...)
I disliked the sing-songy nature that came in and out. I know this was a musical family, but I dread reading song lyrics in any book. I simply skip them. It's just - meh. But what really drove me nuts was the praying and the hearing phrases from Mama. I hate when authors italicize. I know that sounds kind of ridiculous, but I didn't need all that mumbo-jumbo from Mama. I got enough of her behavior from the beginning of the novel. I didn't need to hear it italicized the entire rest of the book. I also really didn't need the prayers (italicized). One way or the other, I found them kind of out of place. In the entire book, I never once felt like the prayers contributed to the story line. And maybe it's because I thought it was strange that prayer only happened towards the middle and end, even though church and religion was never really a primary function in the story and so it just felt like filler.
But the southern twang... man, this author nailed it. Droping the -ing's off words, and continually using the phrase, "I reckon." I was really impressed that the dialogue that Carey used was maintained (despite her efforts to change her language). Usually book drop off in the middle somewhere, maybe towards the end it'll kick back in - but this was really consistent throughout. I loved this piece.
I thought the final piece of the book that drove this story home was the girls' lack of knowledge of pop-culture and being up to date on things like cell phones and what it's like to be in a car. These are things that when you live off the grid and you're completely isolated from the age of 4 (and in the case of Nessa, since birth), you don't really get to learn things like slang, or what cell phones and tablets are. I thought the author did such a good job of driving this home -- that they had to learn these things and how much they stood out for not knowing. Murdoch had to put herself in the shoes of someone who had never seen our world today. You have to look at everything with completely blank brain-cells and eyes; nothing can be taken for granted. This was something small, but I think had they known what cell phones were; had they known about slang and bedazzled jeans - I think I would've questioned things. This was a driving point.
heathercoylee's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bookladysreviews's review against another edition
5.0
This is the story of Carey and her sister Jenessa,who live in the woods with their drug addicted mother.When she disappears,the two girls are left to fend for themselves.But when two strangers find them and take them away from the woods,Carey is thrust into a new and complicated world she has to get used to, which isn't easy.And it's even more difficult for Carey to hide a secret that affected both her and Nessa.Jenessa hasn't spoken a word in over a year and Carey is haunted by a dark past that won't let her go.She can't talk to anybody about it and risk losing her new family and new life.Because what happens in the woods...stays in the woods.
I've been wanting to read this book for a really long time but as always...I kept putting it off.And I saw a couple of booktubers talk about it recently so I knew that it was time for me to finally pick it up.And I loved it.The plot was so unique and I was hooked from the first chapters.
From the beginning the main character Carey is talking about something that happened in the woods.A white star night that changed both hers and her sister's life.But you don't learn what happened that night.Which was so frustrating and made me assume many things.But the truth was even worse.It was heartbreaking,unpredictable and made me wanna punch their mother in the face.I think everyone will assume things that might be truth while reading If You Find me but the real truth will be so devastating and unexpected.And some parts of that truth made me cry if not all.I get upset just by thinking about it.
This is a sad and dark story.Such a stunning and intriguing debut that shows the cruelty of the world we live in.Don't get me wrong.The world isn't cruel...Some people who live in it make it that way.That's exactly the case in this book.These two characters lived in awful circumstances for so many years.They don't know how it feels to have other people care for you and love you.The only had each other and their bond,even after they left the woods was so real and admirable.
While reading If You Find Me I was a roller coaster of emotions.Felt so many things and I think Carey's feelings and thoughts really affected me.She is one of the strongest and caring characters I've ever read about in a book and I think it's worth reading this book,just for the sake of meeting her through it.It wasn't a long journey unfortunately and Carey isn't real but she could be.She could be anyone in this big world we live in.And words cannot express how much I loved her as a character.And of course I fell in love with Nessa.
This was such an honest and captivating book which managed to capture the main character's pain.It was a heartbreaking read which I enjoyed immensely.Who am I kidding?I fell in love with it.I might be exaggerating but it truly affected me as a person and not a lot of books can do that.And don't forget that this is a debut.Which is more than impressive.
Highly highly recommend it!
I've been wanting to read this book for a really long time but as always...I kept putting it off.And I saw a couple of booktubers talk about it recently so I knew that it was time for me to finally pick it up.And I loved it.The plot was so unique and I was hooked from the first chapters.
From the beginning the main character Carey is talking about something that happened in the woods.A white star night that changed both hers and her sister's life.But you don't learn what happened that night.Which was so frustrating and made me assume many things.But the truth was even worse.It was heartbreaking,unpredictable and made me wanna punch their mother in the face.I think everyone will assume things that might be truth while reading If You Find me but the real truth will be so devastating and unexpected.And some parts of that truth made me cry if not all.I get upset just by thinking about it.
This is a sad and dark story.Such a stunning and intriguing debut that shows the cruelty of the world we live in.Don't get me wrong.The world isn't cruel...Some people who live in it make it that way.That's exactly the case in this book.These two characters lived in awful circumstances for so many years.They don't know how it feels to have other people care for you and love you.The only had each other and their bond,even after they left the woods was so real and admirable.
While reading If You Find Me I was a roller coaster of emotions.Felt so many things and I think Carey's feelings and thoughts really affected me.She is one of the strongest and caring characters I've ever read about in a book and I think it's worth reading this book,just for the sake of meeting her through it.It wasn't a long journey unfortunately and Carey isn't real but she could be.She could be anyone in this big world we live in.And words cannot express how much I loved her as a character.And of course I fell in love with Nessa.
This was such an honest and captivating book which managed to capture the main character's pain.It was a heartbreaking read which I enjoyed immensely.Who am I kidding?I fell in love with it.I might be exaggerating but it truly affected me as a person and not a lot of books can do that.And don't forget that this is a debut.Which is more than impressive.
Highly highly recommend it!
novelheartbeat's review against another edition
3.0
I’d heard very good things about this book, but didn’t really look twice at it until C.J. Redwine recommended it at her book signing. I thought for sure it was going to be a tear-jerker, and something I could find that could compare to Before I Fall, but for some reason it just didn’t work for me. Don’t get me wrong, it was a fabulous story. But I couldn’t connect like I’d hoped.
I think my main issue was that the writing style didn’t get to me. I found it a bit dry and clinical. This story had the potential to be very moving and emotional, but I just didn’t feel it. There was a disconnect there for me that kept me from truly feeling the story to the core.
It was terrible to think of what Carey went through, and that was really the driving point of this book. There was one scene in particular that had some very vivid imagery that had me cringing. I can’t even imagine how awful it would be to grow up like she did, with no electricity and nothing frivolous! Carey and Janessa barely had the things they actually needed.
Something I feel the need to point out – for me, personally – is Carey’s language. She was perfectly capable of speaking correctly, she proved that when she went to her new home. The don’ts and ain’ts didn’t bother me all that much, because I can understand that she was brought up on that language and it’s comfortable for her, but what bothered me was that she said Injun. Injun? Really? She could spell certain ‘big’ words correctly, like impenetrable and hyperventilating, and Jehovah for crying out loud, but not Indian?! Are you serious? I don’t know why that irked me so much…
There were a few times that I felt a twinge of something at least, but only in the scenes that involved Carey’s parents. I really liked how gentle and understanding they were with her, despite her somewhat uncouth temperament. As someone who is very close to her parents, that got to me slightly. But the very tender scenes should have been packed with emotion! I really think the issue here was me. Perhaps it was a mood thing, who knows.
Favorite quote:
“We make attachments to what’s familiar. We find the beauty, even in the lack. That’s human. We make the best of what we’re given.”
ASSESSMENT
Plot: 3.5/5
Writing style: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 2/5
Cover: 2.5/5