Monday, October 24, 2022

Monday - Makes One Think About Life

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano will stick with me for a long time. This poignant tale of a twelve-year-old and his life turned upside down is well executed, written, and very touching. 

Edward, his older brother, his parents, and 183 other passengers board a flight from Newark to LA. A Colorado crash leaves Edward as the only survivor. He becomes That Boy and has to learn to live again. 

First he has to physically heal. The mental healing - will it ever end? In alternating chapters, the author gives us the family dynamic on the plane, as well as letting us meet other passengers. And then the anchor chapters are Edward's adjustment to living with his aunt and uncle, gaining a best friend in the odd neighbor girl, Shay, dealing with school, camp, plus the pressure of being "famous" and being approached by strangers in person and by letters. 

How does Edward resolve his life as he gets a bit older? What does he want to do with insurance money? How can he perhaps help other lost souls?  Lots of questions to make one think about ones own life.

  Dear Edward is a quiet gem of a book. Well done. 
 

4 comments:

  1. Hi Joanne - sounds a very interesting and thought provoking read - great to read your review - cheers Hilary

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    1. This was very thoughtfully written. You really like Edward and feel for the kid as he’s navigating a new life

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  2. That sounds like a novel which would have me asking 'What would I do?' Not all novels do that for me.

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    1. Absolutely. And he’s flawed, but you and I could also picture ourselves in the predicaments. Especially dealing with insurance money, etc. Truly a good book.

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