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A review by motherhorror
The Listener by Robert R. McCammon
5.0
Thank you Cemetery Dance for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Listener will be released February 27, 2018. It can be preordered from Cemetery Dance, Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, B&N.
This was my first time reading a Robert McCammon book. I've heard such good things that I was already starting to collect his books and Boy's Life is on this year's TBR. This book just made me an instant fan and now I want to go back and read everything he ever wrote.
This is part historical novel, set in 1934 and part supernatural suspense blended together expertly. The story is told in Parts and we are introduced to the immoral, unscrupulous adults, John Parr/Pearly and Ginger LaFrance who swindle folks to make their way during the Great Depression. McCammon scandalizes us with what some people are willing to do to survive by taking advantage of others. This kind of evil knows no bounds.
In contrast, another Part is our protagonist's story, Curtis Mayhew. We instantly love Curtis. A young, black man who lives with his spirited mother Orchid (she made me laugh out loud) and works at a train yard helping weary travelers with their luggage and such. An honest living.
I was blown away at how effortlessly McCammon transported me to the setting of his story. I could see it all through Curtis' eyes. Every situation he found himself in was just another way for McCammon to reveal more layers of this young man's character. We become very invested in his life--then, towards the middle of the story, we also meet Nilla-a girl about the same as Curtis born into privilege and we discover why Curtis and Nilla are so special.
The lives of all these unique characters intersect under some very intense circumstances and I'd say the last 200 pages MUST be read in one fell swoop. You legit cannot put this book down once our story climaxes and begins its push towards the finish. I never wanted it to end. I could have read about Curtis Mayhew forever. I feel confident adding him to my short list of favorite literary characters of all time. All the kids in this story were so fleshed out, making this story dangerous and risky, my mom-heart was beating out of my chest.
In a word, I love this book. I'll be adding it to my all time favorite stories and I know I'll be visiting it again and buying myself a copy when it comes out. Please take it from me and BUY THIS BOOK. Preorder it, throw your money at it. A must have for any serious reader.
The Listener will be released February 27, 2018. It can be preordered from Cemetery Dance, Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, B&N.
This was my first time reading a Robert McCammon book. I've heard such good things that I was already starting to collect his books and Boy's Life is on this year's TBR. This book just made me an instant fan and now I want to go back and read everything he ever wrote.
This is part historical novel, set in 1934 and part supernatural suspense blended together expertly. The story is told in Parts and we are introduced to the immoral, unscrupulous adults, John Parr/Pearly and Ginger LaFrance who swindle folks to make their way during the Great Depression. McCammon scandalizes us with what some people are willing to do to survive by taking advantage of others. This kind of evil knows no bounds.
In contrast, another Part is our protagonist's story, Curtis Mayhew. We instantly love Curtis. A young, black man who lives with his spirited mother Orchid (she made me laugh out loud) and works at a train yard helping weary travelers with their luggage and such. An honest living.
I was blown away at how effortlessly McCammon transported me to the setting of his story. I could see it all through Curtis' eyes. Every situation he found himself in was just another way for McCammon to reveal more layers of this young man's character. We become very invested in his life--then, towards the middle of the story, we also meet Nilla-a girl about the same as Curtis born into privilege and we discover why Curtis and Nilla are so special.
The lives of all these unique characters intersect under some very intense circumstances and I'd say the last 200 pages MUST be read in one fell swoop. You legit cannot put this book down once our story climaxes and begins its push towards the finish. I never wanted it to end. I could have read about Curtis Mayhew forever. I feel confident adding him to my short list of favorite literary characters of all time. All the kids in this story were so fleshed out, making this story dangerous and risky, my mom-heart was beating out of my chest.
In a word, I love this book. I'll be adding it to my all time favorite stories and I know I'll be visiting it again and buying myself a copy when it comes out. Please take it from me and BUY THIS BOOK. Preorder it, throw your money at it. A must have for any serious reader.