dannb's review against another edition
4.0
About a 1/3 of the way through...I love this as an audio read!
CD 9 of 12...wondering why no one ever thought to teach him ASL?
Coarse and sometimes vulgar. Sweet, touching and sometimes heartwrenching.
CD 9 of 12...wondering why no one ever thought to teach him ASL?
Coarse and sometimes vulgar. Sweet, touching and sometimes heartwrenching.
5elementknitr's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know why I never wrote a review for this, as it is a favorite of mine.
So much so, that when I saw this book on the clearance table at Borders ($5 each), I bought several copies to give to friends.
This may be the first book I've ever read without reading the synopsis first. I read this strictly on the recommendation of an online friend (my husband calls my online friends "imaginary friends"). I'll tell you the same thing she wrote...
"If I try to describe this book to you, it's going to sound depressing as fuck. If you read the synopsis, you may have that same thought. It's not depressing; it's wonderful."
My imaginary friend was dead on right. The characters in this book start out as virtual strangers who happen to live in the same house, but through the circumstances in the book, they come together as a strong family. The kind of non-related family they all need.
I'd send you a copy of this book, but I've given all but mine away, and I'm keepin' that one.
So much so, that when I saw this book on the clearance table at Borders ($5 each), I bought several copies to give to friends.
This may be the first book I've ever read without reading the synopsis first. I read this strictly on the recommendation of an online friend (my husband calls my online friends "imaginary friends"). I'll tell you the same thing she wrote...
"If I try to describe this book to you, it's going to sound depressing as fuck. If you read the synopsis, you may have that same thought. It's not depressing; it's wonderful."
My imaginary friend was dead on right. The characters in this book start out as virtual strangers who happen to live in the same house, but through the circumstances in the book, they come together as a strong family. The kind of non-related family they all need.
I'd send you a copy of this book, but I've given all but mine away, and I'm keepin' that one.
appalonia's review against another edition
5.0
This story explored the themes of family and communication. Howard Kapostash is a wounded Vietnam veteran whose injury has left him unable to read, write or speak, but who is, as the card he's always reluctant to give people points out, "of normal intelligence." After Howard agrees to look after his ex-girlfriend's son, Ryan, while she is in rehab, Ryan's presence profoundly alters the lives of Howard and his three housemates. This was a very touching story and had me crying in a few places, but with a hopefully yet realistic ending.
acinthedc's review against another edition
3.0
This one is a little bleak, although it does provide an interesting look at how someone who is disabled is most certainly differently abled. It also sheds light on how much emotion and connectedness can alter the way we see the world.
jackie_shimkus's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
giantarms's review against another edition
3.0
One man destroys himself pining over the past and gets put back together by the people living in the present.
He does do a murder though. Uh?
Wait?
What?
He does do a murder though. Uh?
Wait?
What?
mmz's review against another edition
4.0
Although the title might lead one to think that it's funny, this book was described to me as "depressing." In fact, the title refers to a type of hidden retaining wall, rather than laughter. Either way, though, I wouldn't describe the book as depressing myself, aside from the steep slide downward toward the end.
Rather, I'd say this book is astonishingly hopeful. Our main character has overcome a great deal of adversity, and managed to make a life for himself despite an injury that has left him unable to speak or to read easily. He has overcome addiction and the death of parents. He has made a life for himself, and achieved an equilibrium largely characterized by his detachment from the people around him.
But when his high school sweetheart asks him to take in her 9-year-old son, Ryan, while she goes to rehab, he finds that they are able to form a bond. But perhaps this emotional reawakening is not all that Howard thinks it will be. Inevitably, though, Ryan must return to his mother, and Howard finds his newly constructed world unraveling.
This is the depressing part of the book, which perhaps is more drawn out than it needed to be. Again, Howard must struggle, but this time, instead of finding solace in solitude, Howard is able to turn to the relationships he formed through Ryan and find comfort in companionship.
Rather, I'd say this book is astonishingly hopeful. Our main character has overcome a great deal of adversity, and managed to make a life for himself despite an injury that has left him unable to speak or to read easily. He has overcome addiction and the death of parents. He has made a life for himself, and achieved an equilibrium largely characterized by his detachment from the people around him.
But when his high school sweetheart asks him to take in her 9-year-old son, Ryan, while she goes to rehab, he finds that they are able to form a bond. But perhaps this emotional reawakening is not all that Howard thinks it will be. Inevitably, though, Ryan must return to his mother, and Howard finds his newly constructed world unraveling.
This is the depressing part of the book, which perhaps is more drawn out than it needed to be. Again, Howard must struggle, but this time, instead of finding solace in solitude, Howard is able to turn to the relationships he formed through Ryan and find comfort in companionship.
disney_mom5's review against another edition
This one took me a while. I probably would have finished it in Jan had my 2 year old not taken a red crayon to the first few pages causing me to purchase it from our library. Ah well. I enjoyed the overall story and agree that it was an impressive first work of the author. I think it was just the nature of the story that made it so long for me to get through- how the main dialogue from him was internal & the frustration that he felt in communication. It made it frustrating to read for me. But, it was a good read & one I'd recommend.
harvio's review against another edition
3.0
- from the jacket: "Howard Kapostash has not spoken in 30 years. Ever since a severe blow to the head during his days in the army, words unravel in his mouth and letters on the page make no sense at all. Because of his extremely limited communication abilities - a small repertory of gestures and simple sounds - most people think he is disturbed. No one understands that Howard is still the same man he was before enlisting, still awed by the beauty of a landscape, still pining for his high school sweetheart Sylvia. Now Sylvia is a single-mom with troubles of her own, and she needs Howard's help. She is being hauled into a drug rehab program and asks Howard to care for her nine-year-old son, Ryan."
- a fair story, with engaging characters
- a fair story, with engaging characters
erine277's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to this book on CD. It was the abridged version, but it flowed pretty well. An interesting story about a man, injured in Vietnam and can no longer speak, made to take care of his ex-girlfriend's son while she goes to rehab.