6 Dec 2011

BEFORE THE STORM.

BEFORE THE STORM by DIANE CHAMBERLAIN.

What if your child was accused of mass murder?

When the local church is razed to the ground, dozens of trapped children manage to escape - many helped by fifteen-year-old Andy Lockwood. Born with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; Andy is more like a little boy than a teenager, but in the eyes of the people he saved, he's a hero.

Laurel lost her son once through neglect and has spent the rest of her life determined to make up for her mistakes. Yet when suspicion of arson is cast upon Andy, Laurel must ask herself how well she really knows her son - and how far she'll go to protect him.
...... Outer back cover.

FIRST SENTENCE (Laurel): They took my baby from me when he was only ten hours old.

MEMORABLE MOMENT (Page 467): Sometimes relief feels like a trickle from a faucet. Other times, its a tidal wave.

KEEP IT OR NOT?: A definite keep, I'm adding the sequel, Secrets She Left Behind, to my wish list.

Said by many to be 'the new Jodi Picoult', 'the southern Jodi Picoult', to be honest, I found this book  more enjoyable. Now I like Picoult's books (at least I found the two I've read, My Sister's Keeper and Sing You Home, click HERE for my reviews, enjoyable) but it has to be said I found this book much more readable, less emotive, I was able to concentrate more on the novel itself as opposed to sobbing into a tissue or ranting at some character or other to the point I swear I could feel my blood pressure rising.

Like an onion, this book was multi-layered in that just as you peeled away one layer you found another (not all of them expected either).  Told by both Andy, his mother (Laurel), his elder sister (Maggie) and his Uncle (Marcus), Before The Storm, as well as dealing with the fire and Andy's possible involvement, also takes a look at several other issues including alcoholism, postnatal/postpartum depression, Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) , as well as what it is to be disabled, to be seen as being different.

Wonderfully well written, despite having some issues with the behaviour of some of the characters, unlike in Picoult's books (grief, did I dislike Sara in My Sister's Keeper), I found myself unable to really dislike any of the characters in this novel, to see any of them as 'the baddy' as it were, instead seeing them as individuals with flaws, as people who, yes, had made mistakes.

Not one of the best stories I have read this year BUT certainly one of the best books I've read this year, I think it was interesting (not too mention brave) that the author chose FASD, a less well known condition, as Andy's disability. Fascinating that she looked at some of the issues of what it is to be a disabled child, of what it is to be seen as being 'normal', of being desperate to fit in a world that is not always accepting.

Yeah!!!!! The 100th book read for my 100+ Reading Challenge, Before The Storm was a a Book Club magazine freebie, I paid only packaging and postage.

16 comments:

serendipity_viv said...

I haven't ever read a Jodi Picoult book. I find the stories just too real, but I like the sound of Diane Chamberlain. I like the idea of a more Southern feel.

Joan said...

yeah
your 100th review, well done and yet another title to add to my wish list
thankyou

Gina said...

Great to see more by/about this author. I've only read one of her works thus far, but thoroughly enjoyed it (The MidWife's Confession....if you haven't read it, I'd recommend it - sneak peek at the review on my site once upon a time). Anywho, looks like another potential addition to the old wish list. Thanks! ^_^ (oh and congrats on meeting the 100th books read for the challenge! )

Melissa (My World...in words and pages) said...

Sounds like a great read. Glad to hear it wasn't one that you needed tons of tissues for. ;) Thank you!

Patti said...

Another great review. Sounds like an interesting concept. Congrats on getting to 100 books.

Sandra Wilkes said...

Thanks for the Challenge links. I have to decide which one(s) to go for! I have book club tonight....thought of you. Reading The Mammy...think I already mentioned that previously. Sandra

Sandra Wilkes said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kelly said...

Congratulations on reaching your 100th book!! I'm quite impressed. :)

Full-On-Forward said...

WTG and great review! Have a n AWESOME week!

J

Suko said...

Congrats on 100 books!

As soon as I started to read your review, Jodi Picoult came to mind. And then I read on. This does sound like an excellent book.

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

Oh def a emotional read! This one sounds pretty good and I'm curious as to the child's disability. Oh and congraties on the 100+ reading challenge!! Woo!

KIKA said...

Awesome! 100th book? so cool! love the review :D

Monalisa said...

Definitely liked it. Would like a read!!

And hey, 100th book!! Thats great!

Arti said...

Thats an amazing review. Looking forward to laying my hands on this book. Sounds fascinating. And Congrats on completing the 100 books, well done.

Betty Manousos said...

first of all, a heartfelt congratulations on 100 books!
that's great!

as for the book it surely sounds like a great read.
thanks for another brilliant review, Tracy!

big hugs
xx

The Bookworm said...

Congrats on reaching 100 books read!
This book does sound really good.