Journey Out of Darkness Book

Okay, this was a slow one. At least in the beginning. I actually complained about it. Beautiful words but complete stagnation. I was around page 15, reminding myself that my 55 page rule was my own rule to break... and suddenly it opened up. I was not going to be trapped in that truck stop ad infinitum like I had feared. And that was when I realized I'd been played.

All those plodding details that Haynes had heavy-handedly laid out before me in those first pages, led me to a place where I felt Willem's mania. As if I was experiencing his panic attack myself. That's how I judge the writing--my frustration/aggravation/helplessness was purposeful and orchestrated. Haynes cut me right down to size, had me begging for mercy, fighting the raw urge to scream and slam the book over the utter inanity of the minutiae she imparted as per the addled character of Willem Fremont. And from that point I realized I was in love.

Let me qualify that I happen to enjoy books about the small lives of people. The interactions. The subtleties. The vagaries. How people respond to those around them. I don't need big plot twists and huge revelations and driving action to find myself entertained. And I was entertained. Completely.

Favorite character? Eilene. Hands down. Bar none. I absolutely loved her. Her relationship with Sonny, her lazy-ass parasitic son, is priceless. All I can say is, "You go, girl."