stevendemo7's review against another edition
2.0
Two young girls are found living in the woods after their drug addicted mother discloses their location before running away. Janessa and Carey have mastered living off the land and doing whatever it takes to survive. Now they are presented a new challenge. Assimilate into a western culture which seems completely foreign to them. This transition bring up a lot of repressed memories and emotions for Carey. As the truth of what actually happened all those years ago comes to light, Carey will have to tell the truth of what really happened in their desolate home in the woods despite the consequences.
This book got a low rating from me not because it was poorly written, but rather it was too simple. There were some minor plot twists and eerie themes presented, but it did not dive deep enough for me to rate this higher. The book was a very easy read but I was not fully grasped by the plot. I loved the heroic nature of our protagonist and loved how the book discussed themes such as survival and assimilation. It was interesting to hear about each girls account of survival and how they took care of each other when no one else was around to.
This book got a low rating from me not because it was poorly written, but rather it was too simple. There were some minor plot twists and eerie themes presented, but it did not dive deep enough for me to rate this higher. The book was a very easy read but I was not fully grasped by the plot. I loved the heroic nature of our protagonist and loved how the book discussed themes such as survival and assimilation. It was interesting to hear about each girls account of survival and how they took care of each other when no one else was around to.
saluki's review against another edition
4.0
My first foray into Audiobooks. Unabridged and read by Tai Sammons.
A heartbreaking story of kidnapping, abuse, neglect and survival for two young girls left to fend for themselves in a camper in the woods. Sammons voice was perfect for Carey and I was fully absorbed in Carey's situation - her estrangement from society and her caution toward anything alien to her life in the woods. One of those novels that stays with you long after you finish it.
A heartbreaking story of kidnapping, abuse, neglect and survival for two young girls left to fend for themselves in a camper in the woods. Sammons voice was perfect for Carey and I was fully absorbed in Carey's situation - her estrangement from society and her caution toward anything alien to her life in the woods. One of those novels that stays with you long after you finish it.
dorothy_gale's review against another edition
5.0
COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE REALISTIC. I knew within short order that this book was so good it would be in the neighborhood of 'favorite,' but it's unlikely to be one that I would read again (which defines my favorites list). The Audible narrator did a fantastic job, but Carey's voice as written by this author was incredibly convincing. I could sympathize with her feelings, and yet she was a much bigger person than I would have been given her experiences.
lynseyisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Little girl lost.
Not normally a fan of general fiction and with an unwritten rule that I don't read books with protagonists under 16, I find myself wondering—other than the captivating cover art—what made me pick up IF YOU FIND ME in the first place. I suppose I was intrigued by the question it seemed to pose, which was if you remove a child from all civilization during their formative years, and then subsequently throw them back in, what kind of personality would that create and how would they cope? The answer I got surprised me, and made me glad I ignored my usual book choosing rules that day.
Carey, our narrator, who's been living in primitive squalor in a trailer deep inside a national forest since she was six years old, could have easily (and predictably) been written as totally feral and crazed, or bitter and angry. Or both. Instead, I found her to be a brave, caring and surprisingly well-balanced girl with impeccable manners and an absolutely refreshing view of the world. Her character "voice" was deeply compelling and her narrative so stark yet somehow inspirational. Carey made the book for me, and I'm so glad the author chose the less obvious route where she was concerned. It was far more interesting than a book full of temper tantrums could have ever been.
Although I ultimately found a lot of positives in this story and Carey's character, the tone of the book is, at times, very dark. In fact, some of it truly made my heart hurt. The meth-addicted, abusive or absent mother. The hardships survived. The near starvation and lack of everything except the bare minimum essentials . The years lost. Years that should be the happiest and easiest of a person's life. And something even more harrowing that's revealed along the way. All this only served to make me more proud of the young woman Carey has become, and how well she cared for her younger sister, Jenessa, because her mother couldn't or wouldn't.
Speaking of Jenessa, she was an amazingly strong presence throughout, especially for a little lady that doesn't speak. Also worthy of note was Carey's father and his new wife. Their patience and understanding was touching and admirable. Especially since the whole thing must have been equally as painful for them.
Sadly, although it started incredibly strongly and is still, overall, a great book, I found the last section wasn't quite as compelling as the first. The end seemed to lose its purpose and felt hurried and a bit wishy-washy. I'm not sure what I wanted to happen instead - a big showdown, perhaps? A bit more closure for Carey? I don't know, but I felt like it fizzled and was slightly unsatisfying because of that.
Still, I definitely recommend it. If you're looking for a book with a main character who will really speak to you, and have something worth saying, try this one for size.
3.5 Stars ★★★1/2
Not normally a fan of general fiction and with an unwritten rule that I don't read books with protagonists under 16, I find myself wondering—other than the captivating cover art—what made me pick up IF YOU FIND ME in the first place. I suppose I was intrigued by the question it seemed to pose, which was if you remove a child from all civilization during their formative years, and then subsequently throw them back in, what kind of personality would that create and how would they cope? The answer I got surprised me, and made me glad I ignored my usual book choosing rules that day.
Carey, our narrator, who's been living in primitive squalor in a trailer deep inside a national forest since she was six years old, could have easily (and predictably) been written as totally feral and crazed, or bitter and angry. Or both. Instead, I found her to be a brave, caring and surprisingly well-balanced girl with impeccable manners and an absolutely refreshing view of the world. Her character "voice" was deeply compelling and her narrative so stark yet somehow inspirational. Carey made the book for me, and I'm so glad the author chose the less obvious route where she was concerned. It was far more interesting than a book full of temper tantrums could have ever been.
Although I ultimately found a lot of positives in this story and Carey's character, the tone of the book is, at times, very dark. In fact, some of it truly made my heart hurt. The meth-addicted, abusive or absent mother. The hardships survived. The near starvation and lack of everything except the bare minimum essentials . The years lost. Years that should be the happiest and easiest of a person's life. And something even more harrowing that's revealed along the way. All this only served to make me more proud of the young woman Carey has become, and how well she cared for her younger sister, Jenessa, because her mother couldn't or wouldn't.
Speaking of Jenessa, she was an amazingly strong presence throughout, especially for a little lady that doesn't speak. Also worthy of note was Carey's father and his new wife. Their patience and understanding was touching and admirable. Especially since the whole thing must have been equally as painful for them.
Sadly, although it started incredibly strongly and is still, overall, a great book, I found the last section wasn't quite as compelling as the first. The end seemed to lose its purpose and felt hurried and a bit wishy-washy. I'm not sure what I wanted to happen instead - a big showdown, perhaps? A bit more closure for Carey? I don't know, but I felt like it fizzled and was slightly unsatisfying because of that.
Still, I definitely recommend it. If you're looking for a book with a main character who will really speak to you, and have something worth saying, try this one for size.
3.5 Stars ★★★1/2
brits___'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kate_brauning's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliantly done. Gripping, atmospheric. An impacting story of home and family.
rhiannonellis_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I have very mixed feelings about this book. It was such an easy read which was nice however a lot of the content was quite heavy as it focuses on severe child abuse. I also found the writing so strange as it was set in America but English terminology was used - for example crisps instead of chips.
I really enjoyed the character development - particularly Carey and Jenessa.
I did find the plot really predictable which was quite disappointing
I also think it was pretty random chucking in the love interest Ryan - I really liked his character but I just feel like it was thrown in.
I did like the happy ending, however I don’t think I would read the book again.
There really needs to be some content warnings about this book - Child rape.
I really enjoyed the character development - particularly Carey and Jenessa.
Spoiler
When Jenessa finally spoke out loud and was calling after the dog I was so happy!! /spoiler> I also really liked Melissa and the dad - very wholesome. I found Delaney very annoying tho.I did find the plot really predictable which was quite disappointing
Spoiler
I pretty much knew from the first few chapters that she killed a man that raped herI also think it was pretty random chucking in the love interest Ryan - I really liked his character but I just feel like it was thrown in.
I did like the happy ending, however I don’t think I would read the book again.
There really needs to be some content warnings about this book - Child rape.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, and Vomit
whaney's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this book. The writing was beautiful and strong characters. Couldn't put it down as I wanted to understand what really happened in the woods (even though I had my suspicions).
emilyusuallyreading's review against another edition
4.0
What I Liked
If You Find Me is incredibly readable. I finished it in a single setting and was unable to put it down without finding out what happened to two lovable sisters. Their story is compelling, and Emily Murdoch is an excellent wordsmith. Her writing is beautiful.
What I Didn't Like
The only reason I'm giving this book four stars is because I had trouble envisioning Carey as a believable, real person. She has no flaws. She is "model" beautiful, a "prodigy" on the violin, always respectful, almost always kind to the people who are mean to her, and consistently self-sacrificing. A typical abused, displaced child would lash out viciously, even if there was a honeymoon phase towards the beginning, and especially if she spent most of her childhood without a present authority figure. Even though Carey grew up surrounded by abusive drug addicts, she doesn't cuss (and is somewhat shocked when her friend Pixie swears) and she doesn't know what marijuana is. Carey's high level of education is also too good to be true. After Carey teaches herself how to read and write with whatever garage sale books their mother brings home (and without even knowing what a pencil is), both Carey and her sister are two grades ahead.
Overall, I enjoyed If You Find Me, even though I had some problems with its believability. Emily Murdoch is a lovely writer, and I look forward to reading what she publishes in the future.
If You Find Me is incredibly readable. I finished it in a single setting and was unable to put it down without finding out what happened to two lovable sisters. Their story is compelling, and Emily Murdoch is an excellent wordsmith. Her writing is beautiful.
What I Didn't Like
The only reason I'm giving this book four stars is because I had trouble envisioning Carey as a believable, real person. She has no flaws. She is "model" beautiful, a "prodigy" on the violin, always respectful, almost always kind to the people who are mean to her, and consistently self-sacrificing. A typical abused, displaced child would lash out viciously, even if there was a honeymoon phase towards the beginning, and especially if she spent most of her childhood without a present authority figure. Even though Carey grew up surrounded by abusive drug addicts, she doesn't cuss (and is somewhat shocked when her friend Pixie swears) and she doesn't know what marijuana is. Carey's high level of education is also too good to be true. After Carey teaches herself how to read and write with whatever garage sale books their mother brings home (and without even knowing what a pencil is), both Carey and her sister are two grades ahead.
Overall, I enjoyed If You Find Me, even though I had some problems with its believability. Emily Murdoch is a lovely writer, and I look forward to reading what she publishes in the future.
calamitywindpetal's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Drug use, Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Bullying