Date: 1st November 2016
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 272
Genre:Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Rating:
What happens when a life is turned inside out? When love is something so distant it may as well be a star in the sky?
Faithful is the story of a survivor, filled with emotion—from dark suffering to true happiness—a moving portrait of a young woman finding her way in the modern world. A fan of Chinese food, dogs, bookstores, and men she should stay away from, Shelby has to fight her way back to her own future. In New York City she finds a circle of lost and found souls—including an angel who’s been watching over her ever since that fateful icy night.
From the very first lines of this book, I knew I was in the hands of a master storyteller and writer. I was immediately sucked in and just lived every minute of it with Shelby in Faithful by Alice Hoffman.
Imagine feeling responsible for a car accident (even though it was one of those accidents on an icy road) where someone is so seriously injured that they are in a coma for evermore. That happens to Shelby and it sends her into a spiral of depression, anxiety and self harm.
However the one thing about Shelby is she was a good person before the accident and however bad things get for her, however bad she acts, there is a heart that beats inside her, that is still her. While she doesn't recognise it at first her mother is there for her, a mysterious black angel who leaves postcards is there for her, even the boyfriend she sends away is good for her.
She also makes friends with Maravelle and her family of three children - and while Shelby maintains she doesn't like children, watch what happens.
I loved the way Shelby one step at a time, made her way back from the throes of self harm, self hate and depression. Reaching out to others was key. She was especially caring of dogs, and for awhile I was afraid she was going to turn into a reclusive dog lady, with an apartment full of dogs and little else.
Definitely a very satisfying read and I will carry this one around in my heart for quite a while.
She really knows how to write a book. I will add this one if I haven't already.
ReplyDeleteKathryn this sounds like a real tear jerker and I want it :) Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteI've yet to read Alice Hoffman but I've been wanting too. Several people have mentioned that they think I'd like this book and after reading your review I'm pretty sure I would though it sounds like a tough read at times. Great review!
ReplyDeleteLoved your review, Kathryn. I've read a couple of Hoffman's books and look forward to reading this.
ReplyDeleteGreat review Kathryn. I've been wanting to read a novel by Hoffman. Your review makes this one very tempting. I'm going to add this to my list.
ReplyDeleteOne of these days...
ReplyDeleteAlice Hoffman is one of my favorite writers and I have read her since the 70's or 80's. I definitely will buy this one so I can lend it after reading it. Thanks for the good review. It only made me surer I wanted to put this book on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteI read this one from NG and enjoyed it thoroughly! Being that it is an automatic borrow on NG (no waiting for approval) I recommend all bloggers read it while they can for free.
ReplyDeleteKathryn, I hope that you and your family are doing okay since I heard on the news of horrible weather conditions in southern New Zealand. :( Best wishes and prayers being sent out to all the folks there....
Rita think weather situation is okay, although big rain to come which won't help the recent earthquake.
DeleteKatherine, I hope you and your loved ones are safe and okay from the recent earthquake. I just learned about it from my aunt worried about my parents who are supposed to set sail from Sydney at 6 pm.
ReplyDeleteStefanie we are okay, it was very very scary but being a little way away from epicentre was helpful! No sleep though, because shake after shake. Thinking of emigrating!! Depends on where your parents are sailing to when they leave Sydney, but at this time I would say they will be okay for docking when they arrive. Wellington harbour knocked around a bit, but I think by time they arrive all will be well.
DeleteThank goodness you are okay! I knew you lived somewhere near the trouble there :( Hope everyone there is fine and it will all be over soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rita. Yes, okay where I am, although we are still waiting to hear how the main area near epicentre people are.
DeleteSo glad you are okay. I did think of you when I heard the news. Your review of this book has gotten me more interested in reading.
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