Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Tuesday Intro: Did You Ever Have a Family

Silas
He wakes to the sound of sirens. Many, loud, and very near. Then horns: short, angry grunts like the buzzers signaling time-out in the basketball games he watches but does not play in at school. His cell phone says 6:11 a.m., but the house downstairs is awake and loud and from the particular pitch of his mother's rough morning voice, scratching above his father's and sister's, he knows something is wrong.
Did You Ever Have a Family
by Bill Clegg

This book seems to be a favorite among book bloggers at the moment, and for that reason I was a little hesitant to pick it up. But I needn't have worried. Clegg had me hooked by the end of the first page and now, around the halfway mark, I absolutely love it. The story, the characters, and the writing are nearly perfect. I can't wait to see what the second half holds.

Here is the goodreads summary:
The stunning debut novel from bestselling author Bill Clegg is a magnificently powerful story about a circle of people who find solace in the least likely of places as they cope with a horrific tragedy. 
On the eve of her daughter’s wedding, June Reid’s life is completely devastated when a shocking disaster takes the lives of her daughter, her daughter’s fiancĂ©, her ex-husband, and her boyfriend, Luke—her entire family, all gone in a moment. And June is the only survivor. 
Alone and directionless, June drives across the country, away from her small Connecticut town. In her wake, a community emerges, weaving a beautiful and surprising web of connections through shared heartbreak. 
From the couple running a motel on the Pacific Ocean where June eventually settles into a quiet half-life, to the wedding’s caterer whose bill has been forgotten, to Luke’s mother, the shattered outcast of the town—everyone touched by the tragedy is changed as truths about their near and far histories finally come to light. 
Elegant and heartrending, and one of the most accomplished fiction debuts of the year, Did You Ever Have a Family is an absorbing, unforgettable tale that reveals humanity at its best through forgiveness and hope. At its core is a celebration of family—the ones we are born with and the ones we create.
What do you think? Are you tempted to continue?


Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening. Feel free to grab the banner and play along.

42 comments:

  1. Oh yes, this is a powerful story. Hope you enjoy it.

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  2. That does sound like a fabulous beginning. Maybe I will give it a try...

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  3. Ha! I had the same feeling of hesitation. But maybe I should dive it. Good opener.

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    1. Beth F - I always wonder when everybody seems to love a book...

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  4. Oh,very much! There's a very long line at the library but it's wonderful anticipation.

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    1. Audrey - So far, I think it will be worth the wait!

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  5. So, so good!! I had the same hesitations you did and the same result :)

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    1. Sarah - Glad I decided to ignore those hesitations.

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  6. I have heard too much about this book not to continue if I started it.

    It sounds like such a traumatic but compelling story,

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    1. Brian Joseph - So far it is not as traumatic as I'd imagined... we'll see how it ends up.

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  7. I have this one on my Kindle to read at some point. It's certainly a favorite right now. I'll probably wait for a few weeks.

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    1. Monica - I haven't been able to pick it up in two days! Can't wait to sit down and read tonight.

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  9. Hope you enjoy it, JoAnn. I've heard so many great things about the story. Will read it one of these days--I've got a copy in one of my TBR piles.

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    1. Catherine - All those great things appear to be true so far!

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  10. I'm fascinated by stories about families, and this sounds like a good one. I'll add it to my TBR list.
    Thank you for visiting my blog today.
    Sandy @ TEXAS TWANG

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    1. Sandra - I enjoy that type of story, too, and this is a good one!

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  11. Think I need to be in the mood for this because I suspect it's going to be a heart wrencher.

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    1. Suzie - So far it is not as devastating as I was expecting, but we'll see...

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  12. I really enjoyed this one, and I like the way you displayed it against the backdrop of the lake. I hope you keep enjoying it, and thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - Maybe the ideal reading conditions added to my enjoyment, but it's still a great book :)

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  13. I've not heard of this one and I like how it sounds. I would definitely keep reading.

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    1. Emma - It was long-listed for both the Man Booker Prize and the National Book Award. I can certainly see why!

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  14. I'm so glad to hear that you've enjoyed this one; I'm definitely going to have to try it out now!! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and the intro!

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    1. Tara - I hope you get a chance to read it. It's excellent so far!

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  15. I have also noticed all the excitement about this book. I'm so glad to hear you say that all the talk is true. Enjoy the second half.

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    1. Margot - You just never know when a book gets so much hype and praise, but I am truly enjoying this one.

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  16. I've heard tons about this one as well which does make me a little hesitant. I look forward to seeing what you think of it!

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    1. Katherine - I can't imagine what could happen now that will change my opinion of it, but you never know. Still holding my breath.

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  17. It sounds like such a sad novel, but everyone is loving it so I would continue reading.

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    1. Nise' - It is a little sad, but not as bad as I was expecting.

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  18. Sounds interesting. I'd continue.

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  19. I always get nervous when there's a total flood of love for a book, and felt the same way about this one, but it won me over right away, too. Such a great novel.

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    1. Shannon - Still can't believe it's a debut novel.

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  20. This does sound like one of those books that really deserves the buzz - I really want to read it too and love the opening paragraph - thank you for sharing!

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    1. Cleo - I'm finally getting back to it today... and still love it!

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