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Melissa S. (Rowland, NC)
Choices and Consequences
I struggled with this novel. The prose is beautiful leading the reader to very vividly picture Trinidad and it's dry dusty environment. I feel like I have physically sat in Clyde and Joy's living room, maybe even petted their dogs' eager heads. I felt real fear regarding the sketchy men that hung around the park and the so-called bodyguard spying on the family. So, for all of that, Claire Adam crafts an artful story of the life of a family that struggles both financially and emotionally. However, by the end of the novel, I truly hate Clyde, the father. I vehemently disagree with his view that he had a choice to
…more make. My thoughts drifted back to this family for many days after I finished it. Isn't that the mark of a great novel? However, my feelings about Clyde and my deep disgust for him cause me on the one hand, to wish I had never read it, but on the other hand, I know Adams did exactly what she is supposed to do - invoke strong, unsettling emotions that stick with the reader. One thing is for sure - as much as I would love to, I will never forget this novel. One man's choice directed the fate of four lives. Father Kavanagh is correct when he says God will grant forgiveness. I just don't think I can though. I need to see the innate goodness in people and this novel shows exactly the opposite. (less)After finishing this book, I realized why so much of the text in the middle of the book, which I found difficult to plod through, was necessary for background to understand the characters, what happened and why. I also got slowed down a bit by the cultural vocabulary. This book is all about family interactions. Telling the story through the different characters' points of view helped me understand the characters and their family relationships. The ending left me unsatisfied, however. I felt like there were so many unanswered questions. With family dynamics and interactions the focus of Golden Child, there is
…more much to discuss here, which would make this book a good selection for book clubs. (less)Golden Child is about twin boys in Trinidad. They are treated very differently based on their intellect. Peter is known as the smart one who is given the advantages in life by his parents. Paul was born slow and his parents regard him as intellectually slow. Others don't believe he is as behind as his parents do. Paul goes missing and his parents, specifically his dad, Clyde, has to make some heart wrenching decisions. The story revolves around those decisions and the preceding events and outcome.
The author gives a good description of Trinidad and the difficulties of living there as well as the corruption that
…more occurs there. The story also deals with the guilt associated with the results of Clyde's decision.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. The first part was a little slow. Then, part 2 backtracked to the boys early lives leading up to Paul's disappearance. Part 3 involves Clyde's decisions and the outcome. It was a sad story overall. (less)I should've loved this book. The plot is solid, the characters are well developed, the setting is beautifully described by an author who clearly loves Trinidad, & the message is important. However, the story moves too slowly, is a bit predictable, and Ms. Adam steps too far into gratuitous violence/abuse in the third section of the book. It is both difficult to stomach and not fitting with the tone of the rest of the novel. As I was reading the abusive scene, I was immediately jarred out of the story. It doesn't fit with the rest of the story and feels as if it was included solely for shock value. Although I
…more didn't particularly love this book, I am interested in seeing how the author's writing skill grows as she gains more experience. This is a decent debut novel & it is evident that Ms. Adam is a skilled writer. I think as she becomes a more seasoned novelist her writing choices will mature. (less)Trinidad--crime and corruption running rampant. I found the detailed discussion of the social and economic structure to be the most interesting part of the story. Through all this the family highly values education and what it means to the next generation. The choices a family makes are not always easy. I'm not sure what my choice would be. Although the book was enjoyable I couldn't connect with the characters and therefore a lower rating.
Joane W. (Berlin, MD)
The Golden Child
I did not enjoy this book.The story surrounding the twins did not ring true. The characters were not transparent and I found it hard to relate to them.I did not feel much emotion from the father considering the situation.I do like reading about other countries and cultures so that was a plus.
Robin B. (Olmsted Falls, OH)
Golden Child
I had difficulty with this book in that I did not feel there always enough information such as what was going through the father's mind that he would not give the ransom money. Also I felt the characters needed more development. I also wanted to know more about kidnapping in Trinidad and how that fits into the culture.
Doris K. (Angora, MN)
Golden Child
I would not recommend this book. The plot was strange and hard to understand. The characters were not well developed I could not relate to any of them or understand the motivation behind their behavior. The author writes well. Her descriptions of land, homes, scenery and sounds are well done. At least to me the people didn't seem believable. There were some good interactions between the twins but the whole plot just didn't make it in my opinion.
