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An Unexpected Grace (2013)

by Kristin von Kreisler(Favorite Author)

3.28 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0758291949 (ISBN13: 9780758291943)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

Kensington

review 1: It's hard to know who's in more need of rescuing: Grace, the titular golden retriever, or Lila, recovering from being shot during a rampage in her San Francisco office.Yet, this unlikely pair winds up sharing quarters during Lila's recovery. Lila, having been bitten by a dog in her youth, is terrified of Grace. Grace, for her part, is recovering from abuse and is terrified of everyone.Lila works on her art while Grace, and handsome neighbor Adam, work on Lila's heart.I loved the author's voice in this book, as she gave life to Lila's inner world: sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic. The narrative of watching both a human and a dog recover from PTSD was thoroughly enjoyable.
review 2: Minuses: - strong overuse of simile & metaphors (many rather trite ones)... more- first chapter is not enticing enough to pull in reader or make one connect/care about main character- main character is unrealistic, extremely one-dimensional, unsympathetic, changes too abruptly (even her tragic experience does not warrant much compassion for her as a person)- predictable plot (except for Lila's journey/focus on finding an answer she never really does)Pluses:- Grace is an enjoyable character, worth caring for- Secondary character, Betsy, is a wise, motherly sage I'd like to have known more about- noble premise, just needed character alterations to make it effective- Favorite part: (p. 234) The curve of Betsy's smiling lips straightened, and the silver dolphins hanging from her ears got as still as stone. "Don't worry . . . ." "I'm afraid . . . . " Lila's lungs felt like they were filling up with mold. "Oh, Lila, won't you ever learn? Your negative thoughts can create a negative reality." . . . . "I've never felt so helpless. I'm scared . . . ." "You can't give up your search." . . . . "Why do these awful things keep happening?" "That's not the right question. Ask, 'What's the meaning in this crisis? What's it trying to teach?'" Betsy said. "Hard times can be gifts. They can force us to change and get us where we're meant to be." less

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