The Breakdown Lane CD
4 journalers for this copy...
Purchased from Snowbound Books in Marquette, Michigan on July 25, 2014.
Another case where I am not sure if my negative feelings are about the book or how it's read.
The author reads the book. She writes about a family in Wisconsin, and she lives in Wisconsin. Her voice has an unmistakeable upper midwest accent. Every character has this accent, regardless of where they live. I had trouble at times getting past it.
Julieanne is proud of her body, her ability to dance ballet, her flexibility, her strength. She is proud of her work as an advice columnist. She is proud of her family - her husband, Leo, the lawyer, her children, Gabe (Gabriel) and Caro (Caroline), and little Aurie (Aurora). Then it all goes to shit.
Not everything. But of course it seems that way. Leo decides he wants to take a sabbatical, "find himself". He wants to get back to the earth in some kind of commune. After he takes off to parts mostly unknown, Julie discovers that she has multiple sclerosis (MS). For someone who has taken such care of her body, who has burned the candle on both ends, the effects of this condition are devastating. She can no longer be everything to anyone who needs her.
Gabe steps in. A young teen with learning disabilities, Gabe can see what is needed and he is there to help. His sister Caro is less sympathetic. They both believe, though, that it is imperative that they find their father. He needs to know about his wife. He can make things better.
So obviously the family has slid over to the breakdown lane. How they work through it and get back on the road, somewhat the worse for wear, is the subject of the rest of the book.
I liked Gabe best. I found Julie somewhat sympathetic but couldn't really get close to her. The book uses a gimmick: excerpts from Julie's column introduce different issues - divorce, love, issues with children, betrayal - that Julie's family is experiencing. I am not a fan of such gimmicks. I simply didn't love the book, but I can't say there is anything seriously wrong with it. It's a good one for fans of what they call on the cover "life-affirming" stories. And I admit the message is a good one: we deal with what is thrown at us and life goes on.
The author reads the book. She writes about a family in Wisconsin, and she lives in Wisconsin. Her voice has an unmistakeable upper midwest accent. Every character has this accent, regardless of where they live. I had trouble at times getting past it.
Julieanne is proud of her body, her ability to dance ballet, her flexibility, her strength. She is proud of her work as an advice columnist. She is proud of her family - her husband, Leo, the lawyer, her children, Gabe (Gabriel) and Caro (Caroline), and little Aurie (Aurora). Then it all goes to shit.
Not everything. But of course it seems that way. Leo decides he wants to take a sabbatical, "find himself". He wants to get back to the earth in some kind of commune. After he takes off to parts mostly unknown, Julie discovers that she has multiple sclerosis (MS). For someone who has taken such care of her body, who has burned the candle on both ends, the effects of this condition are devastating. She can no longer be everything to anyone who needs her.
Gabe steps in. A young teen with learning disabilities, Gabe can see what is needed and he is there to help. His sister Caro is less sympathetic. They both believe, though, that it is imperative that they find their father. He needs to know about his wife. He can make things better.
So obviously the family has slid over to the breakdown lane. How they work through it and get back on the road, somewhat the worse for wear, is the subject of the rest of the book.
I liked Gabe best. I found Julie somewhat sympathetic but couldn't really get close to her. The book uses a gimmick: excerpts from Julie's column introduce different issues - divorce, love, issues with children, betrayal - that Julie's family is experiencing. I am not a fan of such gimmicks. I simply didn't love the book, but I can't say there is anything seriously wrong with it. It's a good one for fans of what they call on the cover "life-affirming" stories. And I admit the message is a good one: we deal with what is thrown at us and life goes on.
Adding to BigJohnLefty's book box, now managed by devon612.
Removed from the BigJohnLefty Audio Bookbox.
A good enough listen on my work commute.
Journal Entry 6 by dabercro at RABCK, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Monday, August 24, 2020
Released 3 yrs ago (8/24/2020 UTC) at RABCK, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
RABCK sent to HI77 in FL.
A man with a good life,
decides that's not what he wants
and like many before; disappears.
decides that's not what he wants
and like many before; disappears.
This lucky little Audiobook has become part of the Audiobook Bookbox!! :)
https://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/569819
I'm hoping this will have many fun adventures to come! ;)
https://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/569819
I'm hoping this will have many fun adventures to come! ;)
I remember reading another book by this author and enjoyed it, so I am taking this out of the box.
