Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shocking, moving, beautiful, disturbing ... , 12 Jun 2007
I read this book in one compulsive guzzle. At page 3 I began crying. I didn't stop crying (or reading) until several hours later when I had reached the end.
I am a fast reader, I am prone to reading books in one sitting, can eat up 2 novels on a transatlantic flight. But. But this was about Jude. Caroline has created a character who was so real to me, so utterly completely alive for me, that I didn't want to leave her alone. In the moments when I was not reading, when I was crossing the street, in an appointment, stepping on to and off of various trains, I ached to be back with her. I wanted to reach into the book and put my arms around her. I wanted to whisper ... I am here. I am listening. You are not alone.
At times I felt that Jude knew I was there. I don't think I have ever experienced that with a book before. Have you?
In Search of Adam is a sad book. A moving, desperately tragic story. But. But it's not a miserable book. It is without self-consciousness. Without drama. Without sentimentality. Which is remarkable considering the fact that it is a book about child abuse, written from the child's perspective.
There are lots of ways in which In Search of Adam is a clever book too. The use of different fonts and sizes and symbols and the graphic layout of words on the page is not a gimmick. In Search of Adam is bordering on visual art. The use of the fonts, the use of repetition, the layout of words on the page, they are a powerful multiplier of Jude's voice - they tell you things which Jude does not have the understanding or confidence to articulate. They add a layer of meta communication. They are crucial to the story, core to the writing. They are not formatting - weren't added as an afterthought ... I feel that this is how the words came out.
If I had millions of pounds I would have hundreds of thousands of copies of ISoA printed and issue them to every parent, teacher, nurse, doctor, social worker, psychologist, therapist, youth worker and politician in the country. I would simply ask them to read 3 pages, and know that they would read the rest.
But I don't. So, I will have to rely on the fact that I don't believe you can read a book like In Search of Adam and not tell people about it. That people who have met Jude will carry her story to others. And they will, because, in short, In Search of Adam is a before and after book.
This is without doubt one of the best novels I have ever read, and I expect it will stay on my top ten list permanently. As the first reviewer said, if there were more than 5 stars to give, I would have given them.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful, 2 Feb 2008
I have just finished Caroline's debut novel, In Search of Adam. It's 11:30pm and I'm wandering around my bedroom allowing my heart beat to return back to normal. The book has made me think. It has made me wonder. About Jude. About Adam. And about Caroline Smailes and what an absolute genius of a writer she is. No words I write here can give justice to this brilliant novel.
The book is skilfully written using naïve childish words and sentences that befit the protagonist Jude. It makes the brutal actions she endures so much more shocking, so shocking that I often sat with my hand over my mouth. Caroline's writing is powerful unleashing equally powerful feelings within me. I wanted to go out and hunt this Eddie down. And hurt him. I wanted to swoop down from my settee and pluck Jude from her house and smoother her with the love she needed. I wanted to listen to her, let her speak the words out loud. Look after her.
To say Caroline has pushed boundaries is an understatement. The subject matter is terrifying, gripping, real. But it is her use of language, fonts, the repetitiveness of words and sentences that gives the reader a higher knowledge adding extra dimensions to Jude's story.
This book isn't an easy read. But you know that from the writing on the cover. Maybe for some it is an unnecessary read. For me, however, this book will stay with me long after I have written this review. It was compelling, evocative, honest and cleverly written. I didn't think I would like it because of the subject matter. In the end I loved it. If I could have given it more than 5 stars I would have.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Haunting & Wonderful, 22 Jun 2007
This is a beautifully written journey into the life and psyche of a young girl who has suffered greatly. Moving, deeply empathetic and very important.
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