What Reservation Road is about:
At the close of a beautiful summer day near the quiet Connecticut town where they live, the Learner family--Ethan and Grace, their children, Josh and Emma--stop at a gas station on their way home from a concert. Josh Learner, lost in a ten-year-old's private world, is standing at the edge of the road when a car comes racing around the bend. He is hit and instantly killed. The car speeds away.
Why I wanted to read this one: Last year I read Northwest Corner by Schwartz, which is the sequel to Reservation Road, for a TLC Book Tour. I fell in love with this author's writing and the story hit me hard on many levels. I knew that at some point I had to read about the devastating event that caused these two families lives to spin out-of-control.
Source: My public library
- I can only speak of my experience and tell you that I absolutely love this author's voice. There's something so simple, yet strangely complex about his writing. I am at a loss for words to describe how his writing touched me. It just did.
- My heart broke for every single person in this story. I couldn't begin to fathom the heartbreak and grief that Ethan and Grace dealt with after the loss of their son. His death haunted me and I had to keep telling myself...this is make-believe, Staci!!
- Dwight, the hit and run driver, makes a decision that will change the lives of so many people. I still don't understand why he just didn't stop, but there are many people that have been in his same predicament and chose the same course-of-action. I don't want to condemn him, but his actions were unconscionable.
- As a parent, on that very deep, emotional level, I connected with Ethan. I understood what drove him to find his son's killer. At times he scared himself, but he never relented. I understood his need for solitude and his desire to distance himself from love. I got him and that knowledge shook me up.
Schwartz crafted a novel that captures your attention and even though many of the characters are seriously flawed, I think that is what kept me glued to the pages. They were REAL. The story is gut-wrenching and the ending surprised the hell out of me....but I believed it. And that to me is masterful storytelling!
Bookish Thoughts #13
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Loved the audio of this one as well Staci. I still have to read Northwest Corner -- why can't I quit my job and just read? is that too much to ask?? LOL
ReplyDeleteWow!! This sounds powerful!! Adding to my list!
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Staci. Adding this and the first book to my list.
ReplyDeleteWow, this sounds fantastic! Heartbreaking, but fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI read this years ago and just couldn't put it down... should probably hunt down a copy of Northwest Corner!
ReplyDeleteWe saw the movie - it was very intense!
ReplyDeleteThis is a book that's been on my radar for some time, and yet I haven't read it yet. I may have to check it out of the library
ReplyDeleteThis is a book that's been on my radar for some time, and yet I haven't read it yet. I may have to check it out of the library
ReplyDeleteGreat review Staci. You make me want to read this one. I know it will be heartbreaking to read. I really don't want to spend days crying, but maybe the audio would give me a little distance from all that.
ReplyDeleteI would not have the courage to read this one...sounds way too heartbreaking!
ReplyDeletesounds very moving.
ReplyDeleteSounds so haunting and sad :/ Perhaps too much for me, even if it is only make-believe
ReplyDeleteMust. Have. I've really loved both of the books I've read by Schwartz. Time to get this one - maybe this weekend. Thanks for reminding me about it!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful when we fall in love with an author's voice? This one is going on my list immediately!
ReplyDeleteI still haven't read this one, Staci, although I saw the movie. I loved Northwest Corner, too, and now it's time to go back to where it all began....
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
I just finished reading another book about a father looking for justice for his child, though I think that is where the similariites end. I'm still a bit in shell schock from that one, so I may have to remember this one for another time. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI've wanted to read both of these since I read your first review. I really need to make some time for them especially since you enjoyed both so much.
ReplyDeleteWowzers! I must read both of these books just from reading your thoughts on this one!!
ReplyDeleteStaci, if Reservation Road is even half as touching as your review, I know I'll be emotionally invested in this one too!
ReplyDeleteThere is just no way I could listen to this now. I'd be an emotional wreck!
ReplyDeleteThere is no way I could read this now. I'd be an emotional mess!
ReplyDeleteGreat review. However, not a story I could handle reading.
ReplyDeleteI read this one and have Northwest Corner on my TBR shelves, so when I'm ready -- it's waiting. :) I agree with the writing, but it was filled with too much morose for me. I still thought it was good, though.
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