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There are currently 25 member reviews
for Night Navigation
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Eileen (Danvers MA)
Good not Great
This is a heart rending story of the struggles of a mentally ill addict and the struggles of a family. Del, the Mom, lives in constant fear of what will become of her son, Mark, while trying to live some sort of life of her own. Not really tough love material, Del has a hard time letting the chips fall for her son, but an almost harder time continuing to support him. Mark does not make it easy to do either.
As moving as this story is I found myself, for some reason at times, a little annoyed with the Mom and sick of Mark. Del's love of Mark seems to have a desperation about it, and for good reason we learn as the tale unfolds. Despite this I still found myself impatient with the development of the plot. There were parts of the book when I could not put it down, and then parts where I found myself skimming a little.
In the end I would categorize "Night Navigation" as a good read on many levels but average when compared to some of the more mature books of this genre.
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Kimberly (Chula Vista CA)
Night Navigation
Night Navigation by Ginnah Howard is a gripping, yet depressing, novel. Del, the 60+ year-old mother alternates telling the story with her 37 year-old son who is a drug addict and a perpetual source of stress for Del. The book intrigued me right from the beginning and did not disappoint through the last page. The parade of unsavory characters and Del’s inability to give her son the “tough love” he seems to be craving proved to be extremely frustrating for this reader. Ginnah Howard bases this novel on personal experiences which enhances its believability and kept me rooting for Del until the end (no matter how many times I wanted to shake her and shout NO!). This book is a terrific read but may need to be taken in small doses.
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Darra (Mendocino CA)
Like Watching a Trainwreck...
I found reading this gritty novel about the relationship between a drug-addicted, bipolar adult son and his enabling mother akin to watching a train wreck: simultaneously horrifying and mesmerizing. The language is spare - at times almost abrupt - contributing to the sense of tension and anxiety that pervades the third-person, shifting narrative. If you were grabbed by A Million Little Pieces, you might want to pick this one up ... then be prepared to keep those pages turning.
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Trez (Columbia MD)
Night Navigation by Ginnah Howard
This book would be excellent for book clubs for there are many interesting points for discussion.
The first thing that struck me about the author's method of writing was the short choppy sentences which initially I didn't like. However, as I got into the book; the mother continues her narration of her sons and husband's downfalls and I found myself feeling anxious and upset. This is how Ginah Howard draws you in and keeps you involved. You must continue to read to hear the complete story and the sentences make you feel on edge; simply because they only tell a little.
The book in some ways is very dark and puts you in a bad place, however I rated it a 4 because you are totally involved and eager to read the end. Very interesting story and method of telling the story. You are left with the question, should the mother have behaved differently in the lives of her son? Did the father plant the seed of negativity?
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Beth (Westhampton Beach NY)
A unflinching view of addiction
This is not a book for the weak at heart. Having lived with addiction for too years (my mother, sister, and husband were all addicts), I know the veracity with which Ginnah Howard writes. This is an unsparing look at both sides of addiction. The frustration and confusion of a mother who tries desperately to save her son and the deception and madness of the son in the throes of his addiction are beautifully depicted. For anyone who wants to better understand addiction and wants to read a very real, deeply moving account, this book's for you.
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Amellia (Omaha NE)
Hmm...
The interesting part of this book is allowing the reader to be "in the head" of the two main characters. Your easily able to understand what's going on in the mother of the addict's head, as well as the addict. This gives the reader an understanding to the complex emotions of each character.
The not so interesting side of this novel is the overwhelming exhaustion I felt as I read. When I first read the synopsis, I suppose I had a Augusten Burroughs feel for the book. I was immediately excited to read this, why the Burroughs feel, I'm not sure. When I started reading I knew this was more intense than any other book I'd read. I pushed through to be able to give this a review...and give the book all of my attention until it was complete. Once I finished I was glad the book was over. I never felt anything other than sadness, depression and exhaustion as I read. The life of the addict and his mother is a never ending cycle of feeling drained. If the author wrote this in trying to capture these emotions, then they did a wonderful job. So dear readers...if you're looking for a book to keep you going at night, lift your spirits, or maybe take you on a little journey, I'd avoid this one. If you want to take a stroll in the lives of addicts and mental health issues ... this this is your book ... good luck.
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Melanie (Templeton MA)
Good not great....
This was just an ok read for me, although I did like the alternating chapters between mother and son. It didn't grip me as I had hoped it would, but I'm glad I did read it, as the subject matter was very real and interesting to read. Not a book I would rush to get to, but not one I would let pass me by either!
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