The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
liziev's review against another edition
2.0
I have really enjoyed other books by Alice Hoffman but this one didn’t do it for me. This felt very YA to me (and I dont mind a good YA) but for some reason fell short. Finished it, but was lackluster.
universalbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
This read was my first ever ARC provided by Net galley and the Publisher for an honest review.
Faithful, follows Shelby Richmond after a horrible tragedy befalls herself and her high-school friend. As a reader, you watch Shelby try to make sense of her life (often unsuccessfully) and get to a "new normal" state of life.
Much like actual life, Shelby's journey is not linear and often double backs on itself. she takes a few steps towards a healthier state of living, and then she falls into an unhealthy rut just as quickly.
To Hoffman's credit, the syntax and pacing of this book is beautiful. When Shelby hits
a rough patch, sentences re disjointed and the pace is slow. It is a genuine way to convey grief, which I found I could relate to.
Unlike most authors, Hoffman kept up this syntax style and reflects the full spectrum of emotions one feels in the wake of a tragedy.
Overall, Hoffman's masterful use of syntax, realistically flawed characters, and an accurate non-linear representation of grief and self-recrimination effectively made me cry, laugh, and stay up way past a reasonable bed time the first night I had the book.
I recommend this novel for anyone who loves animals (there are some touching pieces of Shelby's journey to which animals are crucial), anyone who has ever struggled with grief or self-recrimination, and those who want to believe in guardian angels, though they may be pedestrian.
Faithful, follows Shelby Richmond after a horrible tragedy befalls herself and her high-school friend. As a reader, you watch Shelby try to make sense of her life (often unsuccessfully) and get to a "new normal" state of life.
Much like actual life, Shelby's journey is not linear and often double backs on itself. she takes a few steps towards a healthier state of living, and then she falls into an unhealthy rut just as quickly.
To Hoffman's credit, the syntax and pacing of this book is beautiful. When Shelby hits
a rough patch, sentences re disjointed and the pace is slow. It is a genuine way to convey grief, which I found I could relate to.
Unlike most authors, Hoffman kept up this syntax style and reflects the full spectrum of emotions one feels in the wake of a tragedy.
Overall, Hoffman's masterful use of syntax, realistically flawed characters, and an accurate non-linear representation of grief and self-recrimination effectively made me cry, laugh, and stay up way past a reasonable bed time the first night I had the book.
I recommend this novel for anyone who loves animals (there are some touching pieces of Shelby's journey to which animals are crucial), anyone who has ever struggled with grief or self-recrimination, and those who want to believe in guardian angels, though they may be pedestrian.
notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
4.0
I'd call this a coming-of-age novel, centering around Shelby, a young woman who is driving during a car accident at age 17. Her best friend is permanently disabled from the accident and Shelby has to learn how to live with herself after that loss. She is broken by the loss of her friend and struggles to make it through the normal occurrences that life throws at her.
I found the storyline believable and compelling. Shelby's character develops depth throughout, and her co-characters, while important to the story, do not steal the story from you (as they leave her life, you are not compelled to follow them instead of staying with Shelby). She does seem to choose a few moments from her past to really perseverate on though, which drove me a bit crazy (a homeless girl she met, one night under a window, etc).
Alice Hoffman is clearly a gifted writer, and although this is the 1st book I've read of hers, she has over 30 published, so I'm anxious to dig in to some more at some point.
*I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
I found the storyline believable and compelling. Shelby's character develops depth throughout, and her co-characters, while important to the story, do not steal the story from you (as they leave her life, you are not compelled to follow them instead of staying with Shelby). She does seem to choose a few moments from her past to really perseverate on though, which drove me a bit crazy (a homeless girl she met, one night under a window, etc).
Alice Hoffman is clearly a gifted writer, and although this is the 1st book I've read of hers, she has over 30 published, so I'm anxious to dig in to some more at some point.
*I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
suvata's review against another edition
4.0
Before:
Starting November with an ARC from NetGalley. Alice Hoffman is one of those authors that I either love or hate. There is no in between. I loved The Marriage of Opposites and The Museum of Extraordinary Things but I really didn't enjoy The Dovekeepers or The Probable Future. Go figure!
After:
What an incredible read! This is the story of a teenager who lives through an accident that changes the course of her entire life. It's about reconciling yourself to the past and having the courage to move forward. It also has says a lot about hope and angels who seem to arrive right when things seem darkest. This book was uplifting and quite inspirational.
Starting November with an ARC from NetGalley. Alice Hoffman is one of those authors that I either love or hate. There is no in between. I loved The Marriage of Opposites and The Museum of Extraordinary Things but I really didn't enjoy The Dovekeepers or The Probable Future. Go figure!
After:
What an incredible read! This is the story of a teenager who lives through an accident that changes the course of her entire life. It's about reconciling yourself to the past and having the courage to move forward. It also has says a lot about hope and angels who seem to arrive right when things seem darkest. This book was uplifting and quite inspirational.
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A novel about humanity — the hurts, the successes, and everything in between. Shelby is all of us, trying to figure out how to live alongside the things she’s done, not realizing that she is more like the people around her than she believes. I love the way Hoffman writes you into the world she’s creating — and this novel is no different than the others I’ve read by her in that regard, however, I did find it interesting that this novel is not a work of historical fiction. Regardless, I enjoyed this novel just as much as all the historical novels I’ve read by her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Rape, Car accident, Self harm, Death of parent, Cancer, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Animal death, Drug abuse, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
ablotial's review against another edition
3.0
This was a pretty solid book. It was a fast read, kept me pulled in. The first chapter was pretty awful, I thought I was really going to dislike the book based on that alone. Thankfully, it improved quickly... so if you start reading and hate the first chapter, keep going! In the end, though, nothing really pushed me into loving the book. I didn't mark a single passage as I went along. I ended up liking the characters, but none of them was really anything special... just ... the kind of people I wouldn't mind being friends with.
One thing that bothered me is the sense of time in this book is all screwed up. The author often makes it seem like many years have gone by, but it turns out to be maybe a few days or weeks. At the beginning of the book, she keeps saying things "always" happen, and it turns out that means "twice". Similarly regarding the number of postcards delivered. And at the end of the book it feels like many more years have gone by than really have. Shelby also changes too quickly for my suspension of disbelief to work properly.
One thing that bothered me is the sense of time in this book is all screwed up. The author often makes it seem like many years have gone by, but it turns out to be maybe a few days or weeks. At the beginning of the book, she keeps saying things "always" happen, and it turns out that means "twice". Similarly regarding the number of postcards delivered. And at the end of the book it feels like many more years have gone by than really have. Shelby also changes too quickly for my suspension of disbelief to work properly.
Spoiler
I do love Shelby's relationship with Ben. And also how she interacts with Damien, or whatever that one kid's name is. And how she steals the animals. I only wish we could have learned more about the homeless people.librarygirl94's review against another edition
3.0
Practical Magic is one of my very favorite movies; I can watch it over and over but love it still. This was my first selection by the author of the book that inspired that beloved movie. I'm not certain what I was anticipating...certainly more of a magical aspect; though the idea of miracles was touched on, it was not really a focus of the book by any means. While there were portions of the book that I really enjoyed, such as Shelby's relationship with her mother, her purloined pets and Maravelle's kids as well as the sweet resolution to her postcard delivering angel, I was grateful it was a quick book. I'm not certain it would have held my interest much longer.There are so many other selections from Alice Hoffman that seem interesting so I look forward to the chance to find another offering from her that I just might love!
lrc52's review against another edition
3.0
i was so sad that this wasn't complex and full bodied like the last couple of hoffman books. more like the simpler earlier hoffman. and that is fine, but not what i wanted. i guess it left me a little confused--it felt like a throwaway following [b:The Dovekeepers|10950924|The Dovekeepers|Alice Hoffman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1306253903s/10950924.jpg|15868401], [b:The Museum of Extraordinary Things|18144053|The Museum of Extraordinary Things|Alice Hoffman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392575125s/18144053.jpg|25491380] and [b:The Marriage of Opposites|23492741|The Marriage of Opposites|Alice Hoffman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1438581390s/23492741.jpg|43082583]. i finished it a few weeks ago, and i honestly can't remember much about it. the beginning had promise, but then we just wallowed into chick lit land. oh well, can't win em all.
basically: girl can't get over past tragedy. blows through some men. meets a cool best friend. loves animals. man saves her. (is it supposed to be interesting that he was a witness to the tragedy? or that other thing?) the ride off into the sunset.
the saving grace of this book: relationship of main character and her mother. i wish the mother had been the main character. she was much more interesting than her daughter.
basically: girl can't get over past tragedy. blows through some men. meets a cool best friend. loves animals. man saves her. (is it supposed to be interesting that he was a witness to the tragedy? or that other thing?) the ride off into the sunset.
the saving grace of this book: relationship of main character and her mother. i wish the mother had been the main character. she was much more interesting than her daughter.
nerdyrev's review against another edition
3.0
I have to admit that I am a big fan of Alice Hoffman. While I have not read all of her book, she has written a ton of them, I have read quite a few to get her voice down. When I was notified I would be able to read Faithful early*, I did a happy dance. It took me a bit to get to it, but after finishing, I have to write that I thought it was an ok book, but an ok Hoffman book is still pretty strong compared to other authors.
The story begins with an car accident involving two HS girls- Shelby and Helene. Helene is left brain dead and is propped up in a bed while Shelby walked away with a small broken bone, but a load of guilt. She blames herself and goes into a mental breakdown that lands her in a psych unit, where she is raped by an orderly. It is then that Shelby declares she has lost her soul. She shaves her head and lives most of her life without caring about anyone.
She eventually re-meets Ben Mink her weed dealer who falls for Shelby. Shelby will float throughout her life, eating Chinese food, and looking at the world with a different lens. Eventually she will fall into another family's drama and become the listening post for the kids in the family. Postcards also find their way into Shelby's life, but what do they mean?
As you can tell from the small blurb, I am having a bit of difficulty relaying Shelby's story as it is almost two separate books with one part taking up about a quarter of the book and the rest another story for the final 3/4ths. It all centers on Shelby though as she ages and carries these traumas-accident and then rape- and guilt- for the accident- for all of her life.
Shelby is a complex character and Hoffman does a beautiful job of creating her. She makes seemingly wrong decisions, she keeps trying to be closed off and the world won't let her, and it seems she desperately wants to be free of it all. Some of the other characters are not too developed, but they are in the very real sense minor characters.
What was difficult for me was the premise of a girl without a soul was so good and the books seems to be heading one way, but once she connects with the other family it takes a turn that felt a bit movie of the week. The girl without a soul gets her heart melted by cute kids and rebellious teens. It isn't written like a movie of the week, mind you, but it just felt a bit disconnected from the rest of the book.
It wouldn't be the first Hoffman book I would recommend, but it was still worth the read. I didn't care for the reveal of who was sending the postcards. I won't spoil it, but it would have almost been better without a reveal as it lends itself to the idea of a semi religious angle.
I gave this one only 3 stars.
*I want to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy of the book. I received it for free in exchange for an honest review.
The story begins with an car accident involving two HS girls- Shelby and Helene. Helene is left brain dead and is propped up in a bed while Shelby walked away with a small broken bone, but a load of guilt. She blames herself and goes into a mental breakdown that lands her in a psych unit, where she is raped by an orderly. It is then that Shelby declares she has lost her soul. She shaves her head and lives most of her life without caring about anyone.
She eventually re-meets Ben Mink her weed dealer who falls for Shelby. Shelby will float throughout her life, eating Chinese food, and looking at the world with a different lens. Eventually she will fall into another family's drama and become the listening post for the kids in the family. Postcards also find their way into Shelby's life, but what do they mean?
As you can tell from the small blurb, I am having a bit of difficulty relaying Shelby's story as it is almost two separate books with one part taking up about a quarter of the book and the rest another story for the final 3/4ths. It all centers on Shelby though as she ages and carries these traumas-accident and then rape- and guilt- for the accident- for all of her life.
Shelby is a complex character and Hoffman does a beautiful job of creating her. She makes seemingly wrong decisions, she keeps trying to be closed off and the world won't let her, and it seems she desperately wants to be free of it all. Some of the other characters are not too developed, but they are in the very real sense minor characters.
What was difficult for me was the premise of a girl without a soul was so good and the books seems to be heading one way, but once she connects with the other family it takes a turn that felt a bit movie of the week. The girl without a soul gets her heart melted by cute kids and rebellious teens. It isn't written like a movie of the week, mind you, but it just felt a bit disconnected from the rest of the book.
It wouldn't be the first Hoffman book I would recommend, but it was still worth the read. I didn't care for the reveal of who was sending the postcards. I won't spoil it, but it would have almost been better without a reveal as it lends itself to the idea of a semi religious angle.
I gave this one only 3 stars.
*I want to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy of the book. I received it for free in exchange for an honest review.
giannaareneee's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, and Sexual assault