I had trouble with "Hard Truth" (Anna Pigeon series) because of the child abuse, but that was nothing compared to the horrendous, disgusting, detailed descriptions of child trafficking and sexual abuse by pedophiles in "Burn." The last two books that I read by Barr were not up to her usual excellence, but I reread the first ten Pigeon novels and "Bittersweet" (by Barr) because I enjoyed them so much. "Burn" was given me as a gift and I was hoping that this book would be up to her earlier writing style. I was disappointed, again. I gave the book two stars because no one can dispute the author's ability to weave a tale or her unparalleled gift of stringing words together in beautiful prose. That being said, I have worked with adults who were abused and sexually molested as children. I do acknowledge that people need to be made aware of this very real sickness that lurks in the most unsuspected places in our societies...worldwide. However, I don't think a novel written with such lurid detail is the way to do it. One reviewer pointed out that parts of this book might even appeal to pedophiles due to the vivid descriptions. I read for entertainment because I have to deal with the ugliness of the "real" world everyday. I do not care to encounter that ugliness while reading for fun. Perhaps there is a good reason to write books like "Burn." If one person is so touched by the book that they are motivated to work toward a solution to the problem, then who am I to say that it should not be written.
I would not recommend the book; you need to judge for yourself if this book is for you.
I would not recommend the book; you need to judge for yourself if this book is for you.
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