What do readers think of Hieroglyphics by Jill McCorkle? Write your own review.

I enjoyed this story which I think would appeal especially to those 'of a certain age'. Two of the central characters are nearing the end of their lives, and there are references to events that might not be relatable to a younger audience. I found the jumping back and forth to be a bit confusing but it was intriguing to follow the story lines as the main characters looked back on their lives.

It was difficult for me to get into Hieroglyphics. I put the book down several times before I finished reading it. It's the story of a retired couple that moved from the North East to North Carolina to be closer to their daughter. They appear to feel that a part of their respective lives are missing. Frank, the husband, wants to search for his childhood home for memories.He finds it with a single woman living there. Lil, the wife, spends her days keeping notes on her daughter and thinking about old times.
I would recommend this book for book club. I feel that it would provide lively discussions. Topics covered could include loss, love, reminiscing.

I cannot say that I enjoyed reading Hieroglyphics but I was intrigued by how well the author, Jill McCorkle was able to communicate the characters raw emotions and fears. The writing switching back in time to childhood memories and back to current while meaningful was choppy and disjointed much like I felt their lives were. I did find her description transported the reader back in time as the character's memories shared events that were still affected their lives. The book deals with loss, pain, helplessness and each characters attempt to manage. The memories, secrets and struggles woven throughout will transport the reader to a not so pleasant world.

Though I loved the writing style and the character development, I found the switching between characters by chapter to be confusing. Not enough of a story was revealed before moving on to the next character and chapter. Stories of childhood were hard to keep straight -- what happened to whom? Thus, my title of the review. Had I been able to sit down and read the book all at one time, it may have been less confusing. Every time I picked up the book, I had to re-read the previous chapter in order to keep straight what was happening. The flow was not there, and I so wanted it to be! The premise of the story was something I was very much looking forward to exploring -- stories and secrets parents have, but never pass along to their children and the importance of logging your own history, whether for your offspring or to come to terms with your own story. Sadly, this book was not a favorite. It didn't grip me and hold me, like a good story should.

The subjects of loss, grief and secrets are central themes in the novel, Hieroglyphics. Each of the characters spent a lot of time "digging and searching' into the lives of those that they had lost. They were a group of people who were crying out for help and no one was paying attention. They were left to flounder in their own way. It made for an unsettling read. I kept expecting something monumental to be revealed but it wasn't for me. Melancholy is what I walked away with when I was done.

You know that comfortable feeling you can get when you begin reading a new novel and feel that maybe it's going to be a very, very good reading? That's how this book started out for me. It revealed the stories and histories of four people, Frank and Lil, a married couple reaching the sunset of their lives, and Shelley and her son, muddling in the middle of hers. You eavesdropped on their thoughts, memories, regrets, musings ... back and forth over their years and decades. Very beautiful writing and many pieces interspersed throughout that touched me in remarkable ways. But somehow this novel lost me along the way. Perhaps it is because now, during our pandemic time, I really crave clear delineated messages and feelings that are more happy than sad and worried.

As we age, we spend more time thinking about the events of the past that make us who we are. Each story is unique leading us to who we are today. Hieroglyphics is the story of three people remembering the stories that made up their lives. These stories bring them to today and how their stories connect. What fears and mistakes that carry over to their actions towards each other. If we could understand what lies behind each person, we would realize it isn't something we've done to make them act the way they do towards us, but the past that shapes their actions.

I was so excited to read another Jill McCorkle book. "Life After Life" was one of my favorite reads. I loved the storyline and enjoyed characters so much and recommended it to everyone. Not so much her new book "Hieroglyphics."
Lil and her husband Frank are seniors the have retired to NC and Shelley lives with her son Harvey in the house that Frank grew up in. There is really not much more of connection to these characters than that.

The novel peels back the layers of each of their lives and the story travels back and forth revealing their past. It felt a bit disjointed and confusing at first but the real problem was that even after learning their stories, I didn't feel an emotional connection or empathy for anyone except the young boy Harvey. As usual, the writing was excellent but I just couldn't connect with this one.