What do readers think of The Edge of Normal by Carla Norton? Write your own review.

I liked this book very much. It was a page-turner and certainly very timely in subject matter. All of us have been shocked and sickened by the number of young women - and even girls - who have been discovered and rescued from sexual predators in recent times. The main character in this book suffered years of imprisonment and sexual abuse and torture before she escaped and went into therapy. When asked to assist in the therapy of another such victim she reluctantly agreed. Parts of this book were a little predictable but exciting none-the-less. I will suggest this book for a future read for my book discussion group.

Bestselling true crime author Carla Norton delivers her first novel, The Edge of Normal. After four-years of captivity and six-years of therapy, twenty-two year old Reeve LeClaire decides to help when a thirteen-year-old girl is rescued from a year of imprisonment. Avoiding many of the gritty details of what these victims suffered at the hands of their captors, Norton draws a complex character striving to recover her life despite intrusions from the public, the media and law enforcement. Timely and compelling, this book should have wide appeal. Even the anticipated final showdown kept me on the edge of my seat.

The subject matter of this book is incredibly timely as the 3 women held captive in a basement in OH, a woman held captive in France, have recently been freed and are slowly revealing parts of their incredible stories. I would say if this sort of real-life tragedy interests you then you will really like this book. I recently purchased the audio-CD version of Jaycee Dugard's story because I wanted to literally hear it in her own words. Parts were heart- & gut- wrenchingly hard to read / hear, yet Jaycee & the narrator of this book (also a former captive) relate the information in this matter-of-fact, almost clinical, detached, type of manner. While this book is classified as fiction, it certainly seems very accurate, and b/c of which, some parts are very hard to read thru, b/c your mind replaces Reeve (protagonist) with the young women from OH or Jaycee Dugard. The book provides some insight into the kidnapper/rapist/molester's mind which is a very unpleasant place to be. But it's the strength of will of Reeve (& others) for which you cheer (& weep). If the real-life situations intrigue you then you'll definitely want to read this book.

This book was definitely a page turner. Once I read the first page I was hooked and could not put it down, despite the disturbing content and pretty graphic descriptions of the kidnapping situation. The Author sometimes writes in the present tense, which serves to keep the story tense and immediate. The dialogue and situations involving the psychological effects of hostage situations and longtime confinement were interesting and seemed to relate well to the characters and plot.

Reeve, the main character, was well drawn and the title, The Edge of Normal, described her well - After being held for 6 years, what is "normal" and will she ever get there? However, it was a little beyond belief that she would not have gone to the authorities when she discovered Tilley's secret, and that she would have solved the case herself, but for the sake of the story's plot it worked.

The two authorities, Jackie Burke and Nick Hudson were too strident and negative to be realistic. It seemed that they would have tried more to help Reeve and follow her leads. Also, Duke was too evil to be believed. He was such a one-sided character, and it got tiresome that he had such a "bead" on everyone. How could Reeve every think that Nick was attractive after he scorned her?

I thought about this book long after I had read it, and couldn't imagine the horrors the girls went through. Seems like the author did her homework in researching the effects of kidnapped captivity.

Perfect title. The characters are well developed. Reeve, the main character, helps the reader better understand that it takes time for someone who has been held captive to become "normal". Even with her family, she feels uncomfortable. Thanks to her therapist she begins helping Tilly, a young twelve year old girl who has just escaped. At this point the plot really takes off.

At times the suspense was almost too much, but this is what makes this a good book. When I now read of real life women who have lived through this earthshaking experience, I will think of this book. It is fiction, but the author Carla Norton has researched this topic and has written a very realistic novel.

Just because my life was so hectic at the time - it took me a long time to read this book. I couldn't wait to sit down with it each time I had the chance and found the story compelling, the movement forward consistent and the telling of each party's part to bring the story to a consistent whole workable. However, I found the resolution both predictable and unbelievable. Until the denouement, I would have rated the book a 5. The book had to have a resolution. I just wish I could have felt that it was one that made sense given the characters' respective roles and baggage.

Unfortunately, the disturbing abductions in The Edge of Normal could be taken from today's headlines. Perhaps that fact was an impetus for the author. Norton has done an incredible amount of research.

We do not normally learn about the details and struggles of those who have returned to the family after suffering horrendous abuse and anguish. The protagonist, Reeve/Reggie portrays a great deal of strength and fortitude in moving forward. She also seems authentic in her doubts and questions about her ability to forge normal relationships and life.

This book was difficult at times to read but it was well written and tended to draw me in. I do wonder if parts were realistic, but one never knows how far a young person will go to pursue their goals.

I wanted to like this book more, but found that the story didn't grab me; but it was a solid read and I didn't get bored with it. One thing I really liked was how the author would foreshadow something, but I didn't realize she was dropping a hint..... until the object or "thing" popped up in the story later. I find those tidbits to be very satisfying. Possibly the reason I didn't love this book is that I couldn't really "get into" the protagonist. Maybe a reader could if she had gone through a hostage, or house-bound situation. I did relate to the protagonist in that she was trying to help others - I liked that very much about her. Please don't NOT read this book because I said it's not a "Great Book". It's a solid read and you don't get bored. BookBrowse has set a high-bar for the books that we are lucky enough to preview. I'm going to be interested in how this book sells. I will definitely read her next book and hope that one is the Great Book that I'm looking for.