Well, another week of spring rain and cooler than normal weather. On the bright side, I got to spend more time indoors reading!
The Week in Books
The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng — 5 out of 5 stars!
One of my April selections. Oh my God, this book! Set in Penang during WWII, it’s the story of Philip Hutton, the son of a British businessman and his late Chinese wife. Being of mixed heritage has left young Philip feeling like an outsider in his own family. He befriends an older Japanese diplomat, who becomes Philip’s friend and sensei. As the war years unfold, loyalties will be tested with both family and friends. The writing is superb, rich and atmospheric. I was immediately drawn to the characters and storyline, staying up way too late a few nights because I didn’t want to put it down. And I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried…twice. Highly recommend.
The Ghosts of Walter Crockett by W. Edward Crockett — 4 out of 5 stars
Ed Crockett’s father was known as the “biggest drunk in Portland (Maine).” The father abandoned his wife and children and spent several years living on the city streets while his family struggled to survive. Crockett’s memoir, detailing his childhood struggles and his journey to adulthood while living in the shadow of being the son of the town drunk, is honest and unflinching, at times heartbreaking, and ultimately a tribute to the power of family love and forgiveness.
The Pain Eater by Kyle Muntz — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars
Michael and Steven are trying to cope with their father’s death. Then a creature born from a dead cat enters their lives, a creature that feeds on their deepest pains. Creepy, gruesome, and haunting were the first three words that popped into my mind when I finished this dark tale. The blending of emotional pain with the macabre is disturbing and effective. I’m looking forward to reading more of Muntz’s works in the future.
After You Died by Dea Poirier — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars
Some mixed feelings on this one. Set in 1968 at a notorious boys reform school, we meet Asher, a teen found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, a crime he doesn’t remember committing. While serving his time at the school, he begins to have horrific nightmares and visions, and starts having blackouts, only to wake up and find himself covered in blood. There’s some good psychological thriller twists with paranormal elements. My issues were few but I felt they brought down the story for me. The year 1968 seemed pretty arbitrary to the storyline, as everything, from the character names to the dialogue, seemed more 1998 (there is mention of a brother in Viet Nam, but it’s not relevant to the plot). My biggest issue is with the ending!! No spoilers here, but I was under the impression that this was a stand-alone novel so the sudden ending and unanswered questions left me wanting to throw the book across the room. If this is part of a series, then I would recommend it, but if it is a stand-alone then I would say read it only if you like disappointing endings.
Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies
Comfort Me With Apples by Catherynne M. Valente — 3.5 out of 5 stars
A basic summary of this novella would be The Stepford Wives meets the Book of Genesis from the Old Testament. It was good, definitely different, with enough creepy elements to keep the story going. It just felt like something was missing that would have pushed it into “terrific read” territory.
Growing Things and Other Stories by Paul Tremblay — 2.5 out of 5 stars
Sometimes, the third time is a charm. Other times, it’s three strikes and you’re out. Sorry Mr. Tremblay, but Growing Things is the third chance I’ve given your work, and sadly it was a swing and a miss for me. There were a couple of standouts, but in a collection of nineteen stories I was hoping for more than a couple of crumbs.
Stay safe and Happy Reading!
All Dragons Read 