Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands; Chris Bohjalian
Random House Audio and Doubleday - 2014
Emily Shepard, is a 16-year-old homeless
teen who has been living on the streets around Burlington, Vermont. Some
6-months earlier, a nuclear reactor exploded causing a meltdown at the Cape Abenaki plant, where Emily’s dad was the
chief engineer and her mother a public relations executive. They were known
by many as “Vermont’s Power Couple.” Her parents are dead and her
home and hometown, as she knew it, are now an “exclusion zone.” Even more
disturbing is the rumor that her father may have been responsible for the meltdown (both parents drink too much) and her father may have
been drunk on the job.
Pre–nuclear meltdown Emily was pretty much like any other teen, craving attention from her parents, sometimes angry at them. She's smart but admits to being an underachiever. She has a fondness for Emily Dickinson and she’d love to be a poet. Post-meltdown, she’s a kid trying to survive and stay under the radar after hearing strangers talk about her father causing the disaster. She's industrious and in winter she made her own igloo on Lake Champlain from ice and trash bags filled with leaves. Emily in and out of homeless shelters, never using her real name for fear of others finding out who she really is and who her parents were. She steals food and other items she needs to survive. Sadly, to cope, she's become a “cutter” and has even resorted to prostitution for quick cash. There is a softer side to Emily as well. She meets and cares for a young, runaway boy from the foster care system – Cameron is just 9 years old.
Emily’s life of the streets is heartbreaking and the author captures the raw emotion of this teen perfectly through her first person narration. Gritty, raw and real, a great story -- I loved the way the author chose to end his novel. I do think this story may be too dark for some readers. The audio book was read by Grace Blewer who did a great job.
4.5/5 stars (eGalley and audio book)
Pre–nuclear meltdown Emily was pretty much like any other teen, craving attention from her parents, sometimes angry at them. She's smart but admits to being an underachiever. She has a fondness for Emily Dickinson and she’d love to be a poet. Post-meltdown, she’s a kid trying to survive and stay under the radar after hearing strangers talk about her father causing the disaster. She's industrious and in winter she made her own igloo on Lake Champlain from ice and trash bags filled with leaves. Emily in and out of homeless shelters, never using her real name for fear of others finding out who she really is and who her parents were. She steals food and other items she needs to survive. Sadly, to cope, she's become a “cutter” and has even resorted to prostitution for quick cash. There is a softer side to Emily as well. She meets and cares for a young, runaway boy from the foster care system – Cameron is just 9 years old.
Emily’s life of the streets is heartbreaking and the author captures the raw emotion of this teen perfectly through her first person narration. Gritty, raw and real, a great story -- I loved the way the author chose to end his novel. I do think this story may be too dark for some readers. The audio book was read by Grace Blewer who did a great job.
4.5/5 stars (eGalley and audio book)
This sounds a rather sad read though a good story.
ReplyDeleteSad, yet hopeful in ways.
DeleteLots of buzz about this one - glad you liked it, Diane.
ReplyDeleteYes -- so well done Mary.
DeleteFuturistic in a sense, dystopian, sci fi? How would you categorize this novel? Sounds like a good premise on which to base a book, though I don't read much of these genres. Glad you liked it. Harvee
ReplyDeleteBook Dilettante
None of those really Harvee. Set in the present and an event which could happen really...when you think about it.
DeleteI've gone the audio route for a couple of Bohjalian's novels, so will consider it for this one. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is a good one and only once character really to follow.
DeleteI've got this on audio as well and can't wait to give it a go!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Kathy; I think you will be glad you read it.
DeleteI respect this author and I've wondered about his new book. It sounds like such an interesting plot line. I'm not good at listening to fiction on audio-i tend to lose track of the characters. I can do nonfiction though.
ReplyDeleteMichelle -- only Emily to keep track of really so it's a good audio choice.
DeleteWhat a powerful story. Homelessness is one of my triggers though, and I would have to pass on this one because of that.
ReplyDeleteRyan, we all have those triggers. Mine is anything with the slightest amount of animal abuse.
DeleteI am looking forward to this one. It seems a little different from what he's done before too.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it Ti.
DeleteI have only read one book by this author, but I loved his writing and swore I would read every book he's written. And yet, I still haven't gotten to a second yet. Terrible, terrible. I do want to read this one. It sounds good.
ReplyDeleteWendy, you are in for more terrific reads when you do. Double Bind was one of my favorites.
DeleteYikes! I think it sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis one does sound very tempting. I read and loved one book by this author (Midwives); but couldn't get into Sandcastle Girls or any of the others I tried. This one might bring me back. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of Bohjalian's historical fiction, but have loved all of his contemporary novels.
DeleteI loved this one too - my review went up this past Sunday!
ReplyDeleteI did see your review Sarah and was happy to see that you enjoyed it as well.
DeleteHmm, I don't know if this one would be for me, though it does sound compelling. I'm glad it was a winner for you!
ReplyDeleteNot for everyone for sure Diana.
DeleteI read this and enjoyed it as I have all of the books I read by Chris B. This is a melancholy tale of teens on the edge of destruction, but there is some hope throughout it and very well-written.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad yet hopeful and like you said, Rita, very well written. Glad u liked it.
DeleteIf you liked it then that's good enough for me. I will put it on my reading list. Thanks Diane :)
ReplyDeleteYikes, hope I don't disappoint you:)
DeleteI liked a lot about this book -- but something always made me feel as though I was watching from a distance. I guess the style didn't appeal to me very much, but the story itself was fascinating! I'd be interested in seeing whether I like it more via audio, as you recommend.
ReplyDeleteThe style takes a bit getting use to but once I did, I enjoyed it.
DeleteI loved this one - a favorite for the year.
ReplyDeleteI liked it a lot but not sure if it will be a favorite by Dec as I'm getting so great books lately:)
DeleteThat actually sounds like a pretty good story.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I've read anything by this author, so I may have to give it a try...on audio. Hope it isn't too sad/dark.
ReplyDelete