Brian StrauseCritiques

Depressing as hell, but a fantastic book.

Thought-provoking, sad, inspirational, funny, even ugly at times. Effective language and length. Could have fleshed out the secondary characters a bit more for my taste, but then of course then the focus would be taken off the main stories. Good for discussion - raises lots of questions like Why did Dad have the big reaction to his own crisis rather than to the initial family crisis?" and "Will the narrator ever be more than a supporting actor?""

Monroe, shortly before graduating from high school and on the evening of his senior prom, finds his younger sister floating facedown in the family's pool. He dives in and saves her, but she remains in a coma indefinitely. The story continues on from there, primarily exploring how each family member comes to terms with this.

The plot of this story had similarities to a novel I read a couple years ago (Rebecca Johnson's And Sometimes Why), but I felt this one was better executed and overall I enjoyed this one more. With a nice blend of humor but also with an underlying serious tone, Monroe's feelings and personality shone through in the author's writing style. As a baseball fan, I also enjoyed the many references to the Cincinnati Reds throughout the book.

This novel would've rated even higher with me, but at about the 2/3 mark, it started to get a little bit too "out there". The underlying message of faith, whether that be in a religious sense or otherwise, was nice, but at a point the plot started to become a little too over-the-top and my enjoyment level dropped a couple notches. Still though, a mostly well-written novel with some great quotes and one-liners.

This story is about 18 year old, Monroe who found his sister unconscious in their pool on prom night. He saved her from drowning, but then she slips into a coma. His family has different coping mechanisms: his dad starts drinking and his mom finds God, though the rest of the family questions the faith.
The characters are believable, and I like how the author questions and mocks faith, all while celebrating it. Though slow moving in some parts, I enjoy this book and it is well-written.½

How did I love this book? Let me count the ways. Monroe, the teenage narrator, is so honest, so believable. Don't read this book if you're looking for touchy-feely, "ah, he saves his sister from drowning and he never gave up on her." There is poking fun at religion, yet a "celebration of faith." I never could get through Catcher in the Rye, but in other reviews I've seen Monroe compared to Holden Caulfield. All I can say is, Monroe is brilliant, he shines, and this is a gem of a book. I hope Brian Strause continues to give us food for thought.

Monroe Anderson is just a few months from his high school graduation when his world is turned all around. He finds his younger sister, Annika, in the pool and performs CPR. Despite his efforts Annika is in a coma. But due to various circumstances, people begin to believe Annika is possibly a saint with special religious powers. Monroe struggles with the loss of his sister, not fitting in with the rest of his family and where he wants to go. Monroe has a good sense of humor and his struggles feel real. Several great sentences throughout that made me go - yeah - I wonder that too.

Monroe is so believable, I felt that I had slipped into his skin by the end of the first page. His doubts, fears, hopes, dreams, loves, uncertainties - all flow from who he is. Even when he did or said something immature and stupid, it made sense that he said or did this particular thing at this particular time.

The ending was just a little too easy. BUT, considering the book is about miracles and how they affect believers and non-believers, it's only appropriate that even the climax has a touch of the miraculous.

Thoroughly enjoyable.

Hey Brian, did Joe Nuxhall ever know the part he played in Annika's story? Doesn't seem possible that the Ol' Left-hander finally rounded third and made it home. I remember when it was "Jim and Joe on the radio" during Reds games, at old Crosley Field downtown even before Riverfront Stadium.

LOVED this debut novel by Brian Strause.
Very reminicent of the relationship of the "other" famous novel siblings, Holden Caufield and Phoebe.
Love the voice that Monroe has, the cynical, obnoxious, perfect 18-yr old "not quiet a man" He is bright, astute, perceptive, and seems to peel away the layers of his dysfuncitonal life and family (including his sister, in a coma from a drowning that shows signs of stigmata).
I really think this is a great read!!!!

I grabbed this book while in the grocery check-out one morning simply because of its cover (I’m pretty bad about that!). I began reading this book over my lunch break and finished it within three days. Bits of this book moved too slowly for my taste, but it never lost my interest. It was well written and very real in the language. I think the general concept is slightly far-fetched, but nevertheless it made for a very good read. Monroe is a believable character that you want to get to know. Annika and his relationship is portrayed so well, even though she is in a coma for the majority of the novel. The author raises some very good questions about faith and the faithful that really surprised me. It was really a pleasant surprise, this book. I would recommend it to my friends in a heartbeat. I’ve heart rumor the author is working on a screenplay version, and I really can’t wait! I think this would be wonderful on the big screen.

OK book, doesn't move real fast, but kept my interest.

Another Book that made me want to keep reading it. I was worried since it is about a brother saving his sister from drowning, and then she is in a coma, but it is still quite good and even funny.

This book has the cliched topic of a normal person performing extraordinary tasks that can be considered a religious wonder. However, what makes this story different than the Annunciation of Francesca Dunn is that the main character is an 18 year old average High School student.