The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors
Michele Young Stone
2010
384 pages (uncorrected proof and .pdf file)
Published by Shaye Areheart Books, an imprint of Crown Publishing
Becca and Buckley both live lives dramatically altered by lightning. They both are either struck by lightning or witness to the deadly effects of lightning. Lightning shapes their lives, as it affects their relationships, their art and the path that their lives take.
However, Becca and Buckley are living in different places at different times. The author alternates their stories, starting with their childhoods and moving through tortured adolescence and into young adulthood. Becca is living a seemingly charmed life as a pampered rich kid. However, her father cheats and her mother consoles herself with alcohol. Buckley grows up considerably poorer, the son of an obese mother with incredibly bad luck. Buckley is both awkward and tormented, and just when you think things might turn around for him, they don’t.
Becca and Buckley’s stories are interspersed with advice from The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors, a book that Buckley will write. And since both their lives have been dominated by lightning, it seems only fitting that they will eventually meet.
This book is shaped by lightning. It is everywhere and practically everything, making for a unique plot. However, Young Stone has also crafted complex, dark characters with real problems. Becca finds solace in drinking and sex. Buckley is that socially awkward kid we all cringe for. His mom picks losers and struggles with her weight. Becca’s dad is a self-centered jerk who seems to have a reverse mid-life crisis. Her mom drinks. Her high school boyfriend is an ass. In other words, these people are real and their issues are believable. Ultimately, that’s what made this book so readable. And the lightning makes it different enough that it’s not just another book about people with problems. I could say that it grounds the book, but that would be a really bad joke.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Crown Publishing for making this .pdf available to me.
HAH! That is a hilariously awesome joke, nothing bad about it. I loved this book when I read it, so glad to see that you enjoyed it as well
Amy´s last [type] ..Review- Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives by Josie Brown Giveaway
We must be on a very similar reading trajectory. This book is sitting on my nightstand right now. I received a PDF from Net Galley as well, but I rented this from the library and will probably read it that way. I’ve not figured out how to transfer PDFs to my Kindle yet. I’ll get there, but just not now.
I’m glad you liked this novel. It makes me look forward to it even more!
Literate Housewife´s last [type] ..265 Not That Kind of Girl
This the second review I’ve seen regarding this book and both of you were so positive. I like that because this is a book that I likely would have otherwise ignored, but now I’m much more likely to pick it up.
Michele@ A Reader’s Respite´s last [type] ..The Acquisitions Department
I really do like the sound of this. After reading Alice Hoffman’s The Ice Queen, I became really interested in lightening victims and the effect they have them, but couldn’t find any more interesting books. I shall add this one to my list.
vivienne´s last [type] ..DNF- Dear Scott- Dearest Zelda -The Love Letter of FScott and Zelda Fitzgerald
I read this book from NetGalley too — it was the first book I read on my nook. I haven’t written the review yet, but I liked the book a lot.
Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)´s last [type] ..BookClubSandwich- An Online Book Group-
My first impression is that I am drawn to this book strictly from the cover art. My second impression is to roll my eyes at the lightning concept. I mean this in no offense to anyone who has been struck by lightning (certainly my condolences to you…and wow, I want to hear about it!), but I saw one episode of House Hunters on HGTV in which the homebuyer had been struck by lightning…and that’s ALL THEY TALKED ABOUT! It was so annoying! Ha, maybe unfortunately for this book, I just have that weird connection in my head.
Kari´s last [type] ..June is Audiobook Month
Cool! This one sounds pretty good, and since I’m something of a title whore, I’m onboard with that part of it, too.
Andi´s last [type] ..BookClubSandwich- An Online Book Group-
Hahaha, I laughed at the grounding joke. I love this book’s title, and the few reviews I’ve read of it have been very positive. It’s an intriguing premise but it sounds like the book doesn’t just depend on the premise to carry it – yay!
Jenny´s last [type] ..What I have been doing with my fancy university library card
Congrats to you for reading a book on pdf. That would drive me crazy!
rhapsodyinbooks´s last [type] ..June 29- 1900 – Birthday of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Like your other commenters, I loved the lightning joke. Oddly enough, I have a pdf book waiting for me right now. It has never crossed my mind to read a book this way, but hey I’ll try anything once.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Movie Review- The Spirit
Good to know that there is more than the lightning strike. I thought that the hook would be too gimmicky. You’ve at least made me reconsider.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Review- All Mortal Flesh by Julia Spencer-Fleming
I have been a little skeptical of this one but I am starting to warm up to the premise so maybe I should give it a shot.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon
Hm, I’m not sure I could read this. It sounded good until everyone started drowning their sorrows in alcohol…
Amanda´s last [type] ..Books I Havent Read
I have a copy of this book as well, and think it looks really interesting. I am glad to have read your review because I knew very little about the book before. I think it’s sort of neat the way that lightning is such a central theme of the book, but I do wonder if it gets gimmicky after awhile. Great review, I am glad you liked it, and hope I do too!
zibilee´s last [type] ..Zan-Gah- A Prehistoric Adventure by Allan Richard Shickman – 160 pgs
Oh … that was a good joke there. Wish I’d thought of that. I agree with you .. the lightning gives the book that little extra something.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Review- Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen
Wish I had grabbed this one up from NetGalley, too. Alas, not enough hours in the day for the number of books I want to read.
Lisa´s last [type] ..Captivity by Deborah Noyes
Well, I love the idea of this book: such a unique way to tie everything together. Glad to know that the characters are still very real: I could see this book crossing over to the whimsical (In fact, before reading your review, that’s kind of what I expected). Thanks for setting me straight!
Jennifer´s last [type] ..Review- Enchanted- Inc
Thank you for reviewing my debut novel. I have two more in the hopper, one coming out next year through Simon & Schuster. It’s about two girls, separated by generations and an ocean, both born with wings.