My Book Lover's Page-a-Day calendar featured How To Be Lost by Amanda Eyre Ward today. Here's the description from the calendar:
Caroline and Madeline Winters lost their five-year-old sister, Ellie, 15 years earlier, on the day they were going to run away from their home. The parents were gone to drink and depression; the surviving daughters turned away from one another. Now Caroline, a cocktail waitress in New Orleans, comes upon a blurry photo from People magazine that she thinks might be Ellie and goes to Montana to search for her.
Curled Up With A Good Book says, "Beautifully written, the story builds precisely to its satisfying emotional climax, where the past must be put to rest in service of the future. Eyre's prose is compelling, her eccentric characters familiar and believable. Caroline and Madeline learn that time is irrevocable, but forgiveness is not. By helping each other, there is always a way home."
And from a Mostly Fiction review:
Amanda Eyre Ward's beautifully written narrative unfolds as part suspense novel, part memoir, as Caroline is accompanied on her trip north by memories of a troubled childhood and reflections on her present circumstances. Hers is an intelligent voice, filled with wry observations. She is sharp, perceptive and seems to hide a world of hurt behind her cynicism. The author's pacing is on target. The prose is spare, which accentuates the emotional intensity. This is a page turner, with twists that will keep the reader guessing. And the plot holds surprises right up until the final sentence.
Have any EDIWTB readers out there read this book? Care to comment?
I read this awhile back after my book club read SLEEP TOWARDS HEAVEN and enjoyed it. I remember thinking that I liked HOW TO BE LOST more than her other two novels.
Posted by: Julie P. | July 01, 2008 at 07:02 AM
I can't comment on the book yet, but I just have to say how weird this is... last night I couldn't sleep and wanted to start a new book. I went to my bookshelf, closed my eyes, and picked up the first book I touched. It was How To Be Lost... I read the first couple chapters and so far am really enjoying the writing. I will keep you posted!
Posted by: Sheila | July 01, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Julie - thanks for the comment!
Sheila, that is BIZARRE! What a coincidence. Any report on the book now that you're a little further along?
Posted by: Gayle | July 02, 2008 at 05:26 PM
I just finished this book! It has been on my bookshelf for awhile, and seeing your post reminded me of it! Thank you so much. I really enjoyed this book, so much that I couldn't put it down and read it in less than 24 hours. The story was perfect for a rainy day (which it is), I felt for the characters, and was really hoping for a happy ending for all of them. Highly recommended!!
Posted by: Jenn | July 03, 2008 at 03:25 PM
I read this a few years ago--i was intrigued by the plot. It was a quick and compelling read, as I remember.
Posted by: Kiki | July 03, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Oh, I also see you're reading Digging to America--I really loved that one. Classic Anne Tyler. Just a perfect book, I thought. Very emotionally satisfying, and, as always with Tyler, never predictable.
Posted by: Kiki | July 03, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Jenn - glad I could jog your memory! You are a fast reader.
Kiki - yes, Digging to America is good. It had a slow start for me but now it's very good, and yes, typical Anne Tyler.
Posted by: Gayle | July 03, 2008 at 06:31 PM
so far, I am really enjoying HTBL. I really appreciate her writing, and just wish that I had a rainy day like above, so I could read it all day, but alas, we are plagued with gorgeous sunny weather.
Posted by: Sheila | July 04, 2008 at 09:19 AM
This sounds like a book I would love to read! Thanks for the great review and recommendation!
Posted by: Lisa | July 08, 2008 at 10:46 AM