Meryl

Suicide Survivor

Reviewed: 07-19-21

I can't say I fall under the category of "Slider", as referred to in this novel but I did survive a suicide attempt 50 years ago which allows me a unique perspective in reviewing the Midnight Library. I've never read a book that better describes the gift of not dying by suicide that I was fortunate enough to have. I am grateful that this author does not shy away from such a difficult subject. I hope life never takes you towards such a slippery slope but I do hope you find your way to this novel. There's a lot of "real" and thought provoking insight in the book. Also, there are many chess analogies within the book, I recommend playing chess too.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Stream of Consciousness Grieving

Reviewed: 11-24-19

This is a personal memoir about a young man who has lost both his mother and his father to two different types of cancers in a very short period of time. The protagonist in his early twenties is then not only left an orphan but is also the caregiver of his much younger brother; he becomes his legal guardian. What makes this book unique is the way in which it is written. The author writes in a stream of consciousness style, all his thoughts laid bare, some heartbreaking, others hysterically funny, some bewilderingly insane, some completely truthful but who would write them down! These are universal thoughts that we have all had, at least once but have never ventured to say them out loud. He can be crude, rude, ugly, beautiful, sad, lonely, mad, selfish, selfless. He admits to it all. I’ve never read/listened to anything like it. It describes how insane loss and grief can feel. He describes how out of control one can feel. You can feel his spiraling down and then his treading water, slowing building up again after so much devastating loss. I thought the narrator did an excellent job reading this run-on compilation of words, thoughts, sentences seemingly effortlessly. Did he breathe once during the entire reading?

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Michelle, A Magnificent Model

Reviewed: 01-15-19

Michelle Obama is the embodiment of grace, wisdom, dignity, and hope. She is a model for all. She is also an excellent writer and orator. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing her voice as much as each and every word she spoke. I love her. We can all learn from her. She has enriched our lives. Bring tissues. She speaks from the heart.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Amazingly Written and Performed, A Top Favorite

Reviewed: 04-13-18

I simply loved listening to this book. The performers were perfect. The book is so gorgeously well written. I can't imagine listening to a better book. How will I move on from here? The bar is set so high? Listen to this book, go now.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Tell Author I'm Sorry The Story Has Ended

Reviewed: 04-28-16

Because I loved it like I loved my grandmother. A lot. Though the author’s quirky, bawdy, hell raising grandmother was nothing like my grandmother what’s similar and important is how much love is felt and how pricelessly wise the story’s grandmother was. If you loved your grandmother you will understand. You can practically smell the story’s grandmother’s essence. She was true to herself and she was a granddaughter’s hero in so many magical and practical ways. I missed my grandmother a lot while listening to the story and wished that Nanny was reading the story to me (though the narrator was excellent). A story full of timeless gems.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Physical Emotional and Psychological Disfigurement

Reviewed: 09-30-15

Wolf in White Van is a difficult, illuminating, stream of consciousness description of the inner life/thinking of a man-boy-teenager who has survived a suicidal attempt - perhaps. There are many questions that this man-boy-teenager asks himself as he narrates his thoughts and feelings in a non-linear series of pasts, futures, and presents.

The story takes place after the “accident”, this being a very unusual beginning or new beginning. The attempt in all its hideousness is so real and present for the man-boy-teenager throughout the story. It’s with him physically, mentally emotionally always. Has he really survived the attempt? There are many questions. Is he his own warrior or devil? Is he the wolf or is the wolf music or is the wolf the world he can’t quite navigate? Is the wolf spiritual or religious? How has his family, friends, community helped or hurt his chances of survival? With mental illness, a third survive, a third stay the same and a third get worse. Music, comic books, gaming and his imagination are all woven with bits and pieces of reality. So many lives are effected: gamers, parents, his friends, hospital staff.

I think the novel is brilliantly written though deeply sad and difficult to read like mental illness or genius. I’ve read that the author worked at one point in an adolescent facility. How many lost and lonely teenagers live with angst, anger, rage, hurt, helplessness, fear, powerlessness? The author has captured this rawness and pain. A painful and plausible story, I know, a thousand years ago (it seems) I survived a teenage suicide attempt.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Reviewed: 05-07-15

Sad, creepy but well written story. I can't say it was enjoyable though it kept my interest. The narrator's voice was effectively disturbing. If madness is your thing.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sweet, Nostalgic

Reviewed: 12-27-14

I thought the narrator, Linda Lavin, did an excellent job. Her voice was very fitting.

It was a fascinating look through the life of an eighty-five year old Jewish grandmother describing her history, her world to her granddaughter. I could relate on many levels. This is a lovely, sentimental tale if not a little dull at times. It's not an exciting read/listen but it is interesting. I learned a lot and wished that my grandmother had sat down and told me everything about her life before she died. Perhaps I'll get this chance with my own granddaughter someday.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

19 people found this helpful

For the Young Adult at Heart

Reviewed: 11-15-14

I love the concept of the "Great Perhaps". I'm a young adult at heart. This book worked for me. I would have liked something more or something different as the ending of the book. That's my only complaint. The book kept me totally engaged and was well written. However the book faded in the end. I need a great beginning, middle and end.

I laughed out loud when the author described first sexual encounters. Hysterical. There were unbelievably sad moments in this book as well. I love a book that takes me through a wide emotional gamut.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Not Typically an Apocalypse Genre Fan

Reviewed: 07-26-14

I loved this book. I haven't loved a book this much since listening to/reading Skippy Dies.

I was reading a New York Times book review last week about Peter Heller's latest novel, The Painter. I never read anything by this author. The reviewer said that they like his first novel The Dog Stars better. So I decided to give it a try.

Heller's writing style is very different. I think it's very artistic, beautifully written.

His characters are wonderful especially Hig the protagonist. I love his sensitive description of this man and his dog.

I don't like fishing but I love art. He made fishing feel like art.

This story is believable.

I am now reading/listening to The Painter, Peter Heller's second novel. I'm hoping to love it as much.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful