Just after her mother's funeral, five-year-old Holly is dropped off by her father at her grandfather's South Carolina dairy farm. It will be 30 years before Holly sees her father again-plenty of time to develop a fondness for drinking and video poker. And also plenty of time to contemplate why her father abandoned her. "Loss and redemption take center stage in story writer Allison's beautifully written debut novel."-Publishers Weekly, starred review
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"I liked the structure, the imperfect characters (and they are so imperfect that it took half of the book for them to grow on me) the clean writing--not an extraneous word. Allison understands families and a basic principle: we are destined to screw up just like our parents."
— Katrina (4 out of 5 stars)
" My friend wrote this. "
— David, 2/19/2014" Well I just finished this book, and contrary to everyone else's reviews, I didn't like it. At first, I found the characters and the short stories touching. But about halfway through, the changing perspectives just got old and confusing. I think it ended up detracting from the original bond you felt towards the characters, which led to my disinterest in the book. Eventually, I just really didn't care anymore. When the ending finally came, when everything and all the stories and viewpoints finally came together, it just fell short. All of this excitement and build up just fizzled. There was no magical happy ending, and there was also no tragic ending. It was just an abrupt (2 page) summary of what actually happened between Holly and her father, which was neither exciting nor memorable. The book was a quick read, and not terrible, but just overall boring and uneventful. "
— Kolleen, 2/16/2014" A good family drama. "
— Sarah, 1/27/2014" i'm all for non-linear storytelling, but when the author not only jumps around in time but also in topic (and what he chooses to spend an entire chapter talking about, only to never have it mentioned again), it just kills it for me. the book started off well but in the end i had no attachment to any of the characters nor a sense that i got to understand any of them. "
— Lauren, 1/22/2014" I used to live in Columbia, SC, where the author of this book is from. Since this is also set around South Carolina, this book allowed me to remember some of my past. I think that Allison did a spot on job of capturing the personalities of folks in the Low Country. "
— Malinda, 1/15/2014" Interesting and multi-faceted. Chapters read kind of like short stories. "
— Peachy, 12/30/2013" This was a book I picked up because the cover caught my eye. It's written in three different voices and follows each through how they cope with the persons and events that shape how they are living their life. "
— Heidi, 10/30/2013" Interesting book. Love the cover photo the best. "
— Maura, 10/7/2013" Not sure about this one, characters had too many problems..... "
— Deb, 10/5/2013" This was a good book. I like how it goes back and forth in time between when she was a kid and a grown up. It details how she finds her father again and how they rebuild the relationship that they had lost. I would definitely recommend it. "
— Shannon, 6/23/2013" Lots of unfinished loose ends, but okay. "
— Amy, 9/24/2012" I liked the characters in this story. Dad drops off daughter at the grandfathers and never comes back. Its really true who we are as adults isbecause of what happened toys as kids!!! "
— Lesley, 9/7/2012" This novel speaks simply about tragedy and loss, and the mess that is left behind. The family in this novel seems destined to repeat their mistakes generation after generation. I loved it until the end, which was a bit too pat for my taste. "
— Judith, 7/16/2012" This guy's pretty damn good. It's his first novel. Actually I'm jealous as fuck. Real quick read, too. "
— Dankrubis, 7/1/2012" An enjoyable novel. "
— Barbara, 4/9/2012" I picked this up because the author lives in NJ, and because the blurb mentioned a farm and racing (two things I love). It was an OK novel, but just didn't hold my attention. "
— Jessica, 3/26/2012" This is written in a very creative and unusual style. While I read this a good bit ago, I still remember being very taken by it and liking the way it flows. Ultimately, not such a complicated story but made emotionally compelling by the way its told. "
— Robert, 10/13/2011" I really hate books about the dreary life of people. I hate that I continue to finish these type of books in the hope that the ending will be different this time! Once again, a book about 20 years of a person's life story that just sucks. "
— Hpreeder, 8/18/2011" Was a simple book, but I enjoyed it. After reading fantasy, i expected it to be boring and mundane to me, but it kept my attention and I found a new writer I enjoy. "
— Amanda, 6/30/2011" A nice easy read. Nothing groundbreaking but some very nice moments. Feels like a series of short stories linked together into a novel. "
— Greg, 6/20/2011" we were very bored, weren't we? "
— Matthew, 5/12/2011" I am listening to this book on tape. Mediocre Southern Gothic. Difficult to follow the story line as switches of character are rather random. <br/> <br/>Pass. "
— Judi, 4/19/2010" An amazing story of the frailty and healing power of the human heart. It reminds me how fallible we as parents are and how difficult it is for us, as children, to forgive that. "
— Liz, 1/27/2010Jonathan Hogan is a stage, television, and film actor. He has appeared in several episodes of Law & Order, as well as One Life to Live, As the World Turns, and Ryan’s Hope. In 1985 his performance in the play As Is earned him a Tony Award nomination.
Alma Cuervo is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and a stage actress and singer who has also performed in film and television. She holds an MFA in acting from the Yale School of Drama, from which she graduated in 1976 alongside Meryl Streep. She starred in the role of Madame Morrible in the first national tour of Wicked.
Kate Forbes, winner of four Earphones Awards for audiobook narrating, is a professionally trained actress who has appeared on Broadway, in regional theaters, and with a renowned touring company. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College, where she was active in theater, she completed an MFA at New York University School of the Arts. With this training, she launched into a successful acting career.