This book has it all: the most fascinating young female protagonist ever, a mystery with a reveal that I did not see coming, and wonderful writing. In this intricate plot, there is sadness and tragedy, but also joy and redemption. We learn the history of the characters, who have the Dickensian names of Star, Duchess, Walk, King, Noble, and Darke, to name the major ones.
This novel is memorable, and I highly recommend it.
This book has it all: the most fascinating young female protagonist ever, a mystery with a reveal that I did not see coming, and wonderful writing. In this intricate plot, there is sadness and tragedy, but also joy and redemption. We learn the history of the characters, who have the Dickensian names of Star, Duchess, Walk, King, Noble, and Darke, to name the major ones.
This novel is memorable, and I highly recommend it.
Tough characters, tough children and adults who can't leave their childhood behind, the gritty taste of old western justice and revenge in a decaying modern setting. I can't fault the form for tying in and up every last thread of pain and stretch for redemption.
This was definitely a book written with an eye towards selling the movie rights: All plot movement and spoken dialogue, not much view of the characters’ interior thoughts, lots of folksy characters that will potentially provide Oscar-bait movie roles, a feisty and precocious teenage lead who perseveres despite challenges, surprising reveals throughout. But it was very entertaining and kept me reading. This isn’t great literature, but it’s a fun mass-market novel that kept me turning the pages.
It's not often that I find myself sitting back and really appreciating the beauty of the words in a novel. I tend to read mysteries and thrillers and true crime books which aren't generally known for gorgeous prose. I mean, it happens but it's not what I expect. But sitting back and appreciating the narrator perform We Begin at the End is exactly what I did.
The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Walker, the sheriff of a small California town, and Duchess Day Radley, the 13 year-old daughter of one of Walk's childhood friends. Duchess is a tough young person who has become primary caretaker of her 6 year-old brother, Robin, and, with Walk's help, keeps her mother, Star, together, too. Star is a mess and the whole town appears to be aware of it since they see the ambulances called out for accidental overdoses...
I loved …
It's not often that I find myself sitting back and really appreciating the beauty of the words in a novel. I tend to read mysteries and thrillers and true crime books which aren't generally known for gorgeous prose. I mean, it happens but it's not what I expect. But sitting back and appreciating the narrator perform We Begin at the End is exactly what I did.
The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Walker, the sheriff of a small California town, and Duchess Day Radley, the 13 year-old daughter of one of Walk's childhood friends. Duchess is a tough young person who has become primary caretaker of her 6 year-old brother, Robin, and, with Walk's help, keeps her mother, Star, together, too. Star is a mess and the whole town appears to be aware of it since they see the ambulances called out for accidental overdoses...
I loved everything about this book. The story, the characters, the setting, the twists and turns, and the narrator. I was emotionally gut-punched a few times and nearly dropped a tear towards the end. I can see myself listening again. I'm sure there are bits here and there that would have new meaning now that I have all the information. I love that. There's so much to this book and all is not what it appears.
I'd recommend We Begin at the End to everyone. I don't recall anything particularly graphic or violent or sexual so it would be appropriate for teens and up. Of course, my memory is shit so I could be wrong...
Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for hooking me up with the audiobook. I loved it.
Though I had to fight my way into it. Mainly because the writing style of this book, not bad at all, just was so different to the previous book I read. I nearly gave up on it, but I'm glad that I continued, because I really enjoyed reading it.
