Rate this book

Playing With Matches: A Novel (2012)

by Carolyn Wall(Favorite Author)

3.66 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0345525698 (ISBN13: 9780345525697)

languge

English

genre

Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction

publisher

Bantam

review 1: This book is described as a master of the Southern novel. I have to agree that the love and connection between people in this little community in False River, Mississippi was very special. Clea Shine was given away by her mama when she was a newborn baby. She could see her mother's house from the place where she lived. Her mother had a bad reputation that was "honestly" earned. Clea made friends among her neighbors. She was always busy helping others even when they didn't want to be helped at all. She returned after many years with two children and got reacquainted with her former "family". She had carried a huge secret and was determined to confess her wrongdoings. What happened is the best part of the story. If you loved TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD; this book might ... moreinterest you. I found the writing a bit confusing at first but like all good books, it all came together at the end.
review 2: I liked a lot about this book. The characters were excellent, well drawn interesting and diverse. Little white girl whose momma is the town "whore" is raised by a black woman and some of her extended family and friends. I got a little uncomfortable sometimes with the way some of the black characters were drawn. But they were very diverse. The main character was interesting but somewhat annoying but it became clear that she was acting out due to her terrible circumstances (mother abandoning her right next door and all). Pretty heavy stuff happens throughout but mature teens might like it too. The only part I hated was I had no idea of the time. It felt like the 1930s for the first 25 pages or so and then something was mentioned about the 1970s so I ended up figuring it started about the 80s and went up to present day. A little bothersome throughout. less

Download links for: Playing with Matches: A Novel

Advertising