Monday, April 27, 2009

Review: Follow Me


Title: Follow Me
Author: Joanna Scott
Review Copy Provided by: Hachette Book Group

About the Author: Joanna Scott is the author of nine books, including The Manikin, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize; Various Antidotes and Arrogance, which were both finalists for the PEN/Faulkner Award; and the critically acclaimed Make Believe, Tourmaline, and Liberation. A recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Lannan Award, she lives with her family in upstate New York.

About the Book: On a summer day in 1946 Sally Werner, the precocious young daughter of hardscrabble Pennsylvania farmers, secretly accepts her cousin's invitation to ride his new motorcycle. Like so much of what follows in Sally's life, it's an impulsive decision with dramatic and far-reaching consequences. Soon she abandons her home to begin a daring journey of self-creation, the truth of which she entrusts only with her granddaughter and namesake, six decades later. But when young Sally's father--a man she has never known--enters her life and offers another story altogether, she must uncover the truth of her grandmother's secret history.


You can read an excerpt from the book, here.

My Review: Joanna Scott is a great writer! This book tells Sally's story, from Sally's point of view, but also from her granddaughter's point of view. It is interesting how the story changes narration. If you're not careful, you'll lose track of who is telling the story. Sometimes, it's Sally, who the story is about, sometimes it's the granddaughter, whose name is also Sally, and at one point, it's the latter Sally's father.

Sally, the grandmother, is a very strong character. She goes through more than one person should be able to handle in a lifetime, but she perseveres. At first, she does so to save herself and her son, but then she does it to save her daughter. She is determined to do what's best for both of her children, even it is not always the "right" thing in others' eyes. There were times when I felt sorry for her and then times when I thought, "Why are you doing that; are you crazy?" This was one that I really got into and at times felt like I was right there with the characters. That's a sign of a good book, when you can escape.

This is the first book by Joanna Scott that I have read, but I'm intrigued enough by her writing to want to read more. She writes in such a way that you connect with the characters and want to get to know them better by continuing to read. All in all, this was a good read!

This post is part of a blog tour hosted by Hachette Book Group. Below is a list of ALL the participants. I know there are alot, but I encourage you to at least stop by some of them and see what they have to say about this book.

http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/
http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com/
http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/
http://thereviewfromhere.wordpress.com/
http://bookopolis.blogspot.com/
http://www.caribousmom.com/
http://www.frommipov.blogspot.com/
http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/
http://redladysreadingroom-redlady.blogspot.com/
http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/
http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/
http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/
http://hiddenplace.wordpress.com/
http://stephaniesbooks.blogspot.com/
http://www.acircleofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://bananas4books.blogspot.com/
http://www.bookthoughtsbylisa.blogspot.com/
http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com/
http://grumpydan.blogspot.com/
http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/
http://worducopia.blogspot.com/
http://cindysloveofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/darbyscloset
http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/
http://www.skrishnasbooks.com/
http://epicrat.blogspot.com/
http://www.anovelmenagerie.com/
http://danys-san.blogspot.com/
http://jennsbookshelf.blogspot.com/
http://tvandbookaddict.blogspot.com/
http://literarymenagerie.blogspot.com/
http://www.chikune.com/blog
http://book-chic.blogspot.com/
http://www.amberstults.com/
http://allisonsatticblog.blogspot.com/
http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com/
http://38thavedivareaders.blogspot.com/
http://linussblanket.typepad.com/
http://www.morbid-romantic.net/
http://kylees2009.blogspot.com/
http://www.savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com/
http://exlibrisbb.blogspot.com/
http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/
http://www.xanga.com/bravehsgirl
http://purplg8r-somanybooks.blogspot.com/
http://burtonreview.blogspot.com/
http://donnasbookreviews.blogspot.com/
http://www.squidoo.com/readingstaycation

9 comments:

Miriam Parker said...

Thanks, Shelly! I agree. This totally makes me want to read her other novels. :)

Toni said...

I third that... I want to read more Of her books. I am enjoying the book. Great post!

bermudaonion said...

You're right - Sally's actions were frustrating at times, but she was just doing the best she could.

Margot said...

Thanks for a good review. I've seen this on several blogs today and is probably something I'll read soon. I liked your point of view and how you gave it an honest assessment.

BurtonReview said...

Thank you for the Review, I enjoyed the story very much too!

Unknown said...

Great review! I also really loved it! :) I can't wait to get a chance to read more from Joanna Scott she certainly knows how to tell a story. :D

Amber said...

I agree Sally's actions were frustrating at times but I think towards the end she did learn that things would catch up with her and it was best to face them head on.

CherylS22 said...

Great review! I love to read what others think about this book.

Cheryl

kalea_kane said...

It is nice that you felt you were right there with the character. That is always a special treat for me when I am reading. I love when an author can make you feel that way. :) Great review.

 
site designed by aerin at insearchofgiants.com