Stash

This book was quick to hook me. Klein’s writing style is very to the point and well edited. He removed anything that was meaningless and left you with everything you needed to be fully immersed in the character’s lives. The story centers around the choices that we make in our daily lives and shows us just how many different choices there are. Some characters choose wisely, while others do foolish things, some learn from their mistakes and others do not.

The story causes you to remember to never assume that you are the only one out there with options to go one way or the other, life is not all about you but those that you care about as well. The life we choose effects those around us and it is shown clearly in this book time and time show more again. Each character that is focused on is so realistic that they could be a neighbor, your friend, your co-worker. Each situation is different, yet they are all pulled together by common threads. Often I find books that follow multiple characters a bit tedious or confusing, but I didn’t once feel that when reading this book. Everyone was clearly defined as their own individual with their own story to weave into the plot. show less

Gwen was the epitome of spoiled, well-to-do, wonderful home, children and husband. One small little habit - she and a few friends smoked pot. Oh, they weren't potheads, not even weekly use; but it was nice to have on a vacation. Gwen knew someone who "knew someone who...." you get the idea. All no hassle, no stress, just pick it up and have a lovely vacatin with your hard-working husband and family.

Except when the little old, dementia-fuddled man crossed the line and hit Gwen dead-on. His fault? No doubt there but, again, the small issue of a bag of pot beside her on the front seat. Where did she buy it? Give up the name and maybe she won't have charges pressed. Will she cave in?

Stash is a story of the past, the present with a hint of show more the future. When Gwen goes to buy marijuana from her ex-lover, ex-boss and much-farther-up-the dope-chain-than-she could-ever-imagine, Jude; she starts into motion a series of events that will not only rock her world, but her entire universe. The players are many, the ending not totally expected and the wake of disaster left is one that no one will survive unscathed.

A fantastic first novel by David Klein. A tale that could happen to many and some of them may read this and learn. Most of them, unfortunately, won't. show less

This is one of those novels that, when I turned the last page, I thought: "What was the point of all that?" Yes, there will be ***SPOILERS AHEAD***, but ultimately I'm not going to recommend the book to anyone... so if you don't plan to read it, you can keep reading this review.

If you want the long synopsis, go over to the Amazon page and read it there, but otherwise, here's my quick overview:

Suburban wife is bored with her life -- her husband works ridiculously long hours, she has 3 kids who demand all her time -- so she buys a bag of marijuana from an old flame to help her "relax" with her hubby on their planned upcoming vacation. On her way to pick up one of the kids, someone swerves into her lane and there's a terrible accident. show more She's not the one at fault, but the cops find the little bag of pot in her car, and -- since there's been trouble with drugs at the local high school -- they throw the book her her.

Precedent for the case should be that she gets off with a slap on the wrist, but the pressure mounts and she may be looking at jail time. Her husband's career is in danger. Her children are having trouble at school. Her friends start to abandon her, one by one. She's a pariah in the community... and when she reveals her source's name, everything goes crazy.

Of course, in time, the police catch their guy, the issues with her husband's job are solved, she's off the hook, and the vacation is rescheduled.

Cut to a scene of the family on a friend's farm, the kids around a bonfire and our main character and her only remaining female friend taking a walk to chat. Next thing we know, the main character -- our calm, suburban housewife who has just narrowly escaped having her entire life destroyed -- has pulled out a joint and is sharing is with her friend.

This is where I thought: "WHAT?!?!?!"

Maybe it's supposed to be ironic. Maybe the message of the book is that people can't change? Or won't change? Or that drugs aren't as bad as they were made out to be? Or...?!?! I have no idea.

What I *do* know is that I wasted an entire book feeling sorry for this woman who just wanted a little release from her monotonous existence, eventually cheering her on and hoping she'd get her life straightened out again, only to realize by the end of the book that she hasn't learned anything.

Aren't characters supposed to learn and grow from the beginning of a book to the end of it?

All I can say is... this book is waste of time. Don't bother. show less

When I heard about this book, I knew I wanted to read it because it sounds a lot like something Tom Perrotta would write. But after reading it, it reminds me more of American Beauty--the idea that there's this perfect life but when you look closer--or really, when you look at all, you see that it isn't anything even resembling perfect.

Gwen would probably remind you of any stay-at-home mom. She has a husband with a successful job and two adorable, smart children. And then it all gets threatened.

Gwen buys some pot from a friend of hers but then gets in a car accident and the drugs are found by the police. It probably wouldn't be a huge deal--she didn't have very much--except that there have been some incidents lately involving drugs and show more schools, and she might be the perfect cautionary tale.

Meanwhile, Gwen's husband, Brian, is having problems with his job. He works for a big pharmaceutical company and their big drug may or may not be causing some women to develop eating disorders.

Very interesting read. And it's definitely fun to try and picture what I'd do in any of the situations presented in this novel. show less

I kept turning the pages of Stash because I wanted to know what would happen. The plot is definitely gripping, and the multiple viewpoints are especially effective in building suspense. I did have a few issues: First, the characters, to me, were completely flat, like they’d been modeled after stereotypes. Second, I must say, I didn’t love the ending; everything was too wrapped up and pretty. Overall, my two beefs with Stash weren’t enough to turn my opinion of it, and I did enjoy the book. A quick, complicated plot, lots of viewpoints, and interesting moral questions kept me reading, even if my love for the characters did not.

My full thoughts are posted on Erin Reads.

It’s an interesting premise, certainly would make for some good discussions at key points in the novel. It reads well – not lyrical, but not clunky either.
I did have a problem with some of the things the police do in this novel; it just seems like they went over a line in trying to get Gwen to tell them where she bought the pot.
I also had a problem with the ending.
This is a first novel by this author; this was interesting enough that I’d buy other books to see where he goes next

Stash
This novel is about a stay at home mom in her 30's who occasionally still uses pot for recreation. Her family is planning a weekend away to their recently purchased 2nd home on the lake when she gets into a car accident. The accident wasn't her fault, however the police discover pot in her car and come down really hard on her. The main character tries to do the right thing but I find her frustrating because she doesn't think through her decisions to well and more often than not makes things even more complicated then they need to be. The famous quote that kept running through my mind while reading this story is "oh what a tangled web we weave...." I think that this would be a very interesting choice for a book club read. There is a show more lot of discussion possibilities. Discussing this story with friends may lead you to learn more about each other. This was an enjoyable, thought provoking read. It reminded me of those "choose your own adventrues" I kept thinking what would I do next while reading. My first thought is I wouldn't get in this situation to begin with :) show less