Helpful Score: 4
Haunting tale of abuse and its aftermath. Told from four narrators, confusing you all the more as the first, sympathetic narrator is torn apart subsequently. An excellent read from Bohjalian, who is a master of prose and narration.
Helpful Score: 3
Once again Chris Bohjalian has written a novel that is difficult to put down. It is a multi-layered book about crises told from different perspectives, which enhances the knowledge we have of the characters. The plot involves a minister who has apparently lost his faith, a physically abusive husband and his wife and daughter, and a woman whose life is centered around angels after her parents died as the result of a murder/suicide. The suspense builds to a stunning conclusion and is told in Bohjalian's characteristic dead-on style.
Helpful Score: 2
wish I would have had the time to read this book in one setting. It is my favorite of this author,so far. There were four sections, from four different view points, which was an interesting way to see the crime. I also appreciate the depth of the characters, with no one, except the abuser being purely good or evil. Story had nice pychological depth, mystery and a bit of romance thrown in for good measure. Even when the reverend was shown to be flawed, I felt his characterization to be respectful and the teen-agers were likeable and not overdone.
Helpful Score: 1
4.0 out of 5 stars Predictable but entertaining...
Alice Haywood is found dead by strangulation in the family home the night after her baptism. Her husband -- a brute who beat and abused her regularly -- is also there, but he died of a what appears to be a gunshot wound. Was it self-inflicted or is there someone else who entered the house that night and murdered George Haywood after he had passed out in a drunken stupor?
I enjoyed this mystery about an apparent murder-suicide of a married couple though, probably since I read so many, I was able to solve the whodunit after the second chapter. Even though it was predictable to me, I did like the way the author told the story in 4 parts through four of the main characters so that the reader could see the different points of view. I could have done without all the "angel" stuff as I really didn't find it germane or very interesting as I don't think it added anything to the story line. In fact, I thought it detracted from the thriller.
Part of this novel examines the day to day life of an abused woman and how that violence affects her daughter. In addition, it reminds the reader that we rarely know what goes on behind the closed doors of our neighbors, relatives, and friends. "None of us ever knows as much as we think we do" regardless of how many confidences are shared and how much time is spent around other people. Even what is said in secret might be suspect as many tend to hide, to prevaricate, or to lie -- perhaps minimizing or maximizing an event or situation.
I have read most all of this author's books and look forward eagerly to see what topic or issue he tackles next! Recommend to all current fans and encourage those who haven't read him to try one. They're all different so be sure to read the synopses first. My favorites: Skeletons at the Feast, Midwives: A Novel, Trans-Sister Radio: A Novel and Before You Know Kindness.
Alice Haywood is found dead by strangulation in the family home the night after her baptism. Her husband -- a brute who beat and abused her regularly -- is also there, but he died of a what appears to be a gunshot wound. Was it self-inflicted or is there someone else who entered the house that night and murdered George Haywood after he had passed out in a drunken stupor?
I enjoyed this mystery about an apparent murder-suicide of a married couple though, probably since I read so many, I was able to solve the whodunit after the second chapter. Even though it was predictable to me, I did like the way the author told the story in 4 parts through four of the main characters so that the reader could see the different points of view. I could have done without all the "angel" stuff as I really didn't find it germane or very interesting as I don't think it added anything to the story line. In fact, I thought it detracted from the thriller.
Part of this novel examines the day to day life of an abused woman and how that violence affects her daughter. In addition, it reminds the reader that we rarely know what goes on behind the closed doors of our neighbors, relatives, and friends. "None of us ever knows as much as we think we do" regardless of how many confidences are shared and how much time is spent around other people. Even what is said in secret might be suspect as many tend to hide, to prevaricate, or to lie -- perhaps minimizing or maximizing an event or situation.
I have read most all of this author's books and look forward eagerly to see what topic or issue he tackles next! Recommend to all current fans and encourage those who haven't read him to try one. They're all different so be sure to read the synopses first. My favorites: Skeletons at the Feast, Midwives: A Novel, Trans-Sister Radio: A Novel and Before You Know Kindness.
Helpful Score: 1
One of his best so far.
Another excellent novel by one of my favorite authors!
My last Bohjalian book was Before You Know Kindness and I flat out didn't like it on all sorts of levels. I had been eagerly awaiting Secrets of Eden and decided I would at least give it a try. I am so glad that I did.
Here we have a tale of spousal abuse and violence told from the perspective of four narrators. In his usual fashion, as things go along, Bohjalian has us questioning the things we are reading. That tidy little package, all wrapped up with a bow, may not be what it seems. But who do we believe. A sub story about a famous new age author who is obsessed with angels did get a little tedious but I truly understand why she was there and what we can learn from her. I can't say the ending was a surprise because I expected just that around page 192 but I wasn't SURE until the end.
The book raises a lot of questions about love, friendship and accountability. It was a quick read, perfect for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. It was not as special as The Double Bind but much, much more to my liking than Before you Know Kindness.
Here we have a tale of spousal abuse and violence told from the perspective of four narrators. In his usual fashion, as things go along, Bohjalian has us questioning the things we are reading. That tidy little package, all wrapped up with a bow, may not be what it seems. But who do we believe. A sub story about a famous new age author who is obsessed with angels did get a little tedious but I truly understand why she was there and what we can learn from her. I can't say the ending was a surprise because I expected just that around page 192 but I wasn't SURE until the end.
The book raises a lot of questions about love, friendship and accountability. It was a quick read, perfect for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. It was not as special as The Double Bind but much, much more to my liking than Before you Know Kindness.
Kitty S. (kittynewengland) reviewed Secrets of Eden (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 116 more book reviews
Bohjalian brings the reader back to his beloved Vermont for this story about a small town and marriage/family destroyed by domestic violence. It's not so much a who-done-it as a story about why it happened and the guilt and the living that comes in the aftermath. Not nearly as good as his MIDWIVES or THE DOUBLE BIND, but it kept my attention.
Debbie V. (DebbieinMaine) reviewed Secrets of Eden (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 113 more book reviews
I have read many of his books, but didn't enjoy this one. I don't usually quit on a book, but did on this one. It wasn't like his others, Midwives, Waterwitches, the one about the catamount vs ski business etc.
Vivian Q. (bellasgranny) -
It's been a while since i've read a Chris Bohjalian book. I'm very happy that I picked this one up from the library on a whim. It was terrific, well written and read by multiple narrators. When I wasn't in the car listening to it, I couldn't wait to get back to it and I kept thinking about all of the characters. I never saw the end coming. I'm excited to be ordering copies of his other books to read. Very highly recommend.
n a small town in Vermont, a husband and wife die in their home. It appears that the husband, who was abusive, throttled his wife and killed himself. However, when police begin to investigate the evidence doesn't support that conclusion. The bullet that claimed his life was shot from too far away for him to have killed himself.
Stephen Drew, the local pastor, becomes the prime suspect. Drew had an affair with the dead woman so presumably had a motive. The police are convinced that Drew killed the husband and most of the community supports that view. His evasive actions support the conclusion but no evidence appears to link him to the crime. Did he or didn't he kill the husband?
As the story unfolds we hear first from Stephen Drew who has abandoned his pulpit due to a crisis in his faith. Catherine Benincasa narrates the second section. In charge of investigating the deaths, she is convinced that Drew is guilty. Heather Laurent, a notable author, befriends Stephen and tells her side of the story. She, too, becomes certain that he is a murderer. The final section is written by the orphaned daughter, Katie. Katie expands on the brutality of her father's abuse. She was a victim of his abusive anger twice.
As I read, I found myself disliking Stephen Drew and Heather Laurent. Stephen's story seems incomplete. And, I did not like the commercialization of Heather's belief in angels but I know there are people like her in the world. In short, this story is well done and I enjoyed the read.
Stephen Drew, the local pastor, becomes the prime suspect. Drew had an affair with the dead woman so presumably had a motive. The police are convinced that Drew killed the husband and most of the community supports that view. His evasive actions support the conclusion but no evidence appears to link him to the crime. Did he or didn't he kill the husband?
As the story unfolds we hear first from Stephen Drew who has abandoned his pulpit due to a crisis in his faith. Catherine Benincasa narrates the second section. In charge of investigating the deaths, she is convinced that Drew is guilty. Heather Laurent, a notable author, befriends Stephen and tells her side of the story. She, too, becomes certain that he is a murderer. The final section is written by the orphaned daughter, Katie. Katie expands on the brutality of her father's abuse. She was a victim of his abusive anger twice.
As I read, I found myself disliking Stephen Drew and Heather Laurent. Stephen's story seems incomplete. And, I did not like the commercialization of Heather's belief in angels but I know there are people like her in the world. In short, this story is well done and I enjoyed the read.
Sensitive and suspenseful tale of spousal abuse and its effects in a small town in Vermont.
Chris Bohjalian remains one of my all-time favorite writers, and this book just reminded me why.
Chris has done it again with a thriller about love and pastorship. Several characters take turns telling about the same event from their own perspective. Very twisting plot.......
