This book was fairly interesting in the beginning, then got so boring to me near the middle that I almost stopped listening to it. I was cleaning house and it was the only recorded book that I had at the time, so I kept listening long enough to get interested in the story again. After the main character started finding out about his family's history in the second half of the book, it became much more interesting to me. I like that the characters interacted with real people and events from history. The author compares the problems that victims of tragedies such as 911, school shootings, etc. and the problems that they have as a result of these tragedies. Overall, I enjoyed the story, but a lot of the little stories within the story could have been left out and it would have been much better. ( )

I’m reviewing: The Hour I First Believed
Written by: Wally Lamb

I gave this book 3 out of 5 star rating within moments of finishing it. I have to say that I will not be increasing that score due to many issues I felt the narration had. I feel that the information given in this story started out clear and easy to understand and soon became muddled as sub plots began to fill the story. The catalyst that begins the major conflict was well done, clear and to the point. However, the author muddled it by attempting to add more “story” and therefore more conflicts that tried, but failed, to take over. The climax came at the wrong time, was not well done and did not lead to the characters resolution due to all of the extra sub plots that filled the space. The events that brought the story to a close were far from clear and were a bit too far fetched. They also seemed to not add anything to the story, causing it to drag along.

I did however feel that the Point Of View (POV) did fit the start of this story and allowed me to connect to the main characters quickly. I was left in suspense due to the POV which helped moved the story along. The author did a wonderful job with connecting me to the main characters by introducing physical traits, their actions, opinions and through the point of view and especially through dialogue. Of course this all began to fall apart during the middle of the story though it did attempt to bring itself full circle at the end.

The setting was well done, at the start, with sights, sounds, colors and such which brought the whole start of the book vividly to life through words and details. The locations and actions, along with the time in which they occur, was well shown and the whole setting added meaning, reflected the characters and embodied the theme. Once again, by mid story this all fell apart and seemed to never return for me.

The theme was clear at the beginning and easy to follow without being preachy. I was able to connect to it at the start but the middle of the book seemed preachy and the repeating patterns and symbols became unrealistic and over bearing. It was not until the end did the theme, plot, and structure help to inform and reflect back on each other.

The style and tone of this piece felt right at the beginning. The use of actions and speech told the story. It was easy to understand and read and felt right. Once again though, by mid story things began to change. The story seemed to have drifted away from the original topic and the style and tone drifted with it causing what seemed to be two books in one tied together by a thin string that was unable to keep it all together till the end.

In the end, The Hour I First Believed becomes just another book that leaves its readers with mixed emotions. The start of the story connects you and pulls you in and from there on you are dragged around, introduced to sub plots and characters that keep you from the true heart of the story. The end tries to wrap it up but it becomes hard to reconnect to that long lost friend and their story and it just feels like a friendship that drifted way to far apart. You care but you were gone to long to really understand. ( )

read in 2009 ( )

I'd heard lots of good things about Wally Lamb before getting hold of this book (my bookshop didn't have I Know This Much Is True which was the one recommended to me). I began reading on a long flight and couldn't put it down.

The book is about a married couple - Caelum and Maureen Quirk - who are working at Columbine High School on 20th April 1999. They've moved to Colorado from Connecticut, where Caelum had assaulted his wife's lover and disgraced himself at the high school where he worked. Colorado is supposed to be a fresh start for their marriage, but the events of 20th April 1999 have a devastating effect on their lives.

Maureen is unable to cope after her experience that day, and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Caelum struggles to be strong for her, and the rest of the book details the aftermath of Columbine, and its effect on their relationship with each other, their families, and the people they meet.

Lamb is a very good writer, and I found myself sniffling back tears on quite a few occasions while reading this. The Quirks really suffer, and while Lamb doesn't paint Caelum as a particularly sympathetic character at first, you can't help but feel so sorry for him as his life takes one turn for the worse after another. He has no option but to take a good look at himself and his family history on his quest to find peace in his life.

There's a lot going on in the plot, which makes it all the more compelling and emotionally affecting. Very good. ( )

Above all, this is a story of loyalty.

Caelum Quirk and his wife, Maureen, work at Columbine high school; he as a teacher and she as a part-time nurse. She is in the school while the shootings take place; he is out of town at the funeral of the aunt who raised him.

As I read the story of Maureen's PTSD, her subsequent addiction to medication and her arrest for manslaughter, I was continually moved by Caelum's unwavering love and support for her. Even though she had had an affair that nearly ended their marriage. Even as he learns that his family has lied to him about his birth. Caelum isn't perfect, but he is loyal to his wife.

Wally Lamb is an excellent writer who plumbs the depths of his characters and of their histories. Like some other reviewers, I got a bit tired of the story of Caelum's great-great-great Grandmother, and even had to draw myself a quick family tree to keep track of who was who. But it was interesting to contrast that portrayal with that of Maureen's, who severed all ties with her family and whose story is almost exclusively in the present.

I could hardly put the book down. ( )