Publication Date May 13, 2014 Random House Publishing Group
Summary:
Four years have passed since Justin Campbell’s disappearance, a tragedy that rocked the small town of Southport, Texas. Did he run away? Was he kidnapped? Did he drown in the bay? As the Campbells search for answers, they struggle to hold what’s left of their family together.
Then, one afternoon, the impossible happens. The police call to report that Justin has been found only miles away, in the neighboring town, and, most important, he appears to be fine. Though the reunion is a miracle, Justin’s homecoming exposes the deep rifts that have diminished his family, the wounds they all carry that may never fully heal. Trying to return to normal, his parents do their best to ease Justin back into his old life. But as thick summer heat takes hold, violent storms churn in the Gulf and in the Campbells’ hearts. When a reversal of fortune lays bare the family’s greatest fears—and offers perhaps the only hope for recovery—each of them must fight to keep the ties that bind them from permanently tearing apart.
Review and Opinion:
The first half of this book was extremely intense, and I could feel the pain of each family member. It was extremely hard to believe this is Johnston’s first published novel; he crafted it like a pro. The author did a fabulous job creating each family member, drawing the pain and sadness each felt by the loss of Justin. I could feel the reality of each ache and tear Laura felt. I could touch the guilt and frustration Eric endured as he tried to hold together his family, never stopping his search. Through some miracle, the family did stay intact, but not necessarily as a whole of different parts. Readers could tell early on that each family member is treading water in their own way, waiting for the nightmare of Justin’s disappearance to be over. Then, after four long years Justin comes home.
The rare miracle of an abducted child being returned home is a beautiful thing. Family and neighbors breathe a sigh of relief. The Missing posters come down and reward money is paid out. This book looks at the “what now”? After being without Justin for so long, how do they reconnect to him? How does he reconnect to them?
This book’s plot development was long in the making. Most readers would think the pinnacle would be Justin’s return and the family adapting to their returned member. However, that particular plot point occurred early on in the story. Then, the Bad Abductor is released on bail. The whole family freezes like rabbits that’ve spotted a fox. Family once again falls apart, each in their own way.
Bottom line great parts of the book: Johnston created each character thoroughly. His research into child abduction and the court system was evident in his writing.
Bottom line: It took forever to get to the “so what” of this book. I was not on the edge of my seat.
Some points left me very frustrated with the characters. When Laura turned back into a mom zombie after Bad Abductor was released on bail I thought, “You know, you still have your kid back. Why are you not focusing on that?! Don’t you think he may need your support now more than ever?” Eric, stalking the Bad Abductor’s parents’ house, left me feeling the same way.
The character I ended up feeling deeply for was Griff, Justin’s younger brother. While he wasn’t neglected or shoved to the side during Justin’s absence, his parents drifted away from him to protect themselves. In a way, it seemed like it was a matter of survival. They knew how painful the loss of one son was, they didn’t dare hold much love to the son they had left, fearing it would be a betrayal to Justin or worse, that they would for some reason lose Griff as well-and be forced to go through the pain all over again.
No comments:
Post a Comment