
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If there were ever a review that I found difficult to write, it would be for a book written by Suanne Laqueur… simply because she is such a phenomenal writer, and I know I will never do it justice. A Charm of Finches is the second in the Venery series, and the second book I’ve read from the author to date. While nothing will ever surpass the first one, this comes very close. This is not a book for everyone. It addresses many topics which will be awkward, painful, invasive, and too raw for those who prefer something lighthearted. But at the same time, Laqueur is such an intense and powerful writer, every moment is packed with beauty and emotion that will make any and all readers cry. If you do not bawl while reading this, you need to speak with someone about getting your tear ducts repaired.
Okay, the facts: a multi-day gang rape of a young teenage boy, death of someone’s family, survival after Auschwitz, divorce, suicide attempts, new love, discovery of homosexuality, addressing fears head on, psychology / art therapy for the truly physically and mentally abused… BUT, forget what the story deals with and focus on the path that our beautiful and tragic characters take to climb deep into a hole and thrust themselves through the pain to find the one ray of shining hope. It doesn’t come easily. It doesn’t always happen. But when it does, your heart will feel such an immensity of relief, you don’t ever want to put the book down.
But you have to. Not because it’s not a page-turner. It absolutely is. But you can only handle so much reality at once. I might never complain about anything again after seeing what others have gone through. While some of this is fiction, there is a huge component of truth. This has happened to people. Probably people you’ve met. But you never knew. And now, an amazing author can deliver it, and while what Laqueur has dropped in our laps, though some of the best writing I’ve read in years, is probably minor compared to what victims truly experienced. Laqueur has given us gift in this series… a way to understand people we might not know in person.
It’s not all emotionally-wrecking behavior. There are moments of levity. Laqueur captures those early new relationship feelings when we don’t trust ourselves that someone can love us. She highlights what we do wrong and what we do right when trying to share our love through both physical and mental methods. Whether she’s comparing fellow members of a rape-survival group to the Easter Island statues protecting us from anyone getting in or out, to the flight of a finch or a lark, you will connect with this author.
The only reason someone shouldn’t read the book, or doesn’t like it, is if he or she can’t handle the topics. Other than that, this is a finely crafted, must-read book for true literary fiction fans who can immerse themselves in the world of people you will grow to love like family. But do it the right way… buddy read it with a friend, like I did. Nina and I carried each other through this book for a few days. Almost chatting like two awkward teenagers who share a language no one else understands. It was the words we didn’t say that explained our mutual feelings… and that’s exactly what happens in the book, too… it’s what the author purposely doesn’t say that shows how awesome she is and how she should be on the top of the charts for all to see. I don’t often praise this highly, but this is a series that I will never forget, and I will always recommend.
View all my reviews
BTW, thank you to Sophie @ Beware of the Reader for recommending this book — she has changed my life!
Check out The Cozy Pages review to see what Nina thought of our buddy read!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I’m Jay, an author who lives in NYC. My stand-alone novels, Watching Glass Shatter and Father Figure, can be purchased on Amazon as electronic copies or physical copies. My new book series, Braxton Campus Mysteries, will fit those who love cozy mysteries and crime investigations but with a twist. There are five books: Academic Curveball, Broken Heart Attack, Flower Power Trip, Mistaken Identity Crisis, and Haunted House Ghost. I read, write, and blog A LOT on this site where you can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators. Follow my blog with Bloglovin.
Oh, I want to try this one. Great review as always.
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Thank you! It’s amazing!
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Just finished my review. It’s like a little weight off my heart now. Sigh.
I’ll post tomorrow.
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Oh so you were the lucky buddy read Nina? I am so happy that you got to read Suanne’s book too!
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Read/ experience… Lol.
That lady is one amazing author. She had me an emotional mess this week. 🙈
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Her review comes out tomorrow, and she was just as crushed!!
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I can’t wait… exciting to see it!
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Wow, this sounds like a must-read!
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Jacquie I’ve pushed Suanne’s books on Jay for months! LOL So yes you should read them but begin with An Exaltation of Larks 😉
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Great, thanks for the recommendation!
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AGREED 100%
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The whole series, oh my!
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May I say ….I TOLD YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! And I am so HAPPY that she moved you as much as I was moved/destroyed! Jay you just made my evening (because yes it’s evening here). HAAAAA! I just want to scream!
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you TOTALLY moved me to read this, and I am absolutely enthralled by it. I completely need to mention you in here. I am so grateful!
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Fab review, Jay and I couldn’t agree more! This was my first read from her (thanks to Sophie!) But I know I’ll be reading her other book too!😉😍
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Definitely, it’s so heartbreaking and amazing at the same time!
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Very well written review Jay, but I think this might be a bit too much of the terrible reality that is out there. Not sure if this is for me.
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It probably isn’t a regular read, but it is the most intense series I’ve ever read, and I truly bow to the author!
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[…] Jay and I agreed to do a buddy read of this book. All I can say is… man you owe me a drink at the very least after this emotional railroading packed in a novel. 😃😃 (Click on the link to check out his review). […]
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I will not be reading it. A good review, I just read Cozy Pages review, both are good. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you. I totally understand.
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🌞
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Thanks for the follow. I haven’t been reading reviews as I need to take care of my eyes. I have read your book and the next time I wrote reviews, I will be writing it.
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Thank you! I’ve always followed you, I just changed the subscription from no email to getting a weekly email with your post so I didn’t miss them! I hope your eyes get better soon. 🙂
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I have age related Mylar- degenerate an there is nothing they can do to stop it. I have some personal affairs and I let my blog go for awhile.
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I’m sorry… I understand, and you definitely need to focus on you!
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🍀🌻🌞☕
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