Helpful Score: 1
Great character study in family crisis. This is a mind-numbing book for anyone who enjoys the best and worst in "just what could really happen" stories!
Helpful Score: 1
A wonderful book about an ordinary Vermont family who suddenly have to cope with a horrible act committed by their son. The parents' emotions and reactions - protective, angry, accusatory, horrified, embarrassed - are beautifully and realistically protrayed in the book. Moving and memorable.
Helpful Score: 1
Brown's riveting novel about a family torn apart by a son's murder of his girlfriend
Carolyn and Ben Reiser and their two children, Judith and Jacob, move to a small town called Hyland in New England. When the chief of police comes looking for Jacob one evening to question him about the bludgeoning to death of his teenage girlfriend, the Reisers'lives are changed forever. Before and After is the compelling drama of the search for Jacob, his capture, and the chain of events set in motion by a brutal crime of passion. It's a story that pits parent against parent, brother against sister, family against community, blood loyalty against the law.
This book is so good that you won't want to put it down but the writing leaves you overwhelmed at times and you are forced to sit back, take a deep breath and think "what would I do" "what would my family do". Very good story line involving love, family, ethics with a title that is so appropriate because you won't be the same person afterward.
This was quite good, but very different.
I can't finish this book. Part of it is written in the 3rd person and part is in the 1st! It's confusing to read. I don't see how it was a NYT Best Seller! Ugh.
a story that makes you think
Just finished this book today. Mar.4,09. I am surprised to find this did not get very good reviews at least here on Shelfari. I found this story touching and one I, as a parent can relate to. (not that we've been in this situation, however I do relate to the parents and some of their feelings they experience)
This book tells of a family, who's teenaged son is accused of killing his girlfriend. He seems to be a fairly good kid, and the family is having a hard time believing this has happened, even though his mother, is a physician and has actually seen the body of the murdered girl. The father, on the other hand, immediately decides to hide any evidence that can make his son look guilty. And the younger sister is also deeply disturbed over the next few years as the story unfolds in courtrooms and jail buildings. And on top of it all, the son accused of murder, vanishes. The title is pretty much self expainatory... Their lives... Before and After. I was touched by the book so I will give it 4 stars.
This book tells of a family, who's teenaged son is accused of killing his girlfriend. He seems to be a fairly good kid, and the family is having a hard time believing this has happened, even though his mother, is a physician and has actually seen the body of the murdered girl. The father, on the other hand, immediately decides to hide any evidence that can make his son look guilty. And the younger sister is also deeply disturbed over the next few years as the story unfolds in courtrooms and jail buildings. And on top of it all, the son accused of murder, vanishes. The title is pretty much self expainatory... Their lives... Before and After. I was touched by the book so I will give it 4 stars.
Strong family deals with a murder by one of its members. Book goes from different members with each chapter. Makes you wonder how you would react to the same situation. Good read.
The Reiser were a typical American family. Two loving parents. Two bright teenagers. A lovely home in a small New England town. But then one day the doorbell rang, bring news of a shattering crime that would turn their son into a stranger and tear their lives in half.
First the cover of my book looks different than the one pictured. Anyway, what happens to a family when a member is accused of a crime? A mother always wants to believe her child is innocent...but what happens if she uncovers something that makes her question that innocence?
different cover than shown
