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Jill F. (Blackwood, NJ)
Nothing To See Here - Not to be missed
If you've been looking for an entertaining beach read that you can't put down this is out. Make sure you put on plenty of sunscreen because you'll quickly forget about everything. The characters are quirky, well developed and engaging. The plot is fast-moving, enveloping and just different enough to keep you guessing and involved. Definitely worth reading!
M K. (Minneapolis, MN)
Nothing to See Here
Reading a book where you've heard that children burst into flames sounds like a zombie book for Gen-Xers, but it's not. This is a book for anyone who has ever felt like an underdog and knows, that no matter how much money you throw at a problem, it is never a substitute for love. And still knowing this, you can't put the book down; it's both fun and entertaining and before long, you're finished with the book but wish it were longer.
Karen B. (La Grange, KY)
Nothing to see here ... lots to appreciate
Funny, warm, weird, strange, absurd, witty, heart-warming, quirky, charming ... a gem. The strange premise of spontaneously combustible children somehow never degenerates into ridiculousness. Fans of Kevin Wilson will not be disappointed.
Chadwick
Quirky and madcap fun
I'd previously read Kevin Wilson's THE FAMILY FANG, so I was prepared for another novel with his unique blend of wit, strangeness, charm, and wild originality.
NOTHING TO SEE HERE certainly delivers on some of that promise, but it also left me wanting a bit more. FANG had truly wonderful characters -- thoroughly believable, with authentic and compelling voices. You couldn't help but feel drawn into their lives, and it was clear how much affection Wilson had for them himself. With NOTHING TO SEE HERE, I never really found my way into his characters or into the tender heart of his story.
I was reminded of both
…more Daryl Gregory's SPOONBENDERS and Chloe Benjamin's THE IMMORTALISTS. Both of those novels share some plot similarities and a certain sense of zany mischief with NOTHING TO SEE HERE. With both those novels, the supernatural plot device that drives the story ultimately isn't what's important. It's the people! And I fell in love with both those families and their stories. Both novels had soul. Here, alas, Wilson's device feels at times like a "gimmick" that distracted me from his characters.
But, for all that, this is an undeniably fun and enjoyable read. Wilson is a deeply funny man, and there are many laugh-out-loud moments. The story zips along to a satisfying conclusion. I was pleased to have read it. (less)All year I have been taking a class in spirituality and self growth at my local church. Of course we have been using religious books along with our text. The bottom line of the class is "How do we grow spiritually into the person we truly are meant to be?" The class has ended and I learned so much, but never did I expect to find answers to my dilemma in a fresh new novel called Nothing to See Here, by Kevin Wilson. I applied for it as I always do for First Impressions, just hoping I will like the book enough to finish it. But I can truly say that this book was life changing for me, and I believe that many adults
…more as well as young adults can benefit from this simple story of a young woman who is asked to care for two young children over the course of a summer.
Lillian is a college student on a scholarship to a wealthy girls' school. Her roommate is a beautiful, rich girl named Madison, and the two become very close. After a complicated fiasco, Madison leaves school after Lillian, and the two correspond only by letter. But one day Lillian receives a letter from Madison asking her to come and help her take care of her two step children, twins Bessie and Roland. Lillian has a dead end life with no foreseeable future, so she agrees to travel to Tennessee to be their caretaker. What she doesn't know is that the twins spontaneously combust when agitated. Throughout the summer we watch Lillian build a relationship with these children who have never known love or affection, and have been left with a mom who only saw them as a negative in her life. In her own life, Lillian has not had much, if any affection shown to her. She fears that she will not know how to take care of these unique kids. But as the story evolves we watch her find herself in saving them. The universal truth of this story should appeal to anyone who wants to become a better person. It's through loving and helping others that we grow into the people we want to be. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves a good novel. The characters will stay with you long after you are finished reading. (less)From page 1, I was pulled into Kevin Wilson's Nothing to See Here. He has created intriguing characters who evoked in me mixed emotions and strong feelings. Between Lillian and Madison, especially, there is a skillful, almost delicate, rendering of the nature and complexity of their relationship.
The plot, incorporates a strong element of the paranormal, 10 year old twins who burst into flames when upset. Typically, the use of pseudoscientific theory is enough to zap my interest. However, in this story, the outlandish hoax of spontaneous human combustion works. I suspended disbelief and just went along for the
…more ride! It was easy because no matter how frequent or severe the episodes were, the twins came out unhurt, completely uninjured.
There is so much to like about this engaging book, I highly recommend it.
I am deducting a point for (imho) too many f bombs and other profanities. (less)
Catharine L. (Petoskey, MI)
4.5!
Weirdly funny. Lillian is coasting along in life when her best and only friend asks her to watch her step-children (twins) who spontaneously combust when agitated. Great plot and wonderful characters.
Portia A. (Monroe Township, NJ)
A very fine book
A little suspension of belief is helpful. Children who can set themselves on fire and not be burned are the focus of the story, yet the characters surrounding them are very real. I really enjoyed reading the book, and I recommend it.
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