The Hour I First Believed

I realize that I haven't been so good at my reviewing of books - however in my defense I will say that this last book took some real time to read.

The Hour I First Believed - by Wally Lamb

I love Wally Lamb. He wrote "She's Come Undone" and my all time favorite book ever " This Much I Know Is True" so I was really looking forward to reading this one. I wasn't disappointed....sort of.

The Hour I First Believed is a multitude of stories all in one long story. It takes us to the Columbine shootings - where the real first big bite of meat and potatoes of the story is. It is vivid - it is real - it is heart breaking. But don't be fooled into thinking this story is about the Columbine shootings....because Columbine is really just a catalyst for the rest of the story.

The main character Caelum Quirk - is a believable character that you just want to wrap your arms around and squeeze then back up and rattle his cage! He is sweet, and vulnerable and sometimes just irritated me to death because I wanted him to SAY what I'm sure he was really feeling.  Mo- his wife - is broken and scarred, and Velvet - a runaway kid who gloms on to Mo - is an interesting twist in the road.

If you like long - involved -rich stories - The Hour I First Believed is the book for you. If a lot of back story and Y's in the road are not your cup of tea - or if you like to just get to the point already - then this book is probably not for you.

Wally Lamb never disappoints me. I hope you will feel the same way.