Title: In Leah’s Wake
Author: Terri Giuliano Long
First published October 1, 2010
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.23
Overview
In Terri Giuliano Long’s debut novel, In Leah’s Wake, readers are taken on a journey through the complexities of family, love, and loss. The Tyler family seems perfect from the outside, with successful parents and two talented daughters.
But sixteen-year-old Leah is struggling to live up to her father’s expectations and her sister’s admiration, feeling the weight of their dreams on her shoulders. When she falls into the world of drugs and dangerous love, the family is pushed to their limits and forced to confront their own demons.
Long’s masterful storytelling delves into the challenges of adolescence and the enduring struggle of families to stay connected in the face of adversity. In Leah’s Wake is a must-read for anyone seeking a powerful and insightful exploration of the human experience.
About the Author
I am a woman who wears many hats – I am a mother, wife, and friend who loves to indulge in some serious chocolate. Additionally, I have a passion for writing.
Editoral Review
In Leah’s Wake by Terri Giuliano Long is a poignant and emotionally charged family drama that explores the complexities of modern-day parenting in the face of societal pressures and personal struggles. The author, Terri Giuliano Long, is a skilled writer with a background in psychology, which informs her nuanced portrayal of human relationships and psychological dynamics.
The novel follows the lives of the Tylers, a seemingly perfect family living in a prosperous New England town. However, beneath the surface, the family is struggling to cope with the pressures of success, conformity, and expectations.
The parents, Will and Zoe, are both successful professionals who have sacrificed their own dreams and desires for the sake of their children. Their eldest daughter, Leah, is a talented and ambitious athlete who is on the verge of a promising career in soccer.
However, as the novel unfolds, we see how Leah’s pursuit of success and independence clashes with her parents’ expectations and the values of their community.
The novel is set against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis and the ensuing recession, which adds a layer of social and cultural significance to the story. The novel touches on themes of class, privilege, and social mobility, as well as the impact of economic hardships on families and communities.
The strength of In Leah’s Wake lies in its well-drawn characters and its exploration of complex family dynamics. Long does an excellent job of portraying the internal struggles of each family member and their conflicting desires and needs.
The novel is also well-paced, with a series of dramatic events that keep the reader engaged and invested in the story.
However, the novel is not without its flaws. There are moments where the dialogue feels forced or unrealistic, and some of the plot points border on melodrama.
Additionally, the novel’s ending feels rushed and somewhat unsatisfying, leaving some loose ends unresolved.
Despite its flaws, In Leah’s Wake is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with readers who have experienced the challenges of modern-day parenting and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. It is a well-written and emotionally resonant novel that will stay with readers long after they finish it.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.