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Loading... The Book of Laney (edition 2015)by Myfanwy Collins
Work InformationThe Book of Laney by Myfanwy Collins
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. Blurbs are rarely what make me pick up a book but when both Roxane Gay and Matthew Quick blurb a book, it goes onto my TBR pile immediately. It's hard to say that I liked or didn't like this book because, similarly to An Untamed State, you can't just put this book in someone's hands and say, "Yes, you'll love it." It's a harrowing ride. Laney is sent to live with her off-the-grid grandmother after Laney's brother kills several students, then most of his family. To come to terms with this, along with the survivor syndrome that accompanies it is truly a journey. A powerfully moving YA novel. Laney comes to grips with the awful actions of her brother, West, and his friend, Mark, and a school bus full of students. Through her visions, she's able to better understand why her life has been so hard and how to move on to a happier existence. This story is full of graphic, heart wrenching scenes. Faint of heart....beware. no reviews | add a review
"After her brother is involved in a grisly murder-suicide, fifteen-year-old Laney is sent to live with her grandmother in the Adirondack Mountains. Laney gradually warms to her new home--especially her relationship with a mysterious neighbor--but before she can appreciate her new life, she must uncover the secrets that have haunted her family for decades"--Front cover flap. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813.6Literature English (North America) American fiction 21st CenturyLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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With West and her mother now dead, joining the father she’d never known, fifteen-year-old Laney is sent to live with her grandmother, Meme, in the woods of upstate New York in a place upon which civilization has not dared to encroach. Meme is not an exceptionally friendly woman, but she and Laney soon come to an understanding. It is with her help that Laney learns to put herself in the shoes of those who have gone before her and to rely on nature for her needs. She also learns to quiet her own mind and regain the glimmer of a path for her life, which West had taken in his quest for revenge.
“The book of Laney” gave great insight into the minds of terrorists like West and Mark, as the author used real diary entries from homegrown terrorists to help readers understand why they behaved in such a way. The real life horror into which Laney found herself, and how she saw herself after the murders, were all realistic topics.
However, I felt the book lost its attempt at being believable when Laney’s paranormal visions become its highlight. It would have been better if the author had found a realistic way to help Laney find a way to cope with her issues without having to resort to make believe. Struggling teens who may have looked to this book for insight into their own situations will not find solace through paranormal visions.
I would have given the book a higher rating if the author had stayed true to the book’s premise of a young girl learning to cope with life after facing death one too many times, instead of letting it deteriorate into her having multiple visions which enabled her to gain strength and knowledge. In addition the cover is very “blah,” and would have been lovely if it had looked like the beautiful Adirondack woods into which Laney poured so much of her heart and soul.
Because of having a major issue with this hugely unrealistic topic in the midst of realistic ones I can’t recommend this book, but will leave it up to you to decide if you want to read it or not.
Blog link to review: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2015/11/24/the-book-of-laney-myfanwy-co... ( )