Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Crown (2010), Edition: First Edition, Hardcover, 384 pages
Description
After the murder of Alice Hayward and the suicide of her husband, Reverend Stephen Drew flees the pulpit and is saved from despair only by a meeting with Heather Laurent, the author of wildly successful, inspirational books about angels. Heather, identifying deeply with Alice's daughter, Katie, mentors the young girl but soon suspects that Alice's husband may not have killed himself ... and that Alice had secrets only her minister knew.
Media reviews
Fans of Bohjalian's 11 other novels (including Midwives) know to expect the unexpected and, thanks to his creativity and cunning, readers usually get walloped by one heck of a plot twist by book's end.
In Secrets of Eden, the old saw that none of us knows what really goes on in a house when the
Show More
shades are drawn rings chillingly true. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member msbaba
I've had it with Chris Bohjalian! I'm not going to waste my time reading him again. When I finished Secrets of Eden, I honestly sighed with relief. Reading this novel was an exercise in irritation and boredom. I'd figured out the ending by the middle of the book and there was almost nothing in the
With this, his twelfth novel, I'm sure Chris Bohjalian has succeeded quite admirably in turning out a book that will please the great majority of his fan base. If you've enjoyed most of his recent books, there is a good chance you will like this one, too, so ignore my review; I am not trying to reach you. But if you are one of the fans who was touched by his earlier, more literary and subtle books, then I strongly recommend that you skip this one. The structure of this novel is so contrived, the characters are so two-dimensional, the Christian themes so intrusive, I felt not only disappointed, but downright angry.
This book could have been so much more! The book gets two stars simply because I finished it.
Show More
writing, the story, or the characters that compelled me to finish. The only thing that held my attention was keeping track of the author's overt manipulation of his readers by writing notes in the margin of practically every page. There was nothing subtle about this book. The author used every cheap literary trick that exists to keep the reader turning those pages—that is, every trick except the honest good writing skills I know he possesses. With this, his twelfth novel, I'm sure Chris Bohjalian has succeeded quite admirably in turning out a book that will please the great majority of his fan base. If you've enjoyed most of his recent books, there is a good chance you will like this one, too, so ignore my review; I am not trying to reach you. But if you are one of the fans who was touched by his earlier, more literary and subtle books, then I strongly recommend that you skip this one. The structure of this novel is so contrived, the characters are so two-dimensional, the Christian themes so intrusive, I felt not only disappointed, but downright angry.
This book could have been so much more! The book gets two stars simply because I finished it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mrstreme
A trademark Chris Bohjalian novel is one of suspense, engaging characters and a plot twist that few could anticipate. This magic formula is once again employed in Bohjalian’s latest book, Secrets of Eden.
Secrets of Eden tells the tragic story of Alice Hayward – an abused wife who was killed by
As Bohjalian takes you through each person’s journey, he adds layer upon layer of complexity to the story. For instance, Stephen’s section shows a man tormented by the death of his former lover. His section alludes to allegations that maybe Stephen was responsible for Alice’s husband’s death. Then, Catherine’s section reveals how Stephen could be a prime suspect. By the time you get through Heather and Katie’s sections, you are not sure where the good reverand stands. Then, in the end, Bohjalian comes in with a plot twist that many readers do not see coming. The end result – a story that keeps you at the edge of your seat.
The abuse of Alice Hayward was heart-wrenching. Bohjalian shows every aspect of an abusive relationship – from the punches to the belittlement. Physically, emotionally and mentally abused, Alice endured it all – while hiding it from her neighbors. This is a hard subject matter to read but an important one, and I am glad that Bohjalian tackled it in Secrets of Eden.
Fan of Chris Bohjalian should not be disappointed with this book. It’s classic Chris Bohjalian – a great story, difficult subject matter and memorable characters.
Secrets of Eden tells the tragic story of Alice Hayward – an abused wife who was killed by
Show More
her husband during a fit of rage. We see Alice’s story through the eyes of four narrators – her preacher and former lover, Stephen; the district attorney, Catherine; an angel afficianado, Heather and Alice’s daughter, Katie. This quartet of narrators all present different sides to Alice’s murder and the subsequent suicide of her husband. As Bohjalian takes you through each person’s journey, he adds layer upon layer of complexity to the story. For instance, Stephen’s section shows a man tormented by the death of his former lover. His section alludes to allegations that maybe Stephen was responsible for Alice’s husband’s death. Then, Catherine’s section reveals how Stephen could be a prime suspect. By the time you get through Heather and Katie’s sections, you are not sure where the good reverand stands. Then, in the end, Bohjalian comes in with a plot twist that many readers do not see coming. The end result – a story that keeps you at the edge of your seat.
The abuse of Alice Hayward was heart-wrenching. Bohjalian shows every aspect of an abusive relationship – from the punches to the belittlement. Physically, emotionally and mentally abused, Alice endured it all – while hiding it from her neighbors. This is a hard subject matter to read but an important one, and I am glad that Bohjalian tackled it in Secrets of Eden.
Fan of Chris Bohjalian should not be disappointed with this book. It’s classic Chris Bohjalian – a great story, difficult subject matter and memorable characters.
Show Less
LibraryThing member sharlene_w
This book was totally disappointing. I have enjoyed many of Chris Bohjalian's previous books as he chooses such diverse topics that you learn a lot about as you read the book. I guess the topic he chose to be "interesting" in this book was angels and auras. While angels and auras have no particular
Show More
appeal to me, I expected that I would "learn" something. In reality, that element was just superfluous fluff that was "filler" rather than a topic you could build a story around--something he did well in Transister Radio, Midwives, and Law of Similars. Bohjalian had a good core concept to work with (apparent murder/suicide of husband and wife) and it had potential to be interesting. Unfortunately the end product left me feeling that I had totally wasted my time. None of the characters were compelling in any way--didn't particularly like or care about any of them. On top of that, he chose to tell the same story over and over from each of the four main character's point of view without introducing anything new that we didn't already know. The result was redundant--and tiresome. Two stars is generous. Show Less
LibraryThing member karieh
As I look over at my bookshelf, I’ve read more of Chris Bohjalian’s books than I had thought. 4 books…oh, and I listened to one audio book. And obviously, I keep picking them up, as I did with “Secrets of Eden”…so I am drawn to his work…but as with “Secrets of Eden”, I seem to
The last couple have used various literary devices to hide important truths from the reader. I’m fine with that, although I do enjoy some subtlety with my trickery. In this book, the reader is introduced first to Revered Stephen Drew, and we come to think we know him, a bit, and then he, as a character, is basically yanked away. The shutters close, the door slams shut, and the only additions to his character we get are in the form of hearsay. Which would be fine…except in my case, I was so put off and annoyed by the next two characters we view the story through that I kept rolling my eyes.
Stephen Drew is a Reverend in a small Vermont town. One of his parishioners, Alice Hayward, is murdered. We see the day of her death and a few weeks afterward through Stephen’s eyes, see his loss of faith after the tragic event.
His whole world is changed by Alice’s death, and with it, his way of viewing the path that he’s chosen.
“Do you pray?” I hadn’t meant it to be an especially challenging or antagonistic inquiry – though I did hear in my head the homonym, prey, and that part of me that I have discovered is capable of unexpected bouts of savagery and anger may have lent an edge to my voice…”
Then we are cut off from Stephen and the reader enters the character of the state attorney, Catherine Benincasa, who further investigates Alice’s death, and decides that Revered Drew isn’t telling everything he knows about the victim. I don’t know what it was about this character that annoyed me so much, but I do know that through her, the reader is beaten over the head with the idea that “other people find something disturbing about the good Reverend” instead of letting the reader gradually come to that realization.
Then the reader enters the world of inspirational writer Heather Laurent. Maybe it’s because the previous section of the book had been written in the voice of a sharp tongued, jaded, cynic…but the transition was a bit much for me. All the details about angels and miracles are one thing, but on the heels of such a negative person, I was unable to make the U-turn. The excerpts of Heather’s writings, though, yielded some riches.
“…the whole of autumn is about transience. The entire natural world seems to be shutting down, moldering, growing still. The days are short, the nights are long, and everything looks a little bleak – except for those leaves. Those kaleidoscopically lovely maples and birches and oaks allow us to gaze for a moment at the wonder of nature and to accept the inevitable quiescence of our own aura. Like so much else around us, it’s not the leaves’ beauty that moves us: It’s the fact that their beauty won’t last.”
Lastly, we are introduced to Katie Hayward, Alice’s daughter. A girl that her new friend Heather Laurent would be correct in describing with her words, “We may talk a good game and write even better ones, but we never outgrow those small wounded things we were when we were five and six and seven.”
Katie was orphaned on a violent Sunday night…and as a result, there is this story. She’s seen too much for a teenage girl, and knows too many truths about the world. “That’s one thing I have learned about women like my mom: There are no people in the world who are better at keeping secrets. You want to find a good spy? Pick a battered woman. There are things they won’t tell a soul. And they can really take a punch.” Brutal.
So why did I feel cheated? I suppose because it seems as if there is a real human story in “Secrets of Eden”. One that could have been gradually revealed, in all its scars and fragility. One the reader could despair over, think through, emotionally connect to. But instead, the secrets are hidden in a way that once they are revealed, they seem to be more mica than gold. The effort to uncover them ends up seeming more a fool’s errand than a treasure hunt.
Show More
keep finishing each one with a sense of feeling cheated.The last couple have used various literary devices to hide important truths from the reader. I’m fine with that, although I do enjoy some subtlety with my trickery. In this book, the reader is introduced first to Revered Stephen Drew, and we come to think we know him, a bit, and then he, as a character, is basically yanked away. The shutters close, the door slams shut, and the only additions to his character we get are in the form of hearsay. Which would be fine…except in my case, I was so put off and annoyed by the next two characters we view the story through that I kept rolling my eyes.
Stephen Drew is a Reverend in a small Vermont town. One of his parishioners, Alice Hayward, is murdered. We see the day of her death and a few weeks afterward through Stephen’s eyes, see his loss of faith after the tragic event.
His whole world is changed by Alice’s death, and with it, his way of viewing the path that he’s chosen.
“Do you pray?” I hadn’t meant it to be an especially challenging or antagonistic inquiry – though I did hear in my head the homonym, prey, and that part of me that I have discovered is capable of unexpected bouts of savagery and anger may have lent an edge to my voice…”
Then we are cut off from Stephen and the reader enters the character of the state attorney, Catherine Benincasa, who further investigates Alice’s death, and decides that Revered Drew isn’t telling everything he knows about the victim. I don’t know what it was about this character that annoyed me so much, but I do know that through her, the reader is beaten over the head with the idea that “other people find something disturbing about the good Reverend” instead of letting the reader gradually come to that realization.
Then the reader enters the world of inspirational writer Heather Laurent. Maybe it’s because the previous section of the book had been written in the voice of a sharp tongued, jaded, cynic…but the transition was a bit much for me. All the details about angels and miracles are one thing, but on the heels of such a negative person, I was unable to make the U-turn. The excerpts of Heather’s writings, though, yielded some riches.
“…the whole of autumn is about transience. The entire natural world seems to be shutting down, moldering, growing still. The days are short, the nights are long, and everything looks a little bleak – except for those leaves. Those kaleidoscopically lovely maples and birches and oaks allow us to gaze for a moment at the wonder of nature and to accept the inevitable quiescence of our own aura. Like so much else around us, it’s not the leaves’ beauty that moves us: It’s the fact that their beauty won’t last.”
Lastly, we are introduced to Katie Hayward, Alice’s daughter. A girl that her new friend Heather Laurent would be correct in describing with her words, “We may talk a good game and write even better ones, but we never outgrow those small wounded things we were when we were five and six and seven.”
Katie was orphaned on a violent Sunday night…and as a result, there is this story. She’s seen too much for a teenage girl, and knows too many truths about the world. “That’s one thing I have learned about women like my mom: There are no people in the world who are better at keeping secrets. You want to find a good spy? Pick a battered woman. There are things they won’t tell a soul. And they can really take a punch.” Brutal.
So why did I feel cheated? I suppose because it seems as if there is a real human story in “Secrets of Eden”. One that could have been gradually revealed, in all its scars and fragility. One the reader could despair over, think through, emotionally connect to. But instead, the secrets are hidden in a way that once they are revealed, they seem to be more mica than gold. The effort to uncover them ends up seeming more a fool’s errand than a treasure hunt.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mckait
I have read every book written by this author. I will
continue to do so as long as he turns out books like this.
Secrets is written in four voices. It is a story of abuse and
violence, lies and betrayal. All of this is pulled together and keeps a
taut story line with some very compelling characters.
As
minister she sought out for help, the story is about Katie. Katie is
Alice's young teenaged daughter. She has witnessed her fathers abuse
of her mother for many years.
Here is a crisis of family, a crisis of faith, and an example of
extraordinary selflessness. What more could a reader want? All of
this with Bohjalian's trademark of rich and irresistable characters.
continue to do so as long as he turns out books like this.
Secrets is written in four voices. It is a story of abuse and
violence, lies and betrayal. All of this is pulled together and keeps a
taut story line with some very compelling characters.
As
Show More
much as the book is about Alice, her violent husband and theminister she sought out for help, the story is about Katie. Katie is
Alice's young teenaged daughter. She has witnessed her fathers abuse
of her mother for many years.
Here is a crisis of family, a crisis of faith, and an example of
extraordinary selflessness. What more could a reader want? All of
this with Bohjalian's trademark of rich and irresistable characters.
Show Less
LibraryThing member JackieBlem
I had the privilege of getting to read a very early, pre-final-edit manuscript of this book, and I am SO glad, because now I can be among the first to tell everyone how fabulous it is! Once again, Bohjalian creates big, believable drama in a small town Vermont setting. This time it involves a
Show More
preacher who is losing his faith, two deaths and plenty of mystery of the 'whodoneit' variety. It is interesting to read a book where two dead people are very much central characters and seeing the plot bloom through the memories, observations and reactions of their neighbors. All of these characters just jump off the page, so it's very easy to picture them and think that they are your neighbors too. You become invested in their pain and bewilderment even as you try to figure out just what they are NOT telling you. And the ending...the ending is worth losing sleep over because by that point you just HAVE to know the truth! Show Less
LibraryThing member bigorangemichael
Chris Bojhalian's "Secrets of Eden" is a deceptive novel. I've heard it described as court-room thriller without the courtroom or trial. And I can see that, but in many ways it's a lot more.
The novel centers around the death of Alice and George Hayward. The long-married couple are found dead--she
The story unfolds through the point of view of four different first-person narrators. Bojhalian first lets us see the events surrounding the deaths from the point of view of Reverend Stephen Drew, a single minister who, at first, it appears Alice's death has been the straw that broke the camel's back in his disillusionment with the ministry and his faith. Drew seeks solace in the arms of Heather Laurent, a best-selling author of books about angels and her own experience when her father killed her mother and then took his own life.
But Steven may know more than he's telling or lets on. In fact, his desire to leave the town may be more due to his having an affair with Alice while she was separated from her husband. And as the evidence begins to mount, it appears that George could not have taken his own life that night. He killed Alice, but did he kill himself?
The second section unfolds, revealing the investigation through the eyes of a local D.A. Catherine. Hearing her relentless desire to find out the truth and her take on Drew will alter your perception of the characters we meet in the first section.
Again, all is not as it seems and there is a twist in the novel's final section which is fairly well foreshadowed. It's not a huge shock, but it's one that is set up well and that I was able to figure out before I got to the final few pages and it was revealed.
Bohjalian's story is one that unfolds well and the story told in sections from four different points of view is fascinating and compelling.
The novel centers around the death of Alice and George Hayward. The long-married couple are found dead--she
Show More
strangled and he of a gunshot to the head. The first ruling is that George killed Alice and then ended his own life, but, as always, the truth is far more complex than just that.The story unfolds through the point of view of four different first-person narrators. Bojhalian first lets us see the events surrounding the deaths from the point of view of Reverend Stephen Drew, a single minister who, at first, it appears Alice's death has been the straw that broke the camel's back in his disillusionment with the ministry and his faith. Drew seeks solace in the arms of Heather Laurent, a best-selling author of books about angels and her own experience when her father killed her mother and then took his own life.
But Steven may know more than he's telling or lets on. In fact, his desire to leave the town may be more due to his having an affair with Alice while she was separated from her husband. And as the evidence begins to mount, it appears that George could not have taken his own life that night. He killed Alice, but did he kill himself?
The second section unfolds, revealing the investigation through the eyes of a local D.A. Catherine. Hearing her relentless desire to find out the truth and her take on Drew will alter your perception of the characters we meet in the first section.
Again, all is not as it seems and there is a twist in the novel's final section which is fairly well foreshadowed. It's not a huge shock, but it's one that is set up well and that I was able to figure out before I got to the final few pages and it was revealed.
Bohjalian's story is one that unfolds well and the story told in sections from four different points of view is fascinating and compelling.
Show Less
LibraryThing member joanj
Fascinating study of domestic violence done through 4 voices. And, as with any good page-turner, nothing is as it seems and every one of the 4 voices has an entirely different take on the story. Haunting and chilling right up to the last sentence.
LibraryThing member eejjennings
Alice gets baptized and goes home to her husband, who kills her and then himself. Her minister understandably suffers a spiritual crisis. But is Alice's death what is seems?
LibraryThing member berylweidenbach
I listened to Bohjalian's latest book. Sometimes this is a very good thing, and sometimes not so much. Th weight of the story, and your ability to believe it is influenced by the "readers" of the book. This book was presented by four main characters. Two of the voices rang true with me, and two
Show More
voices left much to be desired. The story is about domestic abuse which culminates in a murder/suicide. At least that's how it appears at first. The victim of the abuse is not one of the narrators, so you are left to wonder if she actually thought her husband was capable of killing her. But the question we are left to ponder is, "did he kill himself, or was he murdered?" The last chapter of the book delivers the, to me, surprising answer. Show Less
LibraryThing member EdGoldberg
Alice and George Hayward are found dead in what appears to be a murder/suicide by Alice's friend Ginny on a Monday morning. Ginny stopped by Alice's house after the Women's Club meeting, whe Alice didn't appear. It was a grizzly scene she found. Alice strangled. George with much of his head shot
The first part of Secrets of Eden is narrated by Pastor Stephen Drew. It starts off with Alice's baptism by Pastor Drew the day of her death. Drew feels partly responsible, that he could have stopped the massacre.
The narrative continues with the Assistant District attorney after forensic evidence suggests that George didn't commit suicide.
The third section is narrated by Heather Laurent, a believer in angels, who is in Haverill, VT on a publicity tour for her new book. She interviews Drew, as well as Katie Hayward (now an orphan) and Hayward's neighbors.
The final section is narrated by Katie herself.
This is the first Bohjalian book I've read and I really liked it. The plot was interesting. The writing is descriptive, each character's narrative taking on a different personna, which is as it should be. While I guessed at the ending (sort of), it didn't diminish the pleasure of the book. While Bohjalian isn't know for mysteries, he's penned a good psychological mystery. I highly suggest reading Secrets of Eden.
Show More
off.The first part of Secrets of Eden is narrated by Pastor Stephen Drew. It starts off with Alice's baptism by Pastor Drew the day of her death. Drew feels partly responsible, that he could have stopped the massacre.
The narrative continues with the Assistant District attorney after forensic evidence suggests that George didn't commit suicide.
The third section is narrated by Heather Laurent, a believer in angels, who is in Haverill, VT on a publicity tour for her new book. She interviews Drew, as well as Katie Hayward (now an orphan) and Hayward's neighbors.
The final section is narrated by Katie herself.
This is the first Bohjalian book I've read and I really liked it. The plot was interesting. The writing is descriptive, each character's narrative taking on a different personna, which is as it should be. While I guessed at the ending (sort of), it didn't diminish the pleasure of the book. While Bohjalian isn't know for mysteries, he's penned a good psychological mystery. I highly suggest reading Secrets of Eden.
Show Less
LibraryThing member dablackwood
I have always enjoyed this author's work, but I was really disappointed this time. This book seemed very trite and frankly, boring. I kept at it thinking there would be a twist at the end. But there was nothing. In fact I wasn't sure it was over. The acknowledgements started on the page after and I
The story is told in four view points. A man and his wife are found dead. He was abusive and at first glance the scene is interpreted as a murder suicide. But more lurks beneath the surface.
Show More
was hoping that instead it was an epilogue. All in all a disappointing read.The story is told in four view points. A man and his wife are found dead. He was abusive and at first glance the scene is interpreted as a murder suicide. But more lurks beneath the surface.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mpmills
Stephen Drew baptizes Alice Hayward Sunday morning, and, that evening, she is murdered by her abusive husband. Her husband is found dead, apparently shooting himself. Stephen Drew is soon suspected of killing him. I figured out the ending early into the book. Not his best.
LibraryThing member MarkMeg
Enjoyed, but couldn't help thinking I had read it before. Hadn't read it, but the plot is similar to one other--I don't remember what. About battered wife and husband who are found dead. The husband killed the wife, but who killed the husband. The suspect becomes the pastor who had an affair with
Show More
the wife. In the final pages we learn it is the daughter. Show Less
LibraryThing member frisbeesage
Secrets of Eden begins with the morning Alice Hayward, a battered wife and mother, is baptized in a neighbors pond by her local priest. Less then 24 hours later she is dead, murdered by her husband in an apparent murder suicide. As with all Bohjalian books things are not what they seem and there is
I have to agree with others that this is not Bohjalian's best work. The plot is more predictable then usual for him and he ignored some of the more interesting moral questions. If you can save someone from domestic violence are you obligated to? Even at the expense of your own desires? Still, he did create some interesting and always human characters, especially the daughter. I loved her strength and resolve in the face of such a horrific event. The book was worth reading, but not up to Bohjalian's usual standards.
Show More
a twist in the end. I have to agree with others that this is not Bohjalian's best work. The plot is more predictable then usual for him and he ignored some of the more interesting moral questions. If you can save someone from domestic violence are you obligated to? Even at the expense of your own desires? Still, he did create some interesting and always human characters, especially the daughter. I loved her strength and resolve in the face of such a horrific event. The book was worth reading, but not up to Bohjalian's usual standards.
Show Less
LibraryThing member taconsolo
Excellent read - Bohjalian has a wonderful way of telling a story!
LibraryThing member ForeignCircus
This wonderful novel features Bohjalian's signature style. The dense yet lyrical prose carries the reader away and makes this book almost impossible to put down. The individual characters rise off the page and live, pulling the reader into an emotional investment with the story. Stephen, Heather,
Without giving any spoilers, I will say the plot twist was something I speculated about early on which reduced its emotional impact as the story drew to a close. I also found it rather hard to relate to the angel theme that runs throughout the story; it never really connected emotionally for me despite Heather's personal experiences. Regardless, this a wonderful offering from a talented writer- highly recommended.
Show More
and Katie were the most successful and relatable narrators in this novel; I found neither Catherine's voice nor her story compelling which made for a disappointing midsection. Without giving any spoilers, I will say the plot twist was something I speculated about early on which reduced its emotional impact as the story drew to a close. I also found it rather hard to relate to the angel theme that runs throughout the story; it never really connected emotionally for me despite Heather's personal experiences. Regardless, this a wonderful offering from a talented writer- highly recommended.
Show Less
LibraryThing member pdebolt
Once again Chris Bohjalian has written a novel that is difficult to put down. It is a multi-layered book about crises told from different perspectives, which enhances the knowledge we have of the characters. The plot involves a minister who has apparently lost his faith, a physically abusive
Show More
husband and his wife and daughter, and a woman whose life is centered around angels after her parents died as the result of a murder/suicide. The suspense builds to a stunning conclusion and is told in Bohjalian's characteristic dead-on style. Show Less
LibraryThing member JennyMcb
The story was slow and predictable. I would have liked it better if the story had been told differently rather than through each character without coming back to them. The ending was very predictable.
LibraryThing member janiereader
Chris Bohjalian is one of my favorite authors too, but I am not loving this book. It's OK, but nothing more so far. I just started disc 7 out of 9 and unless something terrific and out of the ordinary happens I am going to be disappointed. The narrations are good, and since there are multiple
Show More
characters that are multiple people sharing the reading, but the book just doesn't pop. I knew how the story was going to end after the first chapters. We'll wait to see if I was right or not. Chris, you're a great writer, let's see that genius again, PLEASE! Show Less
LibraryThing member delphimo
This novel centers on domestic abuse and the ramifications of this abuse. The story begins with the death of the Haywards, a couple presumed to be a murder/suicide. The novel is divided into four voices: Stephen Drew, the Baptist minister and ex lover of Alice Hayward; Catherine Benencasa, the
Show More
deputy state attorney; Heather Laurent, a writer and victim of domestic abuse; and Katie Hayward, the teen-age daughter of the deceased couple. I felt that this narrative format works well with this story. Your opinion of certain characters changes with each individual's narrative. Of course, I had figured the outcome long before the last narrative; I just hadn't figured the logistics. Most people dislike Stephen, but I dislike Heather. Heather's character seems not fully developed and too judgmental. Bohjalean presents an interesting and saddening novel about love, hate, and abuse. Show Less
LibraryThing member picardyrose
I felt sleazy reading it and skipped large parts of the changing narrators' monologues.
LibraryThing member ellenr
Apparent murder- suicide of wife and abusive husband comes under scrutiny by authorities. An author of books about angels entangles herself as the crime replicates her parents' deaths. Bohjalian twists the plotting less effectively than earlier books.
LibraryThing member Doondeck
This was a very clever thriller. Unlike my experience with Bohjalian's The Double Bind, I didn't have a clue as to the ending. He really brings into focus the whole issue of domestic violence and its effect on children and friends. A great read which I highly recommend.
LibraryThing member mpontius
A story of the results of domestic violence, shattered faith, and angels.
Original publication date
2010-02-02
Physical description
384 p.; 6.44 inches
ISBN
0307394972 / 9780307394972