The Hour I First Believed

Wally Lamb isn't the most prolific of authors but after reading the ones he has written, especially this last one, I am not surprised. This one apparently took him 9 yrs to complete and it is evident that he did a phenomenal amount of research. I read "I Know This Much is True" many years ago, and thought it was an excellent novel so was looking forward to this one immensely and it did not disappoint.
It is the story of two people, a couple, who were teachers at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, at the time of the massacre in April of 1999. The man, Caelum, is back home in Connecticut for his aunt's funeral at the time but his wife was hiding in a cabinet in the school library during the shootings. The story revolves around her post traumatic stress and how it impacted their lives. I thought it was very clever the way the author wove multiple story lines together to make a credible, very engaging, although often graphic and depressing story. I also admired the way he made history an active part of the present and in so doing, illustrated the many parallels between olden days and the present. The history of the prison system for women was also an eye opening and fascinating aspect of the novel, and knowing Wally Lamb's present involvement as a volunteer teacher of Creative Writing at the York Correctional Institute in Connecticut, I expect this involves more truth than fiction.
I must say, I wasn't that fond of the protagonist as the book opened and developed. He is not someone I would like in real life, as he is arrogant, foul-mouthed and obnoxious. However, as the book progressed and time passed, it was evident that he too matured, learned from his own mistakes, and took responsibility for his actions.
It is coincidental that the last two books I have read both have to do with lapsed Catholics and tenuous renewal of their faith in a greater power, although unlike the prison of their childhood upbringing. Perhaps that is the reason this book and "The Long Journey Home" by John Grogan resonated with me, even though my back ground was not RC. Anyhow... this was a great read, and I would recommend it highly.
5 out of 5*s

Edgar Sawtelle

This was the author's first novel. A pretty impressive one, to say the least. I read it on my Palm Pilot, in the form of an e-book which I purchased from ereader.com, and find that is a more comfortable way to read, as opposed to holding up a heavy hardcover book especially in bed, before sleep. Also it makes for less paper waste, not to mention a storage issue once I am done. The downside, of course, is the fact that I can't loan the book to anyone...too bad, so sad.
Back to The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. Edgar, of course, when we meet him, is a young man of between the ages 10 or 14. It is hard to know for sure, as one is never really told. It is told in third person, that is, it is about Edgar, and from his view point, but not in his voice, so it is not what I call "an I book" . Edgar was born mute, although not deaf, which to me was a new and strange concept, having never heard of, or seen this condition. He was born to parents who had lost a previous child and Edgar bears this burden of not quite knowing this fact yet being aware there is a pall that hangs over the family. The story includes family history so the reader knows how this family came to be where and who they are, and why and how they got into the dog breeding and training business, which is what Edgar is subsequently brought up to carry on. Storytelling at its best, for sure especially if one has an interest in, and a love for, dogs. The Sawtelle breed is fictional, and the author purposely does not liken it to any real breed, which I found a bit frustrating, but in my mind I pictured a Bouvier de Flandres, rightly or wrongly, but it helped me get an idea of what I was reading about.
The characterization was well done in my opinion. It is now two months since I finished the book and I can still recall and actually see in my mind most of the main characters, especially the uncle, whose name escapes me. The descriptions of places and situations were exquisite, and very unusual I thought, I really admired this man's writing style.
The things I didn't like about this book were its length (I thought it got a bit drawn out) and its ending. I was very disappointed and thought it was a cop out ending. I will not say more, so as not to ruin it, but having said that, I still think it was a worthwhile read with lots of chewable material, and a great story.
I'll give it **** out of 5*s