michellesantiago's review
4.0
Once Was Lost was my first Christian-themed read and I really liked it. Our first person narrator was 15-year-old Samara Taylor who was going through a lot of problems including that fact that she's questioning her faith. Her family was far from the perfect one they pretend to be and while her dad, the pastor, seemed to have all the time and all the right words for those in the congregation, when it comes to his own family he's always too busy and often turns a blind eye to problems going on at home. Before her mom landed in rehab, Sam had to take care of her when she overindulged but when her mom Sam felt more alone than ever and she thinks she may be depressed. When Jody Shaw was kidnapped in town, shock and suspicion falls over the community. With her dad immersed in the helping the Jody's family and the community through their terrible time, Sam must work through her internal turmoil, convince her mom to come home and get her family back together.
Although there was the side plot of Jody Shaw's kidnapping, it's ultimately Sam's story. She was flawed, realistic and though I thought she was mature, I believed she was a 15-year-old. She felt alone and misunderstood--her friends think she's a goody-goody just because she's the pastor's daughter and they leave her behind with some of the things they do. She didn't feel the same about her religion the way she did when she was younger and felt guilty. She doesn't really have anyone to talk to and her dad was too busy taking care of everyone else. I understood Sam and I knew exactly how she felt because I went through the myriad of confusion about faith myself and I thought the author captured her inner turmoil perfectly. The questions she asked in the book, I myself asked at one point or other in my life.
I usually stay way from realistic fiction like this book and I was afraid this book was going to be sad and depressing but it wasn't at all. Once Was Lost was a thoughtful story of faith, love, family and redemption. I really enjoyed the unhurried way the author told Sam's story--it was well-paced and at only 244 pages it felt like a longer novel (but in a good way--it's more a "full meal" type of book than a snack). The ending wasn't tied up all nice and neat and some questions remained but it's hopeful and happy. If you're looking for a quick yet heartfelt read look no further than Once Was Lost.
Although there was the side plot of Jody Shaw's kidnapping, it's ultimately Sam's story. She was flawed, realistic and though I thought she was mature, I believed she was a 15-year-old. She felt alone and misunderstood--her friends think she's a goody-goody just because she's the pastor's daughter and they leave her behind with some of the things they do. She didn't feel the same about her religion the way she did when she was younger and felt guilty. She doesn't really have anyone to talk to and her dad was too busy taking care of everyone else. I understood Sam and I knew exactly how she felt because I went through the myriad of confusion about faith myself and I thought the author captured her inner turmoil perfectly. The questions she asked in the book, I myself asked at one point or other in my life.
I usually stay way from realistic fiction like this book and I was afraid this book was going to be sad and depressing but it wasn't at all. Once Was Lost was a thoughtful story of faith, love, family and redemption. I really enjoyed the unhurried way the author told Sam's story--it was well-paced and at only 244 pages it felt like a longer novel (but in a good way--it's more a "full meal" type of book than a snack). The ending wasn't tied up all nice and neat and some questions remained but it's hopeful and happy. If you're looking for a quick yet heartfelt read look no further than Once Was Lost.
lovegirl30's review
4.0
This is my favorite young adult book I have read, in a long time. This was my first book I have read by Sara Zarr, and I really love her style and approach to storytelling. She really is a great contemporary read. She doesn't write anything that is immature or mature. She is wonderful.
Once Was Lost, was a different type of novel than I have ever read. She took a very unlikable complex character and made her entirely approachable. I really didn't think I would like Sam, she is moody and a bit of a complainer. She is constantly making everything about her.
“I wonder how you're supposed to know the exact moment when there's no more hope.”
The main character Sam is a teen girl who is really ostracized by her status of a paster's daughter. She is a girl struggling with her faith, even though she must pretend to be a devout Christian, perfect daughter, and good role mood. Which you have to admit is a lot to place on a young girl. The problem is her life is really far from perfect. Her mother is currently in court-ordered rehab, after a DUI, her dad barely has time to even care about her issues and overall she is growing more and more depressed. When a horrific tragedy happens, her small little town is shaken, and Sam begins to doubt her faith in God.
This is a book about faith, make no doubt, but it isn't about a preachy religious faith. There is no agenda in this book. It is more about how to find faith, and about having faith in the people who are around you. It's about having faith in your family. It is about how you figure out as a young adult that life isn't perfect, your parents can have issues, and that people all make horrible mistakes. The title even takes about this message, "Once was lost, but now am found." is the song of amazing grace. That'ss what this book is about. Finding your faith, finding your purpose in life.
But the message this book has is so much bigger than just faith. It is also about repression and denial. The mom is in denial of her issues for most of the book, dad was in denial of everything Sam was going through. Also same was in denial, she was in denial of her emotions. The anger, jealousy, her grief and the doubt she felt, all pushed to the bottom. She was keeping it all bottled inside her. Through, out the book, we watch this part of her crack. Of course, we know that she will develop into herself, as is Sara Zarr nature.
Once Was Lost, was a different type of novel than I have ever read. She took a very unlikable complex character and made her entirely approachable. I really didn't think I would like Sam, she is moody and a bit of a complainer. She is constantly making everything about her.
“I wonder how you're supposed to know the exact moment when there's no more hope.”
The main character Sam is a teen girl who is really ostracized by her status of a paster's daughter. She is a girl struggling with her faith, even though she must pretend to be a devout Christian, perfect daughter, and good role mood. Which you have to admit is a lot to place on a young girl. The problem is her life is really far from perfect. Her mother is currently in court-ordered rehab, after a DUI, her dad barely has time to even care about her issues and overall she is growing more and more depressed. When a horrific tragedy happens, her small little town is shaken, and Sam begins to doubt her faith in God.
This is a book about faith, make no doubt, but it isn't about a preachy religious faith. There is no agenda in this book. It is more about how to find faith, and about having faith in the people who are around you. It's about having faith in your family. It is about how you figure out as a young adult that life isn't perfect, your parents can have issues, and that people all make horrible mistakes. The title even takes about this message, "Once was lost, but now am found." is the song of amazing grace. That'ss what this book is about. Finding your faith, finding your purpose in life.
But the message this book has is so much bigger than just faith. It is also about repression and denial. The mom is in denial of her issues for most of the book, dad was in denial of everything Sam was going through. Also same was in denial, she was in denial of her emotions. The anger, jealousy, her grief and the doubt she felt, all pushed to the bottom. She was keeping it all bottled inside her. Through, out the book, we watch this part of her crack. Of course, we know that she will develop into herself, as is Sara Zarr nature.
danicapage's review
4.0
I love Sra Zarr's style. Her novels are heartwrenchingly beautiful. I loved hearing Sam's story and the challenges of faith in the midst of all the trials that come with life.
This book was moving. I loved reading it.
For a more in-depth review of my thoughts regarding this book. Please visit http://danicapage.blogspot.com/2011/09/book-review-once-was-lost-by-sara-zarr.html
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This book was moving. I loved reading it.
For a more in-depth review of my thoughts regarding this book. Please visit http://danicapage.blogspot.com/2011/09/book-review-once-was-lost-by-sara-zarr.html
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abigailsbuchanan's review against another edition
4.0
Sad about the handful of curses, but overall, a very moving story and a really interesting perspective.
medugle's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
micheatsbooks's review
4.0
Overall, a very good. Interesting story line, with the would-be juxtaposition of a kidnapped/ missing girl, Jody, and the main character, Sam, seeming to be emotionally and psychologically missing. Sam needed to find herself, just as the town needed to find Jody. I like the fact that although it included a rather sad thing (kidnapping), it wasn't gory or anything of the sort. I really liked this book, and would reccomend it; it's not your run-of-the-mill book.
mary00's review against another edition
4.0
This YA novel tackles some heavy subjects (including faith and religion) without being heavy-handed. If you are looking for a light and happy read, this is not the book for you. But if you are looking for a serious, well-written young adult novel - then I would check this out!
vfosslay's review against another edition
4.0
A well-written young adult novel about faith and family during hard times.
everydayreading's review against another edition
4.0
Perhaps my favorite of all of Zarr's books. She is brilliant.
kadyjak's review against another edition
1.0
I tried with this one but the 7th Heaven vibe is a little too strong. Christianity is made out to be a total joke with no real substance. People who don't get Christianity really shouldn't attempt to write about Christians, let alone pastors and their families. It's not the kind of thing you can knowledgeably write about without actually understanding it and believing it. Mentioning a few routine prayers, a missions trip, and God or a Bible here or there doesn't cut it. At all.
I realize that there are those "pastors" out there who don't really know much about the Bible and view church as pep-talk time and more or less a big club, but it's not even a remotely accurate picture of actual Christianity. It's not all about community (although, yes, that is one element). It's all about God and the Gospel. God was barely mentioned, and Jesus and the Gospel weren't mentioned at all. I'm not surprised Sam is confused about God because apparently her father and the whole rest of the church don't know much about Him. How could she?
I'm not a pastor's kid, but I have known many great pastors and their families. They're not perfect and they don't pretend to be. And if a situation arises in their family that's so contrary to the teachings of the Bible - like the pastor's wife becoming an alcoholic and being ordered to rehab after a DUI - they understand that they no longer qualify to actually be in ministry. If that's even what you could call it in this book.
Being a pastor is about much much more than throwing together a sermon (that is apparently easily cut short when it's hot out) the night before and putting on a "confident pastoral mode" when you need to play that part in public. And being a Christian is about much much more than putting in your obligatory time at church (or youth group), and talking about your personal goals and realizations with other supposed Christians.
I could see myself just getting more and more irritated with this book, so I stopped somewhere in day 2.
Oh, and alcoholism is not a disease. Alzheimers, Leukemia, Parkinsons, Cholera, Malaria, - these are diseases. Becoming an alcoholic or a drug addict is 100% your choice. It always aggravates me when I hear someone say addiction is a disease because people suffer from actual diseases that they had no control over whatsoever, and calling something you choose to do to yourself a disease minimizes that in a really obnoxious way.
I realize that there are those "pastors" out there who don't really know much about the Bible and view church as pep-talk time and more or less a big club, but it's not even a remotely accurate picture of actual Christianity. It's not all about community (although, yes, that is one element). It's all about God and the Gospel. God was barely mentioned, and Jesus and the Gospel weren't mentioned at all. I'm not surprised Sam is confused about God because apparently her father and the whole rest of the church don't know much about Him. How could she?
I'm not a pastor's kid, but I have known many great pastors and their families. They're not perfect and they don't pretend to be. And if a situation arises in their family that's so contrary to the teachings of the Bible - like the pastor's wife becoming an alcoholic and being ordered to rehab after a DUI - they understand that they no longer qualify to actually be in ministry. If that's even what you could call it in this book.
Being a pastor is about much much more than throwing together a sermon (that is apparently easily cut short when it's hot out) the night before and putting on a "confident pastoral mode" when you need to play that part in public. And being a Christian is about much much more than putting in your obligatory time at church (or youth group), and talking about your personal goals and realizations with other supposed Christians.
I could see myself just getting more and more irritated with this book, so I stopped somewhere in day 2.
Oh, and alcoholism is not a disease. Alzheimers, Leukemia, Parkinsons, Cholera, Malaria, - these are diseases. Becoming an alcoholic or a drug addict is 100% your choice. It always aggravates me when I hear someone say addiction is a disease because people suffer from actual diseases that they had no control over whatsoever, and calling something you choose to do to yourself a disease minimizes that in a really obnoxious way.