Maybe a Miracle: A Novel
Registered by Karenlea of Glendale, California USA on 12/29/2006
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
3 journalers for this copy...
Bought with Christmas gift cards. It's going on my TBR pile and I hope to get to it in 2007.
I loved how this book had a subtle sarcasm to it. I really liked Annika and Monroe, both as characters and their relationship. I found the book to be very relatable and I could see people that I know in each of the characters. The book strongly resonated with me. I know it's the whole point, but I found the lack of explanation with regard to Annika's miracles to be a little irritating.
Sending to Gothamgal. Enjoy! Mailed on 1/5/08
I loved how this book had a subtle sarcasm to it. I really liked Annika and Monroe, both as characters and their relationship. I found the book to be very relatable and I could see people that I know in each of the characters. The book strongly resonated with me. I know it's the whole point, but I found the lack of explanation with regard to Annika's miracles to be a little irritating.
Sending to Gothamgal. Enjoy! Mailed on 1/5/08
Got from the awesome KarenLea. I thought I already registered these, but apparently I did not. This book looks like I will enjoy it, and I can't wait to read it, thanks!
In this disarming debut, Brian Strause has written a vastly entertaining novel about an American family transfixed by a series of mysterious events. From a comfortable suburb of Columbus, Ohio, emerges a story of rebellion, faith and hope, bridging the cultural gap between those who believe in miracles and those who wish they could.
Monroe Anderson–as quiet on the outside as he is sardonic and alive on the inside–has spent most of his eighteen years trying to fly beneath the radar. If he can remain invisible, he believes, his sadistic older brother, a rising golf star, might not torment him, his workaholic father, a renowned litigator, might not notice him long enough to be disappointed, and his mother might not have to struggle so hard to find a hopeful word. The only people who glimpse the real Monroe are his girlfriend, Emily, and his eleven-year-old sister, Annika.
On the night of his senior prom, Monroe finds Annika floating facedown in the family pool. He dives in and rescues her, but not quickly enough to prevent her from slipping into a coma. As the family copes with this crisis, Monroe’s mother turns to religion, his father turns to liquor, and Monroe himself must decide what’s worth believing in, what’s worth fighting for, and, finally, who he wants to be.
By turns humorous and heartbreaking, personal and sweeping, familiar and extraordinary, Brian Strause’s mesmerizing novel takes readers on an unforgettable emotional journey into America’s heartland.
***********
Once I started reading this book, it was really hard to put it down. The characters come alive on the pages, and I think knowing the setting (Columbus, Ohio) really struck a nerve with me. It hit close to home and was almost believeable.
It really makes you think about relationships, and I did like the end, but like Karenlea, I was wondering how Annika was doing the things she was doing...maybe not explaining it was a way for the author to just focus more on the Monroe aspect and leave the rest unknown. I think Monroe sold himself a little short, but it kept him grounded.
Will probably take to next RCBP meeting on April 1. Thanks again for sending this, it was a great read!
Monroe Anderson–as quiet on the outside as he is sardonic and alive on the inside–has spent most of his eighteen years trying to fly beneath the radar. If he can remain invisible, he believes, his sadistic older brother, a rising golf star, might not torment him, his workaholic father, a renowned litigator, might not notice him long enough to be disappointed, and his mother might not have to struggle so hard to find a hopeful word. The only people who glimpse the real Monroe are his girlfriend, Emily, and his eleven-year-old sister, Annika.
On the night of his senior prom, Monroe finds Annika floating facedown in the family pool. He dives in and rescues her, but not quickly enough to prevent her from slipping into a coma. As the family copes with this crisis, Monroe’s mother turns to religion, his father turns to liquor, and Monroe himself must decide what’s worth believing in, what’s worth fighting for, and, finally, who he wants to be.
By turns humorous and heartbreaking, personal and sweeping, familiar and extraordinary, Brian Strause’s mesmerizing novel takes readers on an unforgettable emotional journey into America’s heartland.
***********
Once I started reading this book, it was really hard to put it down. The characters come alive on the pages, and I think knowing the setting (Columbus, Ohio) really struck a nerve with me. It hit close to home and was almost believeable.
It really makes you think about relationships, and I did like the end, but like Karenlea, I was wondering how Annika was doing the things she was doing...maybe not explaining it was a way for the author to just focus more on the Monroe aspect and leave the rest unknown. I think Monroe sold himself a little short, but it kept him grounded.
Will probably take to next RCBP meeting on April 1. Thanks again for sending this, it was a great read!
Journal Entry 4 by talon2claw at Akron Reading Festival in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Ohio USA on Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (2/7/2009 UTC) at Akron Reading Festival in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Ohio USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Main Library in Downtown Akron
http://www.thiscityreads.org/forms/readingfestivalflyer09.pdf
Main Library in Downtown Akron
http://www.thiscityreads.org/forms/readingfestivalflyer09.pdf
