Pat D. (pat0814) reviewed on + 379 more book reviews
This a look into the chilling life of a 14-year old girl, Julia (Turtle) Alveston. Following the death of her mother, she lives alone with an emotionally volatile, violent, abusive father in a ramshackle house. Until his death, her grandfather lived in a nearby trailer, and was her only safe refuge. Her mentally unstable father is a survivalist, teaching Turtle how to use firearms and knives to protect herself from the inevitable evil forces that will descend on them.
Sadly, middle school is yet another place where Turtle doesn't feel safe. There is cruelty and bullying, and academics are difficult given her home life. When Turtle meets two teenaged boys during an overnight escape in the woods near her home, she slowly experiences feelings that are normal for her age despite her father's sociopathic hold on her. Her father's unexpected absence allows her to explore a world previously unknown with serious consequences for everyone.
A discordant note in this otherwise wonderfully written novel are the erudite conversations between the boys. In my experience, young teenaged boys are not interested in, or capable of, conversations of that depth. I also had to suspend disbelief that even an untrained eye would detect signs of abuse and then not report it to Child Protective Services.
Gabriel Tallent has evidenced an amazing gift for revealing the internal thoughts and conflicting emotions of this captivating character, Turtle. This is an author to watch.
Sadly, middle school is yet another place where Turtle doesn't feel safe. There is cruelty and bullying, and academics are difficult given her home life. When Turtle meets two teenaged boys during an overnight escape in the woods near her home, she slowly experiences feelings that are normal for her age despite her father's sociopathic hold on her. Her father's unexpected absence allows her to explore a world previously unknown with serious consequences for everyone.
A discordant note in this otherwise wonderfully written novel are the erudite conversations between the boys. In my experience, young teenaged boys are not interested in, or capable of, conversations of that depth. I also had to suspend disbelief that even an untrained eye would detect signs of abuse and then not report it to Child Protective Services.
Gabriel Tallent has evidenced an amazing gift for revealing the internal thoughts and conflicting emotions of this captivating character, Turtle. This is an author to watch.
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