Scan barcode
thepaperreels's review
3.0
"I wish life were easier, Laurel Lee,” he said. “But God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. He’ll put us through the fire a few times, so we get a little burnt around the edges, but all in all, we come out fine."
I was speechless and pretty much bawling my eyes out after reading Burnt Edges. And it just intensified when I read the authors note and found out that what I just read was based on true events. There's something so touching and emotional when you find out that what you just read all happened in real life. Although half of this book was heartbreaking and I would not wish it to happen to anyone ever, it awes me that someone, a true person, experienced all of this and survived!
Burnt Edges is set in the 1960's and the author really did a great job in transporting the readers into where Laurel is. What I really admire about this novel is how vivid everything is. To be honest, I did have a hard time reading this book so much. Although the rapes aren't too graphic, its still heartbreaking. I was angry, full of tears and I just want to close the book. But no, if the author has the strength to write this book, then I should be brave enough to read it.
Burnt Edges will shock you, play with your emotions and will open your eyes. Its brave and provocative and absolutely a must read. Laurel Lee's story is heartbreaking, very emotional and authentic. You will be awed by her strength, by her power to push through, and her braveness to love again. Praise for Dana Leipold!
talonvictoria's review
3.0
Not bad. Truly not bad at all. I'm only upset because I got to the ending and I felt like there is not even a second book even though it says there is. So needless to say, there is a lot of unfinished business left at the end of this book.
"But God doesn't give us more than we can handle. He'll put us through the fire a few times, so we get a little burnt around the edges, but all in all, we come out fine."
Burnt Edges has a bit of taboo in it which I don't mind one bit. I like cringing. I fricking love it when authors touch on sensitive subjects such as rape, abuse, incest, etc. Say what you will but it speaks volumes about an author when they can execute topics and stories that pertain to that sort of stuff and Leipold did an excellent job.
I didn't necessarily connect with any of the characters but I definitely connected with the story line and concept of the book. It was decent.
With saying that, this author tackled a tough subject and came out with a decently written book but with it only being 190 pages it was just too short for the amount of information and plots this author was wanting to portray. And where is the second book? It's so frustrating to me. Where is the follow up?
"But God doesn't give us more than we can handle. He'll put us through the fire a few times, so we get a little burnt around the edges, but all in all, we come out fine."
Burnt Edges has a bit of taboo in it which I don't mind one bit. I like cringing. I fricking love it when authors touch on sensitive subjects such as rape, abuse, incest, etc. Say what you will but it speaks volumes about an author when they can execute topics and stories that pertain to that sort of stuff and Leipold did an excellent job.
I didn't necessarily connect with any of the characters but I definitely connected with the story line and concept of the book. It was decent.
With saying that, this author tackled a tough subject and came out with a decently written book but with it only being 190 pages it was just too short for the amount of information and plots this author was wanting to portray. And where is the second book? It's so frustrating to me. Where is the follow up?
kkagel's review
4.0
One of those books where you really dive into the characters, which is difficult because of the some of the situations. I thought the story flowed well and the descriptions were well written - so much so that they lingered with me for quite a while. My only criticism would be that I felt the book ended a bit abruptly. Maybe it was because I was so wrapped up in it, but it didn't feel like the story was finished (or maybe all of the details to the story weren't there). Either way, it felt a bit abrupt. A great read nonetheless.
tealmango's review
3.0
Read the full review on my blog: http://newberyandbeyond.com/edgestour-review/
Burnt Edges is heart wrenching–this is both a compliment and a warning. If you can’t stand to read about child abuse and sexual abuse, don’t read it. I barely got through it myself. This story takes place during the 1960s, and it deals with alcoholism and abuse within that time period, and its saving grace from all these painful topics is how well written it is. The characters, especially the children, seem like real people, with all the mundane events and conversations of life, as well as the earth shattering ones.
My main issue with this book is the length–it’s a fairly short book, and a lot of things happen within its pages. I think this book would have benefited from a few extra pages for each event, just to allow us to absorb what was happening and what it meant for Laurel. Still, Burnt Edges provides a sensitive, if not in-depth, look into the complex life of an abused child.
*Note: I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Burnt Edges is heart wrenching–this is both a compliment and a warning. If you can’t stand to read about child abuse and sexual abuse, don’t read it. I barely got through it myself. This story takes place during the 1960s, and it deals with alcoholism and abuse within that time period, and its saving grace from all these painful topics is how well written it is. The characters, especially the children, seem like real people, with all the mundane events and conversations of life, as well as the earth shattering ones.
My main issue with this book is the length–it’s a fairly short book, and a lot of things happen within its pages. I think this book would have benefited from a few extra pages for each event, just to allow us to absorb what was happening and what it meant for Laurel. Still, Burnt Edges provides a sensitive, if not in-depth, look into the complex life of an abused child.
*Note: I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
readwithmoniqua's review
5.0
I have to be honest, this was a tough book to get through, mainly because I know of someone close to me who was in a similar situation, minus the sexual abuse from her father, but every other situation. This story tugged at my heart strings and had me teary eyed, angry, sad, and just out right pissed off at the same time.
So many women go though these types of situations and I've recently learned that men do too. After the first few chapters, I was going to call it quits because I just couldn't take it. I persevered and made it through to the end and I'm glad I did because the ending was beautiful.
I'm glad Laurel finally stood up to her mother, although that was not the right place nor the right time to do it. I was so happy that she finally found her own. Her mother, in every essence, is exactly like my close friend's mom. She recently got married and pregnant and her mom had the same reaction, down to the T. It's quite scary actually how much I can relate to this book.
I read this book within a few hours and I'm surprised at that. But I think it was an amazing story and controversial at the same time only because you don't find too many people willing to share such a personal, deep, dark story such as this one. I am interested in seeing what's next with Laurel and Leigh and Paul. I hope that the story turns out much differently than Laurel's childhood.
So many women go though these types of situations and I've recently learned that men do too. After the first few chapters, I was going to call it quits because I just couldn't take it. I persevered and made it through to the end and I'm glad I did because the ending was beautiful.
I'm glad Laurel finally stood up to her mother, although that was not the right place nor the right time to do it. I was so happy that she finally found her own. Her mother, in every essence, is exactly like my close friend's mom. She recently got married and pregnant and her mom had the same reaction, down to the T. It's quite scary actually how much I can relate to this book.
I read this book within a few hours and I'm surprised at that. But I think it was an amazing story and controversial at the same time only because you don't find too many people willing to share such a personal, deep, dark story such as this one. I am interested in seeing what's next with Laurel and Leigh and Paul. I hope that the story turns out much differently than Laurel's childhood.
More...