Truth Be Told |
| Listen by Nancy Coffelt: Review Posted: 21 Mar 2011 12:30 PM PDT  ListenWritten by: Nancy Coffelt Published in: October 2009 Published by: Westside Books 214 PagesFormat: Hardcover Source: Received from publisher. Synopsis Three lives intersect unexpectedly in this unique, compelling story. First there's Will, an eighteen-year-old living alone since his mother died and his drug- and alcohol-addled brother went to jail. Then there's Kurt, a troubled fourteen-year-old loner still reeling after the death of his mother's abusive boyfriend and from his part in it. And finally there's Carrie, a middle-aged schizophrenic who "hears" the thoughts of the abused and neglected neighborhood animals she rescues. When Carrie and Kurt meet, she offers to pay him for each "stray" cat or dog he delivers. But when Carrie's "rescuing" goes too far, events spiral dangerously out of control. Told from alternating viewpoints, Listen is the haunting story of people thrown together by fate, each struggling to come to terms with their harrowing past. (Taken from Goodreads.com) My Review Listen by Nancy Coffelt is a stand-alone novel told in 3rd person with alternating perspectives. This book is jam packed with strong issues that aren't normally discussed in our daily lives, let alone all in one book. Listen discusses the seriousness of mental illness (schizophrenia), the aftermath of dealing with loss, and the trauma that results from physical abuse. There were so many great things about this title that it's going to be difficult to narrow it down. The author has a very distinct writing style. Nancy is able to describe a detailed setting. The city in this title reminded me of a small town. This specific detail gave me insight into why some of the events were so catastrophic. It's the kind of town where everyone knows almost everyone and their business. This title differs from most because it features three main characters, and the entire novel alternates their perspectives but from a third person narrative. At first I wasn't sure if the layout of the story would deter me from reading it, because it can get a little confusing when you switch point of view so often. The author, however, does a brilliant job at creating distinct voices for each of the characters. There is no confusion at all. If no names were mentioned in each section, you would still be able to tell who was speaking and about who. The characters in this book also go through a lot of internal growth. They each face their past and figure out the right way to deal with it. This story doesn't have a "happy" ending necessarily but it does have a very real ending that is also filled with hope. There was also one thing that seemed unique to me. This book starts off with the three different characters not knowing anything about each other. Slowly as the story progresses their lives all become interweaved and it leads to a climactic ending that has you turning the pages in suspense. Nancy Coffelt told a memorable story that will leave readers changed. Listen is not a story for the faint of heart, it is really packed with an emotional story that takes you on a never ending roller coaster. This story will give you a completely different outlook on typical stereotypes you may think you know a lot about.  Overall Listen earns 4 lanterns from Truth Be Told. This story has some pretty intense issues so I recommend this if you enjoy contemporary reads, and edgy fiction. Purchase Links: or add it on
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