Alice Bliss: A Novel

by Laura Harrington | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0670022780 Global Overview for this book
Registered by ReadingReviewer of Florissant, Missouri USA on 8/21/2011
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3 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by ReadingReviewer from Florissant, Missouri USA on Sunday, August 21, 2011
ALICE BLISS by Laura Harrington
06/11 - Publisher: Penguin Group - Hardcover, 320 pages

Ask yourself every day - what can I do to support the military and their family?

When Matt Bliss made good choices to support his country as well as his family he never imagined the impact it would have on any of them. Joining the Army National Guard provided extra income, which everyone saw as a plus until the reality of war came knocking and Matt was called up to serve because they desperately needed boots on the ground, even those filled by an Engineer.

His wife is unsure how to cope without him and his daughter’s especially seventh grader Alice cannot deal with their father being away. Alice and her father have always been close and having him not there to discuss the garden layout or work on a project is breaking her heart. He wants to share his life with her but Matt knows he has to keep in mind he may not be there to do that and Alice try as she might does not want to hear any of this.

Matt ships off and those left at home take on new roles and personalities especially Alice who quickly has to become an adult and take over running the house to help her mother out even though she is still just a child trying to figure out how to deal with middle school. Alice has great friends who stick with her and she maneuvers the landmine that is her new life but nothing will ever be the same regardless of the outcome.

What Matt wanted most was letters from home “something to carry with him close to his heart” and Matt wanted to leave letters to his family so he filled journals with letters and notes to his daughters so at every critical point in their life they have his wisdom to take with them.

This is not Matt or Alice’s story alone it is the real life of every soldier who leaves their family knowing they may never come back and everyone it impacts. It is truly the most difficult book I have ever read and it is a great story that we should all understand. I had a hard time reviewing it because it breaks my heart writing words that can never give you the complete emotion impact of how real this story is to some family right now. But you should read this book and you should remind yourself that if you are not doing something to support the men and women who are defending the rights we are so fond of, then maybe it is time you did.

Journal Entry 2 by Karen_C at Cleburne, Texas USA on Saturday, September 3, 2011
Received today, 9/3/11

Review added, 9/28/11

Alice Bliss is a superbly written story about a young girl - a teenager - dealing with her father joining the Army reserves and then being activated and sent to Iraq. It’s about a tightly knit and happy family – mom Angie, dad Matt, Alice, and her younger sister Ellie. We’re given insight into how Matt prepares his family for his leaving. He makes lists of things that need to be done. Of people to call and how to plant the garden. He writes letters for them to read on certain occasions should he not return.

It’s the story of a family adjusting to a husband’s and father’s absence and how each has new roles to play in the family. Alice struggles with the normal teenager’s angst as well as dealing with her mother and sister and her fear her father won’t return. Who handles repairs to the house and the car? Who just helps? It’s about a family preparing for the ‘what if’. What if he doesn’t come back? You can make your lists, make a will, and know who to call, but how do you really prepare?

You’ll find yourself crying as you read this story. And you should. We mourn the loss of our soldiers, the men and women of the military who serve to protect our freedoms. But what do we do for those left behind as their loved ones head off to war – the moms and dads, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters? What do we do for them to let them know we won’t forget? How do we help them when their loved ones are gone?

Alice Bliss came highly recommended to me. I pass that recommendation on to you. It’s a read well worth your time.

Journal Entry 3 by Karen_C at McDonald's on 174, in Cleburne, Texas USA on Thursday, September 29, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (9/29/2011 UTC) at McDonald's on 174, in Cleburne, Texas USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Not sure how to show that I'll mail book - sorry!

Journal Entry 4 by mrsjones at Hamilton, Ohio USA on Saturday, October 29, 2011
I was thrilled to find this in my mailbox today. This is the perfect weekend to curl up with a good book. I can't wait to get started. Thanks, Karen C!

Journal Entry 5 by mrsjones at Hamilton, Ohio USA on Saturday, January 19, 2013
I just couldn't get into this. Im not sure why. The writing was nice, but it just didn't hold my attention. I decided to release instead.

Journal Entry 6 by mrsjones at Visitor's Bureau in Hamilton, Ohio USA on Saturday, January 19, 2013

Released 11 yrs ago (1/19/2013 UTC) at Visitor's Bureau in Hamilton, Ohio USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

I left this on the butler statue near the brochure rack while we wandered through IceFest today. Enjoy!

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