Review of Divination by Adam Haslett

This book review was written by Eugene Kernes   

Book can be found in: 

Genre = Novel

Collection = You Are Not a Stranger Here by Adam Haslett

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Review

Is This An Overview?

Samuel is a 12-year-old boy, who believes that Samuel can foresee someone’s death.  The observation started with Samuel’s teacher, Jevins.  Samuel had a bad feeling about Jevins, who was an elderly fellow.  Samuel was imagining the death of Jevins, and felt uncomfortable with those thoughts.  Shortly after, Jevins passed away.  Samuel becomes emotional about Jevins death, having foreseen it coming. 

 

Samuel’s mother referenced that Samuel was overcome with emotions when a grandparent passed.  Samuel’s older brother Trevor references something similar with their father.  Their father had a dream of a cousin’s death, and the cousin died shortly after.  Then Samuel has a dream, of Trevor dying during a forthcoming trip.  The parents use various methods to tell Samuel that Samuel cannot predict when people die, to not confuse what is real and what is not real.  But Samuel cannot let go of the feeling that something bad is going to happen to Trevor.  What happens to Trevor?

Questions to Consider while Reading the Book

•What is the raison d’etre of the book?  For what purpose did the author write the book?  Why do people read this book?

•What are some limitations of the book?

•To whom would you suggest this book?

•Who is Samuel?

•Who is Mr. Jevins?

•Who is Trevor? 

•What happened to William?

•How do Samuel’s parents explain Samuel’s emotions?

•What happens to Trevor?

Book Details

Edition:                   First Anchor Books Edition

Publisher:               Anchor Books [Random House]

Edition ISBN:         0385509529

Pages to read:          237

Publication:             2003

1st Edition:              2002

Format:                    Paperback 

Ratings out of 5:

Readability    5

Content          2

Overall          2

 

Review of Reunion by Adam Haslett

This book review was written by Eugene Kernes   

Book can be found in: 

Genre = Novel

Collection = You Are Not a Stranger Here by Adam Haslett

 

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Review

Is This An Overview?

James received a letter, which had prompted an immediate vacation from work.  The vacation was a pretext, as James left work completely.  James’s behavior changed drastically after receiving the letter, for James did not have long to live.  James initially becomes more involved, experimenting with what life has to offer.  But then becomes reclusive, with people noticing how James does not appear well.  Since getting the letter, James has been writing letters to James’s father.  Reflecting on one’s life, without sharing the cause of the letters.  What does James’s father think of the letters?

Questions to Consider while Reading the Book

•What is the raison d’etre of the book?  For what purpose did the author write the book?  Why do people read this book?

•What are some limitations of the book?

•To whom would you suggest this book?

•Who is James?

•How is James’s health?

•How does James respond to the letter that was received?

•How would you respond to such a letter?

•How does James’s behavior change?

•What letter does James write to James’s father?

•What does James’s father think of the letter?

Book Details

Edition:                   First Anchor Books Edition

Publisher:               Anchor Books [Random House]

Edition ISBN:         0385509529

Pages to read:          237

Publication:             2003

1st Edition:              2002

Format:                    Paperback 

Ratings out of 5:

Readability    4

Content          2

Overall          2

 

Review of War's End by Adam Haslett

This book review was written by Eugene Kernes   

Book can be found in: 

Genre = Novel 

Collection = You Are Not a Stranger Here by Adam Haslett

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Review

Is This An Overview?

Ellen and Paul are visiting another country.  Primarily for Paul’s mental health, but under the pretext of Ellen’s research.  Paul has become lethargic, depressed, barely able to make decisions for oneself.  The change of scenery was meant to help.  Years have already been spent on going from doctor to doctor when Ellen finds a better doctor.  Paul feels like a burden on Ellen. 

 

While waiting for Ellen, Paul meets McLaggan who is a grandmother of a dying grandchild, Albert.  Albert liked medieval history.  McLaggan asked if Paul can share stories of the era to Albert.  Medieval history was not Paul’s topic of expertise, but begins to speak.  Paul finds the energy to speak to Albert for a long duration.  Paul’s teaching appears to be a form of therapy.  What choice does Paul make when the trip comes to an end?

Questions to Consider while Reading the Book

•What is the raison d’etre of the book?  For what purpose did the author write the book?  Why do people read this book?

•What are some limitations of the book?

•To whom would you suggest this book?

•Who is Ellen

•Who is Paul?

•What is Paul’s mental status? 

•How does Paul feel about Ellen?

•Why does Ellen stay with Paul? 

•Who is Mrs. McLaggan?

•How did Mrs. McLaggan and Paul meet?

•Who is Albert?

•What is Albert’s health condition?

•Why does Paul teach Albert history?

•What choice did Paul make on the train?

Book Details

Edition:                   First Anchor Books Edition

Publisher:               Anchor Books [Random House]

Edition ISBN:         0385509529

Pages to read:          237

Publication:             2003

1st Edition:              2002

Format:                    Paperback 

Ratings out of 5:

Readability    5

Content          2

Overall          2

 

Review of Devotion by Adam Haslett

This book review was written by Eugene Kernes   

Book can be found in: 

Genre = Novel

Collection = You Are Not a Stranger Here by Adam Haslett

 

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Review

Is This An Overview?

Owen and Hillary are brother and sister who are devoted to each other.  Their bond developed due to a loss of a parent when they were young.  Both end up liking Ben, for Ben can sympathize with their sadness.  Ben also experienced a tragic loss of a parent at a young age.  Hillary and Ben were together for a time until Ben had to move away due to a job.  Coming back into their lives many years later, married with children.  The siblings still care for Ben, but do not want to get in each other’s way.  They are more devoted to each other.  How did Ben effect the siblings? 

Questions to Consider while Reading the Book

•What is the raison d’etre of the book?  For what purpose did the author write the book?  Why do people read this book?

•What are some limitations of the book?

•To whom would you suggest this book?

•Who is Owen?

•Who is Hillary?

•Who is Ben?

•Why are Owen and Hillary close?

•What about Ben do the siblings like?

•How did Ben affect the siblings’ lives?

Book Details

Edition:                   First Anchor Books Edition

Publisher:               Anchor Books [Random House]

Edition ISBN:         0385509529

Pages to read:          237

Publication:             2003

1st Edition:              2002

Format:                    Paperback 

Ratings out of 5:

Readability    5

Content          2

Overall          2

Review of The Beginnings Of Grief by Adam Haslett

This book review was written by Eugene Kernes   

Book can be found in: 

Genre = Novel

Collection = You Are Not a Stranger Here by Adam Haslett

Intriguing Connections = The Persecuted and The Persecutors

Watch Short Review

Review

Is This An Overview?

A teenage boy has his life unraveled.  The death of both parents in quick succession.  Having to move into a home of strangers.  This is a story of how the boy handles grief, along with one’s gender identity.  During a time of stigma against homosexuality, the boy enjoys school to get closer to another boy.  The way the grief ridden boy gets attention from the boy he wants, is by antagonizing the boy he wants.  Antagonism that has a psychical response.  A cycle of self-harm forms.  Why does the grief ridden boy behave in a self-harming way?  What happens to the boy he wants?

Questions to Consider while Reading the Book

•What is the raison d’etre of the book?  For what purpose did the author write the book?  Why do people read this book?

•What are some limitations of the book?

•To whom would you suggest this book?

•To whom would you suggest the book?

•What happened to the teenage boy?

•How does the teenage boy handle the emotional situation?

•Who is Gramm? 

•How does the teenage boy use Gramm?

Book Details

Edition:                   First Anchor Books Edition

Publisher:               Anchor Books [Random House]

Edition ISBN:         0385509529

Pages to read:          237

Publication:             2003

1st Edition:              2002

Format:                    Paperback 

Ratings out of 5:

Readability    5

Content          3

Overall          3