Book Review: The Promised World by Lisa Tucker
Posted By CarrieK on September 23, 2009
Title: The Promised World
Author: Lisa Tucker
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Publisher: Atria Books
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: TLC Book Tours
First line: While millions of people watched her brother die, Lila sat in her quiet office at the university, working on a paper about Herman Melville’s later years.
Lisa Tucker’s The Promised World
Lila’s husband, Patrick, is stunned to discover that most of what Lila told him about her childhood was a lie. As he tries to find the truth, and Lila starts to have more and more flashes of memory, a dark secret starts to emerge – but who is the villain? Is it their mother, Barbara? Their step-father, Harold? Billy? Or, worse, Lila herself?
Lisa Tucker has written a story that deals with the darkness of psychological and emotional abuse, and the question of how well we can actually know someone. She uses multiple viewpoints: Lila, Patrick, Ashley – Billy’s widow, and William – Billy’s son. The one person who could tell the entire story, in all its horrifying truth, is Billy – and he’s dead when the book starts. So as I read each chapter, bits and pieces of the picture were unveiled – but I could never get a handle on the whole thing. It reminded me of those online puzzles where a picture is shaded, and little sections are revealed one at a time, but the pieces never remain revealed – so you can never see the big picture. You have to guess from the little that you know – and you’re not quite sure you’ve got it right.
I had a hard time concentrating on anything else until I finished this book – and when I wasn’t reading, my mind was mulling it over, trying to connect the pieces and figure things out. I was surprised several times along the way, thinking I knew where it was going, then discovering I was wrong. After finishing it, I couldn’t stop thinking about scenes from earlier in the book – realizing how they made sense now and how things fit. This book was a terrific read – and I highly recommend it. Lisa Tucker is a new author to me, but I will definitely be seeking out more of her work.
Read the first chapter of The Promised World
Wow – this book sounds like it really made you think. I’m anxious to read it.
Kathy´s last blog ..Wondrous Words Wednesday
Kathy – I’m putting your copy in the mail tomorrow!
Just added this to my hold list at the library. 2 people ahead of me, and they don’t even have the book yet!
Karen´s last blog .."While I’m Waiting" – Then Sings My Soul Saturday
Karen – hopefully they will read it as quickly as I did and you won’t have to wait very long!
Hi Carrie! Great review! I’m so happy you enjoyed the book. I love a book that reveals itself slowly.
Thanks so much for the time and energy that went into reading and review The Promised World! It is very much appreciated.
Lisamm´s last blog ..Review: Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Lisa – you’re very welcome!
This sounds fantastic. I’m adding it to my wish list.
stacybuckeye´s last blog ..Silk and Stone, by Deborah Smith
Stacy – I hope you can read it soon!
I’ve read reviews of this one on the tour, and it always stops me in my tracks. The plot sounds heartbreaking, but it seems that this takes nothing away from the readability of the book. Great review Carrie!
Sandy´s last blog ..Meggie’s Remains – Joanne Sundell
Sandy – thanks. You’re right – the subject matter is harsh, but it is still very readable.
I am glad you enjoyed this one too, Carrie. Once I finished it, I realized just how well the author put it all together. I definitely plan to read more by Lisa Tucker. Great review!
Literary Feline´s last blog ..TGIF: Music, Wish Lists & Tears
Wendy – me, too – I can’t wait to pick up more of her work.
I read The Song Reader by Lisa Tucker several years ago and after reading this review, I’m definitely going to request this one from the library! So hard to keep up with all the authors I like and books out there.
Amy S.´s last blog ..Fall into Reading Challenge: To Read
Amy – I know what you mean! My TBR/wish list just keeps growing and growing…
[...] Living)23. Framed (The Gardella Vampire Chronicles)24. Barbara H (Things Left Unspoken)25. Carrie K. (The Promised World)26. Carrie K. (The Purloined Boy)27. Carrie K. (The Age of Innocence)28. gautami tripathy (Tintin in [...]