GLIMPSE
Author: Carol Lynch Williams
Source: Around The World Tours
- Reading level: Young Adult
- Hardcover: 496 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (June 22, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 141699730X
- ISBN-13: 978-1416997306
SYNOPSIS:
In one moment
it is over.
In one moment
it is gone.
The morning grows
thin, grey
and our lives-
how they were-
have vanished.
Our lives have
changed
when I walk in
on Lizzie
my sister
holding a shotgun.
Twelve year old girl Hope’s life is turned upside down when her older sister Lizzie becomes an elective mute and is institutionalized after trying to kill herself. Ever since their dad died Hope and Lizzie have relied on each other from a young age. Their mother is a reluctant and unreliable parent at best, who turns tricks to support the family. Throughout the course of this lyrical and heartbreaking narrative readers and Hope discover that the mother is prostituting Lizzie and it’s up to Hope to bring the truth to light to save her sister.
MY THOUGHTS:
When I first started reading this book, I didn’t think I was going to like it. I am not fond of the verse writing and I also knew it was going to be an emotionally draining read.
While I am still not a fan of the verse writing, I am a fan of the book. It started out slow for me and the flip flopping of dates was getting annoying. Yet, as I kept reading, the story started to pull me and wouldn’t let go. I read this book in about an hour and it was almost non-stop reading. I felt so much sadness for Hope and Liz. The life they grow up with is heartbreaking for a mother to read. What their mother puts them through is just horrible. The pieces of the story fall into place and you can’t help but get angry at the story. I wanted the girls to have a childhood, yet the author reminded me while I was reading that not all children have the perfect life of family.
This book was one that I am glad I read and enjoyed it even though it does pull at your emotions. It has such a gripping story of secrets and sisterhood that will bring tears to your eyes as you go through the journey with Hope and Liz.
MY RATING:
Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS
Candace
I really loved this book, but I LOVE verse novels, so I had that going for me. I know what you mean about the flip flopping around in the beginning though. I kind of forgot about that when I wrote up my review. I guess it wasn’t enough to reflect upon my stars and I gave it the full 5 stars. I’m glad you enjoyed it even though your not a fan of verse novels.