It was a slow start for me getting into this book for a couple reasons. First, I just haven't been reading the first couple months this year so I was trying to coming out of a reading slump. Second, this book was a bit confusing at first.
Luckily, I kept reading and finally reached the point where I was hooked. As the disconnected story lines, as they seemed to me, began to join together I had to keep reading to see how they all finally blended into one. Usually I really like this technique. I think I had a harder time this time due to the reading slump.
There was a third reason I had a hard time getting into this book rather than just bobbing along and enjoying the ride was the main character, Oliver. His father died of a heart attach when Oliver was 6 or 7 just days before his adoptive brother was delivered. The brother did not stay, so Oliver experienced 2 losses close together. That I sympathize with but I still thought Oliver was quite overboard in his reaction. Later in his 20s he's still behaving very weirdly as a result of his losses.
I really liked the characters of Miranda and Mary. Miranda is working on completing a very interesting art project that requires willing participants that don't ever meet her. Not going to tell you more!
Overall, I'm glad I read Dear Strangers. Definitely liked the last half best but can see the need for the first half. There were several passages that caused me to pause and ponder the book and life in general. Meg Mullins is the author of The Rug Merchant.
1 comment:
You know, I have a strange relationship with books that have a bunch of story lines that tie into each other as the book goes on. At times they can be confusing, but at other times I really like them. I guess it all has to do with the way the author presents things.
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