[amazon_image id="0345494482" link="true" target="_blank" size="large" ]Close Your Eyes: A Novel[/amazon_image]
[amazon_link id="0345494482" target="_blank" ]Close Your Eyes[/amazon_link]
by Amanda Eyre Ward
Publication Date: July 26, 2011
Publisher: Random House
Source: I received this book free from TLC Book Tours in exchange for participation in a virtual book tour.
Lauren Mahdian and her brother, Alex have grown up haunted by the murder of their mother. Their father was convicted of the crime and has spent over 20 years in prison. Lauren is convinced of his guilt; Alex of his innocence. Lauren allows this truth to run her life, most significantly her relationship with her long-time boyfriend, Gerry. She’s refused his numerous marriage proposals, seeing first-hand what “love” can do. When Alex surprises Lauren with the news that he is headed to Baghdad, Iraq with Doctors Without Borders, Lauren is crushed. Alex is her only family and her center. He tries to convince her of their father’s innocence before he departs, but she wants none of it. She prefers to numb her pain with alcohol and Tylenol PM.
When Lauren receives devastating news, she subsequently uncovers some files regarding her mother’s death. Ready to learn and truth once and for all, she embarks on a journey to uncover her family secrets, whatever they may be.
This is a multiple viewpoint novel. It is divided into separate “books” with Lauren, Sylvia, and Mae narrating. Who are Sylvia and Mae, you ask? They mysteriously appear in book two. I wasn’t quite sure what was going on when Sylvia’s narration started. Her story seemed entirely separate and disconnected from Lauren’s. I was intrigued by her story, though, and I couldn’t wait to see how it connected to Lauren’s (because obviously it did in some way!). Sylvia tells us that she is pregnant and is secretly leaving her abusive boyfriend. She is heading to New York City in hopes of staying with an old friend, Victoria or Victoria’s mother, Mae. Through flashbacks we glimpse the friendship between Sylvia and Victoria and how it has shaped the women they are in the present.
Ward has written a page-turner that will keep you glued to the text wondering what will happen next; how these two seemingly separate stories are connected. This is a mysterious story with lots of twists and turns and raw characters who leap off the page.
My only negative thought about this book is that I would have loved a bit more closure at the end of the novel. I kind of felt like Sylvia was left hanging and I wanted more of her story. I did think the last lines of the novel were beautiful and brought a tear to my eye.
Final Rating
I enjoy her writing, but I am feeling a little weary about the closure. I do not like ending that are left open. Thanks for the review.
I’ve got this in my queue to read — normally thrillers are too scary for me, but I’m curious about this one!
Nice review. I usually don’t stories with multiple POV’s. But sometimes it is done well and I come away really enjoying it and fascinated at the author’s ability to keep it cohesive. This sounds a really good book. I really like the cover, it’s lovely.
I don’t much care for open ended stories as I want to always know how it went unless its a series and you can get to the next one! Thanks for this review.
I have this on my wish list. I have read some great reviews. Thanks for yours!
Sounds like you really enjoyed this one except for that bit at the end. Thanks for being on the tour! I’m featuring your review on TLC’s Facebook page today.
This one has been getting wonderful reviews, which is why it’s already on my to-buy list! Thanks for another awesome review!