Helpful Score: 4
My first Ron Rash book - but not the last. Interesting story. Funny at times with all kinds of twists and turns. I found the way that the author showed the differences opinions of the same event.
Helpful Score: 3
This is what I loved about this book. It is told from the perspective of five different characters, but done very well. Some authors laboriously pull the reader through a story while flip flopping back and forth between characters. Not here. Once the first character has been heard from, the others simply fill in the gaps, and the story flows as smoothly as the river in its setting. Ron Rash is a gifted writer. Add this book to your list of "to read"!
Helpful Score: 2
After reading this book, I immediately ordered another by Ron Rash. One Foot in Eden is elegant and haunting -- not a book I will soon forget.
Helpful Score: 2
This is rather interesting story about a murder (I hesitate to call it a murder mystery) that is told from the point of view of five different characters. The characters and the setting have a rich Appalachian feel, and it is apparent that the author is well versed in the nuances of this unique mountain culture.
As a whole I found the story to be engaging enough, but was ultimately disappointed with the ending. I felt that too much was left unanswered, that the final scene was a poor send-off to an otherwise entertaining story. The author spent so much time methodically laying out the groundwork for the story, brought all of the different points of view together at the end, and then wrapped everything up in what seemed to be a sudden and furious rush meet his deadline. We got to see the threads come together. The author simply didn't show us what it was that they made.
My final thoughts as I read the last page were, "Wait wait wait...that's IT?" The take-home message wasn't what I was expecting and, unfortunately, it made all of the good parts of the book ring hollow as a result.
This is not a bad book, it's just not an exceptional book either. It's worth the time that it takes to read it (which really isn't all that long). I can say that this book is still worth recommending. There is a haunting quality about it that really does draw you into the story. But part of me just can't recommend it with a very high level of enthusiasm.
As a whole I found the story to be engaging enough, but was ultimately disappointed with the ending. I felt that too much was left unanswered, that the final scene was a poor send-off to an otherwise entertaining story. The author spent so much time methodically laying out the groundwork for the story, brought all of the different points of view together at the end, and then wrapped everything up in what seemed to be a sudden and furious rush meet his deadline. We got to see the threads come together. The author simply didn't show us what it was that they made.
My final thoughts as I read the last page were, "Wait wait wait...that's IT?" The take-home message wasn't what I was expecting and, unfortunately, it made all of the good parts of the book ring hollow as a result.
This is not a bad book, it's just not an exceptional book either. It's worth the time that it takes to read it (which really isn't all that long). I can say that this book is still worth recommending. There is a haunting quality about it that really does draw you into the story. But part of me just can't recommend it with a very high level of enthusiasm.
Helpful Score: 1
Very well done story of a murder viewed from different perspectives. I really enjoyed this book.
