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