The Map of True Places
Brunonia Barry
May 2010
416 pages
Published by William Morrow
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I have FTC writer’s block, and can’t think of anything witty to say. So just know that I bought the damn book.
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Publisher’s Description:
Zee Finch has come a long way from a motherless childhood spent stealing boats—a talent that earned her the nickname Trouble. She’s now a respected psychotherapist working with the world-famous Dr. Liz Mattei. She’s also about to marry one of Boston’s most eligible bachelors. But the suicide of Zee’s patient Lilly Braedon throws Zee into emotional chaos and takes her back to places she thought she’d left behind.
What starts as a brief visit home to Salem after Lilly’s funeral becomes the beginning of a larger journey for Zee. Her father, Finch, long ago diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, has been hiding how sick he really is. His longtime companion, Melville, has moved out, and it now falls to Zee to help her father through this difficult time. Their relationship, marked by half-truths and the untimely death of her mother, is strained and awkward.
Overwhelmed by her new role, and uncertain about her future, Zee destroys the existing map of her life and begins a new journey, one that will take her not only into her future but into her past as well. Like the sailors of old Salem who navigated by looking at the stars, Zee has to learn to find her way through uncharted waters to the place she will ultimately call home.
I always think of Brunonia Barry’s The Lace Reader as like The Time Traveler’s Wife. Not because the books are similar, but because you either love it, or you don’t. I happened to love both of those books (although Her Fearful Symmetry is a whole ‘nother story). So I was looking forward to The Map of True Places. And I enjoyed reading it, especially because this was a more straightforward story, without any weird reading of lace or unreliable narrators. Although there were some very unreliable parents. Unfortunately, I read it last month and it’s fading from memory.
I’m hesitant. That’s all I’ll say.
Care´s last [type] ..Fingersmith
I wasn’t totally crazy about The Lace Reader, but I do want to read this book. I think Barry has amazing talent, and I want to see what else she can do!
zibilee´s last [type] ..The Secret Lives of Baba Segis Wives – A Conversation with Aarti
The cover of this is absolutely enchanting.
Well, it’s good to know that maybe this wasn’t particularly memorable.
Nicole´s last [type] ..Twelve – Movie Trailer
re: FTC block. I was going to suggest some type of FTC-laxative, but that might be offensive
I’m a big fan of THE LACE READER, and I liked the change to a more straightforward story/mystery in THE MAP OF TRUE PLACES (no lace reading or trickery). Did you not like it, or was it just not what you expected? Or is it too far in the past to give it any more thought?!
Dawn – She Is Too Fond of Books´s last [type] ..Children’s Book Review- Lawn to Lawn by Dan Yaccarino
I had a hard time with THE LACE READER. In fact, I still haven’t made it through. But this one sounds more like my type of book. (And I hate when I don’t write a review for a while and forget things . . . .)
Jessica´s last [type] ..Literature 101- Plot
I’m glad to see you enjoyed it, even if it’s faded over time.
I read this book in June. I liked it overall, but most of the storyline, as well as the ending has faded for me also.
Kathy (Mommysreading)´s last [type] ..WWW Wednesday on Thursday!
I pushed this one back in the stacks for possible FALL reading. Not really getting a good feeling about this one either.
diane´s last [type] ..Waiting on Wednesday The Cailiffs of Baghdad- Georgia
For whatever reason, I have been hesitant of reading anything by Brunonia Barry.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Book Review- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
I really enjoyed The Lace Reader so I’m looking forward to reading this one just as soon as I unbury myself from all my other books.
I was one that didn’t like The Lace Reader so I’ve been hesitant to pick this one up. I had no problem with the unreliable narrator but, yeah, the lace reading was weird for me. Plus I just thought parts were too long, too much was thrown in and it was all rushed at the end. So this one doesn’t do all of that?
Lisa´s last [type] ..Backseat Saints
One of these days I’ll get around to reading The Lace Reader. I do want to read this one and am glad you enjoyed it as well, Jill.
Literary Feline´s last [type] ..Review- The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C Morais
This sounds interesting! I haven’t read The Lace Reader yet but I have it on my TBR pile, and if I enjoy it I would love to read this one too.
kay @ Infiniteshelf´s last [type] ..Artsy Shelf – 23 – No body there
Love Time Traveler’s Wife; hated The Lace Reader. Haven’t felt the urge to pick this one up.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Review- Angelology by Danielle Trussoni
I’m glad you liked this one as I have to review it soon as well.
Jo-Jo´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday-Aug 16
I received a signed first edition of this book. I belong to on online group, and 10 of us were selected to receive this book to read, and discuss it. Brunonia Barry joined our group for a couple of weeks so she could be in on the conversation, answer questions etc. I felt terrible about it, but I did not even finish it. I just couldn’t get into it. I felt like there was just too many plotlines if that makes any sense.