Life Without Summer: A Novel

I read this book in two weeks, off and on. It is about two woman's lives, and how their lives inter-tangle going through some major life issues and heartbreak. There was a nice twist in the book in which I didn't see coming, and overall it was a enjoying book that took me out of my element in which I love.

I just finished reading this book and with tears in my eyes, I write this review. I cannot even imagine being in the place of these characters. Having to go the cemetery and reading your child's name on the headstone, is devastating. Ms. Griffin handled the issues with such grace and such human emotion. I felt for the characters immensely. Both of these mothers face some of the most difficult things that a mother can face. I felt it was written with just the right amount of sympathy and anger. It wasn't a heavy-handed tale about right or wrong. Just a wonderful read.

I had a hard time putting this one down. In fact, I pretty much did nothing but read it the entire weekend. The author did so many things right, mainly by never shying away from the hard parts. With a book like this, it's tempting to want to take the "easy" path, falling into simplistic characterizations of saintly grieving mothers, emotionally absent husbands, and dogged detectives who don't rest until they crack the case. Lynne Griffin turns all this upside down, giving us a vivid, compelling, and lifelike portrayal of a loving marriage that is strong enough to withstand a terrible loss compounded by police bumbling and misconduct. Tessa's anger is skillfully drawn, never over the top, and Ethan's grief is rendered both sensitively and realistically. The scene where they sit together on Christmas day and watch the video of Abby's life was wrenching and yet uplifting - it brought tears to my eyes in the best possible way. Likewise, the character of Celia is not what you'd expect. Far from being the wise therapist with all the answers, she is existing in her own cocoon of denial, which makes for yet another believable (but never predictable) storyline. All in all, this is one of the better novels I have read in recent years. I'm looking forward to Lynne Griffin's next effort.

This book has to be on the list of best in '09. Tessa's 4 year old daughter was killed by a hit-and-run driver while at preschool. The police don't seem to be doing their job, and Tessa is of course having a hard time dealing with Abby's death and the lack of communication with the police. She is depressed, sleeping in her daughter's room, not eating, not doing anything. Her husband suggests she sees a counselor. So she starts having sessions with Celia. Celia has her own issues. Recently divorced from an alcoholic, and then remarried, she has a teenage son who seems to be taking the divorce hard, and her relationship with her new husband, Alden, harder. Celia also has a deep, dark secret. The author threw in a few surprises, which made this book thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. This will go on my list as one of the best in '09!