Steven Parlato’s The Namesake totally knocked me off my feet. I can't honestly say that it was an easy read. It is emotionally draining and as gritty as they come. Parlato delves into the topic of abuse in a way that is original and thought provoking.

At first glance this book seems like any other coming-of-age book. Evan is a protagonist who has recently lost his father to suicide. He is still trying to deal with everything that comes after, especially with the emotional basket case his mother has become. Evan is smart, witty and sarcastic. It was easy to fall into the quirky writing style and into his life.

Then, things get dark. Evan discovers his father's journal, and enters the world of a man who he only thought he actually knew. The writing style turns from quirky to mysterious and sad, and it's hard not to follow him into the darkness. Religion plays a huge part in this novel as Evan searches for the meaning behind everything that has happened. In fact, the character growth in The Namesake is really what drew me in. Instead of falling into depression, Evan fights backs and looks for answers.

I realize that this review is probably fairly close to rambling, but that is how conflicted my feelings were after finishing. The Namesake is full of heartbreaking and real life issues. It reminds the reader that no matter how pristine people are on the surface, the darkness can always lie within. This is the type of book that keeps you reading, especially if you enjoy dark humor. It's jarring to be sure, but well worth your time.
( )

Wow! I love this book! It’s so intense and soul touching. It’s a page turner full of secrets to discover.

My attention was kept from beginning till the last page. I found myself crying, laughing, praying, thinking & wanting to read more.

This story is about suicide, molestation, sins, forgiveness, discovering hurting ugly secrets, everything through the vision of a fifteen year boy whose father killed himself apparently without a reason.

For Evan it’s not easy to face his father’s past, nor to read his old journal. He is searching for answers and discovers old family secrets.

I like the way the sensitive secrets are revealed and I appreciate the author’s work. Thank you! ( )

I don't think this was a bad book, just not the book for me. It does deal with some timely issues. ( )

the main character of this book seems to have it all, a talented artist and an academically geed student. He is haunted by his father's suicide and he tries to find out why his father would do such a thing. He finds a diary that his father had kept and he begins to find out why along with some other secrets his family had kept from him. ( )

The Namesake
by
Steven Parlato and Jaquelyn Mitchard

My summary...short and sweet...

Evan deals with the aftermath of his father's suicide.

My thoughts after reading this book...

Evan is 15 and Catholic school educated. He has a best friend...Alexis...a sort of distant mother and the heavy duty mystery of why his father committed suicide in the attic of his childhood home. Evan is bright, talented and perhaps a bit of a loner. He is given a box that contains his father things...posters, music, and a journal. Evan begins to read the journal and when he does enters his father's nightmare of sexual abuse by a beloved priest.

Sounds simple but it is a long a winding road that Evan follows to uncover this truth. He attends the same school that his father attended. Some of Evan's teachers went to school with his father but as I read this book I didn't think that everyone was keeping a secret from Evan. Oh...there were secrets but rather these secrets were the things that people didn't really discuss in those days. Charlie's Angels ruled, Farrah Fawcett posters were in every boy's room and the Carpenters sang their sweet love songs all over the place. And no one wanted to face the fact that some priests took advantage of young innocent boys.

What I loved most about this book...

The direction this book took literally "took me by surprise". Evan is kind of quirky, kind of snarky, kind of interesting...his best friend is a girl...he is really smart and loves hanging out in the library. His father and mother are separated...his mom kind of withdrawn. I loved the way Evan tackled his dad's journal and pressed on...questioning his grandparents...and at some point even questioning his own existence. He uncovers lots of secrets but ultimately finds what he needs to know.

What I did not love...

This book...again...surprised me when I found out what led to the suicide of Evan's father. I had no clue that it was going to be about a priest who molested young boys. I wasn't sure that I could finish the book...not because it was awful but because it made me sad and uncomfortable. The trust placed in this priest by everyone and this priest was so unworthy. I finished it, however, and I am extremely glad that I did.

Final thoughts...

I loved the authors writing style and I was caught up in the story. I found it to be both enlightening and hopeful. It was sad but not cry out loud sad...it was more a son's story and perhaps even Evan's final gift to his father. ( )