The In-Between Hour by Barbara Claypole White
5 stars*****
I really wish I had been able to read this in one sitting... this is an emotional journey that is best read uninterrupted. But, even though I had to read this bit by bit it was still a very engaging and touching story that pulled me in each time I picked it back up. I love books that afford me an opportunity to stop and reflect on what is most important in life and this one touched on emotions that I haven't felt in a while but can relate too in a very personal way. This book for me was mostly about love co-existing with grief. How do you allow yourself to be happy again when you are living with the painful loss of someone you love? It's also about acceptance and tolerance and the sometimes painful reality of living with someone you love who is struggling with depression, mental illness or just simply getting old.
I'm not sure if I would recommend this book to anyone who might be sensitive to the topic of suicide. This part of Hannah's story was difficult. As a mother, I definitely related to her feeling as if she was a failure while at the same time refusing to give up. Yes, I shed a few tears for Hannah... and, I also shed a few tears for Will as he was dealing with the reality of the things he would never get to share with his son. Okay, I bawled like a baby... especially at the end. In fact, the end of the book is what inflated this to a five star rating for me. I just loved the coming together of this couple. Very touching...
The author very cleverly laced this story with descriptions of wildlife and nature. I LOVE the mountains and nature so this really worked for me and I thought it was a nice way to pull the reader into the story. Do I think everyone will like this? Probably not... will more than likely appeal more to nature lovers like myself.
If you are like me and you like to occasionally read a book that messes with your emotions, will probably make you cry, and gives you lots of life lessons to ponder... then I highly recommend this one. But, if you're looking to check out of reality then this one is not for you.
I also loved the readers guide at the end of the book. The author gives a list a questions about the characters that would make great prompts for discussion in a readers group or just for your own personal reflection.
ARC provided by the publisher via netgalley
K~
I'm not sure if I would recommend this book to anyone who might be sensitive to the topic of suicide. This part of Hannah's story was difficult. As a mother, I definitely related to her feeling as if she was a failure while at the same time refusing to give up. Yes, I shed a few tears for Hannah... and, I also shed a few tears for Will as he was dealing with the reality of the things he would never get to share with his son. Okay, I bawled like a baby... especially at the end. In fact, the end of the book is what inflated this to a five star rating for me. I just loved the coming together of this couple. Very touching...
The author very cleverly laced this story with descriptions of wildlife and nature. I LOVE the mountains and nature so this really worked for me and I thought it was a nice way to pull the reader into the story. Do I think everyone will like this? Probably not... will more than likely appeal more to nature lovers like myself.
If you are like me and you like to occasionally read a book that messes with your emotions, will probably make you cry, and gives you lots of life lessons to ponder... then I highly recommend this one. But, if you're looking to check out of reality then this one is not for you.
I also loved the readers guide at the end of the book. The author gives a list a questions about the characters that would make great prompts for discussion in a readers group or just for your own personal reflection.
ARC provided by the publisher via netgalley
K~
Thanks for the great review! Yes, an emotional read for sure. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! I will be looking for more from you in the future... :)
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