Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 11
The basic plot of The Life We Bury isn't new: Young man sets out to write about a dying man, learns of an injustice, clears the older man's name, and saves himself in the process. But if writing were judged solely on the uniqueness of each plot, most books would fail the test. No, the plot of The Life We Bury isn't new, but what matters is what author Allen Eskens does with it.
Joe Talbert is an extraordinary young man who desperately wants a life of his own. Unfortunately-- due to his irresponsible, alcoholic mother-- Joe has always been the parent of the family. From a young age, he's the one who's had to make sure the bills are paid, there's food on the table, the clothes are clean, and his brother Jeremy is taken care of properly. Joe is at the age where he feels as though he's drowning under the weight of all his responsibilities, and if anyone feels that the life of this character is unrealistic, they should feel fortunate for having led a sheltered existence.
Joe is the bright and shining light in this book, and all the other characters and all the other elements strengthen this. He may have a cast iron sense of responsibility, and that sense of decency of his may be incredible, but he's still a kid. A kid who wishes his mother would somehow magically grow up. A kid who wishes his little brother didn't need him so much. A kid who'd like to have a girlfriend and be normal instead of having so much homework and working more than one job to pay his bills and tuition. And... as most kids do... he has this belief in his own immortality which (to him) means that when he finds the dragon and goes out to slay it, the dragon will simply roll over and die without a fight.
Joe's voice carried me effortlessly through each and every page of this book. His story may have been told many times and in many ways over the centuries, but that doesn't make Allen Eskens' first book any less powerful. I look forward to his next with a great deal of anticipation.
Joe Talbert is an extraordinary young man who desperately wants a life of his own. Unfortunately-- due to his irresponsible, alcoholic mother-- Joe has always been the parent of the family. From a young age, he's the one who's had to make sure the bills are paid, there's food on the table, the clothes are clean, and his brother Jeremy is taken care of properly. Joe is at the age where he feels as though he's drowning under the weight of all his responsibilities, and if anyone feels that the life of this character is unrealistic, they should feel fortunate for having led a sheltered existence.
Joe is the bright and shining light in this book, and all the other characters and all the other elements strengthen this. He may have a cast iron sense of responsibility, and that sense of decency of his may be incredible, but he's still a kid. A kid who wishes his mother would somehow magically grow up. A kid who wishes his little brother didn't need him so much. A kid who'd like to have a girlfriend and be normal instead of having so much homework and working more than one job to pay his bills and tuition. And... as most kids do... he has this belief in his own immortality which (to him) means that when he finds the dragon and goes out to slay it, the dragon will simply roll over and die without a fight.
Joe's voice carried me effortlessly through each and every page of this book. His story may have been told many times and in many ways over the centuries, but that doesn't make Allen Eskens' first book any less powerful. I look forward to his next with a great deal of anticipation.
Rosemary F. (canadianeh) reviewed The Life We Bury (Detective Max Rupert, Bk 1) on + 242 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
Since others have told the story, I will stick to my reactions: totally captivating, well-written, great characterizations. Suspense without gore; sadness without tragedy; unputdownable. I can't say the book was totally without gore: part of the tale takes place in Vietnam during the war. But this is a truly wonderful and haunting exploration of how past guilt is ever-present no matter how we bury it or keep it alive and how it can change us. I hope you read it.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
Helpful Score: 7
This is so well written. I was sucked into the lives of the characters and I could not put this down. Some twists and turns building in intensity to the conclusion. A fantastic journey!
Helpful Score: 6
A debut mystery/thriller with likeable characters on a mission to clear a dying Vietnam veteran's name convicted of murder and rape of a young girl 30 years prior.
The book was well written, intensely held my interest; I adored college student Joe and his relationship with his autistic brother and girlfriend. There was plenty of excitement, mystery and a thrilling climax. I will look for more from this author.
The book was well written, intensely held my interest; I adored college student Joe and his relationship with his autistic brother and girlfriend. There was plenty of excitement, mystery and a thrilling climax. I will look for more from this author.
Karen S. (MKSbooklady) reviewed The Life We Bury (Detective Max Rupert, Bk 1) on + 989 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Allen Eskens writes about ordinary people, in an ordinary world, caught up in extra ordinary circumstances. I went through this book in about two days. You want to get back to it every time you put it down. Well written.
