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No One Ran to the Altar
Don Trowden, Author
This second volume in the Normal Family Trilogy picks up the Pendergast family saga mixing humor with pain in recounting what became of the genius older brother Albert. All the characters in this eccentric family are further explored with great tenderness and humor as the theme of father and son betrayals is further developed, with a surprise at novel's end that sheds new light on all that came before.
Plot/Idea: 7 out of 10
Originality: 7 out of 10
Prose: 8 out of 10
Character/Execution: 7 out of 10
Overall: 7.25 out of 10
Assessment:
In Trowden's winning second novel in the Normal Family trilogy, Henry is taking care of his elderly, obstinate father and growing closer to other family members following his brother’s suicide. Throughout, the author deftly weaves humor into tragedy. And while some scenes run long and feature meandering, if colorful, conversation, the descriptions are loaded with original phrasing—at times hilarious, at times cutting. The revelation of family secrets is fitting and poignant, but would -- as with other sections of the book -- be stronger without the on-the-nose commentary that accompanies it.
Date Submitted: June 02, 2016
News
06/02/2016
Advance galleys on NetGalley
For NetGalley reviewers, you can read an advance galley there as a pdf. Publication date is September 21, 2016.
