Harold and Lucille Hargrave's lives have been both joyful and sorrowful in the decades since their only son, Jacob, died tragically at his eighth birthday party in 1966. In their old age they've settled comfortably into life without him, their wounds tempered through the grace of time ... Until one day Jacob mysteriously appears on their doorstep—flesh and blood, their sweet, precocious child, still eight years old.
All over the world people's loved ones are returning from beyond. No one knows how or why this is happening, whether it's a miracle or a sign of the end. Not even Harold and Lucille can agree on whether the boy is real or a wondrous imitation, but one thing they know for sure: he's their son. As chaos erupts around the globe, the newly reunited Hargrave family finds itself at the center of a community on the brink of collapse, forced to navigate a mysterious new reality and a conflict that threatens to unravel the very meaning of what it is to be human.
Jason Mott lives in southeastern North Carolina. He has a BFA in Fiction and an MFA in Poetry, both from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. The Returned has been optioned by Brad Pitt’s production company, Plan B, in association with Brillstein Entertainment and ABC. The pilot is currently being filmed.
I do not know what I can say to make you read this book right NOW! This one is good, this one is very good. This one will make you doubt your own moral standings because you will not know which one to choose. They all have a point. When reading the synopsis for this book I knew I had to read this book. Just imagine someone you love showing up. I was so curious how they would deal with it. But it goes beyond Jacob, there are many more Returned and the government has to do something or.. I love the way the story is worked out. You see all sides and though the story does show more support for the Returned there are enough ideas shown from people with other thoughts.
I really felt for Lucille, fighting to give her kid his life even at the age she was. Harold was a big moody old man though it was clear he did love his wife. I did get the feeling with the Returned that they where a bit naive, simple maybe though not all the True Living seem to reflect it. Still it is said they always recognize Returned so there must be something though that never really becomes clear.
After finishing the book I wanted to read it again immediately trying if I would read it different having all the knowledge. I will for sure pick it up again at some point.
The Returned
Author: Jason Mott
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Pages: 352
Format: eGalley
ISBN-10: 0778315339
ISBN-13: 9780778315339
Series: The Returned #1
6 reacties
Write reactiesWasn't this just fascinating?? It made me think and think and think some more. I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)
ReplyI am still thinking about the whole situation. It is such an interesting story.
Replylol, this definitely was one of those books you just have to read and experience for yourself xP I'm pretty sure I missed a lot of plot points I wanted to mention in my review but I agree with everything you mentioned and how the story turned out :)
ReplyOh Ciska, I didn't know the book, but now I feel like I need to read it. The summary is fascinating, with the boy who appears and so on!
ReplyI want to read it!! I've seen so many good reviews. The story sounds interesting. *goes and increase the TBR list*
ReplyCiska, I've finished it some weeks ago and well, I didn't like it that much. I found it slow and I wanted more explanations about the returned that never came...
ReplyWell, I can't like everything!! :D
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