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#ChristmasDays12Storiesand12Feastsfor12Days
Day 6 O‘Brien‘s First Christmas #fairy #stars #change
Dad‘s Sherry Trifle #forgiveness

I really struggled through this one. I was raised in a nondenominational Christian family, so I wasn‘t unprepared for the theology. Some of which I found interesting, some not. My struggle was with the writing, if I can be honest. The dialogue didn‘t feel believable. Things like “Boy, do I!” & having God the Father, who was depicted as a black woman, randomly speak in AAVE when they had not been doing that previously. Also, some plot points cont‘d

It‘s a shocking turn of events that start the book. I think it‘s a good plot that explores addiction, grief, shame and prison life. I think an alternating chapter between Corby and Emily could have softened the rigid character aspects and created more depth to their relationship. Corby was a lot for 434 pages. It‘s good, but not my favorite Lamb book.

I am clearly in the minority here but I can‘t say that I left the listening of this audiobook having enjoyed the experience. I‘ve read plenty of books that are devastating but, for one reason or another, the overall experience was cathartic or satisfying. I felt none of that here. It starts off devastating, continues devastating, and ends just the same way. I don‘t particularly find any of the characters compelling and was really aggravated ⬇️

This book is just one punch to the gut after another. I've never read Lamb before and I wasn't sure if he was for me but I think I may have to dive into his back list at some point. This was so raw and heavy - and while it did drag in a few places, ultimately, I just couldn't stay away.

I am not okay. I love a book that destroys me. Wally Lamb develops his characters in such a way, that despite their flaws, you feel the deepest empathy for them. He manages to fill you with incredible sadness while also giving you hope. I‘m emotionally wrecked and I expect to be haunted by this one for a long time.

Could you answer the soldier?

While imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, you are taken one day from your work detail to the bedside of a dying member of the SS. Haunted by his participation in the mass murder of 300 Russian Jews, the soldier confesses his guilt and begs you for forgiveness. He says, "I know that what I am asking is almost too much for you but without your answer, I cannot die in peace." What do you tell him?

Another Wally Lamb book that breaks the heart from the very first page...

A great story of how simple mistakes can turn into major tragedies. One of the through lines I appreciated most, that hope is always good, but expectations are problematic. An emotional and thoroughly worthwhile journey.