I Know This Much Is True
Author: Wally Lamb
Overview:
'I Know This Much Is True' is a heartbreaking and poignant multigenerational saga of the reproductive bonds of destruction and the powerful force of forgiveness. A masterpiece that breathtakingly tells a story of alienation and connection, power and abuse, devastation and renewal--this novel is a contemporary retelling of an ancient Hindu myth. A proud king must confront his demons to achieve salvation. Change yourself, the myth instructs, and you will inhabit a renovated world.
My Comments:
Every now and then a book comes along that is so captivating, so brilliant and so gratifying that I wish it would never end. This is such a book.
I don’t remember how I discovered this amazing novel, but most likely it was through positive reviews, and an abundance of recommendations by book lovers everywhere. I finally caved in and picked up a copy, but despite the wonderful things I'd heard about this book, I was reluctant to start reading it. Why? Because it’s about 900 pages long! I am always hesitant about reading books that are lengthy for a couple of reasons: 1) I’m absolutely certain that a novel this long will include a lot of boring chapters and 2) the book will take forever to finish, which will use up time that I can put towards reading something else.
Well, let me tell you, nothing could be further from that when it comes to this book. When I did finally start this story after months of it sitting on a shelf, I was so mesmerized that I just zipped right through it within a short period of time. When the story ended, I was upset. Not because the story was bad but because 900 pages for something this amazing is much too short! I could have easily zipped through another 900. There are no words impressive enough to describe this masterpiece. Read it and you'll understand what I mean.
This was one of "Oprah's Book Club" picks, I remember. I'd like to read it someday too. Glad to hear your glowing recommendation!
ReplyDeleteYou'll really enjoy this one. It's such a great story!
DeleteI have looked at this book a number of times at the Goodwill - they actually have a specific shelf for Oprah's Book Club picks believe it or not! Based on your glowing recommendation, I'm going to pick it up the next time I see it. I'm really looking forward to it :)
ReplyDeleteDon't hesitate to pick up a copy; the story is amazing. After I finished reading it, my husband (who is not a bookahlic but enjoys reading now and then) asked me to recommend a good book, and I pointed this one out to him. He loved it! We still mention this story now and then. It's that good.
DeleteI can't wait to read this - I hope I can download it from the library onto my e-reader. You've sold me on it!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will really like it. It's such a great story, and so different from anything I've ever read. The author has an amazing imagination. You'll understand what I mean when you read the story.
DeleteWally Lamb takes the reader on another fascinating journey into the heart and soul of three generations of dysfunction. Lamb weaves an intricate plot surrounding Dominick Birdsey and his paranoid schizophrenic identical twin Thomas, the boys of a meek and secretive mother. When Thomas ends up in a maximum security hospital, Dominick begins his quest to save his brother by reflecting on his past and his family's. Lamb successfully uses the "story within a story" to reveal the past. Lamb breaks the readers' hearts with his all too real account of mental illness and the painful patterns of family dysfunction and tragedy. His characters develop and invite us into their world and their minds. The reader can't help but be connected to these characters.
ReplyDeleteNicely said, UK!
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