As Rescue
begins, Peter Webster, a paramedic in Vermont, is living with his seventeen year old daughter Rowan. Webster, is concerned about his daughter, her grades are slipping, she's drinking, rebellious, angry and distant. She has not been accepted into the college of her choice, Middlebury. Webster is reminded of earlier days when he met Rowan's mother.Eighteen years earlier when Webster was a new EMT, one of his first assignments was responding to a one-car accident involving a young woman, Sheila Arsenault. Sheila had been driving drunk and crashed her car. Hospitalized and in serious condition, she recovers from the accident, but doesn't seem to learn her lesson about drinking. Webster can't seem to stop thinking about Sheila, and the two immediately begin a physical relationship. When Sheila quickly becomes pregnant with Rowan, the relationship moves into high gear, even though Sheila has just escaped from an abusive relationship. Webster and Sheila marry, and Rowan is born soon after. Sheila is not prepared for the stresses of motherhood, and she begins sneaking alcohol. When her drinking results in an accident, that could have threatened the life of the couple's toddler, Sheila is sent away to avoid jail time, and Webster raises his daughter with the help of his parents. A crisis year's later, sends Webster searching for Sheila.
I was afraid of giving spoilers as I wrote this review, but then realized that the product overview gives away quite a bit of the sparse plot. I thought the title was perfect as Websters job involves "rescues", and he tries to do the same for the women in his life.
The story was a quick read, and for me there really were not any surprises or plot techniques that made this story anything more than an average read for me. Having read ALL of this author's works, my favorite books of Shreves are still: Eden Close
, Strange Fits of Passion
, Resistance
, and Testimony
. This is one of those books that fans need to experience for themselves and decide. I do hope you like it. This book hits the book stores on November 30th.
RATING - 3.5/5 stars - Review Copy
I've been waiting for this one, even though I have seen some not-so-good reviews. I like most of Shreve's other books - The Pilot's Wife and Testimony are probably my favorites.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read. Fantastic review!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
I have only read a couple of books by Shreve - The Pilot's Wife and Testimony and have also blogged my reviews on it. It would be disappointing if her new release would not be at par with these books. Thank you for the heads up :)
ReplyDeleteI've just finished and reviewed Strange Fits of Passion and Testimony and really liked them. I will go and look for this one now.
ReplyDeleteI usually enjoy Anita Shreve's books. Like you said...they're usually quite easy, light reads. The only one of your favourites that I've read is Eden Close. I enjoyed The Pilot's Wife and Light on Snow. Will have to give some of the others a try.
ReplyDeleteJust the other day, I was thinking of which books to try of Shreve and I was just so blown away by her books and the mixed reviews.
ReplyDeleteThank you for pointing out your favorites, now I can easily make my selections.
This books sounds good, but I will try the other ones before.
That's too bad. I LOVED Shreve's first 4/5 books but after that the quality has dropped off. I do keep reading though, hoping for her original writing/story telling to reappear. I will read it, I just won't rush to read it.
ReplyDeleteomg, i have read her other books,I will have to check this one out.,.thanks for dropping by on my tp theme.
ReplyDeleteI've either really liked or disliked her books. Not sure about this yet. Thanks for your review.
ReplyDeleteI really, really loved Testimony, I'm sorry this one wasn't as good. I'm still planning on reading it, but thanks for letting me know what to expect.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Testimony as well, which has been my only Shreve book thus far. I have another one on my shelves entitled Sea Glass, so I might try that next, or one of the others you've identified as your favorites from her.
ReplyDeleteAnita Shreve is one of my guilty pleasures...even those of hers I don't end up loving, there is something very satisfying about reading. So, I'm very likely to pick this one up. Thanks for the heads up - it hasn't been on my radar screen!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the one Anita Shreve book I read and need to read more by her. I think I have Testimony around here somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI have only read one book by Shreve, and it was not really a success with me. I am eager to try more though, because I know many readers think really highly of her work. This might be a book I would try, as the plot does sound rather engaging. Thanks for the excellent review on this one. It goes on the list!
ReplyDeleteI used to consider Shreve one of my favourite authors, but I really disliked her last two books, so I guess I'll give this one a pass. I still have several of her earlier ones to read (such as Resistance), so I think I'll start with those instead!
ReplyDeleteI own several of her books as people give them to me as gifts (don't know why!) but I've never been inclined to pick one up. Her storylines always seem appealing but I'm not drawn to her books like I am with others.
ReplyDeleteI really like Anita Shreve's writing and read quite a few of her books for a fewyears but I haven't read any recently. I had no idea what Rescue was about until your review. It sounds interesting enough, if not her most exciting book. I'll probably read it at somepoint although there are a few others she's written that I'd prefer to read first such as Testimony and Strange Fits of Passion!
ReplyDeleteI've only read one of Shreve's books (A Change in Altitude, and I think my love for it is the anomaly), but I'm looking forward to this one too. I should read her backlist, as everyone seems to gush about those too. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love Anita Shreve and have read all of her books except this one and A Change in Altitude. I can't wait to give this one a try. Resistance and Sea Glass are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI've read the bulk of Anita Shreve's work but I've found her last few have fallen short. Eden Close, Resistance and The Weight of Water are my favourites and though I liked Testiomony well enough, it seemed to be missing her special touch. Still not sure if "Rescue" will make my reading list?
ReplyDeleteAnita Shreve RESCUE is about a man whose work is to save lives in spite of his self-destructive family. This one is about coping with what is dealt, dealing with life and making the best of it. There are unpredictable choices to be made, alcoholism to deal with, search for hope, a man desperate to protect his daughter, vulnerable people, and lots of problems to solve, such is life as most of us know it. It is a poignant story about a good man who makes a mistake, but takes full responsibility for his actions. Peter Webster, the main protagonist, is a conscientious and loving parent and a hard-working man who accepts the fact that he must make the best of a bad situation. He is a person we can admire and rally around. The Sheila character, however, is a tortured soul who lacks the ability to comprehend that no one can help her deal with herself but herself. Shreve is a wonderful story teller who delivers reality with feeling and generosity.
ReplyDelete