dereadergal's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, the characters, and the premise behind it all, despite it being sad and depressing. It did drag along a few times, but that didn't hinder my overall enjoyment because the good writing managed to hold my attention through the slow parts.
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
Coake handles this subject matter with finesse. You are drawn in immediately, you take the ride with Mark and both disbelieve in Brendan's ghost and the events being described and very much want them to be true because you want to believe in happy endings and--that dreaded word--closure. When [spoiler] Mark hears Jake's cat thumping down the stairs, your hopes are shattered simultaneously with Mark's. [/spoiler]. This book is not maudlin or sentimental, as it very easily could have been, but reads messy and true.
bbrad86's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
palliem's review
4.0
I didn't expect to like this much; this was yet another new release that no one was talking about, just sitting on the shelves of my local library when I was browsing one day.
More people should be talking about this.
It was a great story, even if some of the characters (and their choices) drove me batty. It was an emotional book that read like a mystery at times. This is definitely worth the time.
More people should be talking about this.
It was a great story, even if some of the characters (and their choices) drove me batty. It was an emotional book that read like a mystery at times. This is definitely worth the time.
patricia68's review
4.0
Interesting book one that I was reluctant to put down. Warmed to the characters and believed them. Especially loved the character Sam. However, the ending was extremely disappointing.
jshettel's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know what this book was - romance, ghost story, family drama? Whatever you call it, it was a damn good read! Wonderful summer vaca book!
jamessabata's review against another edition
5.0
I'll tell you straight out, this book isn't for everyone and I would fully understand a 3 star or even a 2 star rating.
For me, it struck a perfect chord.
This book kept me up at night; first turning pages then contemplating the impact of what I'd just read. Coake's grasp on the inner journey his main character, Mark, needs to travel is intelligently written and incredibly true to life. For the first time in many years I felt the desire to actively yell at characters for the terrible decisions they made while understanding why they made them all too well.
Beautifully written. Highly recommended.
For me, it struck a perfect chord.
This book kept me up at night; first turning pages then contemplating the impact of what I'd just read. Coake's grasp on the inner journey his main character, Mark, needs to travel is intelligently written and incredibly true to life. For the first time in many years I felt the desire to actively yell at characters for the terrible decisions they made while understanding why they made them all too well.
Beautifully written. Highly recommended.
stacyreadsalot's review against another edition
2.0
I want to give this one a 2.5. I really liked it for maybe the first half, and then it just went in a direction that I didn't like at all.
taniabotes's review against another edition
3.0
A well written debut novel on an intriguing subject. If your son died falling down the stairs, and a few years later you heard that his spirit was calling for you in your old house, would you want to believe that it's true? The grief, self-doubt, co-dependant relationships, denial and self-destruction is brillianty described by Coake, and will stay with me for a while. 3.5 stars