*This was a recent book club selection for my BBC (Boy's Book Club). This is a group of male teachers I work with and we have been reading together since the year 2000. I read this during my spring break vacation in Mexico.
What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*The story centers around Lucas Goodgame who is seen as a local hero.
*Lucas doesn't see himself in this way, but he was able to take down an active shooter in the town's movie theater.
*Lucas loses his wife during the shooting, but he takes comfort in the fact she "visits" him nightly in the form of an angel.
*He is trying to move on with life as best as he can, but can't stop writing letters to his former therapist.
*His therapy changes when a high-school boy begins to camp out in his backyard. The two of them begin a unique and special type of "recovery" together.
What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*When I realized the novel was told in letter form, I was a bit worried because I wasn't sure I would enjoy the story as much. This was not the case and I found the novel to be a page-turner.
*There was a lot of mystery leading up to the reveal of the events in the movie theater and what followed the mass shooting.
*Lucas was a thoughtful, sympathetic character and I found myself caring for more and more as I got further into the story.
*The format of the novel was different, but I think the "letters" drew the reader into Lucas' mind and heart.
*As heavy and serious as the story was, I was still left with a sense of hope and promise for this sometimes very difficult and ugly world.
Who Should Read It:
*I would be confident recommending this novel to any of my adult reader friends. The story is well written, the characters are engaging, and there is a lot of tugging at the heart strings. Happy Reading!
Rating: 4 STARS out of 5 Stars
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