The Lincoln Lawyer: A Novel
By Michael Connelly
Product Description
This #1 bestselling legal thriller from Michael Connelly is a stunning display of novelistic mastery - as human, as gripping, and as whiplash-surprising as any novel yet from the writer Publishers Weekly has called "today's Dostoevsky of crime literature."
Mickey Haller is a Lincoln Lawyer, a criminal defense attorney who operates out of the backseat of his Lincoln Town Car, traveling between the far-flung courthouses of Los Angeles to defend clients of every kind. Bikers, con artists, drunk drivers, drug dealers - they're all on Mickey Haller's client list. For him, the law is rarely about guilt or innocence, it's about negotiation and manipulation. Sometimes it's even about justice.
A Beverly Hills playboy arrested for attacking a woman he picked up in a bar chooses Haller to defend him, and Mickey has his first high-paying client in years. It is a defense attorney's dream, what they call a franchise case. And as the evidence stacks up, Haller comes to believe this may be the easiest case of his career. Then someone close to him is murdered and Haller discovers that his search for innocence has brought him face-to-face with evil as pure as a flame. To escape without being burned, he must deploy every tactic, feint, and instinct in his arsenal - this time to save his own life.
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Product Details
• Amazon Sales Rank: #1 in eBooks
• Published on: 2005-10-01
• Released on: 2005-10-01
• Format: Kindle eBook
• Number of items: 1
========================================
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Best-selling author Michael Connelly, whose character-driven literary mysteries have earned him a wide following, breaks from the gate in the over-crowded field of legal thrillers and leaves every other contender from Grisham to Turow in the dust with this tightly plotted, brilliantly paced, impossible-to-put-down novel.
Criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller's father was a legendary lawyer whose clients included gangster Mickey Cohen (in a nice twist, Cohen's gun, given to Dad then bequeathed to his son, plays a key role in the plot). But Dad also passed on an important piece of advice that's especially relevant when Mickey takes the case of a wealthy Los Angeles realtor accused of attempted murder: "The scariest client a lawyer will ever have is an innocent client. Because if you [screw] up and he goes to prison, it'll scar you for life."
Louis Roulet, Mickey's "franchise client" (so-called becaue he's able and willing to pay whatever his defense costs) seems to be the one his father warned him against, as well as being a few rungs higher on the socio-economic ladder than the drug dealers, homeboys, and motorcycle thugs who comprise Mickey's regular case load. But as the holes in Roulet's story tear Mickey's theory of the case to shreds, his thoughts turn more to Jesus Menendez, a former client convicted of a similar crime who's now languishing in San Quentin. Connelly tellingly delineates the code of legal ethics Mickey lives by: "It didn't matter...whether the defendant 'did it' or not. What mattered was the evidence against him--the proof--and if and how it could be neutralized. My job was to bury the proof, to color the proof a shade of gray. Gray was the color of reasonable doubt." But by the time his client goes to trial, Mickey's feeling a few very reasonable doubts of his own.
While Mickey's courtroom pyrotechnics dazzle, his behind-the-scenes machinations and manipulations are even more incendiary in this taut, gripping novel, which showcases all of Connelly's literary gifts. There's not an excess sentence or padded paragraph in it--what there is, happily, is a character who, like Harry Bosch, deserves a franchise series of his own. --Jane Adams
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Veteran bestseller Connelly enters the crowded legal thriller field with flash and panache. Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller regularly represents lowlifes, but he's no slickster trolling for loopholes in the ethics laws. He's haunted by how he mishandled the case of (probably innocent) Jesus Menendez, and, though twice divorced, he's on good terms with his ex-wives; one of them manages his office, and the other, an ambitious assistant DA, occasionally tumbles back into bed with him. When Mickey signs on to defend young real estate agent Louis Roulet against charges of assault, he can't help seeing dollar signs: Roulet's imperious mother will spend any amount to prove her beloved son's innocence. But probing the details of the case, Mickey and private investigator Raul Levin dig up a far darker picture of Roulet's personality and his past. Levin's murder and a new connection to the Menendez case make Mickey wonder if he's in over his head, and his defense of Roulet becomes a question of morality as well as a test of his own survival. After Connelly spends the book's first half involving the reader in Mickey's complex world, he thrusts his hero in the middle of two high-stakes duels, against the state and his own client, for heart-stopping twists and topflight storytelling. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Bookmarks Magazine
The Lincoln Lawyer, a legal thriller, departs both in character and genre from Connelly’s crime-fiction series starring Harry Bosch. As it turns out, Bosch and Haller are half brothers—a convenient device to link the novel to Connelly’s popular series. Critics agree that his new character—a man who finds holes in the system to aid guilty clients and is forced to question his own moral code—is just as compelling as Bosch. In fact, notes The Oregonian, the novel "seduces us into rooting for a guy we detest." As usual, Connelly paints a convincingly shady world of flawed heroes, prostitutes, real estate agents, drug dealers, and cops, all the while delving into legal ethics, court procedures, and media issues. It’s a fast-paced, unpredictable ride.
Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.
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Customer Reviews
Exactly what you would expect from Michael Connelly.
Abraham Lincoln is revered by lawyers everywhere for his courtroom skills and practical wisdom. The Lincoln Michael Connelly refers is not Abraham, but rather the automobile.
Mickey Haller, son of an original Los Angeles superstar lawyer, owns several. At times the limousine business seems preferable to his own. But finally he gets, to his eternal regret the "franchise case", the kind of case that not only pays the bills but causes other clients to want his services.
A young rich real estate broker is charged in the attempted murder of a hooker. His insistence in his innocence causes Haller to realize he may have what he has always dreaded, the actually innocent client. But he finds his defense efforts in disarray as the case sours, and he himself becomes a murder suspect.
Non-lawyers usually do not write good legal thrillers. Michael Connelly, a former reporter and America's best mystery writer, is the exception that proves the rule. He has a great ear for the courtroom and a sense of the professional and economic dilemmas trial lawyers face.
I will say this, however, in real life no matter how secret the client confidence, lawyers are ethically able to access the expertise necessary to know how to respond to any dilemma in an ethically sound way. The real Mickey Haller would have picked up the phone to the Bar's hotline for an ethics opinion. That simple act would have destroyed a helluva tale.
I hope we will see more of Haller. He has his demons but he is not as dark a protagonist as Harry Bosch. The reality is, in his first legal thriller, Connelly has produced a book every bit as good as John Grisham's A Time To Kill. That is saying a lot.
"Insects, weeds and lawyers will inherit the earth." Oliver Webb
Mickey Haller seems to be a good man. Like anyone, he has his flaws and he does what he can to make a living as a defense attorney. He confides that his father, who was also an attorney, had a place in his heart for helping the less fortunate. Many of these clients were women who resorted to prostitution as a desperate choice to survive. Mickey tries to follow his father's example.
Mickey does much of his work from the back seat of his Lincoln. His driver, Earl, is working off his fee for Mickey's successful defense in a case against him.
As the story progresses, Mickey is asked to defend wealthy real estate agent Louis Roulet from the accusation of aggravated assault and attempted rape against Reggie Campo, a woman Roulet met in a bar.
From the start, Mickey is skeptical of Roulet when he catches him in a number of lies about his past. Then, when Mickey sees a photo of Reggie, she bears a close resemblance to a young woman that Mickey's former client Jesus Mendez, was sent to prison for killing.
Mendez maintained his innocence and now Mickey wonders if Mendez could really be innocent. Mickey visits Mendez in jail and brings a number of photos, one of which is Rolet. What Mickey learns is that he's now dealing with a truly evil person.
The novel proceeds as the author, Michael Connelly, sets the parts in motion as if he is directing a play. Roulet is able to create a special reason for Mickey to win the case and set him free but he also admits to things in his past. Since there is an attorney-client privilege, Mickey cannot use this against Roulet.
To say that the award winning novel was well done is an understatement. The reader becomes involved in the story as if the reader was sitting in the front row of the jury box. We observe Mickey and wonder how he will provide justice for Roulet, a man he is defending.
Lincoln, Lincoln, I've Been Thinkin'
Mickey Haller is a dirty-shirt criminal defense lawyer who cleans up well. He has a narrow life that is lived within the parameters of the criminal justice "machine". His friends are investigators, bail bondsmen, and other lawyers. His principal challenge is finding enough clients to enable him to make the mortgage payments and otherwise cope with the high cost of living in LA. That focus predisposes him to cut some ethical corners, ignore some people who should be more central to his life, and put aside questions about purpose and the higher good. It's all about the buck.
The buck is all Mickey sees when he lands a wealthy client accused of assault and attempted rape. He worries that the case will be too easy, and his chance for a big score will evaporate in an early plea or a dismissal. However, that turns out not to be the case as Mickey's "franchise" client leads him through a troubling hall of mirrors that both continually distorts the truth and leaves Mickey staring at reflections of himself that he would rather not acknowledge.
This novel is well written and imaginative, and contains some surprising plot twists. It also has some story elements that just don't hang together. There's no credible explanation for why exactly this case fell into Mickey's lap. The surprise climax left me saying, "aw, c'mon!" In the end, the solution was a lot short of what I stayed up until 3 in the morning hoping to see revealed.
But then again, the story did keep me up reading until 3 in the morning. That doesn't happen often. Despite its flaws, this is a book to recommend.
tag: books blue review
Jumat, 08 April 2011
books blue reviews
Blue
By Lou Aronica
Product Description
Do not begin this novel unless you are prepared to be moved, willing to open your heart, and available to the possibility that life can bring you magic.Chris Astor is a man in his early forties who is going through the toughest stretch of his life. Not long before, Chris’ world sparkled – he was doing significant work, he had a good home, and his young daughter brought him more joy than he ever could have imagined. Now, divorce and estrangement have left him confused and all too often alone. Becky is Chris’ fourteen-year-old daughter, a girl who overcame enormous challenges in her early years to become a vibrant, vital young woman. Her parents’ divorce has left its mark, though, most significantly in her relationship with her father. Once, they told remarkable stories together. Now, they barely speak. Emotional detachment from Chris is not Becky’s biggest concern, though.Miea is the young queen of a fantasy land that Becky and Chris created when Becky was little – a fantasy land that has developed a life of its own. Miea knows nothing of Becky and Chris. She only knows that her beautiful kingdom – a place of remarkably varied flora, dignified and distinctive fauna, and an ecology that works in symphonic majesty – is in terrible, maybe fatal trouble. At the most challenging junctures of their lives, Becky and Miea discover each other and Miea shares this discovery with Chris. For Becky, it is nearly inconceivable that a place she created has come into existence. For Miea, it is nearly inconceivable that a child created her land. For Chris, it is beyond inconceivable that he is again sharing something important in his daughter’s life. For all of them, it as though a world of opportunity has opened up before them. But time is not on their side. In fact, time might be running out. Together, they need to uncover a secret. The secret to why these worlds have joined at this moment. The secret to their purpose. The secret to the future. It is a secret that, when discovered, will redefine imagination for all of them.Blue is a novel of trial and hope, invention and rediscovery. It might very well take you someplace you never knew existed. Do not, however, begin it unless you are prepared to be moved.
Product Details
• Amazon Sales Rank: #20 in eBooks
• Published on: 2010-12-03
• Released on: 2011-01-04
• Format: Kindle eBook
• Number of items: 1
====================================================================================
Editorial Reviews
Review
"This book ranks right up there with my top reads for 2010. I absolutely loved this book and found myself so wrapped up in the story. In fact, I hated to see it end. Even those who don't usually read fantasy will enjoy this tale." --Reading Frenzy, December 4, 2010
"Blue is a compelling fantasy novel that will tug on your heart strings and fill your eyes and heart with wonder. Beautifully written, the worlds just come to life in vivid color in your mind, and the hope and magic will keep you up late into the night turning the pages. Well executed, engaging and with characters you can't help but love, Blue is a must read! I absolutely loved it!" --Minding Spot, December 24, 2010
"So much more than a fantasy story. It's a story of hope and love and sadness all rolled into one. It's a story that made me wish dreams really did come true. The ending brought tears to my eyes and that doesn't happen often. You need to read this." --Confessions of an Overworked Mom, December 5, 2010
"Blue is enriched with great characters, a moving story line, and an author who will have you want to read more of his work. I could feel the anguish Chris felt for his daughter and wanting to spend as much time with her as he possibly could. The world of Tamarisk is full of intriguing people, who are almost as real as Becky. Blue is a five star read in my books!" --Cheryl's Book Nook, January 2, 2011
"Blue is an emotional, thought-provoking story that reaching in and squeezes the heart.... Blue made me cry and laugh. It enlivened my imagination and offered hope. This story is full of subtleties that tease the mind. I'm sure new wonders will come to light each time the story is read--it is a story to be enjoyed more than once. Becky and her Tamarisk Kingdom will be remembered long after the last words of Blue are read." --Long and Short Reviews, January 5, 2011
"Once in a while, a story comes along that completely surprises me because it delivers so much more than I expected; more depth, more feeling, more story-weaving. Blue not only falls into this category, it tops the list.... I humbly give this book FIVE STARS, and wish I had more to offer." --Between the Pages, January 7, 2011
"This book is so imaginative, touching and visual. It is so beautifully written. The characters are easy to bond with and believe in. If your a parent you will start to believe that Becky could be your own child. This book will bring tears to your eyes, and bring you to a wonderful emotional place.... I highly recommend this book. I would have given it more than 5 stars if I could." --Romance Writers Reviews, January 20, 2011
"This was such a well written novel, I couldn't praise Aronica more for the beautiful way he intertwined characters and worlds. Every last detail in the fantasy world was creative and added more to the story. There were some heartbreaking scenes along the way that had me crying, but the love between father and daughter was extremely clear and quite emotional.... A recommendation to all readers." --Chick Lit Plus, January 12, 2011
"Blue is definitely one of those books that everyone should find a moment to read.... If you haven't read Blue, you need to and I promise you won't regret that you did." --Book Noise, January 12, 2011
"Author Lou Aronica creates a world that manages to be both surreal and tangible. Reading this book is like experiencing a lucid dream with depth and detail that play on all five senses." --Blogcritics, January 16, 2011
"Lou Aronica has definitely created an amazing piece of art in writing Blue. The book tugged at my heart, and every emotion expressed was easy to feel and understand. I feel cheated that I've had to go this long without having read something this wonderful. Sometimes there are just certain books that come into your life at the perfect time and touch you in unforeseen ways. Blue was that book for me." --Geek on the Brink, February 4, 2011
"It doesn't happen too often (for me) where I read a book and tell everyone I know about it. And I mean everyone. Blue was such a book. This is a book that will delve into all the emotions you have and leave you wanting more. It is a story about courage, survival, loss, happiness and all the emotions in between....This book is a must read, truly one of the best books I have read in quite some time." --Review from Here
"I read this 400 page book in one night. I just couldn't bring myself to put it down.... There is something to enjoy for every reader in this book. Guaranteed to leave you breathless." --A Fanatic's Book Blog
"Be sure to have a box of tissues beside you when you approach the last quarter of the book, especially if you are a parent. I always say this, and it rings true time and time again, I know a book is good when it makes me cry (even though I HATE being sad). I highly recommend this book." --The True Book Addict
"Although I choked back tears unsuccessfully through the last 15 pages getting the pages all soggy and damp, this sweet novel is also redemptive, which is such a wonderful combination." --Layers of Thought
"This is a big book. Beware. It is a book that will take you from one emotion to the next and leave you wanting more.... If you are looking for one book to read this year that is an unexpected treasure, pick up Blue!" --Life with Five Monkeys
About the Author
Lou Aronica is the author of several novels and works of nonfiction, including the New York Times bestseller, The Element (written with Ken Robinson) and the national bestseller, The Culture Code (written with Clotaire Rapaille). He lives in Southern Connecticut with his wife and four children.
Customer Reviews
A Review Of Blue...
My thoughts...
I just finished reading this most beautiful and unusual novel. It sort of reminds me of the movie Avatar. Nothing specifically, just sort of the aura of it. When I was first reading it I thought that it was a father's story. Then a few chapters later I thought it was a daughter's story. A few chapters after that it became an amazing fantasy. And then three quarters of the way through I realized it was all of the above. Chris, the father, was mourning the loss of being with his daughter Becky due to the break up of his marriage. Becky was confused about the situation and was fourteen and was spending her allotted time with her father but separating from him, too. They had been very close and Chris was at a loss as to how to get this closeness back. When Becky and Chris made up the world of Tamarisk it was to help Becky get through a difficult time. Becky needs Tamarisk back again and Chris helps her to achieve that goal. Becky begins to go to Tamarisk and interact with the people there. She especially loves being with Miea who was the Princess when Becky was little but now Miea is the Queen. On one of her trips to Tamarisk Becky learns that there is trouble in Tamarisk. Plants are dying and no one knows why. Becky enlists her father...who is a botanist...to help her.
I cannot even begin to describe what Tamarisk looks like. The descriptions in the book make Tamarisk come alive. I wanted to taste fenigers and drink barritts and ride a waccasassa over the bloat marshes. I want to listen to the music of all the amazing birdlike creatures that Becky and Chris had made up in their stories years and years ago. I loved being able to see Tamarisk. It was magical and lovely and it felt real. I wanted Becky to help Miea and I wanted everyone to live happily ever after.
I won't tell you if they did or not but I will say that we all have a different idea of happy. I ultimately think that Becky and Chris and Miea are each happy in their own way.
I loved how the author dealt with reality and fantasy in Blue. It is a lovely story and it has stayed with me. The ending was deliciously sweet and I cried...not so much for the sadness but for its purity and beauty.
I truly loved reading this magical novel.
A good read!
At first, this story was a little confusing as it went back and forth between our world and Tamarisk, the fantasy world Becky and Chris created long ago. But once I got the hang of all of the multiple narrators and figured out who was who, the story flowed much smoother. Still not 100% sure who Gage is, but I have a rough idea.
Becky isn't your typical teenager, as she's a survivor of both childhood cancer and her parent's divorce. She has a best friend, Lonnie, who isn't the typical sidekick and made a refreshing change. I actually liked both of these girls, probably because they weren't stereotypes. Becky just wants to fit in, and is in denial that life might not be as okay as she'd like.
Between the two, I think I preferred Becky's story to Miea's. Not that Tamarisk wasn't interesting, but it was Becky's creation and I enjoyed watching her discover it during her visits. Of all of the characters, in both of the worlds, I liked Becky the most. Her father Chris did not make a good first impression, and her mother Polly was a weird combination of good mom/angry ex-wife. It was almost like she had a split personality!
This story kept me up much too late as I couldn't put it down, and I had a tough time finishing the book because it's a little hard to read with tears in your eyes. Tends to make the words go all blurry. I love a story that brings tears to my eye! The book had a strong main character, okay secondary characters, good plot, and an all over decent storyline. Definitely a good read!
Blue
Much is involved in this book but.... Blue is a story of about Chris & his daughter Becky and what happens when their reality meets the fantasy world they created. Blue was an enthralling tale, sweet and touching. A unique story. The story explores life's challenges, magic, adventure, hope & possibility. I'm quite picky when it comes to fantasy, and this book is not something I wouldn't have picked up on my own, but I'm glad I got the chance to read about Chris and Becky's journey. If you love when fantasy and reality collide, this book is for you.
3 Stars = Good Read
By Lou Aronica
Product Description
Do not begin this novel unless you are prepared to be moved, willing to open your heart, and available to the possibility that life can bring you magic.Chris Astor is a man in his early forties who is going through the toughest stretch of his life. Not long before, Chris’ world sparkled – he was doing significant work, he had a good home, and his young daughter brought him more joy than he ever could have imagined. Now, divorce and estrangement have left him confused and all too often alone. Becky is Chris’ fourteen-year-old daughter, a girl who overcame enormous challenges in her early years to become a vibrant, vital young woman. Her parents’ divorce has left its mark, though, most significantly in her relationship with her father. Once, they told remarkable stories together. Now, they barely speak. Emotional detachment from Chris is not Becky’s biggest concern, though.Miea is the young queen of a fantasy land that Becky and Chris created when Becky was little – a fantasy land that has developed a life of its own. Miea knows nothing of Becky and Chris. She only knows that her beautiful kingdom – a place of remarkably varied flora, dignified and distinctive fauna, and an ecology that works in symphonic majesty – is in terrible, maybe fatal trouble. At the most challenging junctures of their lives, Becky and Miea discover each other and Miea shares this discovery with Chris. For Becky, it is nearly inconceivable that a place she created has come into existence. For Miea, it is nearly inconceivable that a child created her land. For Chris, it is beyond inconceivable that he is again sharing something important in his daughter’s life. For all of them, it as though a world of opportunity has opened up before them. But time is not on their side. In fact, time might be running out. Together, they need to uncover a secret. The secret to why these worlds have joined at this moment. The secret to their purpose. The secret to the future. It is a secret that, when discovered, will redefine imagination for all of them.Blue is a novel of trial and hope, invention and rediscovery. It might very well take you someplace you never knew existed. Do not, however, begin it unless you are prepared to be moved.
Product Details
• Amazon Sales Rank: #20 in eBooks
• Published on: 2010-12-03
• Released on: 2011-01-04
• Format: Kindle eBook
• Number of items: 1
====================================================================================
Editorial Reviews
Review
"This book ranks right up there with my top reads for 2010. I absolutely loved this book and found myself so wrapped up in the story. In fact, I hated to see it end. Even those who don't usually read fantasy will enjoy this tale." --Reading Frenzy, December 4, 2010
"Blue is a compelling fantasy novel that will tug on your heart strings and fill your eyes and heart with wonder. Beautifully written, the worlds just come to life in vivid color in your mind, and the hope and magic will keep you up late into the night turning the pages. Well executed, engaging and with characters you can't help but love, Blue is a must read! I absolutely loved it!" --Minding Spot, December 24, 2010
"So much more than a fantasy story. It's a story of hope and love and sadness all rolled into one. It's a story that made me wish dreams really did come true. The ending brought tears to my eyes and that doesn't happen often. You need to read this." --Confessions of an Overworked Mom, December 5, 2010
"Blue is enriched with great characters, a moving story line, and an author who will have you want to read more of his work. I could feel the anguish Chris felt for his daughter and wanting to spend as much time with her as he possibly could. The world of Tamarisk is full of intriguing people, who are almost as real as Becky. Blue is a five star read in my books!" --Cheryl's Book Nook, January 2, 2011
"Blue is an emotional, thought-provoking story that reaching in and squeezes the heart.... Blue made me cry and laugh. It enlivened my imagination and offered hope. This story is full of subtleties that tease the mind. I'm sure new wonders will come to light each time the story is read--it is a story to be enjoyed more than once. Becky and her Tamarisk Kingdom will be remembered long after the last words of Blue are read." --Long and Short Reviews, January 5, 2011
"Once in a while, a story comes along that completely surprises me because it delivers so much more than I expected; more depth, more feeling, more story-weaving. Blue not only falls into this category, it tops the list.... I humbly give this book FIVE STARS, and wish I had more to offer." --Between the Pages, January 7, 2011
"This book is so imaginative, touching and visual. It is so beautifully written. The characters are easy to bond with and believe in. If your a parent you will start to believe that Becky could be your own child. This book will bring tears to your eyes, and bring you to a wonderful emotional place.... I highly recommend this book. I would have given it more than 5 stars if I could." --Romance Writers Reviews, January 20, 2011
"This was such a well written novel, I couldn't praise Aronica more for the beautiful way he intertwined characters and worlds. Every last detail in the fantasy world was creative and added more to the story. There were some heartbreaking scenes along the way that had me crying, but the love between father and daughter was extremely clear and quite emotional.... A recommendation to all readers." --Chick Lit Plus, January 12, 2011
"Blue is definitely one of those books that everyone should find a moment to read.... If you haven't read Blue, you need to and I promise you won't regret that you did." --Book Noise, January 12, 2011
"Author Lou Aronica creates a world that manages to be both surreal and tangible. Reading this book is like experiencing a lucid dream with depth and detail that play on all five senses." --Blogcritics, January 16, 2011
"Lou Aronica has definitely created an amazing piece of art in writing Blue. The book tugged at my heart, and every emotion expressed was easy to feel and understand. I feel cheated that I've had to go this long without having read something this wonderful. Sometimes there are just certain books that come into your life at the perfect time and touch you in unforeseen ways. Blue was that book for me." --Geek on the Brink, February 4, 2011
"It doesn't happen too often (for me) where I read a book and tell everyone I know about it. And I mean everyone. Blue was such a book. This is a book that will delve into all the emotions you have and leave you wanting more. It is a story about courage, survival, loss, happiness and all the emotions in between....This book is a must read, truly one of the best books I have read in quite some time." --Review from Here
"I read this 400 page book in one night. I just couldn't bring myself to put it down.... There is something to enjoy for every reader in this book. Guaranteed to leave you breathless." --A Fanatic's Book Blog
"Be sure to have a box of tissues beside you when you approach the last quarter of the book, especially if you are a parent. I always say this, and it rings true time and time again, I know a book is good when it makes me cry (even though I HATE being sad). I highly recommend this book." --The True Book Addict
"Although I choked back tears unsuccessfully through the last 15 pages getting the pages all soggy and damp, this sweet novel is also redemptive, which is such a wonderful combination." --Layers of Thought
"This is a big book. Beware. It is a book that will take you from one emotion to the next and leave you wanting more.... If you are looking for one book to read this year that is an unexpected treasure, pick up Blue!" --Life with Five Monkeys
About the Author
Lou Aronica is the author of several novels and works of nonfiction, including the New York Times bestseller, The Element (written with Ken Robinson) and the national bestseller, The Culture Code (written with Clotaire Rapaille). He lives in Southern Connecticut with his wife and four children.
Customer Reviews
A Review Of Blue...
My thoughts...
I just finished reading this most beautiful and unusual novel. It sort of reminds me of the movie Avatar. Nothing specifically, just sort of the aura of it. When I was first reading it I thought that it was a father's story. Then a few chapters later I thought it was a daughter's story. A few chapters after that it became an amazing fantasy. And then three quarters of the way through I realized it was all of the above. Chris, the father, was mourning the loss of being with his daughter Becky due to the break up of his marriage. Becky was confused about the situation and was fourteen and was spending her allotted time with her father but separating from him, too. They had been very close and Chris was at a loss as to how to get this closeness back. When Becky and Chris made up the world of Tamarisk it was to help Becky get through a difficult time. Becky needs Tamarisk back again and Chris helps her to achieve that goal. Becky begins to go to Tamarisk and interact with the people there. She especially loves being with Miea who was the Princess when Becky was little but now Miea is the Queen. On one of her trips to Tamarisk Becky learns that there is trouble in Tamarisk. Plants are dying and no one knows why. Becky enlists her father...who is a botanist...to help her.
I cannot even begin to describe what Tamarisk looks like. The descriptions in the book make Tamarisk come alive. I wanted to taste fenigers and drink barritts and ride a waccasassa over the bloat marshes. I want to listen to the music of all the amazing birdlike creatures that Becky and Chris had made up in their stories years and years ago. I loved being able to see Tamarisk. It was magical and lovely and it felt real. I wanted Becky to help Miea and I wanted everyone to live happily ever after.
I won't tell you if they did or not but I will say that we all have a different idea of happy. I ultimately think that Becky and Chris and Miea are each happy in their own way.
I loved how the author dealt with reality and fantasy in Blue. It is a lovely story and it has stayed with me. The ending was deliciously sweet and I cried...not so much for the sadness but for its purity and beauty.
I truly loved reading this magical novel.
A good read!
At first, this story was a little confusing as it went back and forth between our world and Tamarisk, the fantasy world Becky and Chris created long ago. But once I got the hang of all of the multiple narrators and figured out who was who, the story flowed much smoother. Still not 100% sure who Gage is, but I have a rough idea.
Becky isn't your typical teenager, as she's a survivor of both childhood cancer and her parent's divorce. She has a best friend, Lonnie, who isn't the typical sidekick and made a refreshing change. I actually liked both of these girls, probably because they weren't stereotypes. Becky just wants to fit in, and is in denial that life might not be as okay as she'd like.
Between the two, I think I preferred Becky's story to Miea's. Not that Tamarisk wasn't interesting, but it was Becky's creation and I enjoyed watching her discover it during her visits. Of all of the characters, in both of the worlds, I liked Becky the most. Her father Chris did not make a good first impression, and her mother Polly was a weird combination of good mom/angry ex-wife. It was almost like she had a split personality!
This story kept me up much too late as I couldn't put it down, and I had a tough time finishing the book because it's a little hard to read with tears in your eyes. Tends to make the words go all blurry. I love a story that brings tears to my eye! The book had a strong main character, okay secondary characters, good plot, and an all over decent storyline. Definitely a good read!
Blue
Much is involved in this book but.... Blue is a story of about Chris & his daughter Becky and what happens when their reality meets the fantasy world they created. Blue was an enthralling tale, sweet and touching. A unique story. The story explores life's challenges, magic, adventure, hope & possibility. I'm quite picky when it comes to fantasy, and this book is not something I wouldn't have picked up on my own, but I'm glad I got the chance to read about Chris and Becky's journey. If you love when fantasy and reality collide, this book is for you.
3 Stars = Good Read
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