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There are currently 38 member reviews
for Golden Child
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Carol F. (Lake Linden, MI)
A Tale of Two Sons
This was not really a book that drew me in. Some books you can't wait to get back to in order to find out what happened - this was not one of those for me. I liked the character Clyde and found him believable but some of the other characters just seemed thrown into the book haphazardly with no real personality. I kept expecting Father Kavanagh to be developed more and was disappointed that he was not. Also I felt Romesh was just a side bar although he was significant in the story plot. Would have also enjoyed a more vivid description of the Trinidad countryside.
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Mary Beth K. (Lima, OH)
Thought Provoking Read
When I read this book, I wasn't sure whom I had the most compassion for... Clyde, Joy, Peter or Paul. I think it makes a great book for book clubs as there is a lot up for discussion. Since reading the book, I have found myself thinking about the characters and how the fate you are given defines your destiny. Were the characters just resigned to their preordained paths or could they have changed their fate. Who is really the Golden Child? Peter or Paul?
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Sandy P. (Ashburn, VA)
Hard Choice in a Beautiful Setting
This story is set in beautiful Trinidad. The descriptions of this country give so much detail, I could clearly imagine it. The family of the story struggles to provide for their twin boys. There is widespread corruption in the country that the father wants no part of, but in the end, that corruption forces him to make an unthinkable choice. The flawed characters pulled me into the unsettling story. I'm glad I had the chance to read this ARC from BookBrowse and I highly recommend it for book clubs. The end is difficult but will bring much discussion.
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Alissa C. (Woodstown, NJ)
Golden Child...with a black heart
I don't know where to begin with this novel- on one hand, I loved it. Claire Adam's writing is beautiful and engaging, I fell in love immediately with her style of writing. I also loved her location - rural Trinidad, a place I know very little about. While I enjoyed so much about this book, I'm almost evenly torn by what I didn't like- that is, the actual story, the hideously depressing ending, and the callous characters. Why write this book, or such a story? I finished the book and could not stop it from replaying in my mind, especially that question of...why? Perhaps the ending comes to show what little choice the very poor in impoverished environments really have? And that, when in those places, you grab on with all you have to a chance to escape
However, it was a beautiful and haunting book- I could see it being discussed by a book club. I'd be curious to hear others experiences with this story, how they found the characters, and particularly the ending. I feel that I won't soon leave this book behind, that I'll keep that lost boy in my mind, and wonder about his family.
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Florence H. (Laguna Woods, CA)
Golden Child
Adam has written a sensitive, yet disturbing novel of different lives in Trinidad. I could easily identify with the problems involved in raising two children of very different abilities. The insights into Paul's thinking as being labeled retarded were touching. Clyde, the father, is presented as a strong character with difficult choices. Having the suspense introduced by a criminal element kept me riveted to the end. I did find the format of part one being the present, part two the past, and returning to the present in part three somewhat confusing until rereading a little.
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Colleen F. (Carrollton, TX)
The Tale of Two Sons
This book is full of emotions. It makes you think about what you would do in certain situations. When you have children sometimes you have to make choices that may not be favorable to everyone. This book will have you on a rollercoaster of emotion and insight. This is a book that would be great for a book club.
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Ruth H. (Sebring, FL)
Trinidad Tragedy
I enjoyed the book! Clyde, Joy, Peter and Paul are very interesting characters, well developed and unusual in their thinking. I was not always sure the rest of the family was good for them. So much violence in their neighborhood, could not believe they stayed there. I didn't trust the priest, thought maybe he had a hand in the violence. I liked the kooky relatives! The ending came as quite a shock, but see a sequel in the future. Claire Adam did a great job, would read more of her books.
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